New to the CrossFit Experience...

Rodney McNeely · 02-02-2007, 07:36 AM

Hello, all!

This is my first time on the CrossFit boards. I just discovered CrossFit yesterday, and I'm wondering how I go about getting started.

Is there a series of "basic" exercises that makes up the CrossFit system? If not, is there a basic set of exercises that I should be proficient with before I attempt to start the WOD?

Also, how well does CrossFit address both core body strength and flexibility?

Thanks in advance for any help, and take care.

Rodney

David Aguasca · 02-02-2007, 08:48 AM

Rodney,

welcome! glad to see you here.

There's a whole arsenal of exercises we use here, but a lot get used more than others. push-ups, pull-ups, squats, kettlebell swings, rowing, and sprinting are just a few. you may or may not know some of the more exotic ones, so check out the "exercises" page for demos on all those.

i'd read through the FAQ, as well. many of the questions you have will be answered there. start practicing some of the new movements you've been introduced to, like kipping pull-ups for example, which allow us to complete workouts that may have 100 pull-ups in them.

Crossfit definitely does address both core body strength and flexibility...one exercise that comes to mind is the overhead squat, which requires a great deal of lower body and shoulder flexibility, and is one of the KINGS of core exercises.

be sure to take it easy the first few weeks. use this time to really practice movements, get good at them. search for Eugene Allen's account of a friend of his who was struck by rhabdomyolysis on his first crossfit workout.

anyway, i'm sure somebody else will post with whatever i missed.

Kevin Hughes · 02-02-2007, 02:43 PM

Rodney;

Check out the CFJ article entitled 'What is Fitness?' http://www.crossfit.com/cf-download/CFJ-trial.pdf
Its the new bible in our house.

Also look at the CFJ beginner workout also available for free. try it if you're not ready for the WOD or want to ease into the Crossfit lifestyle. Its at http://www.crossfit.com/journal/libr...nnersMay03.pdf

We (family of 4) overdid our first Crossfit workout which included Tabata squats and paid a steep price for 7-10 days afterward. We now use the beginner workout plus the Crossfit warmup. We intend to work through that for 12 weeks before taking up the WOD's. The scaled workouts from Brand X Martial Arts are a bonus. I'll be looking for reports of your progress here from time to time.

Best of luck!
Kev

Rodney McNeely · 02-02-2007, 07:34 PM

Thanks so much for the help, gentlemen.

Dave, I'll dig into the FAQ as soon as possible.

Kevin, the second PDF is just what I was looking for. I do have one question about the 400-meter run, though. I'm as flat-footed as a duck, and I have genetically wide hips (which means a rather oblique hip-to-knee angle). Needless to say, even though I'm in very good cardiovascular condition (I bike and do Brazilian jiu-jitsu), running KILLS me, structurally speaking.

Any suggestions on a substitution for the 400-meter run?

Thanks again.

Mitchell Brown · 02-03-2007, 03:30 AM

Hey Rodney, the FAQ would help you with your 400m question. You can substitute it for any similar exercise that takes the same amount of time. Let's assume your run 400m in 1 min 30, you could consider:
9kg medicine ball throws
rowing
24' box jumps
star jumps (why not?)
for one minute 30 instead.

Be creative :-)

William Brownley · 02-03-2007, 10:29 AM

Hello all, I am another new member. Although I work out a fair amount, weight is my issue, and perhaps age (50). I am 6'1" and 250. I am perhaps not quite as fat as that might seem due to a large frame and weight workouts since the age of about 15. I know the zone seems to be the preferred diet. Any advice on this would be appreciated. Any particular advice to or from the "masters" athletes out there would be appreciated in terms of doing things differently?
Or, does this group genrally hold to Satchel Paige's philsophy on getting older "Age is just mind over matter--if you don't mind, it don't matter." Thanks, Bill

Kevin Hughes · 02-03-2007, 11:29 AM

Hi Rodney;

Glad to be of help. I don't run any more either; couple knee surgeries have made me gun shy. I do short intervals on my bike. You really have to push it though. I find perceived exertion levels on the bike to be misleading. Just when you think you're giving it everything, you find a little more. We have a short hill near the house, so when I feel my best, I pound it up that.

Best,
Kev

Frank DiMeo · 02-03-2007, 08:27 PM

Rodney, welcome to CrossFit!

Frank DiMeo · 02-03-2007, 08:32 PM

Bill, welcome to CrossFit!
Don't let being 50 make you back away from this.
I'll be 57 in a few months, and there are some others you'll meet around that age, too.
You'll find the pace you can stay with.

Michael Manseau · 02-04-2007, 02:33 PM

William; Your 3 years my senior. Scaling your WOD would be my suggestion after pouring over the FAQ & 'start here'.
Enter the zone & master the zone are relatively cheap on Amazon. Or buy journal 21 which sums everything up with menu ideas.
:Welcome:

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02-02-2007, 07:36 AM	#1
Rodney McNeely Member Profile: Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Petal MS Posts: 8	Hello, all! This is my first time on the CrossFit boards. I just discovered CrossFit yesterday, and I'm wondering how I go about getting started. Is there a series of "basic" exercises that makes up the CrossFit system? If not, is there a basic set of exercises that I should be proficient with before I attempt to start the WOD? Also, how well does CrossFit address both core body strength and flexibility? Thanks in advance for any help, and take care. Rodney

02-02-2007, 08:48 AM	#2
David Aguasca Member Profile: Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Nyack NY Posts: 828	Rodney, welcome! glad to see you here. There's a whole arsenal of exercises we use here, but a lot get used more than others. push-ups, pull-ups, squats, kettlebell swings, rowing, and sprinting are just a few. you may or may not know some of the more exotic ones, so check out the "exercises" page for demos on all those. i'd read through the FAQ, as well. many of the questions you have will be answered there. start practicing some of the new movements you've been introduced to, like kipping pull-ups for example, which allow us to complete workouts that may have 100 pull-ups in them. Crossfit definitely does address both core body strength and flexibility...one exercise that comes to mind is the overhead squat, which requires a great deal of lower body and shoulder flexibility, and is one of the KINGS of core exercises. be sure to take it easy the first few weeks. use this time to really practice movements, get good at them. search for Eugene Allen's account of a friend of his who was struck by rhabdomyolysis on his first crossfit workout. anyway, i'm sure somebody else will post with whatever i missed.

02-02-2007, 02:43 PM	#3
Kevin Hughes Member Profile: Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 332	Rodney; Check out the CFJ article entitled 'What is Fitness?' http://www.crossfit.com/cf-download/CFJ-trial.pdf Its the new bible in our house. Also look at the CFJ beginner workout also available for free. try it if you're not ready for the WOD or want to ease into the Crossfit lifestyle. Its at http://www.crossfit.com/journal/libr...nnersMay03.pdf We (family of 4) overdid our first Crossfit workout which included Tabata squats and paid a steep price for 7-10 days afterward. We now use the beginner workout plus the Crossfit warmup. We intend to work through that for 12 weeks before taking up the WOD's. The scaled workouts from Brand X Martial Arts are a bonus. I'll be looking for reports of your progress here from time to time. Best of luck! Kev

02-02-2007, 07:34 PM	#4
Rodney McNeely Member Profile: Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Petal MS Posts: 8	Thanks so much for the help, gentlemen. Dave, I'll dig into the FAQ as soon as possible. Kevin, the second PDF is just what I was looking for. I do have one question about the 400-meter run, though. I'm as flat-footed as a duck, and I have genetically wide hips (which means a rather oblique hip-to-knee angle). Needless to say, even though I'm in very good cardiovascular condition (I bike and do Brazilian jiu-jitsu), running KILLS me, structurally speaking. Any suggestions on a substitution for the 400-meter run? Thanks again.

02-03-2007, 03:30 AM	#5
Mitchell Brown Member Profile: Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sydney New South Wales Posts: 794	Hey Rodney, the FAQ would help you with your 400m question. You can substitute it for any similar exercise that takes the same amount of time. Let's assume your run 400m in 1 min 30, you could consider: 9kg medicine ball throws rowing 24' box jumps star jumps (why not?) for one minute 30 instead. Be creative :-)

02-03-2007, 10:29 AM	#6
William Brownley Member Profile: Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oakton Virginia Posts: 77	Hello all, I am another new member. Although I work out a fair amount, weight is my issue, and perhaps age (50). I am 6'1" and 250. I am perhaps not quite as fat as that might seem due to a large frame and weight workouts since the age of about 15. I know the zone seems to be the preferred diet. Any advice on this would be appreciated. Any particular advice to or from the "masters" athletes out there would be appreciated in terms of doing things differently? Or, does this group genrally hold to Satchel Paige's philsophy on getting older "Age is just mind over matter--if you don't mind, it don't matter." Thanks, Bill

02-03-2007, 11:29 AM	#7
Kevin Hughes Member Profile: Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 332	Hi Rodney; Glad to be of help. I don't run any more either; couple knee surgeries have made me gun shy. I do short intervals on my bike. You really have to push it though. I find perceived exertion levels on the bike to be misleading. Just when you think you're giving it everything, you find a little more. We have a short hill near the house, so when I feel my best, I pound it up that. Best, Kev

02-03-2007, 08:27 PM	#8
Frank DiMeo Affiliate Profile: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sarasota FL Posts: 1,919	Rodney, welcome to CrossFit!

02-03-2007, 08:32 PM	#9
Frank DiMeo Affiliate Profile: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sarasota FL Posts: 1,919	Bill, welcome to CrossFit! Don't let being 50 make you back away from this. I'll be 57 in a few months, and there are some others you'll meet around that age, too. You'll find the pace you can stay with.

02-04-2007, 02:33 PM	#10
Michael Manseau Member Profile: Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ottawa Ontario Posts: 321	William; Your 3 years my senior. Scaling your WOD would be my suggestion after pouring over the FAQ & 'start here'. Enter the zone & master the zone are relatively cheap on Amazon. Or buy journal 21 which sums everything up with menu ideas. :Welcome: