Is it for you?

Let’s start with a question. If you’re like most of us trying to get fit, what are you getting fit for? It seems such a simple question, but the reality is, most of us have no real idea what we’re getting fit for.
Sure, if you play a sport such as rugby, basketball or tennis, then there is your reason, and your motivation, to keep training. But if, like the majority of us, your answer is simply “I just need to get fit” then finding the right fitness regime can be a difficult task, not to mention sticking with your fitness regime when there’s no definitive goal.

Compounding the situation is the way we live our modern lives. It seems the further we stride into the 21st century, the less time we have to spend on ourselves, let alone exercise. Many of us feel under constant attack, with ambushes around every corner looking to steal those valuable hours away. The days when we could spend two hours at the gym 4 to 5 nights a week, working out like Rambo, seem like a lifetime ago. If this is sounding all too familiar, then Cross Fit, a new workout craze that is sweeping Australia, could hold the answers you’ve been looking for.

What is Cross Fit?
Unlike traditional modes of exercise, Cross Fit doesn’t stick to the same old routine. Every workout, every day, is different. Your body is constantly bombarded with new challenges that require it to adapt. Boredom is not a word you will hear associated with Cross Fit!

A Cross Fit is simple, hard and fast. Most sessions last no more than 15 minutes. Yes, you read that correctly – 15 minutes. But let’s put this into perspective. These 15 minutes will probably be the hardest you’ve ever done. It’s pretty safe to say that at every session, someone will throw up. In fact many believe this is a badge of honour, proof you’re training as hard as you can.

Why should you choose Cross Fit?
In short, the main aim of Cross Fit training is to prepare you for anything that life throws at you. So rather than being fit for one specific purpose or indeed no purpose at all, Cross Fit gets you “fit for life” and every challenge life throws at you.

Next time you find yourself gasping for air after chasing your kids, or your knees buckling with the weight of your shopping bags, ask yourself if your fitness regime serving its purpose of keeping you fit. A Cross Fitter can walk, run, jump, sprint, leap, lift, carry, push, pull, hold and throw. They are fit AND strong, they have endurance AND power. So when anarchy breaks out in your house, being Cross Fit “fit” will bring your house into order without feeling like you’ve just fought World War 3.

What happens in a Cross Fit training session?
Joining the Cross Fit family (who all support and motivate each other) allows you to throw out the traditional fitness handbook. Instead of running on treadmills, using pin loaded weights machines, or even fit balls, your new workout uses Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, calisthenics, gymnastics, sprints, plyometric, and a few hard-to-categories exercises more familiar to the SAS than fitness enthusiasts. Like I said, no such thing as boredom in a Cross Fit workout. So if you’re exercising just to “get fit” consider changing your goal to “getting fit for life.” A change to Cross Fit training could be the fuel for your fire in your fitness journey; getting you fit for the most important challenge you will ever experience; the challenge of life!
A Cross Fit-style workout to try at home:

Perform 10 reps of each exercise one after the other for 15 minutes. Get as many rounds done as possible, go as fast as you can without compromising your form or technique.

Exercise 1: Squats
Exercise 2: Push-ups
Exercise 3: Full Sit Ups
Exercise 4: Burpees

If you would like to see if a crossfit style workout is for you be sure to check out Enetworks Crossfitness Challenge that will be held Sunday March 13th 2016 at the National Park Tarmac!