The CrossFit Company, founded by former gymnast Greg Glassman, has taken the fitness world by storm since its development in 2000. Glassman, who was a teen gymnast seeking to achieve better results in all areas of fitness, not just one specialized ability, developed his high-intensity fitness routine of varied functional movement exercises to help people build muscle faster, and promote quicker recovery times while becoming a part of a fitness community.
CrossFit is based upon the principle of shortened, higher intensity workouts that burn more fat and build more muscle than traditional cardio or strength conditioning alone. This fitness routine is based on 10 physical categories: cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy.
CrossFit exercise is developed in a way that maximizes the benefits of your physical activity expenditures, provides better results, and helps to overcome plateaus and increase overall health.
Quicker Workouts with Better Results
Instead of spending hours at the gym doing cardio and then weight lifting, CrossFit techniques utilizing the HIIT (high-intensity interval training) method can be done quickly. Most HIIT workouts are often between 30 minutes and an hour. Not only is it a great activity that only needs to be done a few times a week, but it’s also recommended. Daily participation isn’t required for participants to see solid results.
Blasting Through Fitness Plateaus
Because CrossFit exercises vary with each workout and utilize a number of methods designed to build strength, agility, and overall physical performance, participants don’t get stuck in a weight-loss or performance plateau that they might experience with other workouts that follow the same routine day by day. Another bonus of these varied workouts is that they also beat the boredom that sometimes comes with following one specific fitness routine.
Comprehensive Workouts Lead to Increased Overall Health
Once again, due to the consistently varied series of CrossFit exercises that focus on working large muscle groups and various ranges of motion, participants see increased physical abilities in all areas of their life including posture, flexibility, stamina, and more. Several of the fundamental exercises of a CrossFit “WOD” (workout of the day) include box jumps; clean, snatch and split jerk lifts; back, front and overhead squats; handstand, and standard push-ups; various pull-ups; deadlifts; pistol squats, push presses and more.
Rapid Weight Loss Results
It’s true that most people exercise with a goal to shed a few pounds, even if they do have the intent to also improve their overall health and physical abilities. CrossFit does not disappoint in any of these areas. Circuit-style high-intensity interval training bursts can burn more fat in less amount of time than doing repetitive cardio, for example. A study, published in 2013 by The Journal of Strength and Conditioning, determined that those following a CrossFit program saw significant improvements in body composition, and experienced significant weight loss and muscle gain, regardless of initial fitness level. Participants of the study completed 10 weeks of high-intensity power training including CrossFit based exercises such as squats, deadlifts, overhead presses, and more performed in a circuit style.
Accountability of Community
One of the things that makes CrossFit unique is that it has become synonymous with creating a community. CrossFit encompasses a core group of like-minded people that come together and support one another in this fitness community. Having accountability in a supportive environment is one of the greatest benefits of CrossFit.
To increase the benefits of a CrossFit plan, a proper nutrition plan can further boost weight loss results. Many CrossFit followers eat a Paleo or Zone diet that incorporates high amounts of protein and vegetables, with few or no simple carbohydrates. Whether you’re trying CrossFit to lose weight, or achieve other health improvement goals, The Village Health Club and Spas can support all of your fitness and nutritional needs in a welcoming environment that brings together fitness, fun, and community. If you’ve been wanting to try a CrossFit style group class, check out all that the Village has to offer when it comes to challenging and exciting fitness methods.
At the Village, we’re here to help you meet and exceed your fitness goals! Stop by for a VIP Trial Membership to see how you can take steps towards a healthier you.
