By: Abigahil Muñoz C. from Instituto Lizardi High School in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico*
What is CrossFit?
CrossFit is a training that is complete and intense. It was developed in 2000 by Greg Glassman in the United States. The program consists of gymnastic moves, weightlifting, running, rowing, and climbing, among other exercises at high intensity. These moves are basic in daily life. In CrossFit, you travel very long distances with the greatest possible weight and consequently, the resistance helps each person gain strength in the shortest possible time.
The intensity is very important for a workout in CrossFit. The goal is to increase the workout and do it in less time so that the effort will be greater. The CrossFit program is designed for anyone at any age. The only thing is that you have to be committed because even if someone is in a wheelchair or is 80 years old if you are committed, you can practice it without any problem.
“The needs of Olympic athletes and our grandparents differ by degree, not kind” (IronPaper, 2017)
CrossFit is a training that takes you to the limit where you first have to compete against yourself. You have to overcome your fears because that is CrossFit – the training makes you a better person and you surpass yourself.
For me, CrossFit goes beyond the motivation. It is a way of thinking when you are training. You can forget everything that happens outside, and you only concentrate to finish. People still have the idea that CrossFit is a very risky sport but you have the same chance to hurt yourself if you play soccer, basketball, or any other sport.
What is the difference between CrossFit and a common gym?
In CrossFit, there are no machines because the machines are our bodies. In CrossFit, you do not run or work out watching television or a mirror because it is so exciting and fun, and it is so intense that no distractions are needed. The most important goal of CrossFit is that the person is capable to lift or move some heavy objects without hurting themselves. Other than that, CrossFit develops 10 capabilities:
- Cardiovascular resistance
- Muscular endurance
- Force
- Power
- Coordination
- Flexibility
- Agility
- Balance
- Speed
- Precision
Another difference in CrossFit is that participants form groups in the classes and support each other like a family, and they encourage you and motivate you to finish everything. That makes you feel that you can do it and do more.
CrossFit has grown so much that now it is known all over the world. Every year, there is a really important competition of CrossFit that is called the CrossFit Games where the fittest athletes compete to determine who has the best physical condition in the world.
CrossFit is not just a fad that will eventually be forgotten – just the opposite, the more time that goes by, the more it will grow.
CROSSFIT HAS ARRIVED AND IS HERE TO STAY!
*Editor’s Note: Abigahil Muñoz C. is a senior at Instituto Lizardi in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico. This article was part of her final examination for an English writing class taught by the editor of this publication. Congratulations, Abigahil!
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