{"id":1352,"date":"2022-06-21T23:51:50","date_gmt":"2022-06-21T22:51:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bestgymhacks.com\/?p=1352"},"modified":"2022-08-27T23:21:51","modified_gmt":"2022-08-27T22:21:51","slug":"can-i-crossfit-when-unfit-or-out-of-shape","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bestgymhacks.com\/can-i-crossfit-when-unfit-or-out-of-shape\/","title":{"rendered":"Can I CrossFit When Unfit Or Out Of Shape?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The biggest misconception often heard is that “you cannot do CrossFit if you’re unfit<\/em>” or “too out of shape<\/em>“. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, is this actually true? Let’s find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because CrossFit is infinitely scalable and adaptable, it stands to reason that it’s suitable for anybody and everybody. It’s done by everyday folk who are overweight, underweight, or with physiological limitations; and by people of all ages – from age 3 to 93. There is no prerequisite fitness level, nor required weight level before you enter CrossFit gym. Therefore, given the versatility and adaptability, Crossfit is suitable for anyone who is looking to exercise at a level, speed, intensity, weight or frequency that suits them.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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How can this be so? Isn’t it full of shredded 3-headed young-gunned beasts lifting hundreds of kilograms?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Age is a irrelevant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You may have heard this challenge about being too old from some people who might be intrigued by CrossFit, yet they lay claim to being too aged to try it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This misconception is entirely incorrect, but understandable in some ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps they’ve seen the Netflix doco ‘Fittest on Earth<\/a>‘ which is only probably 0.1% of who CrossFitters are (i.e. the professional elite athletes).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Normal membership averages are somewhere between aged 25 and 53. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, there are many members aged 3 to 19 and from 50 to 90+ doing CrossFit the world over. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s a semi-PT class, affording specific focus on those members who have less fitness experience, meaning they get the attention they deserve. <\/em><\/p>Best Gym Hacks<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The two affiliates which I co-own have members from age 3 to 75. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our overall membership size is small to medium. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In large to very large CrossFit gyms, these quantities of lower and higher-aged members would be more pronounced, especially where specialist classes are on offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specialist Classes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many CrossFit gyms even have seniors classes, kids classes, pregnant women and postpartum classes, the like of which serve those of broad age ranges; or members in specific situations within their lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore the debunk-able myth that you need to be young to do CrossFit is not founded on reality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, it can be fully tailored to suit members of any age, even in standard (non-specialist) classes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Seniors Fitness Classes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Seniors Fitness Classes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

No prior fitness is required<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The 2nd pre-conception which is incorrect is that you need prior fitness – or previous exercise experience – before starting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This again is completely untrue. On the contrary, if you’ve had no fitness experience whatsoever CrossFit is the perfect place for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CrossFit is a good place to start your fitness journey <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The reason for this<\/strong>: the coach can pay particular attention to those who need additional coaching, pointers and supervision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s a semi-PT class, affording specific focus on those members who have less fitness experience, meaning they get the attention they deserve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CrossFit compared to globo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Contrast that with someone with no fitness experience<\/strong> going to a ‘globo gym’ (Virgin Active<\/a>, Anytime Fitness<\/a>, PureGym etc). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This Best Gym Hacks article<\/a> analyses the difference between CrossFit gyms and normal gyms.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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No PT or coach <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In that environment without a PT, they would have no direction, no programming which can be explained and implemented by a professional every day, and overall not any external encouragement which would help them acknowledge progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To that end, a person with no fitness experience is the perfect candidate for joining a CrossFit gym.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that place, they would learn far quicker, likely enjoy exercising a lot more, and will be doing things in a safer, more effective, manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diet + exercise = results <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

CrossFit classes are hugely educational. Many offer dieting programs<\/a> too, along with tonnes of other bells and whistles such as physio<\/a>, massage and PTing (personal training), should that be required. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should I get in shape before starting CrossFit?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A 3rd misconception is that often people want to get in shape before starting Crossfit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, this is easily debunked because CrossFit is the perfect environment for someone to get into <\/em>shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore it is unnecessary that someone might go elsewhere to “get in shape<\/em>” when one of the very objectives of CrossFit is to get someone into shape<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It could be they’ve received the misconception from watching something on Netflix. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, oftentimes they may feel instantly at ease when seeing the huge variety of human shapes, sizes, ages, and abilities found in many CrossFit gyms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All three elements mixed or used in isolation, create a versatile set of options for everyone – whether out of shape, obese, unfit, injured or disabled.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Affiliate flavours <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Of the 70+ CrossFit affiliates I have been lucky enough to visit around the world, all of them share the same chasm of demographics – i.e. it is extremely broad in age, shape, size, and ability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is really humbling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to mention thoroughly fulfilling for coaches, who are there to help people – whatever their circumstances – on their journey, to becoming fitter and better their shape, whatever that looks like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Infinitely Scalable, Adaptable & Substitutable<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The flexibility within the catalogue of exercises allows for infinite scaling.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is just a fancy way of saying if an exercise is too difficult or too heavy, it can easily be adjusted to suit the needs of the person questioning the movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adaptation<\/strong> is also a huge element. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are whole divisions at the CrossFit Games that allow for ‘Adaptive Athletes<\/a>‘. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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