beginner crossfit right for me?

[rh71]

Just saw a good deal at a local place for beginner's crossfit - 12 sessions. It's not all that close so I'd like to gauge whether it'd benefit me. I play ice hockey once a week and by the 3rd period I'm pretty tired with little left in my legs and I can feel the burn every time I stop / start. The good players seem to just have an extra step, all the time. Young players skate twice as fast it seems, but that's another story. I'm 5'10" @ 156lbs - a medium build that used to give me quickness but with age (35) that is not much evident anymore.

In addition to cardio, I think my core is pretty weak and that compounds the problem. I don't do anything else as far as activity - I also am home all day everyday otherwise and have an exercise bike that I am unsure how much it could really help. I've never really lifted weights and by all standards I'm not exactly strong. My diet consists of whatever Italian my wife cooks that night, and fast food maybe once or twice a week, a huge improvement from when I was in my 20s.

Would a beginner's crossfit class help me build a good foundation for working out the right way? Or would it be too basic? ?
- Beginner classes teach fundamental movements in preparation for full-blown CrossFit
- Varied workouts incorporate elements from track and field, gymnastics, and weight lifting

Do I have to continue actual classes to have any benefit or can I do things on my own after?

I tried P90X for a few days but like may others lose interest doing anything at home, but if that's still my best route, I will take it.

 

[blackdogdeek]

IMHO, it's a good idea. If you were to take CrossFit classes regularly they would require you to take the beginner classes anyway. The beginner classes (aka on-ramp classes) that our crossfit gym offers also go into the concepts behind what crossfit is about and also go into good nutritional fundamentals so it would provide you with good information even if you decided not to continue. They also go into the proper form for all the basic lifts and some of the olympic lifts and that information could help you even on your own.

I've been crossfitting on and off for a couple of years on my own in my garage but since May I've been going much more regularly to a crossfit near where I work (~5 times a week) and the improvements I've made have been significant. At 42, I'm probably in the best shape of my life. I'm definitely the strongest I've ever been. Granted, I can't run a 5k as fast as I could when I was on the cross-country team but then I couldn't deadlift 315 lbs at that time either.

Either way, good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[Sid59]

IMHO, it's a good idea. If you were to take CrossFit classes regularly they would require you to take the beginner classes anyway. The beginner classes (aka on-ramp classes) that our crossfit gym offers also go into the concepts behind what crossfit is about and also go into good nutritional fundamentals so it would provide you with good information even if you decided not to continue. They also go into the proper form for all the basic lifts and some of the olympic lifts and that information could help you even on your own.

I've been crossfitting on and off for a couple of years on my own in my garage but since May I've been going much more regularly to a crossfit near where I work (~5 times a week) and the improvements I've made have been significant. At 42, I'm probably in the best shape of my life. I'm definitely the strongest I've ever been. Granted, I can't run a 5k as fast as I could when I was on the cross-country team but then I couldn't deadlift 315 lbs at that time either.

Either way, good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Agreed. If the OP's box is similar to mine, they taught all the big/compound lifts with technique, small strength routine, and a workout.

Mine was 12 workouts, 3/days a week and the first workout was the same as the last, so you can gauge your progression. If you have the income to do the onramp, i suggest it.

 

[EvilYoda]

Sure you can do stuff on your own after, but if you don't have the motivation to do it now, maybe buying a punch card for 2-3 classes a week will produce better results?

Depending on the CF coach that you get, I'd suggest telling them about your hockey playing and hopefully learn some movements that you can do at home and have them make sure you're doing them properly. Nothing can take the place of good old weight training though.

And if you find that you like going...definitely consider talking to your wife about some diet changes. Your diet is just as important especially when talking about a high intensity sport like hockey.

Good luck!

 

[tedrodai]

It would definitely not be "too basic"...is there such a thing? The basics are the most important steps of learning to work out.

I think you'd definitely learn some things that could benefit you without having to continue classes. But as yoda said, if self-motivation is a problem, it may not do you any good afterall once you quit.

 

[Ashenor]

I am on my 4th week of crossfit. I go 3 days a week, and love it so far. Normally it is scaled for you, i would watch out for places with huge classes, you may end up hurting/doing to much if someone is not really watching over you.

Mine actually has a set of core classes you have to take before you can start to gauge where you are at and teach you the forms and movements of what you will mostly be doing.

 

[Koing]

It will benefit you.

I've coached and ran seminars for crossfit coaches/ athletes about the OLifts.

Koing