My Introduction to CrossFit Amplify

Two years ago was the first time I had heard about CrossFit and that was during my summer course through the Cooper’s Fitness Institute, by two Chicago police officers. They were discussing their Workout of the Day abbreviated as “WOD,” and it sparked my interest. I spent a little time looking at the CrossFit website http://www.crossfit.com

and then time passed. At this point in my life I was really into running. For the past five years you could say I have been I spent devoted to running. I have tried numerous things to get that last bit off just to run a 6:58 mile or to qualify for Boston. Two very extreme ends. Speed verses endurance. I am happy to have come from a 10 minute mile to an 8:30 for a half marathon and from an 8:30 to a 7:03 for a 5K. Yet, my personality leaves me for always wanting to improve.

I like challenges, intense workouts, extreme things, and I am VERY analytical. So it seems very fitting that I would be drawn to CrossFit. The only thing is, is that it is new to me, so where do I start???

I have been talking with a close friend and he guided us the right direction. Randy and Piper went through a WOD in his garage. Shortly after that we began transforming our garage. See where this is going? I like to read to further my knowledge and it helps me to rationalize my thoughts before pursuing something new. Piper let me borrow the “Paleo Diet for Athletes,” and I have been reading the CrossFit Journal on their website. What really got me was the CrossFit Games. I was amazed to see how women were portrayed in this sport. They were strong, athletic, and they won events based on their physical ability, which was clearly due to some strong mental fortitude! This was it!!! New Year’s Day we sat and watched the games and I told myself this is my year to really get into something new. No, I will not end up on the t.v., I just want to set some new goals and really push my self to do some new movements. These challenges is what keeps me excited about working out.

Piper told us about CrossFit Amplify, in Lisle on a Saturday evening. I spent Sunday and Monday morning browsing their website. You can too by visiting

http://crossfitamplify.com

Sure enough by Monday afternoon I had set up for Randy, Casey, and me to try a class out. I was very nervous, because the WOD’s I have seen can be very intimidating and require you to be well versed in all aspects of fitness. Mike one of the owners and a trainer there seemed very nice in our emails and was very helpful in answering my questions before we came. This was a very good first impression of their “Box.” That is what CrossFitters call the gym.

That evening as we pulled up I had mixed emotions. What if I could not do this...would I be excited to take it on or would I feel depressed? After Mike took us through an awesome dynamic stretch we were gearing up for 4 rounds of 200 meter sprints and 20 kettlebell swings, with a 2 minute rest. Mike carefully instructed us through the kettlebell swing and even “spotlighted,” us. That is where he watches one person at a time perform the movement. I am not one who right way likes to be observed doing an exercise. But having Randy and Casey with made it easier. Along with that Mike was very positive with his technique corrections and made us feel comfortable. I have done kettlebell swings before, but being told about the full range of motion at the top, made my core get a fabulous workout! Randy had the opportunity to use the rowing machine instead of sprints. This was an awesome modification for his achilles. Randy's achilles has been acting up just due to his increase in mileage and speed these past few weeks. We were done with technique and on our way to the rounds. After the second round I felt right at home with how I was feeling. It just felt different working out with people around. I just stopped caring for the traditional gym atmosphere, but I have missed working out with others. This atmosphere at Amplify seemed like people there just came to work and encourage each other. I liked reading the definition of “Amplify” on their wall:

1. To add to or expand, in volume or significance; make complete.

2. To make greater or more powerful; increase.

At the end of the 5 rounds (our group could not stop at 4, we wanted more, because it was just that much fun!) we went inside and discussed more about what CrossFit Amplified believes in for training and progressions. Mike offered a lot of progressions and examples of what he could scale for people who are new to CrossFit or new to this kind of workout. The gymnastics rings are much harder than what Annie Sakamoto looks like in her photo I have in our workout room. Anyhow, Mike added a resistance band to rings to help with full range of motion. This helped a lot and made me realize that I could pursue this.

What I learned by this visit was that anything in CrossFit any movement is scaleable. That means that the exercise can be modified so that one can perform the movement to their best ability and is safe. Mike shared with us some scaling for handstand push ups. This was very encouraging, because I think that is an awesome movement! I think people believe that CrossFit is only for the already fit and strong, but when in reality anyone can do a “WOD,” when they actually work with a trainer to learn how to scale for their individual needs. I just need to think in small steps and be patient with myself. I am sure there are times when I am going to feel like I can’t do something, but I will persevere. I did it with running and now I am ready to make a commitment to CrossFit for the next year. I do suggest visiting both websites which I have found to be very useful and very up to date with new postings each day. Of course I am doing this, because I think this could be the answer to getting my mile time to a 6:58 for a 5K...

So, there you have it the first day at a “Box,” and where I am headed. I think it helps to have support of others, research, identify the why, and share your plan, along with progress.

My goal is 1- Handstand push up, 2- work on the that kipping, 3- to have fun!!!!

Happy Spring!!!