Crossfit - does anyone not belong to a box?

JenniferJaneC

I know there are so many advantages to joining a Crossfit box, but right now between my schedule and my finances, it isn't happening.  I already pay $81/month for our family's Y membership and we all use that.

In the past I've done some of the Crossfit WODs and I've loved them.  I use the equipment at the gym when needed.  I'm to the point in my fitness where I think I'd like to start integrating Crossfit WODs into my regular weekly routines.

I know we have a number of Crossfit box members here that love their Crossfit - is anyone else just trying the WODs at home?  Results?  Thoughts? 

kmartini1021

I just recently joined a box, but my trainer did it on his own for three years before opening our gym. He is a Navy pilot and had started crossFit on one of his deployments. When he returned home, there were no boxes around so he bought equipment for he and his wife and did CrossFit in their garage.

He says it's totally doable on your own if you have the right equipment (kettle bells, medicine ball, pull up bar, basic weights) and know the fundamentals and techniques of the workouts.

I highly encourage joining if you ever get the chance though. I think the think I benefit most from is the instructor's critique of my technique and the social aspect of the gym.

Brie2010

I obviously belong to a box, but doing it at home is totally doable.  One of the top three men at the CF games last year trains out of his garage.

I personally think paying for the box is worth it--the community atmosphere is fantastic, and the coaching has broken me of some bad habits.  I did some WODs on my own before starting CF, and they are still tough, and I think you'd see results.  But, I know I push myself harder in a group setting, and I know I've really benefited from the personalized instruction.

The only hesitation I have about doing WODs on your own is that I wouldn't advise doing some of the more technical lifts without a spot or instructor.  Most WODs are about time, so if you're attempting to snatch 100 lbs. alone, quickly, it's easy to get injured.  At CF, you review the moves carefully beforehand, and coaches are always making corrections and adjustments.  If I was CFing on my own, I'd probably stick to the less technically challenging WODs--squats, burpees, sprinting, push-ups, etc--and leave the more difficult lifts (snatches, OH squats, cleans) alone.  (Disclaimer: I think it's still perfectly fine to work on those lifts, but I wouldn't do it in a timed setting until you're very comfortable with them.)

 

JW28

Brie2010:

I obviously belong to a box, but doing it at home is totally doable.  One of the top three men at the CF games last year trains out of his garage.

I personally think paying for the box is worth it--the community atmosphere is fantastic, and the coaching has broken me of some bad habits.  I did some WODs on my own before starting CF, and they are still tough, and I think you'd see results.  But, I know I push myself harder in a group setting, and I know I've really benefited from the personalized instruction.

The only hesitation I have about doing WODs on your own is that I wouldn't advise doing some of the more technical lifts without a spot or instructor.  Most WODs are about time, so if you're attempting to snatch 100 lbs. alone, quickly, it's easy to get injured.  At CF, you review the moves carefully beforehand, and coaches are always making corrections and adjustments.  If I was CFing on my own, I'd probably stick to the less technically challenging WODs--squats, burpees, sprinting, push-ups, etc--and leave the more difficult lifts (snatches, OH squats, cleans) alone.  (Disclaimer: I think it's still perfectly fine to work on those lifts, but I wouldn't do it in a timed setting until you're very comfortable with them.)

I agree with all of this. You can do them on your own, but be very careful about your technique on the lifts. I thought I had pretty good technique, but I've learned a lot from the trainers at my box. Unfortunately it's expensive, but for me it's worth it. 

hikerbeth

JW28:

Brie2010:

I obviously belong to a box, but doing it at home is totally doable.  One of the top three men at the CF games last year trains out of his garage.

I personally think paying for the box is worth it--the community atmosphere is fantastic, and the coaching has broken me of some bad habits.  I did some WODs on my own before starting CF, and they are still tough, and I think you'd see results.  But, I know I push myself harder in a group setting, and I know I've really benefited from the personalized instruction.

The only hesitation I have about doing WODs on your own is that I wouldn't advise doing some of the more technical lifts without a spot or instructor.  Most WODs are about time, so if you're attempting to snatch 100 lbs. alone, quickly, it's easy to get injured.  At CF, you review the moves carefully beforehand, and coaches are always making corrections and adjustments.  If I was CFing on my own, I'd probably stick to the less technically challenging WODs--squats, burpees, sprinting, push-ups, etc--and leave the more difficult lifts (snatches, OH squats, cleans) alone.  (Disclaimer: I think it's still perfectly fine to work on those lifts, but I wouldn't do it in a timed setting until you're very comfortable with them.)

I agree with all of this. You can do them on your own, but be very careful about your technique on the lifts. I thought I had pretty good technique, but I've learned a lot from the trainers at my box. Unfortunately it's expensive, but for me it's worth it. 

I third this.  When I'm working on lifts outside of the box I am really conservative with weights and just focus on technique. . . plus I can't bail and drop a weight at the gym where there are no bumper plates.

SoftSpot

hikerbeth:

JW28:

Brie2010:

I obviously belong to a box, but doing it at home is totally doable.  One of the top three men at the CF games last year trains out of his garage.

I personally think paying for the box is worth it--the community atmosphere is fantastic, and the coaching has broken me of some bad habits.  I did some WODs on my own before starting CF, and they are still tough, and I think you'd see results.  But, I know I push myself harder in a group setting, and I know I've really benefited from the personalized instruction.

The only hesitation I have about doing WODs on your own is that I wouldn't advise doing some of the more technical lifts without a spot or instructor.  Most WODs are about time, so if you're attempting to snatch 100 lbs. alone, quickly, it's easy to get injured.  At CF, you review the moves carefully beforehand, and coaches are always making corrections and adjustments.  If I was CFing on my own, I'd probably stick to the less technically challenging WODs--squats, burpees, sprinting, push-ups, etc--and leave the more difficult lifts (snatches, OH squats, cleans) alone.  (Disclaimer: I think it's still perfectly fine to work on those lifts, but I wouldn't do it in a timed setting until you're very comfortable with them.)

I agree with all of this. You can do them on your own, but be very careful about your technique on the lifts. I thought I had pretty good technique, but I've learned a lot from the trainers at my box. Unfortunately it's expensive, but for me it's worth it. 

I third this.  When I'm working on lifts outside of the box I am really conservative with weights and just focus on technique. . . plus I can't bail and drop a weight at the gym where there are no bumper plates.

And now I'll fourth it. I did CF independently for about 3 months before joining the box. I didn't push as hard as I do now at the box & I had bad technique on a lot of the oly lifts. I know it's not in the budget for you right now, so just be careful & look up videos if you do it alone. I am weary of a lot of videos on YouTube because a lot of people have shiit technique so I stick with CrossFitHQ videos or people I know are at the top of the CF leader boards. 

JenniferJaneC

Form is definitely one of my main concerns.  I have no doubt that the group benefits of belonging to a box are great too.  Maybe someday - there is a box right near my work that has times that work for me IF ONLY my son would learn to sleep in in the mornings.

I'm going to give the WODs a cautious try.  If I don't understand something or I'm not sure about it, I won't do it - better safe than sorry - I'll just grab a different WOD and work with that.

Thanks for your input, ladies!