Before you walk into a CrossFit workout session, you need to be prepared. The likelihood of you being able to walk out of the class is, well, unlikely. 'Just when you thought you had the gym sussed, expect to be caught off guard,' says Associated Magazines' Head of Digital, Janie Smit, who just yesterday had her introductory lesson.
WHAT IS CROSSFIT?
CrossFit is a strengthening and conditioning workout that doesn't use any machines except a rower and free weights, says Jobst Olschewski, a Level 2 Instructor at Cape CrossFit. Instead of one exercise working an isolated muscle, the moves target every muscle in your body so you're getting a full-body workout.
'Unlike ordinary gym workouts where most of the exercises are aimed at muscle building or conditioning, CrossFit is all about functional strength. It's aimed at improving our daily lives,' explains Smit.
Because CrossFit focuses on performance-based fitness, carrying a heavy load of shopping bags, walking up and down the stairs or even picking up a heavy suitcase should become much easier after a few of these intensive classes, adds Smit.
According to
Cape CrossFit, these unique clubs are based in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria, and offer functional exercise, athletic conditioning, pylometrics, kettleball training, Olympic weightlifting, medicine ball and dumbbell training, powerlifting, gymnastics, rowing, running and jump rope exercises. The website also explains CrossFit's focus on optimising your stamina, cardio-respiratory endurance, strength, flexibility, balance, power, accuracy, speed, coordination and agility.
After
that extensive list, even we were exhausted by just writing it. But don't be put off; CrossFit really is for all fitness levels.
WHO IS IT FOR?
'Anyone can start CrossFit at any age,' says Smit. 'During the introduction session you are taken through a baseline workout, which allows the "coach" to assess your athletic level and alert him or her to any specific movement issues that might need attention,' she says.
Statistics show that 65% of CrossFit students are female, so there's no need to worry that you'll be lost in the sea of testosterone. Smit also says CrossFit is more of a school than a gym because the coaches teach you the correct technique before you tackle each exercise, and then walk you through it.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Workouts are done in a class of between three and 15 people, explains Smit. Not only does this create camaraderie and healthy competition, individuals also learn by watching each other. 'This is the first time where men and women compete not against each other, but
with each other,' says Smit. 'Yes, they may bench press more than us, but can they row as fast as we can?'
'I just started, but I already feel like I want to take this further and become a part of the community,' says Smit. 'I want my name to feature on the huge white board where all of the top performers are noted.'
MORE DETAILS
For contact details, time slots and a more detailed look at membership options, visit any one of the following CrossFit South Africa sites.
Johannesburg:
CrossFit Rebel;
CrossFit One Ten;
Fitness Technologies
Cape Town:
Cape CrossFit
Pretoria:
Ballistix CrossFit
We found this promotional video demonstrating a few of the exercises. It may be American-made, but it's the exact same workout that's happening in South African CrossFit gyms. Some of the women may look a little bulky, but the majority are lean and don't look like The Incredible Hulk, even after all that heavy lifting.