7 Things to Know When you Start CrossFit

1. How to look after your hands.

Torn hands are not cool.  Tearing does not make you tough.  Consistency is the name of the game, and hand tears mean you can’t train.  Some people use nail clippers to get rid of the heavy duty calluses, but my personal preference has always been sandpaper, especially straight after a shower when calluses have softened up.  180 Grit sandpaper from the local hardware store works pretty well and leaves them smooth with nothing to catch on the bar.

2. You will suck at many, if not most things.

Nobody is good at everything – especially not to begin with.  Even Rich Froning had weaknesses when he started Crossfit (emphasis on had!).  If you can’t handle the fact that you WILL suck at various movement or skills, then Crossfit probably isn’t for you.  If you’re ready for a long journey of consistent, gradual improvement, then you’ll love it.

3. Keep your tongue tucked-in during overhead work and pull-ups. 

If you’ve done enough pull ups, you’ll knock your chin at some stage.  Same goes with high rep push press and other shoulder to overhead movement.  Don’t leave your tongue between your teeth or you’ll regret it.

4. Don’t do morning sessions and then sit all day.

Perhaps this should simply be ‘don’t sit all day’!  But in my personal experience, it’s worse after a morning session.  Your whole body is warm and pliable after a workout and then you sit and cool down over several hours.  Welcome to hip-flexor hell, a sore lower back, rounded shoulders, and neck pain.

5. You can’t out-train a bad diet. 

Remember the old adage, ‘abs are made in the kitchen, not in the gym’. Max out dem gainz with quality nutrients!  That doesn’t necessarily mean a strict pale diet, simply moderate amounts of mostly unprocessed food.

6. You don’t need to spend $1000s on gear.

This might sounds funny, considering we specialize in making gym bags and gym gear.  But it’s true!  Four different sets of shoes, wrist wraps, knee sleeves etc are not required when you start.  Build up your collection of lifting straps, favorite rope climb socks etc over time. While you don’t NEED all the gear, what you WANT is a different story!

7. Wear a shin pad for rope climbs.

Long socks alone just don’t cut it – buy a pair of shin pads with a buddy and take one each.  You’ll only need it to protect the shin the rope cuts across.

HAVE ANY OF YOUR OWN TO ADD TO THE LIST?