CrossFit For Beginners – Tips Before You Decide To Join
Are you a busy parent or approaching midlife and are looking to get fit but feeling overwhelmed about where to start? You’re not alone. At Northern Touch CrossFit in Scarborough, we’ve helped hundreds of busy professionals just like you transform their fitness and lives through CrossFit.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about getting started.
What Exactly is CrossFit?
CrossFit is more than just a workout program – it’s a comprehensive approach to fitness that combines strength training, cardiovascular conditioning, and mobility work. Think of it as the ultimate full-body workout that prepares you for everything life throws your way, from picking up your toddler to moving furniture or playing sports with your kids.
At its core, CrossFit focuses on functional movements – the types of movements you do in everyday life. We scale and modify these movements to match your current fitness level, which means you don’t have to worry about injury and you can start to working out from exactly where you are right now.
How is CrossFit Different from Traditional Gym Workouts?
If you’ve tried traditional gyms before, you might be familiar with this scenario: walking in, feeling lost among the machines, doing some random exercises, and leaving without really knowing if you’re making progress. CrossFit is different in several key ways:
- Guided Instruction: Every class has a certified coach who teaches proper form, provides modifications, and ensures you’re moving safely.
- Structured Workouts: No more guessing what to do. Each day’s workout is carefully planned and different from the last, keeping things interesting and challenging.
- Community Support: Unlike traditional gyms where you’re often on your own, CrossFit classes foster a supportive community where members encourage each other.
- Efficient Training: Our workouts typically last about an hour and combine strength, cardio, and flexibility training – perfect for busy parents and professionals who need to maximize their time.
What Does a Typical CrossFit Class Look Like?
Here’s what you can expect in a class at Northern Touch CrossFit:
- Warm-up (10-15 minutes)
- Dynamic stretching
- Movement preparation
- Light cardio to get your blood flowing
- Skill/Strength Work (15-20 minutes)
- Technical practice of movements
- Strength training
- Coach-led instruction and form correction
- WOD (Workout of the Day) (10-20 minutes)
- Higher-intensity workout combining various movements. Which means you will work your whole body every time you come to a session.
- Scaled options are a key component of our workouts, so you never have to worry about “keeping up” with members who have been with us for years.
- The workout is designed to support all fitness levels. For instance. If you are unable to run due to knee issues, we will swap out the exercise for a more appropriate cardiovascular exercise such as biking.
- The focus is always on personal improvement. We guide you so that you have wins daily, not for anyone else. But for your own health.
- Cool-down (5-10 minutes)
- Stretching.
- Mobility work. These types of exercises so you can improve the ease of how your joints move.
- And big congrats all around from the coaches and the other members in class.
Essential CrossFit Terminology
Don’t worry about memorizing everything. When you attend your first class it may feel like a whole other language to learn – you’ll pick these up naturally, but here are some basics:
- WOD: Workout of the Day
- AMRAP: As Many Rounds/Reps As Possible
- RX: Performing the workout as prescribed (but not expected for beginners!)
- Scale/Modify: Adjusting movements or weights to match your fitness level
- Box: CrossFit gym (yes, we call it a box!) This us because in our fitness philosophy, YOUR BODY is the machine, so unlike other bigger gyms, you won’t see a lot of machines on the floor. We just need a square space (a “box”), and the magic happens in the atmosphere/coaching.
Common Movements You’ll Learn:
- Air squats
- Push-ups (modified versions available)
- Pull-ups (we have assistance bands)
- Deadlifts (starting with proper form using light weights)
- Rowing
- Running/Walking
Do I Need to Be in Shape to Start CrossFit?
Here’s the most important thing we want you to know: CrossFit is for EVERYONE, regardless of your current fitness level. At Northern Touch CrossFit, we firmly believe that fitness is a journey, not a destination.
You don’t need to get in shape to start CrossFit – that’s exactly what CrossFit will help you do. We have members who started without being able to do a single push-up who are now doing several of them string together. Every movement in our workouts can be modified to meet you where you are today.
Think of it this way: if you wanted to learn a new language, would you wait until you could speak it perfectly before taking classes? Of course not! The same applies to fitness. We’ll meet you at your current level and help you progress safely and consistently.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Starting something new can feel intimidating, but remember: every single person at Northern Touch CrossFit had a first day too. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Want to see what it’s all about? Book a free intro with us! Schedule your visit, and let us show you around the gym and set out a plan made just for you!
Remember, your fitness journey is about becoming a better version of yourself, not competing with others. At Northern Touch CrossFit, we’re here to help you achieve your goals while balancing the demands of work and family life.
