A variety of fitness workouts today just rolls over. In an ordinary sports club, you can choose not only a personal instructor, but also create an individual program with a separate complex. But, as it turned out, there are no limits to perfection. And even standard fitness workouts can be diversified. To do this, switch to crossfit. What is he like? What elements does it include? How does crossfighter train? Who invented crossfit? We will tell more about this and much more further.
CrossFit Overview
CrossFit lovers can talk about it for hours. But in a nutshell, it is an extreme system of general physical training, which combines elements of kettlebell lifting, gymnastics, weightlifting and athletics, rowing, etc. Moreover, all the exercises included in the main complex are performed with a certain number of repetitions with a limited amount of time. In a word, this is express training for all muscle groups, equivalent to the training of representatives of the fire department, the Ministry of Emergencies and special services.
Today, CrossFit is a well-known branded system of general physical fitness, which is used by many celebrities, athletes and other famous people, as well as the best crossfiters in the world.
A Brief History of CrossFit
CrossFit was first coined by a couple of Loren Jenai and Greg Glassman in 1996. However, they managed to realize the idea of an inspired couple only four years later. Despite the fact that the system itself passed a long chain of tests, including the divorce of copyright holders, it managed to fall in love with many fitness fans.
Today, CrossFit is considered one of the most popular brands owned by CrossFit, Inc. Experienced and novice crossfiters know about it. Moreover, the system itself is being promoted not only as a completely new kind of fitness, but also as a team sport.
What equipment is used in the halls?
Crossfit classes, as a rule, take place in specially equipped halls. But since this program includes the details of several sports disciplines at once, the following types of equipment can be found among the special attributes in such clubs:
- rods with “pancakes” of different weights;
- dumbbells;
- various weighting materials (for arms, legs, belt area);
- gymnastic rings ;
- jump ropes;
- horizontal bars;
- rowing machines;
- floor mats;
- step platforms;
- expanders;
- medical balls;
- metal hammer, chains;
- tractor tires;
- treadmills, etc.
It is these attributes that crossfighter uses (who it is, we will discuss in more detail below) to keep your body in great physical shape.
Who is crossfighter?
Crossfiter is a person engaged in the above-mentioned express training, popularly called circular (this is due to the fact that all exercises are repeated, close the circle, or cycle of the program). At the same time, he can both have a certain sports experience, but not.
For example, some fans of the program are famous athletes or masters of sports. Others simply decided to master an extreme set of exercises in order to quickly tighten all muscle groups and lose weight. And some crossfit allows you to believe in yourself, a vivid example of this is the former swimming athlete China Cho. She became interested in the program because of the necessary rehabilitation after she went through three complex operations on the knee joint.
Crossfighter: who are men or women?
It is a mistake to believe that the majority of people involved in crossfit are men. Indeed, among them there are women, including professional athletes and housewives. Moreover, thanks to the distribution of students to levels (beginners, pros), even the elderly can master the program.
In addition, there are special training cycles designed for pregnant women and even children. The load itself in this case is selected purely individually and depends on the initial physical preparation of the athlete and the available equipment in the training room. A novice crossfighter should know all these nuances. Who is it? An ordinary man or woman, even a child with different basic sports training.
What are the goals of the crossfighter?
Among the main goals for which the crossfitter passes daily training, the following can be distinguished:
- endurance development;
- increase the efficiency of the respiratory system;
- increase in strength;
- increased flexibility;
- improved coordination and power;
- increase in speed of movements;
- improvement and strengthening of the vestibular apparatus;
- the ability to respond as quickly as possible to changing loads.
And this is not a complete list of what can be achieved.
What should beginner crossfitters know?
The first thing that the most famous crossfiters advise you to pay attention to is the choice of the hall. According to them, to perform a particular set of exercises is necessary only under the supervision of experienced instructors. And for this it is necessary to find the appropriate training room. As a rule, professional crossfit clubs differ from each other only in programs. Therefore, you should get around a few in order to choose the right one.
The second important point: you must carefully listen to your trainer, keep notes of your classes and be sure to do a short workout complex (will prepare the muscles for the load and reduce the likelihood of injury) and a hitch (done at the end of the program and is aimed at stretching and relaxing the muscles of the body). And of course, you need to not just train, but enjoy it. In this case, your classes will bring maximum benefit.
What can be achieved by doing crossfit?
Crossfit training, as a rule, leads to positive results. So, with regular exercises, in a short time you can tighten all the muscles and improve your figure, gain the necessary muscle mass, and also develop endurance and willpower. Like any sport, circular training disciplines, teaches to set and achieve your own goals.
Famous CrossFiters: Who are They?
One of the most famous and promising athletes who has reached heights in crossfit is the American Matthew Fraser. At an earlier age, he was involved in weightlifting for a long time and was a promising star. In 2009, he became the champion three times and was part of the American team. However, fate turned out differently. In preparation for the 2010 Olympics, the young man received a serious spinal injury. Matthew later had surgery and was no longer able to return to participate.
However, like many famous crossfitters, Fraser did not lose heart. He began to engage in a circular program, despite the fact that after the operation in his body were two plates and six bolts.
In 2013, the athlete first took part in the Crossfit Games crossfit team competitions. Even then, in one of the competitions he managed to get around the three-time champion. From that moment on, Fraser's name fell into the top of the world's most powerful crossfiters.
Strength and Stamina Lauren Fisher
Another best crossfighter (to everyone's surprise) is a woman. This is Lauren Fisher, who began her career as an athlete while studying at school. At this time, she attended volleyball and basketball sections, and to develop greater endurance, she did crossfit.
However, having entered college, Lauren decided to go in for circular training at a more serious level, adding weightlifting to the initial program. And the result was not long in coming. In 2013, during the national championship among juniors, she took second place. And exactly one year later, the athlete received the long-awaited gold medal.
Excellent physique and craving for victory Noah Olsen
Noah Olsen is the first-place athlete in the Open international leaderboard (Crossfit Games main qualification). Despite the fact that he is endowed with excellent physical data by nature, the American does not see an aisle of perfection. Day after day he does crossfit, which brings him great pleasure. According to him, incredible strength for victory and hard work helps him to keep the leader’s mark.
Sean Ramirez - King of his division
Another strongest crossfighter, who is deservedly called the undefeated king of his division, is Sean Ramirez. This athlete has been holding the leadership position for two years in a row. Moreover, it was he who repeatedly led in almost every of the game stages of Crossfit Games and left the former champions of the division with his nose.
Modest and unpretentious Ben Smith
Modesty is said to beautify a person. That is the rule that Ben Smith follows. According to him, he does not like to shout about his victories, but prefers to prove his strength and endurance by deeds. And his work is visible to crossfit fans since Ben has been a member of Crossfit Games since 2009. In 2011 and 2013 he was the third, and by 2015 he had already risen to the top step of the leaders.
Simple Irish guy BC Goodmundsson
This is another simple guy from Ireland, keen on crossfit. In 2015, during the next Crossfit Games, he managed to enter the top three. As it turned out, the athlete has vast experience in gymnastics, which he occasionally supplements with elements from weightlifting. He loves and knows how to work on himself, devoting a lot of time to training and nutrition.
Zach Rul - a man of incredible training and willpower
Special attention deserves Zach Rule. Unlike the actions of other athletes, his actions in a circular training have certain limitations. The fact is that due to joint disease at the age of two, the athlete was deprived of both legs. However, this did not break, but, on the contrary, tempered his character. At the moment, Zach is a symbol of sports prowess and willpower. He easily does push-ups while standing on his hands and lifts weights.
Moreover, Crossfighter opened his own school, where he teaches all the intricacies of circular training for people with disabilities. Among other famous athletes, the following can be distinguished:
- Roba Forte
- Rich Froning.
- Dan Bailey
- Josh Bridges and others.
All of them have received worldwide recognition and continue to work on their bodies.