Anyway, I’m thinking that the coming weeks are perfect to give this whole double under-snatch-box world a try. I mean, any environment that advocates the use of these words in day-to-day speech is okay in my book! I’m planning on giving Big Horn Crossfit a jingle tomorrow and getting things sorted.
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| Tals and I will never give up the outdoors! |
Let’s face it: I will never become a full-time weight lifter/cross fit chick. Granted, I don’t usually love saying “never” but I’m pretty confident using it in this instance. I love running and cycling. I adore being outside, and I could literally never imagine my life without all of my mountain sports. I enjoy the long, slow burn of a 5-hour cardio session. However, I do need to strength train. Not only does osteoporosis run in my family, but I’m also getting to that age where bone strength is key (your 30s are vicious, aren’t they?!) But aside from the reasons why I should do it, I’m more curious as to how it will help me in other areas!
I know there is a big ol’ battle between long distance runners and die-hard Crossfitters. The Crossfit stereotype dictates that long distance running is a waste of time while endurance runners tend to think of the Crossfit group as a “cult” that causes injuries. Now, I don’t really care about any of that…because I want to try both.
I’m convinced that the anaerobic nature of 2-3 Crossfit workouts/week will improve my running and high altitude hiking. I mean, doesn’t that just make sense?
So, here is the big question for me: how will Crossfit help my running and outdoor activities?
I’m thinking I need to conduct some type of experiment; you know, a way to determine whether or not it makes me a stronger runner, hiker, and cyclist. Any suggestions on how to do that?
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ok serious answer time, cross fit will help because it gets every part of your body stronger. the workouts are designed in a way that exercise each of your limbs in a specific way as a specific time. it is metabolic conditioning to it’s core. the weight lifting will help with strengthening your arms and legs which will in turn make you a better runner (since you use arms and legs) as well as hiker and cyclist. i dont know a good way to determine it other than the way you will feel when taking a run after your first week of crossfit. 🙂
Can’t we just all get along? Why the hating between sports, right? Excited to hear what you think about it!
BECAUSE MY SPORT IS BETTER.
I kid, I kid! Luckily, I don’t have a single sport so I can be obnoxious about it 🙂
Yes crossfit will help, there is even an endurance crossfit group that specializes with endurance athletes, crossfit is also known for a high injury rate, its not the crossfit workouts that cause it, its bad form of the person working out, that is why they make you go through a couple of intro classes up front, to teach you proper form. If you like it, but not the price, you could always do the free WOD on their site.
I do some WODs on my own at the gym already, but I’m very curious to see if being in the box actually enhances my motivation to dig deeper and work harder.
Ha I just picked up a living social deal for xfit as well. My motivation is mostly Vanity. Perhaps I will see u in the gym.
I think strengthening your legs could help dat knee, and core strength helps pretty much anything.
“My motivation is mostly vanity” = totally awesome 🙂 Made me laugh!
crossfit will definitely help your running. The goal of crossfit is to help your endurance and help you strength train. The only thing you should worry about is not having the will to run after days of crossfit. I find it hard to find a balance but I just started CrossFit and I’m loving it! (:
I’m interested to see what your opinions of it will be. I’ve never tried it but can’t turn around in the blogosphere without hearing someone rave about it. I’m also much more partial to anything that I can do outside and have to force myself to strength train twice a week at home because I know it does help to keep me strong and fit for the hiking/running I enjoy!
Yeah, it’s definitely the happening fitness trend as of late! Remember when Bikram yoga was the new “it” thing?!
You would LOVE LOVE LOVE the new stuff I have been doing. It is called FIT1. I am working with the trainer on his social media stuff and web stuff.. Its all outdoor fitness that is VERY similar to crossfit workouts.
I am SPENT after… http://www.rocfit1.com
Check it out, maybe there is something like this near you?
That does look cool! We have a lot of outdoor boot camps here so maybe they’re similar?
I just started crossfit last week and I can honestly tell you that it has already helped my running. I feel stronger, before during and after my WOD and my runs. I believe they are the perfect compliment to each other, regardless of the ongoing died between the two groups! I’m a runner who loves crossfit!!!!
I keep thinking about doing Crossfit, I know I would love it. I love those kinds of workouts and the group atmosphere would be fun, but I would never give up my running. Can’t wait to see what you think of it!
I think one of the best ways to tell will be to see if your PRs drop in running races! Plus, if you’ve got nagging injuries that a little extra strength will solve, you might notice that too 🙂 Good luck, and keep us updated!
While I have no personal experience with crossfit, i’ve been loving my HIIT classes lately and they’re such an intense workout! I can’t imagine doing crossfit WON’T help your running – or especially hiking/backpacking. Build those muscles, baby. Good luck and let us know how it feels!
I will be curious to see what you have to say about crossfit…I have been toyin gwith the idea of it for a little while now, funny thing is the only way I am going to join is through a groupon deal! Good luck to ya!
CrossFit has helped me out tremendously. I am an avid mountain biker and hiker and I used to only weight train with conventional lifting. I was brought into the world of crossfit by a friend at work and ever since I have made gains I would’ve never expected. It has helped my mountain biking the most. As I saw in a previous post crossfit doesn’t injure people bad form does. That is a huge reason to try and learn all the lifts properly instead of just going out and attempting them. Crossfit has also cleared up some nagging injuries I have been dealing with (neck, back, knee). I have strengthened all of the muscles in the right places to take care of these injuries and I am almost at 100%. When I am looking out trails I will be able to trail run again. I think you and anyone who tries crossfit will enjoy and benefit from it. Oh yea can’t wait to see how it helps me on the slopes!
I’ve been doing CrossFit since June and I know it has helped my running. Check out my latest post: http://runninghutch.com/2012/09/19/crossfit-and-ultra-training/
Also don’t forget that CrossFit does incorporate metcon and endurance workouts as well. It’s not just weights and strength training. For example, my CrossFit workout tonight is straight up running:
200m then rest
400m then rest
800m then rest
Repeat for 40 minutes
I’ve never been to an official Crossfit gym- but would definitely snatch up a deal like that! I’ve done similar workouts at another gym, and loved it.
BUT I’m with you- my favorite form of exercise will ALWAYS be exploring the mountains (and how could it not where you live??)
I’m excited to hear how it goes for you. I’ve been super curious about crossfit and want to try it too once my knee gets a bit stronger. But just based on my experience strength training, I can only imagine that crossfit will help make you a stronger runner/cyclist/outdoorswoman. Can’t wait to hear about your experience. Why are there no Living Social deals like that for NYC???
I’ve been playing around with online WODs from a site I got from another blogger and they make lifting a lot more bearable, although I can’t say that I’m in love yet. They fact they are free WODs makes it a lot better, I can’t imagine paying full price for a box membership, especially when I won’t pay $50 for a gym membership…
Have fun, I’m kind of excited to hear about it!
i know nothing about crossfit but i am totally giggling at ‘snatch box’ 🙂
Crossfit helps me immensely. I laugh every time I hear someone talking about doing “snatches at their box”, and laughter is good for stress relief. I also just found out it’s called a “wad” not a W.O.D. (pronouncing each letter name) as I had thought and laughed more. Also, whenever someone posts on their blog about a crossfit workout I just click “mark as read” so it saves me time as well :). That being said, I am curious about the cult and would totally try it for free.