CrossFit: It is all about the community

Its all about the community…

When I was first thinking about joining CrossFit I read that sentence in various articles a lot.  I didn’t understand what it meant.

I have been members of gyms before, and seen small communities spring up.  A few strongmen in a corner, a few ladies who lunch after zumba.  Golfers who clamber into the steam room after 18 holes.

I have never been part of these communities.

Mainly because time is always a factor, I am always dashing to a class, running to the showers, and I am terrible at small talk.

I thought when I joined CrossFit, it would all be the same.  I’d go to class, come home, and nod politely at others in the room.

But the thing about CrossFit is, its a community…

And one that has offered a string of sanity in the last couple of months.

Historically when the girls get diagnosed with a new syndrome, I face it with wine and chocolate.  Since Molly has been diagnosed with CRPS, I have coped with Kettlebells and deadlifts.  There is no denying a bottle of wine can taste divine, but it doesn’t leave you with the same feeling of empowerment as doing 50 handstand press ups against the wall.

The last three months have felt tougher than many of the ones before, but yet I have found a happy place, secured between a MOT centre and thicket of weeds.

And I’ve found friends, tucked away in between barbells and boxes. There is the French one, who tortured me into believing I could do a workout at the recommended CrossFit weight (which I did). Her partner in crime, who shares stories of my accidental fart squats and films any new achievements.  The one who made me howl when she confessed that doing a certain CrossFit move caused vaginal noises, and the one who picks me up everytime I look beaten and tells me I am getting strong.

There are the mums like me, who I go to the park with after training, who have unquestionably welcomed me into a circle that was established a long time ago.  Ones who I love working out with and can’t wait to see again to slam weights down together, side by side.

And the coach, who makes me believe that one day I may achieve something in this sport.

Through the CrossFit community, people share their successes, support each other through some of the gassiest of WOD’s.  Cough over teammates squat farts, help each other work on their snatches, and help each other deal with the other shite that is going on in their lives.

The box is a sanctuary, a place where you can walk in with the weight of the world positioned on your shoulders and leave feeling like you can breathe easy again.

Its not easy, at times it can be vile, there will always be burpees… some times over a box…

But the community sees you through,  reminds you a strong body can equate to a healthy mind,  and makes you always want to come back.