“It looks way too intense. I’ll stick to the elliptical” “I’ve never picked up a barbell” “I don’t want to look like one of those body builders”
Since starting crossfit, I have heard plenty of these comments from other ladies when I talk with them about crossfit. And being completely honest – I’m sure I said every one of those comments about two years ago. I am going to address some of the fears that women often have about crossfit and share with you a few of my opinions as to why women should give crossfit a chance and not allow fear to make the decision for them.
Fear #1 – “It looks way too intense for me.”
Yup that’s me!
You’re right. Crossfit is intense. You walk into a crossfit gym and you see people running around jumping on boxes, doing pull ups, climbing rope, throwing a barbell over their head. For a newcomer, it’s a lot to take in. Especially if you’re use to a nice walk on a treadmill with a little tv screen showing Judge Judy. I can’t really remember a distinct point of when I got over this fear. I think it was more of out of desperation that I joined crossfit. I saw that my 20 minutes on an elliptical wasn’t doing much to combat the 25 pounds I had gain. I saw the result that crossfit gave and decided it was worth it to embrace the intensity if it meant getting different results. Crossfit is as intense as you make it. If you don’t push yourself, you’ll get, meh results. But if you decide you want it badly enough, you’ll be intense about it. But intensity doesn’t mean you have to be performing at competition level. Crossfit is very scaleable. Meaning, your coach isn’t going expect you to be able to do 135lb deadlifts on the first day. You may only do deadlifts with a barbell till you work up your strength to do more weight. There is a substitute or scaled version of pretty much every movement you’ll come across. But the goal is to push yourself with where you’re at with what you can do.
Fear #2 – “I’ve never picked up a barbell” – or insert any number of movements like wall balls, burpees, or tire flips.
It can be overwhelming. I still walk into the gym, read the board and have to ask, “Hey, what’s a ____”
Well, and there’s that reason too.
First, I want to address the actual fear of a barbell. It is a real fear. I’ve been there. I was terrified mostly because I had never been taught and didn’t even know where to start. There is a lot to learn – a clean, clean & jerk, snatch, deadlift, and so on. But if you join a crossfit box, the coach will work with you to learn them. I had a great husband that worked with me to help me learn the basics and then the coach refined my movements. I also watched a lot of videos and read articles about the different lifts. It’s just like starting a new semester of school – it’s all foreign at the beginning, but by the end, you can pass the final test. Don’t let the fear of the unknown keep you from trying. I personally fell in LOVE with Olympic lifting. I still can’t do even moderately competitive weights and I’m still learning good form, but I absolutely love it. Words can’t really capture the feeling of knowing you have four deadlifts left and you don’t have any more to give, but you dig down deep from somewhere and pull out a strength you didn’t know you had and you lift that freakin barbell off the ground and slam it down on the last rep and walk away from it like a boss knowing you just owned that.
The second aspect of this fear of the unknown really comes down to pride or insecurity. They manifest themselves sometimes at the same time. We’re afraid of being the new kid. We don’t want to be the one who doesn’t know how to do something. We don’t want to come in last. We don’t want to look like an idiot flailing around trying to get a handstand. We have to set aside our pride and humble ourselves to the fact that we’re students learning and sometimes that comes with failing. We have to face our insecurities and tell ourselves it’s worth it to be the new kid so we can accomplish something greater. It’s also important to remember every single person in that gym has been exactly where you are. Everyone had to start at square one. Granted, some may come in with previous experience, but for the most part – that guy you see sailing through double unders, probably whipped himself pretty good with the rope when he was learning. Instead of being intimidated, look at someone like that as inspiration that with time and dedication, you can get there to.
Fear #3 – “I don’t want to look like one of those body builders”
See, just some normal, awesome ladies that do crossfit
This one makes me cringe and want to slap sense into a girl more than any other comment. This mentality is so hilarious to me. (Yes, I am legitimately making fun of you if you think this. But it’s ok, you’ll get over it) It’s humorous to me that we think we are going to waltz into the gym 20 pounds over weight and strut out with bulging muscles. Those body builders look like that because they dedicate their life to getting that body. You’re not going to do a few push ups a week and suddenly wake up with massive man shoulders. So chill out. Now yes, there are some lady crossfit competitors that look quite intimidating but, if you’re just starting out, you’re not going to end up looking like that with out a ridiculous amount of dedication. I can guarantee that when you get your first two pack, a little definition in your arms, and your jeans are little lose, you won’t be crying about being afraid of getting man shoulders.
What happens when you don’t let fear make the decision for you
The biggest thing I have gained from overcoming some of these fears with crossfit is not just defined muscles and losing weight. Continually practicing doing something despite being afraid and insecure has grown an inner confidence that I never had before. I have gained a mental toughness that I never knew was possible. I have a strength inside of me that isn’t just physical. I’ve learned to not walk away from situations in life just because it’s not easy. Fear doesn’t scare me much any more, but it inspires me to keep on keeping on.
For those ladies who have been intrigued by crossfit, I hope you don’t let fear make the decision for you. I have met some awesome ladies at my gym and we all support each other through out the work out. It’s a great community and a incredible opportunity to push yourself past fear to accomplish something you never thought possible.