By Alan Shaw, Co-Founder and Head Coach of Rhapsody CrossFit in Charleston, SC
It’s hard to stay sane with all the noise.
From podcasts and blogs to tweets and posts (or lack thereof…), there’s a lot of chatter around the future of CrossFit.
With the 2020 CrossFit Games Open around the corner, it seems louder now than ever with athletes across the globe begging the same question – what is going to become of it all?
“Regardless of age or ability, if you stick with it and work at it you will get faster, stronger and better.”
TAKE ME BACK
In 2002, CrossFit coined functional fitness long before it was the cool kids club we know today.
Inspired by men and women who answered the call to serve our military, fire and rescue, the program sought to provide comprehensive training to help face the next challenge, whatever it may be, with mental and physical fortitude.
The methodology behind CrossFit originated from a fundamental belief that through a varied combination of gymnastics, strength training and conditioning you could enhance your daily life.
This approach wasn’t born out of a grand vision for televised competitions or potential revenue from booty shorts and trainers – it was about not thinking twice before taking a flight of stairs or picking up your squirming toddler.
Regardless of age or ability, if you stick with it and work at it you will get faster, stronger and better. That was as true nearly two decades ago as it is now.
CROSSFIT TODAY
Fast forward to 2019, CrossFit has evolved far beyond any one athlete, gym or brand. We often joke that CrossFit is a bit of a cult, and, for those of us who drank the KoolAid, it makes sense.
Far beyond the “Workout of the Day” on the whiteboard, CrossFit has evolved into a community, an outlet and, for me, a feeling. When I do a workout, it’s like stepping into my childhood game room with my buddies – there’s challenge, suspense, a scoreboard, a whole lot of hustle, plenty of play, and, ultimately, friendship.
For so many, CrossFit is far more than their fitness routine – it’s their third space. The home away from home where they can leave adulting at the door and throw down with their friends.
Coming from all walks, every day I get to see our Rhapsody CrossFit members obliterate anxiety with a barbell, run past preconceived limits, muster the strength to slay their next meeting or strut their stuff because they feel strong and sexy.
This connection and camaraderie centers around a common belief that we are all in pursuit of our greatest potential, and, together, we will rise to the occasion of becoming our best well beyond the gym’s four walls.
There’s nothing else like it.
LOOKING AHEAD
Despite the flux around the brand, I am doubling down on CrossFit and refuse to be deterred or distracted by the noise.
Combining constantly varied conditioning, weight training and mobility to curate well-rounded capability is a tried and true method. Period. Couple that with measurable data to tell you where you’re going and remind you of how far you’ve come is smart structure to serve you well in fitness and in life.
Add the cherry on top of community, connection and camaraderie in shameless pursuit of our personal bests and you have the secret sauce.
Whether you want to look better naked, tackle the day, find your people or build the strength to dominate whatever lies ahead, that’s what we’re striving for.
And we are not going anywhere.
“Combining constantly varied conditioning, weight training and mobility to curate well-rounded capability is a tried and true method. Period.”
