Welcome back to another addition of the “Trying New Things” column – I try new fitness and wellness ventures, so you don’t have to. The goal is to find activities that are not only good for the body, but something to look forward to, as well. 

Last month, we tried hot yoga. This month, we are upping the pace with CrossFit.

What Is It?

CrossFit initially gained popularity in the 2000s as a high intensity fitness regimen. I remember distinctly the first time I saw CrossFit. My dad and I watched Icelandic professional CrossFit athlete Anníe Þórisdóttir (pronounced “Thor’s Daughter” – appropriately named) on ESPN. Ever since then, we refer to one another as “Annie Thor’s Daughter” after we workout. Who knew that this longtime joke could turn into giving CrossFit a chance?

What Do You Do?

Thanks to Forsyth Woman’s publisher, Brooke Eagle, I was able to try CrossFit at her gym, Washington Park CrossFit. The space is well equipped and organized, segmented with bike machines and rowers on one side and racks of weights on the other. The space is smaller than a traditional gym, but I enjoyed the more intimate feel.

The class began with a short warm up, then we completed the workout written on a board. If you don’t know what the workouts below are, I didn’t either. The coaches and other attendees were more than willing to show and explain everything. 

40 minute AMRAP (40 minutes were put on a timer, AMRAP is “as many rounds/reps as possible,” so there was no goal for how many times we should complete the circuit)

40 clean and jerks (pull a barbell from the ground to shoulders, then push the bar overhead. I split up the reps with a teammate, so we each did around 20)

40 synchronized single dumbbell stepback lunges (these lunges were done individually but, at the same time, as a pair)

40 calories on a bike or rower (we took turns to burn the 40 calories, burning around 10 at a time)

Initially, I assumed the easiest part for me would be the 40 calories on the bike. In reality, that ended up being the most challenging. Lifting exhausted me more than anticipated, so I was drained on the bike. I also noticed serious improvement with my lunges and clean and jerks throughout the workout. By watching other people in the gym and practicing myself, I grew more comfortable with the new movements.

Beginner friendly?

CrossFit is challenging, team-centric and rewarding, but far from easy. I was sore for days after. If you decide to try a CrossFit class, be sure to ask questions to the coaches about anything you’re unsure about. 

So beginner-friendly? A cautionary yes. If you’re willing to ask questions, learn new workouts and want to improve, it’s worth a shot. If you’re looking for a laidback activity, CrossFit might not be quite right.

Insight & Impression

I was lucky enough to attend the Galentine’s Day celebration – the women in the class stayed behind to mingle, eat snacks and drink champagne. Beyond that, Washington Park CrossFit hosts events for members to participate in several times a month. Just in February, they had a Super Bowl watch party, a competition and themed workouts.

Something that resonated with me is how much community there is. Everyone knows each other’s names, their jobs, about their families – it is a completely different culture than joining a large gym. 

Did I feel like I was working out?

YES! Enthusiastically yes! In a finite amount of time, I felt more drained than I do in any other workout I’ve done. What really made me enjoy it was the community. Everyone had a “we’re in this together” attitude and pushed each other to succeed. If you’re looking to not feel like you’re working out, it is not going to provide passive exercise.

Washington Park CrossFit offers a free one-week trial, so I encourage you to give it a try if you haven’t. It might seem intimidating at first, but it is a great way to learn new workouts and skills with the guidance of coaches. On top of that, the social component is a selling point for me.

If CrossFit isn’t the one, don’t worry. Next month, we’re going to slow it down a little. Hint: You could say plunged into everything Washington Park CrossFit has to offer!