Introduction

It is an Eastern European tradition to write down your New Year wishes, burn them, and consume the ashes. I do not subscribe to beliefs in luck, magic, and superstition, but If I were granted one wish, I would wish for YOU to join CrossFit. My fiancé, Kate, has been doing CrossFit for five years and is the epitome of perfect health and fitness. I was hesitant at first, but with only three years of persuasion from Kate, I joined CrossFit, and my life has elevated to levels I thought impossible.  

CrossFit is a nutrition and exercise program that has reshaped many people’s lives. It incorporates most aspects of fitness, like weightlifting, cardio, and gymnastics. The exercises range broadly in type, load, and time. For a more official definition, visit CrossFit.com.

My Journey Through CrossFit

Before CrossFit

I have never been a stranger to physical fitness. In my youth, I wrestled and played football. In my early twenties, I kickboxed and was in the military. To some, I had impressive personal records (PR). I completed a 5k in under 18 minutes and bench pressed 335 pounds. 

With my discharge from service, I started my undergraduate degree in engineering. This left a gap in my life- the need for fitness. Therefore, eventually, I gained weight, developed health issues, and lost control of my body and life. 

Making the Decision

I remember the day I decided to start CrossFit. Kate and I were returning from my mother’s funeral, and during the twelve-hour drive, we were binging CrossFit podcasts. I have been regaled with stories of PRs, friendships, and epic workouts since Kate and I started dating. So, I figured she ran out of stories and pulled in a few stand-ins. I once read that most people don’t change significantly but in the aftermath of two events: birth and death. The death of my mother brought me face-to-face with my mortality. As the wheels turned, so did the course of my life. I started onboarding at Syracuse Sweat Club the next day with a new perspective on life and time. 

TIP – Find your why.

Starting CrossFit

When I started CrossFit, I was in poor shape. I was riddled with injuries from my time in the military and in poor health due to my level of fitness. For example, when we went on vacation, the excessive walking made using a cane essential. To sum it up, I walked into Syracuse Sweat Club with an injured back, bad feet, hurt shoulders, impaired all-around mobility, gout, heartburn, and high blood pressure.

TIP – The other athletes at the CrossFit gym will greet you warmly like old friends. Embrace it and expect a celebratory fist bump at the end of a workout. In the beginning, accomplishments are abundant, and there will be plenty to celebrate.

The coaches at the gym were top-notch. All the workouts were tweaked and modified to fit my unique needs. I couldn’t deadlift because of my bad back, so I did lunges. I could not do toes-to-bar because of my bad shoulders, so I did leg raises on the dip bar. These terms might sound foreign to you, but the takeaway is that any CrossFit gym should make each workout something you can do safely. Months progressed, and I moved from two days a week to three, then to four, and finally to five. My lunges transformed into deadlifts and my leg raises into toe-to-bar. 

Making a Home Gym

Kate and I worked in two different cities; therefore, we went to two different gyms. We drove an hour to work and would attend our gyms on our way to or from work. In February 2023, I transitioned into a remote position at work and could not justify driving an hour. But this did not deter me; I built a home gym.

TIP – If no CrossFit gym exists in your area, build one at home. Many second-hand items are much less expensive than new ones and still work fine. Many great and inexpensive programs support minimum to no equipment workouts, like CrossFit Linchpin’s private track program. Also, bodyweight movements might be better to start out with for some people.

I already had a treadmill and a squat rack Kate got me for Christmas the year before. It’s almost like this was planned. Like a kid in a candy shop, I turned to Facebook marketplace and purchased mats, a box, dumbbells, more plates, a rower, and many other things. During this period, I also started accompanying Kate to her gym, Pallas Fitness, on Saturdays. Around July 2023, we moved to Ithaca, and I started going to Pallas more often.

Present Day

TIP – Do CrossFit with your partner. Having Kate already established in the CrossFit community increases my probability of joining. Working out with her is fantastic. We get to spend time and learn together, which strengthens our bond.

One might think that people with different goals should work out differently, but not in CrossFit. For example, a person who wants to gain strength and a person looking to lose weight will accomplish their goal with the same workouts and programming. The person who is out of shape will experience a cardio workout. At the same time, a weak person will experience a strengthening workout. Therefore, anyone can work out with anybody in CrossFit. To be clear, Kate is the strong and in-shape one in this relationship.  

Fast forward another six months, and I am aliment-free. My gout medication is in the trash, and my blood pressure is normal. My joints still hurt but are manageable. And I am starting to hit PRs like muscle-ups and pistol squats. I have a long way to go and am still below average, but I am in a much better place than before.

How CrossFit Feels

Each CrossFit workout varies in time, movements, type, and stimulus, but one aspect stays the same: the feeling. As you progress through the workout, your body starts to wake up and accept the demand. At this stage, you’re invigorated and, like a dancer, pace with the music. Then, if done correctly, you start to dwindle. Your stamina and strength begin to wane. There, in the last few minutes, is where you lay it all on the line.

Interestingly, humans are the only animals that can exert more energy at the end of an effort compared to the beginning. In the end, you are rewarded. The Buddha said that enlightenment is the absence of suffering and, there on the floor, you will experience that enlightenment.

Word On Price

Also, I must touch on the price. Most unlimited memberships range from 150 – 200 dollars. This might seem steep, and well, it is. But is it cheaper than medical bills? Is it less money than you would be willing to pay to be able to play with your kids, hold your grandchildren, or even extend your life? It doesn’t need to be that extreme; you will jump for the last time one day; what would you give to push that out for 20 or 30 years?

Benefits

But, unlike a trip to the mall, the benefits of this purchase significantly outweigh the price. 

• Your workout is constructed for you by a professional; say goodbye to spreadsheets and workout journals. Not only is your workout set for you, it will hit every aspect of fitness.  
• “Functional Fitness” means that these workouts are designed to improve your everyday life. I am trying to remember the last time I needed to bench press something, but I pick stuff up every day. 
• Access to the community. Most people in CrossFit are fascinating people. Most classes are packed with lawyers, doctors, scientists, and engineers. The community as a whole is rooting for you.
• Not boring. You exercise with a team, try new things, and do different movements daily.
• As though you were the offspring of a bear and a cheetah, you will be strong, fast, and fierce.
• Having a professional trainer guiding you will make your exercise successful and safe.
• Lastly, it will illuminate the path to regaining control of your life and reclaiming your body.

Conclusion

I cannot express how deeply thankful I am to CrossFit, the community, my current and former gyms, and most importantly, Kate. I have made new friends and improved the quality of my life. I plan on living a long and adventurous life, and on this New Year, I wish this for YOU.  

How to Join

Steps to join CrossFit

Go to CrossFit.com and find a gym near you. If there are multiple, look at reviews and find the culture that fits best with you. Most will allow you to sample the gym. 
Call or email the gym. Most gyms require training before a new member can join a regular class. This is for your safety.
Relay any concerns, injuries, or illness to your coach. This will ensure every workout is adjusted for your safety and to improve your health

For more articles by this author see Europe