What is my favorite thing about Crossfit?

Hands down the community!

I started crossfit over 6 years ago and up until the last year, majority of my time was spent working out alone at home. It was just over a year ago I joined Crossfit Manassas and realized exactly what had been missing from my routine. I always used the crossfit forums, so I was aware of the community aspect of crossfit, but stepping into a place like Crossfit Manassas really brings a new appreciation of what the community really means to the whole crossfit experience. My wife and I have lived in VA for over 5 years now, and it wasn’t until I met folks at the gym that I really had a group of friends that I shared a lot in common with and hung out with on the weekend on a regular basis. Even coming from different backgrounds, the enjoyment people get out of pushing their bodies to the limits with crossfit is definitely unique to the crossfit community and helps create a special bond with each other.

My favorite lifts involve anything heavy. I’ve always been a bigger crossfitter, but this past year I have really focused on bringing up my strength level. I like to believe I was built to squat and it really is hands down my strongest lift, and I believe one of the best foundations for a strength program. Given that crossfit has also led me to compete in some strongman competitions I really enjoy moving awkward objects and using staple strongman exercises like sled pushes, farmers carries, keg clean and press, and atlas stones. I still love the traditional crossfit movements, but anytime something heavy comes up in a workout I relish that opportunity, as it usually gives me an advantage against some of the lighter guys out there like Joel who is just a monster at the bodyweight movements. I love the short heavy workouts that come up such as Grace, King Kong (which is incredibly brutal), and even something like Diane or Elizabeth.

When I think of Crossfit I think of: Community, Strength Training and Functional Fitness

The first time I cracked 1,000lbs on my Crossfit Total (currently at 1225) was one of the biggest accomplishments for me as it was one of my first goals when I started crossfit. And while it is small, the fact that I can still knock out almost 40 consecutive pull-ups at my weight is an accomplishment for me.