CrossFit is famous worldwide for attracting a huge following, and infamous for also being the cause of quite a few injuries amongst its practitioners.
If you are interested in getting into the CrossFit scene but you don’t want to hurt yourself in the process, here are a few things to know about the training process which should keep you out of harm’s way.
Warming up is essential
It should be obvious if you’ve done any form of exercise before, but warming up before diving into any CrossFit routine is a good idea. The intensity of the workouts involved mean that your body will likely be pushed to its limits, and you are more likely to suffer an injury if you have not stretched out your muscles and ligaments.
In fact, reading a beginners guide to CrossFit is a sensible step so you can decide whether or not this is the right route to fitness for you, as the aforementioned intensity might not be in line with your physical capabilities or fitness goals.
Learning complex movements & routines is important
Another issue which often leads to injury in CrossFit is when a participant attempts to do something that is beyond the scope of their experience. This is usually associated with lifting, where compound movements are required and multiple stages are involved.
It is a case of learning to walk before you run, because by taking heed of the instructions and easing yourself in with gradual practices of the more complex manoeuvres you will be better placed to complete them safely further down the line.
Pay attention to your body
While CrossFit is all about pushing yourself, you also need to remember that there are limits beyond which you cannot go, and this is especially true if you have any pre-existing physical complaints which are exacerbated by any of the exercises you are carrying out.
Whether your back is hanging in the balance or your joints are playing up, paying attention to twinges and pain that lingers longer than it should after a workout is the only way to avoid worsening a condition. Working around such concerns by changing your routines and focuses is worthwhile, and will let you enjoy CrossFit for longer.
Seek out a high quality instructor
There are literally thousands of CrossFit instructors worldwide, and it is likely that there are a few operating in your local area at any one time. Because this gives you a choice, you should not rush into going for the one that is closest and most convenient, since some instructors are better than others.
Look for recommendations online or ask friends if they know of a good instructor so that you can avoid inexperienced or imperfect practitioners of this particular creed.
A good instructor is not just one who knows how to run CrossFit classes safely, but also who understands the need to build a positive, friendly community around their professional activities, so keep this in mind as well.
Rushing is dangerous
The kind of frenetic activity that is associated with CrossFit definitely allows it to deliver impressive results for those who persevere with it, but if you are over-eager with your exercises and try to complete them too quickly in order to move onto the next one, accidents can happen.
Speed is obviously part of the CrossFit doctrine, but do not let this come at the expense of safety. If in doubt, a good CrossFit instructor should be able to assist you along the way, so once again it really comes down to who is training you.
Published on Holr Magazine