Did you know that people who join CrossFit gyms improve their strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance with the help of experienced coaches?

More and more people are choosing to participate in CrossFit who want to safely and effectively build muscle and lose weight. Unfortunately, it’s easy to choose not to get started when you don’t know how to prepare for your first CrossFit class. 

To help make it easier for you to join a gym, we’ve broken down the basics of what you need to know before starting your first class. Keep reading and we’ll tell you what’s important to know. 

Understand the CrossFit Basics 

There are various CrossFit-related terms and abbreviations that refer to different exercises and concepts related to working out. Therefore, people who are new to CrossFit often have a hard time understanding the lingo. This is why you should not feel discouraged when you’re just starting out. 

When somebody says “WOD,” they’re referring to the “workout of the day.” AMRAP means “as many rounds as possible.” And EMOM means “every minute on the minute.” 

Don’t Let Stereotypes Hold You Back

It’s easy to lose interest in CrossFit if all that you know about it comes from what you’ve learned from watching the CrossFit Games on ESPN. But the truth is that you don’t need to be a professional athlete to do CrossFit. 

Many people also make the mistake of thinking that CrossFit is just for men. For example, women often worry that they’ll start getting too bulky if they join a CrossFit gym.

The truth is that women who participate in CrossFit will get leaner and will lose fat. They’ll also improve their mental health. 

There are many grandparents, mothers, students, and busy professionals who also participate in CrossFit. People of all genders, backgrounds, ages, and from all parts of the world participate in CrossFit.

In fact, the vast majority of those who do CrossFit have no intention of participating in competitions. And those who do compete in the CrossFit Games spend many years in training. They often work out for at least six hours per day. 

Make a Visit to CrossFit Gyms in Your Vicinity 

It might not be the best idea to join the first CrossFit gym that you go to, even if it has a convenient location. Instead, take time to check out several different gyms in your community. 

There are several important things to look for when you’re choosing a gym. The first thing you should pay attention to is how skilled the coaches are.

A good coach will offer each participant the support and attention that they need. This means that they’ll do things like offer form corrections, respond thoughtfully to your questions, and give you helpful tips to help you learn the ropes. 

You should also make sure that the gym you choose to join has the right safety protocols in place. For example, a good coach will suggest that you decrease how much weight you’re lifting if they see that you’re struggling.

Keep in mind that they’re not trying to hold you back from performing at your best. They are simply concerned about your well-being and don’t want you to get injured. 

Lastly, you should choose a gym that has the right schedule. If a gym only offers classes during the hours that you’re unavailable, it’s not a good idea to join it. Since the majority of CrossFit gyms post their schedules on their websites, it’s easy to find out if a gym is right for you before actually making a visit. 

Make Sure to Complete the Fitness Assessment 

Make sure that you take a fitness assessment before starting your first CrossFit class. This is because many movements you’ll make while working out will involve making explosive movements that require you to have a large range of motion. If your body is not prepared for doing these things, you run the risk of getting hurt. 

When you perform a fitness assessment with your coach, expect them to ask you to do squats, deadlifts, and lift weights above your head. They will probably also assess your cardiovascular health. 

Consider Signing Up for a Free or Discounted Trial

Many CrossFit gyms let people get started with a trial membership. This gives people the opportunity to find out whether or not working out at a CrossFit gym is right for them. Make sure to take advantage of this opportunity. 

Many gyms also offer an introductory and educational series of classes to help new members to prepare themselves for group CrossFit workouts. At MagMile CrossFit, we call this the Foundations Class.

This multi-session class will give you the opportunity to get hands-on coaching. The goal of this class is to give you the tools you need to be successful. 

Take Your Time

Many people who are new to CrossFit want to start out too quickly. This is because most people who participate in CrossFit tend to love completion. Try your best to resist the temptation to keep up with longtime members. This is because it’s possible that you’ll get injured if you push yourself too hard. 

How to Prepare for Your First CrossFit Class: Do Your Research and Take Things Slowly

If you’re wondering how to prepare for your first CrossFit class, keep in mind that you should first do plenty of research before choosing to join a gym. And if a gym you’re interested in joining offers a trial membership, make sure that you take advantage of this opportunity. 

If you want to start having full-body workouts that involve explosive athleticism, cardio, strength training, and mobility then you should consider joining a CrossFit gym. Don’t hesitate to contact Magmile CrossFit today if you’re interested in getting started.