Every few weeks, the trainers at Crossfit Minnesota get to talking about the Crossfit Community: How CFMN fits in, Is our programming working, where is the community heading. These chats range across subjects and recently the topic of culture came up. As Crossfit hits double-digit Twin City affiliates and may approach 3000 worldwide this year, we wonder if the culture of Crossfit is getting to0 extreme, too fad-ish. Yes, there are examples of this (vulgar t-shirts slogans, bragging about ripped hands and “Fran” times while bashing every other fitness program). However, the more I think about it, read what Affiliate blogs are saying, and review what other “brands” of fitness are promoting, Crossfit is right where we what to be: Promoting a life-style of good eating, great exercise, and fun living.
Several of our staff are seasoned competitive athletes who worry about the “sport of fitness” label whereby Crossfit competitions are just about winning at exercise (paraphrasing Kenny Powers here). Whereas Crossfit is one of best, if the best, general conditioning programs for sport in the fitness world today, it is certainly creating a new avenue for athletes to compete. My thoughts are this: I am still a competitor. And I am not be able to compete at the higher level of my choosen sport (Rugby) any longer. However, fitness competitions allow me opportunity to commit to a training plan, experience the thrill of competition, and still prepare me to live my daily life as an active husband, father, and friend.
Several great examples of communities that are upholding the many pillars of the Crossfit lifestyle are Sicfit.com, the affiliates of Santa Cruz, CA, home of Crossfit (CF Santa Cruz, CF West, CF Santa Cruz Central), and Crossfit Balboa/SoCal S&C. Each of this affiliates are building great athletes who are going back to compete in their chosen sport: water polo, football, surfing, sailing, endurance sports, weightlifting. As well as creating the next CF Games monsters these affiliates are building elite communities which will stand the test of any “fitness fad” and remain dedicated devotees of constantly varied high intensity functional movement.
The lesson here is to help any athlete train for whichever competition he/she chooses to attempt and build a group of like-minded people who will support those endeavors. Check out Crossfit Chronicles “First 50 Days of CrossFit” article.
Crossfit is not just for the elite Games competitor.
It is for the parents who want to downhill ski with their kids for many years to come.
It is for martial artist who needs a good S&C program.
It is for the triathlete who competes for podium-finishes at local races.
It is for the football player preparing for the rigors of the season.
It is for anyone who will make the commitment to themselves to be the best human they want to become.
The values that each Crossfit affiliate uses to forge elite fitness will forge the community they will be proud to call their own.
I am proud to call Crossfit Minnesota and the whole Crossfit movement, my own.
Please post your thoughts to comments. Thank you.
