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The Ultimate Crossfit Guide for Beginners: How to Get Started

By February 8, 2023 March 18th, 2023 No Comments

The Ultimate Crossfit Guide for Beginners: How to Get Started

 

Crossfit has become a popular fitness trend all over the world. It is a high-intensity workout program that incorporates strength training, gymnastics, and cardio exercises. This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the essential information you need to get started with Crossfit and achieve your fitness goals. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced athlete, this guide will help you to understand the basics of Crossfit and how to get the most out of your workouts.

In this guide, you will learn about the different aspects of Crossfit, including the equipment you will need, the best workouts and exercises to focus on, and the supplements that can help to enhance your performance. With the help of this guide, you will be able to create a customized Crossfit program that meets your unique fitness needs and goals.

So, whether you want to build strength, increase endurance, or improve your overall fitness level, this guide has got you covered. Let's dive into the world of Crossfit and discover the ultimate path to a fitter and healthier you!

CrossFit FAQ's

 

What is Crossfit?

Crossfit is a high-intensity workout program that combines various exercises such as weightlifting, gymnastics, and cardio. It's designed to build strength, increase endurance, and improve overall fitness.

 

Is Crossfit safe for beginners?

Yes, Crossfit is safe for beginners as long as it's done under proper supervision and with proper form. It's important to start with low weights and gradually increase the intensity of the workout as you get stronger and more comfortable with the movements.

 

Do I need to have prior experience with weightlifting to start Crossfit?

No, you don't need prior experience with weightlifting to start Crossfit. However, it's recommended to take a few introductory classes to learn the proper form and technique for the movements before jumping into a full workout.

 

How often should I train Crossfit?

It's recommended to do Crossfit 3-5 times a week to see the best results. It's important to allow your body time to recover between workouts and to mix in other types of exercise to avoid overuse injuries.

 

 

Benefits of CrossFit Training

 

CrossFit is a high-intensity fitness program that offers a wide range of benefits to its practitioners. In this section, we will highlight some of the most important benefits that come with incorporating CrossFit into your fitness routine.

  • Improved Physical Fitness: CrossFit is a full-body workout program that challenges every muscle group, leading to improved physical fitness. Regular CrossFit training can help you develop better coordination, balance, flexibility, and strength.

 

  • Increased Endurance: CrossFit workouts are designed to be high-intensity, which means that they can help improve your cardiovascular endurance. By pushing yourself to complete challenging workouts, you can increase your ability to perform activities for longer periods of time without getting tired.

 

  • Better Body Composition: CrossFit can help you achieve a leaner, more toned body by combining strength and cardiovascular training. This can lead to a reduction in body fat and an increase in muscle mass, which can result in improved body composition.

 

  • Mental Health Benefits: CrossFit is not just good for your physical health. It also provides a number of mental health benefits, including reduced stress and improved self-esteem. By challenging yourself and pushing your limits in a supportive environment, you can experience a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that can boost your overall well-being.

 

  • Community Support: CrossFit is more than just a workout program. It is a community of like-minded individuals who support and encourage each other. This community can provide a sense of belonging and camaraderie, helping to keep you motivated and on track.

 

The Importance of Warm-Up and Stretching in Crossfit

 

Warming up and stretching before a Crossfit workout is just as important as the workout itself. A proper warm-up helps to prepare the body for the demands of the workout and reduces the risk of injury. Stretching, on the other hand, helps to improve flexibility and range of motion, allowing the body to perform exercises more efficiently and effectively.

Here are some benefits of warming up and stretching before a Crossfit workout:

  1. Increases blood flow: A warm-up helps to increase blood flow to the muscles, which in turn, provides them with the necessary oxygen and nutrients needed to perform the workout.

  2. Lowers the risk of injury: By warming up, the body becomes more flexible and better prepared for the demands of the workout, reducing the risk of injury.

  3. Improves flexibility and range of motion: Stretching helps to improve flexibility and range of motion, allowing the body to perform exercises with greater ease and effectiveness.

  4. Increases mental focus: A proper warm-up helps to improve mental focus and prepare the mind for the workout, allowing you to perform at your best.

Warm-up and stretching should not be overlooked in a Crossfit routine. Incorporating these activities into your workout routine can help to improve performance, reduce the risk of injury, and enhance overall well-being.

 

Crossfit Exercises for Beginners

 

Crossfit workouts are designed to challenge and push your limits, but for beginners, it is essential to start with basic exercises that focus on building strength, stability, and flexibility. Here are some essential Crossfit workouts for beginners to get started:

 

Bodyweight Exercises

Bodyweight exercises are a great starting point for beginners as they do not require any equipment and can be done anywhere. Bodyweight exercises such as squats, push-ups, lunges, and planks, help in building a solid foundation of strength and stability.

Kettlebell Swings

Kettlebell swings are a functional movement that works the entire body, including the legs, hips, back, and shoulders. This exercise helps in developing power, explosiveness, and overall strength. Start with a light kettlebell weight and progress to heavier weights as you get stronger.

Dumbbell Thrusters

Dumbbell thrusters are a full-body exercise that challenges your strength, stability, and endurance. This exercise involves a squat, a press, and a lunge, and works the legs, hips, core, arms, and shoulders. Start with lighter weights and progress to heavier weights as you get stronger.

Rowing

Rowing is a low-impact cardio exercise that works the entire body, especially the back, arms, legs, and core. This exercise helps in building endurance, improving posture, and strengthening the upper body. Start with shorter distances and progress to longer distances as you get stronger.

These are some of the essential Crossfit workouts for beginners. It is important to start with basic exercises that focus on building strength, stability, and flexibility, and then progress to more challenging workouts as you get stronger.

Remember to warm up and stretch before each workout to prevent injury and get the most out of your Crossfit journey.

 

Full CrossFit Workout Program for Beginners

 

As a beginner, it can be overwhelming to start a new workout program like CrossFit. That's why having a structured and comprehensive workout program is crucial for your success.

Here's a sample of a beginner-friendly CrossFit workout program that you can follow:

Day 1:

  • Warm-up: 5-minute jog or jump rope followed by a dynamic stretching routine
  • Workout:
    • 3 rounds of "The Chief" (5 sets of 3 power cleans, 6 push-ups, 9 air squats)
    • 3 rounds of "Cindy" (5 pull-ups, 10 push-ups, 15 air squats)
  • Cool-down: 3-minute slow jog or walk, followed by a static stretching routine

Day 2:

  • Warm-up: 5-minute jog or jump rope followed by a dynamic stretching routine
  • Workout:
    • "The Filthy Fifty" (50 box jumps, 50 jumping pull-ups, 50 kettlebell swings, 50 steps walking lunge, 50 knees-to-elbows, 50 push presses, 50 back extensions, 50 wall balls, 50 burpees, 50 double unders)
  • Cool-down: 3-minute slow jog or walk, followed by a static stretching routine

Day 3: Rest Day

 

Day 4:

  • Warm-up: 5-minute jog or jump rope followed by a dynamic stretching routine
  • Workout:
    • 3 rounds of "The Girl" (9 deadlifts, 15 push-ups, 21 air squats)
    • 3 rounds of "Annie" (50 double unders, 50 sit-ups)
  • Cool-down: 3-minute slow jog or walk, followed by a static stretching routine

Day 5:

  • Warm-up: 5-minute jog or jump rope followed by a dynamic stretching routine
  • Workout:
    • "Fight Gone Bad" (3 rounds of 1-minute each of wall balls, sumo deadlift high pull, box jumps, push presses, and rowing)
  • Cool-down: 3-minute slow jog or walk, followed by a static stretching routine

Day 6: Rest Day

 

Day 7:

  • Warm-up: 5-minute jog or jump rope followed by a dynamic stretching routine
  • Workout:
    • "The Seven" (7 rounds of 7 handstand push-ups, 7 thrusters, 7 knee-to-elbow, 7 deadlifts)
  • Cool-down: 3-minute slow jog or walk, followed by a static stretching routine

This beginner-friendly CrossFit workout program is designed to help you develop strength, endurance, and overall fitness. As you progress, you can adjust the workouts to make them more challenging or add more weights to your lifts.

Remember to listen to your body and always scale the workouts according to your fitness level. CrossFit workouts can be intense, but with proper technique, proper nutrition, and proper rest and recovery, you'll be able to make significant progress towards your fitness goals.

 

Best Supplements to Help Accelerate Your Progress

 

Crossfit training can be an intense workout and it is essential to fuel your body with the right nutrients to enhance your performance. Supplementation can help support your body’s nutritional needs, especially when you’re working out rigorously. Here is a list of some of the best supplements that can help you get the most out of your Crossfit training:

  1. Anafuse by Vital Alchemy: Anafuse is a non-hormonal natural anabolic supplement that contains ingredients like Epicatechin, HICA, and Turkesterone to enhance muscle growth, enhance muscular endurance, and improve overall strength and performance.

  2. Alphabulk by Olympus Labs: AlphaBulk is the latest innovation in natural anabolic supplements made by Olympus Labs which can greatly help increase muscle mass and strength. It contains a blend of ingredients like α-Cedrene, α-Ionone, Kaempferia Parviflora (PhtyoFUSE), and Urolithin B, making it one of the most potent natural anabolics on the market as of 2023.

  3. Colossal Muscle by Hard Rock Supplements: Colossal Muscle is an amazing natural muscle-building supplement that provides a blend 2 different ecdysterone compounds (20-Hydroxyecdysone & Turkesterone). This supplement can help increase protein synthesis, improve endurance, and assist in increasing Strength & power output

  4. True Shred by Hard Rock Supplements: True Shred is a one of a kind hybrid fat shredding & muscle building agent. It contains a natural anabolic ingredient, test booster, estrogen inhibitor, metabolism enhancer, and IGF-1 booster. This supplement can greatly help in accelerating your results and helping you achieve a leaner and more muscular physique

 

 

Improve The Quality Of Your Training Sessions

 

As you embark on your Crossfit journey, you may want to consider adding some Pre-Workout or Intra-Workout supplements to your regimen to help maximize your results and overall boost the quality of each training session. There are several types of supplements that can be beneficial for Crossfit athletes, including pre-workouts, recovery supplements, and carbohydrate powders.

Here are some of the best ones we suggest pairing up with your Crossfit training program:

Wild Thing by Assault Labs: This pre-workout supplement is designed to increase energy, focus, and endurance during your Crossfit workouts. With ingredients like caffeine, beta-alanine, and nitric oxide precursors, Wild Thing can help you push harder and perform better during your WODs.

Seismic Surge by Hard Rock Supplements: This pre-workout supplement is formulated to enhance muscle strength, power, and endurance. It contains ingredients like creatine, beta-alanine, and L-arginine, which can help you achieve new personal records and perform at a higher level.

Jetmass by GAT: This pre-workout supplement is designed to support muscle growth and recovery. It contains ingredients like creatine, beta-alanine, and L-glutamine, which can help you build muscle and recover faster after intense workouts.

 

Enhance Your Recovery & Bounce Back Stronger!

 

Aftershock Post-Workout by Myogenix: This recovery supplement is designed to help you recover faster after intense Crossfit workouts. With ingredients like BCAAs, glutamine, and antioxidants, Aftershock can alleviate muscle soreness and enhance muscle recovery, enabling you to return to peak performance swiftly while feeling revitalized.

IGF 600 by Pure Solutions: This recovery supplement is formulated to support muscle growth and repair. It contains ingredients like insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) made from pure Deer Antler Velvet, which can help your muscles recover faster and grow stronger after each workout. Deer Antler Velvet has been demonstrated to have a beneficial impact on speeding up recovery for athletes who have suffered an injury due to its tissue repairing properties.

Myovite by Myogenix: Lets be real, most os us don't get our 8 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. This can cause a deficiency which can ultimately lead to degraded performance in the gym. A comprehensive multivitamin supplement like Myovite is formulated to support overall health and well-being and give us the essential nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that our bodies need to perform at a high level. A solid multi-vitamin like Myovite can help you stay healthy and perform at your best throughout your Crossfit journey.

Joyful Joints by Vital Alchemy: This supplement is designed to improve joint elasticity and joint mobility. It contains natural ingredients such as D-Glucosamine Sulfate, Hyaluronic Acid, MSM, Cissus Quadrangularis, and Turmeric, which are known for their anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and connective tissue supporting properties. By taking something like Joyful Joints, Crossfit athletes can greatly reduce the risks of injury and improve overall joint health.

 

Carbohydrate Supplements & Their Benefits In Crossfit

 

Crossfit workouts can be pretty grueling...

Carbohydrates are an essential source of energy during intense physical activity, and they play a significant role in Crossfit training. Consuming the right amount of carbohydrates before and after a workout can vastly help improve performance, increase energy levels, and support recovery. However, it's not always easy to consume enough carbohydrates through regular meals, especially for those who have busy schedules or have specific dietary restrictions. This is where carb supplements come in handy.

Carbohydrate powders provide a concentrated source of carbs in a convenient and easy-to-consume form. They are typically made from simple sugars such as glucose, fructose, and maltodextrin, which are quickly absorbed by the body and converted into energy. Some carbohydrate powders also contain additional vitamins and minerals to support overall health and wellness.

There are several benefits of using carbohydrate powders in Crossfit training, including:

  • Improved Performance: Consuming carbohydrates before a workout can help increase energy levels and delay fatigue, allowing you to perform at your best during intense exercises.

  • Enhanced Recovery: Consuming carbohydrates after a workout can help replenish glycogen stores, which is essential for recovery and improved performance in future workouts.

  • Convenience: Carbohydrate powders are easy to transport and can be consumed quickly, making them a convenient option for those who have busy schedules or limited access to healthy meals.

  • Customizable: Different carbohydrate powders come in different concentrations, allowing you to choose the right amount for your individual needs.

It's important to note that carbohydrate powders should be used in conjunction with a balanced diet and should not be relied on as the sole source of carbohydrates. In addition, it is important to note that individuals with diabetes should exercise caution when using carbohydrate powders as they can increase blood sugar levels and may potentially interact with medications. We suggest consulting your healthcare provider before starting any new diet or supplement regimen if you have any underlying medical conditions.

Formula 19 by Blackstone Labs: This carbohydrate powder is designed to support energy and endurance during your Crossfit workouts. With its fast-acting R3 Carbohydrate blend, Glutamine, Magnesium, and L-Leucine Formula 19 can help you fuel your workouts and perform at your best.

To Wrap It Up:

 

Crossfit is a challenging but rewarding workout regimen that offers many benefits for the body and mind. The Ultimate Crossfit Guide for Beginners: How to Get Started has aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of what to expect when starting a Crossfit journey, including the importance of warm-up and stretching, effective Crossfit workouts for beginners, and helpful supplements to aid in the journey. With dedication, discipline, and effort, anyone can succeed in Crossfit.

Remember, every fitness journey is unique and it's essential to listen to your body and consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new workout program. No matter what, always make safety your top priority and never push yourself too hard. Gradually increasing the intensity and duration of your workouts over time is key to reaching your fitness goals.

Thank you for taking the time to read The Ultimate Crossfit Guide for Beginners: How to Get Started. We hope that you found this guide helpful and informative and that it has inspired you to start your own Crossfit journey. Good luck, and happy training!

 

Written and Sponsored by Leonard Shemtob

Leonard Shemtob is President of Strong Supplements. Leonard has been in the supplement space for over 20 years, specializing in fitness supplements and nutrition. Leonard has written over 100 articles about supplements and has studied nutrition, supplementation and bodybuilding. Leonard enjoys weight training, playing basketball and yoga, and also enjoys hiking. In his free time he studies and works on improving himself. His personal blog is www.leonardshemtob.com

 

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  • Rosenbloom, C.A. (2015). Sports nutrition: A practice manual for professionals (6th ed.). Chicago, IL: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

  • Sharp, M.C., & Pearson, D.R. (2015). Nutrient timing revisited: is there a post-exercise anabolic window? Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12(1), 1-10.

  • Haff, G.G., Triplett, N.T., & Dale, B. (Eds.). (2016). Essentials of strength training and conditioning (4th ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

  • Zatsiorsky, V.M., & Kraemer, W.J. (2006). Science and practice of strength training (2nd ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

  • DiPietro, L., & Brooks, A. (2010). Stretching and warm-up for improved physical performance and prevention of sports-related injuries.  21(3), 541-549

 

 

 

Sponsored By Leonard Shemtob

https://leonardshemtob.com/

 
 
Leonard Shemtob

Leonard Shemtob

Leonard Shemtob is the President and CEO of Strong Supplements. Leonard has written countless articles on fitness, spirituality and other topics of interest. Leonard Shemtob enjoys yoga, weight lifting, meditation and spending time with his family. You can read more about him on his blog at www.leonardshemtob.com