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crossfit folks - talk to me
We (DH and I) just started crossfit workouts, and I'm not sure I'm a fan. We did the orientation, as well as the first foundations workout. I'm not sure if I just don't click with the trainer who's working with us, or if I'm not a fan of the workouts in general.
My first thoughts:
I've been working out with a trainer for over 3 years. I've worked hard and form, flexibility, strength, etc. The trainer keeps saying things like "we do explosive workouts here. This is nothing like other workouts that you've ever done." Actually, they're very similar to workouts I did with my trainer. We have to start from the beginning, which is fine, but she keeps making comments, like, oh, we don't use aids here, etc. I get that crossfit is great, but that doesn't mean that all other workouts are crap.
On that same note, I've always had major hip flexibility issues. I've been working for years. Yoga, stretching, etc. She said if I do the stretches she recommended, I'll be good in about 4 weeks. Great, I've already done that stretch. It didn't help. Not saying it won't improve, but implying that everything I've done before wasn't crossfit so wasn't right.
The constant dropping of weights is really annoying.
The "we're so good, everyone else is wrong" attitude is also really annoying.
But, I do like the workouts overall. I like the idea of the camaraderie. I can't really afford a trainer anymore. I don't like working out on my own. I don't know what to do.
Re: crossfit folks - talk to me
unfortunately kings CF isn't really close at all
. I love the location of the box (it's right by our house, I can pm you the name). there are also a bunch of trainers there, so maybe I'm just not clicking with one we've been doing our orientation with. that being said, there are a bunch of trainers at the gym, so there are more options, too.
I also don't know if I'm just being sensitive. I've also worked out with the same trainer for so long, and have a total groove with him, so it could just be different from what I'm used to.
I think the attitude is prelevant in the Crossfit community and is off putting. Some coaches are worse than others with the attitude. I think you'll see less of it after the fundamentals when you are working more with the group. I think the coach you met with just didn't tailor his "speech" based on your experience. If you think you'll like the actual workouts, I'd give it a month and see if you click with this box. If not, I'd look for another box.
The weigh dropping doesn't bother me except that on many exercises you actually should lower the weights because that's basically the second 1/2 of the lifting exercise (control of the weight to the floor) that you're skipping.
Oh...and the "do these stretches and your hip will be fine" would have annoyed me too.
It sounds like you and the coach are probably not a good fit.
The workouts *are* much more explosive than any workouts you'd do in a regular gym once you get up to full speed, but you may not get the full effect from an intro/ramp up class.
I'm a group fitness instructor, so I would never be o.k. with the implication that other workouts are "crap." As long as people are moving and getting healthy, who cares what workout they're doing??!!
Honestly, once things get heavy, the dropping of weights is quite satisfying LOL.
But it really sounds like the trainer is not a good fit for you.
It sounds like you just got a bad coach. I've been doing CF for 5 months now and I have never experienced, nor heard of anyone else at my box experiencing the type of comments and attitude you have experienced with your coach. Can you work with another coach at your box? Also, do you get the "we're so good, everything else is wrong" attitude from everyone at your box, or just from the coach you are working with? There's not many people at my box with that attitude, especially not the coaches. Our athletes do a range of workouts in addition to CF, everything from pole-dancing class to running to spin, etc and all types of experience are welcome. Your coach also should not be pushing aside the fact that you have hip flexibility issues - they should be working with you to make the best of the situation, and working with what you have already done, not saying they can fix in 4 weeks what you have been working on for a long time.
To me, it sounds like your coach sucks and maybe the attitude at your box isn't the best - I would look into another box if possible, or at least working with another coach.
Our two girls - Chenoa and Maddie
This is my personal opinion as well.
#PerfectStrangers
2012 Races:
1/28 - Planet Adventure night trail 1/4-marathon - 1:25:47
3/24 - Sam Costa half marathon - 2:02:47
4/14 - Hoosier 10 miler - 1:25:21 (8:32) PR!
7/8 - XTERRA Freedom Fest Hawaii 10K
9/1 - Indianapolis Women's Half Marathon
10/20 - Indianapolis Marathon Relay
11/4 - Monumental Marathon (full marathon #2)
11/22 - Drumstick Dash 4.5mi
Ditto everyone else. It may just be the box/coach. This is my biggest pet peeve of CF. I have been doing it for almost 3 years at a great box where people encourage each other in their non Crossfit endeavors (someone did a half Ironman yesterday and a full one in May, 2 women that ran their first half got shout outs in the monthly newsletter, etc.) And then you have people like this. I would see if you can click with someone else or move on.
Crossfit has been around for awhile, but has gotten much more popular in the last year or so. When it started, I think it *was* different than most workout regimens, but now, not so much. However, I think this "we're so awesome and different and amazing" attitude trickles down from HQ. I personally find it obnoxious. (Some of the CF tshirts are a bit eye-roll-y.)
I absolutely love Crossfit. Love it. But I have a great box and great coaches. My coach pushes everyone in the class to move up weight, go faster, and push ourselves. And sometimes dropping a weight is very satisfying (although we're not allowed to do it all the time, or burpee penalty!)
We've only worked with the one coach so far (it's just DH and I since the box doesn't have a group foundations class right now since it's just 1:1, so we're doing basically a quickstart personal training foundations type thing), and haven't had much exposure to anyone else.
My concern with asking to work with a new coach is that since the box is relatively small, I'm worried that if we decide we want to stick with it, the coach knowing that we didn't like working with her would be awkward.
I asked DH today what he thought, and he said he thought the coach was being quite b*itchy, but that he thought it might be a "girl thing" whatever that means (she was being b*itchy to me, but not to him). He did say he didn't really like working with her either.
Maybe I could see if we could work with another trainer for our next session to get a better feel for the box....
ya, this also really annoyed me. the trainer I was working with is seriously awesome, and we did tons of high intensity/explosive workouts. kettle bells, cleans, sprints, things with big heavy ropes, box jumps, etc. basically, none of the crossfit stuff we've encountered or that I've seen on WODs is stuff I haven't done before. so the fact that, "oh, it's crossfit, it's so much better" is kind of off-putting.
I've been doing Crossfit for about 8-9 mos now, and like others have said before, it sounds like this particular coach is not a good fit for you.
However, I agree that there is a pervasive attitude out there of "Crossfit is it, nothing else is good enough", and I've started to notice it from my box's owner at times, both about the sport and our box in general. The rest of the coaches I work with, though, are great - one does marathons and Ironmans, we have a few other triathletes and runners in our class (one girl has run 22 marathons!), and in general there is great support of any other endeavours anyone wants to persue. The right coach can make all the difference - I would probably switch to another box if it weren't for the great group of people in my class and my awesome coach. I hate when I have to reschedule to another class because of a conflict!
If you can stick with it, you may find it very rewarding. I have done a lot of different sports throughout my life, and no workout whips my butt more than CF. And ditto what everyone said about dropping weights - sometimes, it can be the best feeling in the world!
I can understand your experience. I was working out with another trainer I LOVED for about 1.5 years and then we moved so I joined a CrossFit closer to home since I wouldn't be able to see my other trainer as frequently. Since I had such an attachment to my first trainer, it was a little tough to adjust to something new. However I did tell my CrossFit coach about my other trainer, so he knew where I was coming from and that I wasn't totally new to everything. Also, he doens't take a one size fits all approach to CrossFit. While everyone generally does the same workout, he will modify depending on each person's abilities, and will suggest different stretches for different people, depending on issues.
I would keep trying your current box, and ask for a different coach. Did the first one you met with knew you had been working out with a trainer before? If not, I would tell them. If it still doens't make you happy to go there, I would try another box. My CF coach always says that every box is different, and each coach has different qualifications. Good luck!
I agree that most crossfitters probably have a superior attitude. I was just talking to H about this, it's the same with people who eat paleo. If you don't crossfit & you eat grains, you just have no idea about health (is their popular opinion). I used to do WW and go to CF and people looked at me like I was ridiculous when I said I was on WW.
However, I found a box where that attitude is much less annoying. There are some people like that, but the trainers aren't and the overall vibe is much less "I'm better than you" and much more "let's figure out what works for you."
I'd stick it out there for a while. It's humbling to start a new box/gym where no one knows you and what you're capable of. Maybe you'll start to feel more comfortable after a few more visits.
Oh and dropping the weights was really annoying to me at first too.
Now, I do it all the time and rarely set a weight down gently. I'm tired and I figure the KB can take the abuse