This Thing Called ‘The Open’

1 Comment March 26, 2013 drworobec

Maybe you’ve heard of the Crossfit Open. Maybe you haven’t. But I want to inspire you, I want to motivate you, I want to raise your spirits. So let me tell you about this thing called ‘The Open’.

The Crossfit Open is a worldwide competition in which 130 000 Crossfitters have registered, paid their $20, and are completing one workout per week for five weeks (we just finished week 3), as dictated by Crossfit Headquarters. Competitors submit their scores to an online leaderboard and the fun begins. Top-scoring competitors will advance to their respective Regional competitions, with the ultimate goal being to qualify for the Crossfit Games, the ‘Olympics of Crossfit’, in California in July.

Although I’ve been Crossfitting for three years, this is the first time I’ve entered the Open, as I’ve always been very pregnant or newly post-partum in year’s past. And as an average Crossfitter, I will definitely not advance to Regionals. But a funny thing has happened along the way. I have gotten really into it. No, I mean really into it. I’ve bookmarked the Crossfit Games leaderboard on my computer, I watch elite competitor’s video submissions, I get nervous on Tuesdays for Wednesday’s workout announcement, and I check the scores of people I know and names I recognize.

It’s shown me what I’m physically capable of.

It’s shown me what I’m mentally capable of.

It’s made me feel like part of a team, through accountability, support, and friendship.

It’s made me feel pride in myself and confidence in my abilities.

It’s made me strong, healthy, inspired, and hopeful.

It’s made me cry, it’s made me laugh, it’s made me scared, it’s made me excited.

It’s broken me down and built me right back up.

But this post is not about the Crossfit Open. This post is about challenging yourself. This post is about stepping outside of your comfort zone. This post is about changing the impossible to the possible. So challenge yourself. Step outside of your comfort zone. Change the possibilities. And see what happens.

Let’s be Clear: Crossfit did not ‘Sell Out’

2 Comments July 17, 2012 drworobec

Let’s be clear. Crossfit did not ‘sell out’ to Reebok. Before I make my case, let me explain the argument to those who don’t know what I’m talking about. ..

This past weekend was the Crossfit Games, the pinnacle competition in the world of Crossfit. To qualify for the Games, athletes must first make it through the Open; five weeks of one workout/week as specified by Crossfit Headquarters, following which the athlete posts their scores online. The beauty of this is that anyone can enter the Open, and the atmosphere it creates in Crossfit gyms around the world is incredible. Crossfit Altitude (the gym I like to call ‘my gym’) had more than 80 people enter the Open, most of whom had no intention of qualifying for the Games but wanted to experience the thrill of being a part of the process. Following the Open, the top-seeded athletes advance to Regional competitions, before advancing to the Games themselves. Watch this video to be inspired.

Some Crossfit athletes complain that Crossfit has ‘sold out’ by agreeing to partner with Reebok. I see their comments on blogs, Twitter, and Facebook, and they’re raving about Crossfit from days-gone-by and bemoaning the fact that Reebok has recently jumped on board. I can’t for the life of me figure out why, and I think their viewpoints are short-sighted at best.

Why would you be upset that Reebok has come along and brought their international branding and marketing? By agreeing to a Reebok sponsorship, Crossfit is able to grow. Isn’t one of the tenants of Crossfit a sense of community? What better way to promote a sense of community than by growing Crossfit’s base of athletes and expanding its reach.

And let’s not forget the money. The 2012 Reebok Crossfit Games offered a million dollar purse, including $250K to each of the Individual Male and Female winners. By partnering with an international giant like Reebok, these prizes were made possible. And big prizes mean big interest mean big participation. Again, growth in the sport. Good!

Many of the complainers are ‘originals’, having followed Crossfit methodology since it’s inception by Greg Glassman in 2000. Some are those who do their own Crossfit workouts in their garage or basement, getting their workouts from Crossfit websites. So my question to them is why does it affect you? Why does it affect you that Reebok has jumped on board? Why does it affect you that Crossfit is rapidly becoming mainstream? Why can’t you continue to do Crossfit the way you want to, the way you always have? I think the answer is it doesn’t.

My sister-in-law went to see the Games in Southern California this year with several friends from Calgary’s Crossfit Ramsay and she had the time of her life. I’m already saving my pennies for next year.

Look at the growth in our sport! From a ranch in Aromas to selling out the Home Depot Centre in only 5 years…

Crossfit Can Get a Bad Rap

Leave a comment May 29, 2012 drworobec

I am a Crossfitter. In fact, I would say I’m a Crossfit addict. When I go to Crossfit, I get a huge high, and when I miss a few days, I crave it. My ‘fitness personality’ has always been addictive though- I come from a long-distance running background, and nothing says ‘addict’ like logging 100km/week through a Canadian winter.

My first experience with Crossfit was in January 2010, a year after my son was born. I was searching for something to make me feel strong and fit. I was already back into big-mileage running, but I felt that something was missing- my body wasn’t feeling ‘strong’, and a year after his birth I still felt beat-up and out-of-shape, despite all the running I was doing. I contacted Crossfit Altitude, and owner Jen Morris told me to come by the next day to try a WOD (workout-of-the-day). I showed up at 6am on that dark January morning and nearly died with a rowing/power clean workout. I was hooked.

From then on, I was a part of the ‘morning crew’. Four or five mornings a week, I was at the gym at 6am getting in my WOD, so I could rush home and take over baby-duty before my husband had to leave for work (as an aside, I would spend 10 minutes each morning excitedly telling him about the WOD and how great I felt- he soon jumped on the bandwagon and became an addict too. If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.). It was always the same 5 or 6 people at the 6am WOD and they became a big reason that I loved it so much. I have since learned that the sense of community I felt early on at Altitude is a big part of Crossfit in general- Crossfitters are a huge support system for each other and Crossfit can be its own world unto itself. Go see a Crossfit competition sometime and you’ll see what I mean. Or better yet, head to California in July for the Crossfit Games, the Olympics of the Crossfit world.

As a medical professional, I sometimes hear people talk about the ‘bad’ side of Crossfit, and by that, I mean the injuries that can be sustained in the sport of Crossfit. Here’s my take on it:

1) Every sport has inherent risks, the sport of Crossfit is no different. Yes, I agree that deadlifts and power snatches can cause injury, but I also know that throwing a baseball, playing in a soccer game, or tackling in football can cause injury. Sport is risky.

2) The benefits of sport (usually) outweighs the risks. Cardiovascular health, muscular strength, bone density, body composition, and friendship, to name a few. Modifications can always be made for those Crossfit exercises deemed too risky for injury.

3) A Crossfit gym is only as good as it’s trainers. Just like track coaches, and rugby coaches, and basketball coaches- if you have a good coach/trainer, you will reap the benefits. And since Crossfit is gaining in popularity so quickly, and the ‘average-Joe-athlete’ is flocking to Crossfit gyms around the world, trainers need to be even more diligent on proper form, appropriate weights, and suitable programming. On the whole, I have found certified Crossfit trainers to be a knowledgeable, educated bunch, but as with all professions, there are some good, and some bad.

4) It is the responsibility of the participant to take their own health concerns into account. This is a pet peeve of mine regarding our healthcare system in general….I don’t agree with those people who allow others complete control of their health. Of course I agree that we need to look to healthcare professionals (and in this case, Crossfit trainers) as the ‘experts’, but we, as individuals, need to sit in the driver’s seat for our own health. Take charge! If something doesn’t feel right, if you feel you’re beyond your physical limits and deep into the potential-injury zone, speak up! It is your responsibility to be your best advocate.

I’m sure I’ve stirred up some controversy here, especially amongst my colleagues. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts. And if you haven’t tried Crossfit, give it a go- I bet you’ll become an addict too!