Validation
Increased Capacity Across Broad Time and Modal Domains
What does that mean?
That is the goal of CrossFit. We’re not trying to make the best runner, Martial Artist, Wrestler, or office worker. We’re trying to make people fit for whatever life has to throw at them. We’re not just looking at attaining “Wellness”, we’re striving way further to “Fitness”.
So what is the validation?
When you can take 8 CrossFitters, 6 of whom are not ‘runners’ throw them together as a team, not have any of them running more than 400m at a time for the previous 3+ months worth of training and have your team WIN a marathon distance relay! We didn’t even have the 3 fastest runners from amongst the CrossFit group running on the team. The team was just made up of those who were around and available when asked one night at class about interest.
So who cares?
Well I sure as hell do! When I first found CrossFit and started doing the workouts I was saying to myself this is great. Its always different, its always really tough, and its really functional. After getting Certified and starting up an affiliate it became, try it for a bit and see/feel the difference for yourself. Some of the folks told us their 5K, or 10K or swim times were improving but that might convince me but would it convince others? Well, take eight people who have not been running and throw them into a race with people who have been running/training just for that, and beat them! Well, hell yah that validates it in my opinion for sure.
Work on your Goat (weakness) and watch the results appear.
Post the differences its made for you.
feeling stronger…nothing better than that!
That’s a huge accomplishment – congrats on the win!
From your non-running friends at CF Fton!
Thanks Anthony. It was very cool to be a part of it. Given the strength of the competitors on the other teams, we were looking to be in the top 5.
There was only one runner in the group, so we were pretty much all non-runners too.
Congratulations guys! I wish I had been there to be a part of it. Can I still hang out with the cool people, even though I wasn’t there?
For me I’ve seen some siginificant gains in strength but also (somewhat surprising) gains in endurance and recovery – highlighted nicely by being able to run 10k.
As some of you know I have been going through the RCMP application process, CrossFit was suggested to me by an RCMP member I had my interview with. I discussed my lack of upper body strength with him and he thought CrossFit would be a great way to improve. He had no idea how right he was!! When I started I thought, ‘I’ll do this ‘Crossfit’ once a week and keep up my running and that should be enough to see the results I want’. It becomes so addictive so quickly, even when I could barely walk because of a previous WOD I HAD to be at the next WOD!
As far as the differences its made for me, the first time I ran my PARE test I finished in 4:20, I was pretty pleased with myself for making it under the required time of 4:45. After only a few months of CrossFit I was able to take it down to 3:54. I look forward to seeing improvements(fingers crossed!!)on my next PARE Nov.12. Whether I make it to DEPOT or not, I hope and plan to keep this as my fitness plan for the rest of my life.
I mean I came into Crossfit thinking I was in shape because I played different sports my whole life. Sports got nothin’ on CrossFit!!
I will stop now becuase I could go on and on…
One last though, I have a great appreciation for the sense of ‘community/family’ that I get when at CrossFit. As much as you want to beat that person standing next to you, you can’t help but feel proud and be impressed by their preformance if they put in a better time then you.
So a huge THANK-YOU to all of you!!
Deb. Absolutely wonderful comment. The community aspect is one thing that has blown me away about CrossFit. People come together, go as hard as they can, and have fun. The difference in strength is amazing to see, whether its a 1 rep max squat, an overhead press or a pullups. I’ve been impressed with how hard you’ve pushed yourself WOD after WOD. The RCMP will be lucky if they get you.
Just to echo Dave, great comment Deb. I’d love to use some of that for our testimonials page.
The CrossFit community is a pretty amazing group both at the local level and spreading across to the other affiliates right up to headquarters. It’s what sets it apart from any other fitness training.
With less than two months CrossFit experience I have seen a varity of differences. The most important has been a lack of pain from two old injuries. My right knee and left shoulder have held me back at the gym for the past few years but since Crossfit I’m almost completely pain free (my shoulder was a bit sore after one workout).
Like Mike I’ve seen gains in strengh and recovery, to my surprise I’ve also gained 15 lbs so my clothes fit a bit better too
I started testing the theory of how CrossFit helps running after reading the results Dave, Tom and Mike posted from the 5K run Susan had organized. My First run I completed in the usual time but was impressed because I hadn’t ran in at least four weeks, after running only once a week for the past three weeks I’ve taken two minutes off my usual time!
Guys, the Marathon win is a terrifc accomplishment. For me – this is the first Marathon weekend in the past five that I was away – and it would have been cool to be part of the winning team.
X-Fit PEI has helped me realize that running is only a small part of the fitness equation.
I am really enjoying CFit – and feel like I am in the best overall shape of my life – better than when I ran 26.2 in 2003. Still have a long way too go – but enjoying big time. Thanks Dave+Mike and CFIT PEI teamates for continued inspiration.
Congrats to the winning runners.
Well I may as well go with the flow…Since I started Crossfit, in Jan or Feb, I can’t remember, I have developed a lot of new muscle and am in the best shape I have ever been, even compared to when I was in top fighting shape.
Crossfit has really helped me fill a void that was left when I found out I couldn’t box anymore, nor play soccer to my full extent. Its the perfect combination of extreme exercise, competition (which I definitely need/crave!) and community.
Seems funny to look forward to going to get my ass kicked 5 times (usually 4 for me since I can’t get my butt out of bed for Friday morning) a week, but a lot of us, if not all, definitely do!
Also not sure if I would make it through midterms/exams without killing someone without crossfit to relieve some tension
I still remember the fist class I went to. I told Dave that Mike told me just to try it, but that I would never be at a early morning class. Dave said “yes you will”….and I was at the next one. After the first class, I just couldn’t stay away.
I feel strong and in better shape than I’ve ever been in. I have actually gained “a few” pounds since starting which would bother me if I wasn’t feeling so healthy : )
Thanks to everyone!!!
Guys, that is fargity fargin outstanding.
Nice. Very Nice.
More great comments coming from Joey, Steve, Megan and Lacey. We have seen significant improvements in everyone at CF PEI but it is really rewarding as a trainer to see that you guys are feeling it.
Thanks for the compliment TexasPatrick … I’ve seen your comments on the other CF sites – great to see you here.
BTW further to my comment about recovery, my bad knees which haven’t hurt since starting CrossFit in January are already feeling good enough for a workout tonight after barely being able to walk the day after abusing them for 10 km. Can’t wait!
I remember my first class too, Lacey. Talk about being outside my comfort zone! But what a great decision. I’m not a fast triathlete by any means, but I did my fastest olympic and sprint distance tris this summer with less of my regular training.
I never enjoyed weight-lifting, but did it because I knew I should, and it always tended to be the first thing that would drop from my list of workouts. But CrossFit is totally different! It’s more than a physical challenge with every workout. I love the balance of it all, and how I’m becoming an overall healthier person because of it. It’s tough, competitive, supportive, and fun! totally energizing ….
That’s awesome guys! congratulation
Since beginning CrossFit, I’ve seen many of the same gains mentioned by others here…strength, energy, recovery, endurance, etc. I’ve developed a surprising addiction to the intensity of the workouts, as well as the results. I’ve also made big strides in understanding how much I CAN do and pushing past that little voice in your head that tells you you’re done for the day, or you can’t lift that much weight, or you’ll never finish another round. The “we’re all in this together” atmosphere at CrossFit has been the key driver of that.
So much of these workouts is mental, and when you have such a supportive group of people encouraging you and believing that you can do it, it helps you to push yourself beyond what you thought you could do. Case in point, yesterday’s workout. During my row, somewhere around the 400m mark, I hit the wall and my legs started getting fatigued. My first thought was that I wanted to stop. Had I been working out in a gym somewhere by myself, I probably would have…but with Mike and Glen and others standing with you encouraging you, pushing you, not letting you quit, how can you possibly give up? Not only did I finish my 1000m, I finished with a time I was quite happy with! Thanks guys!!