CrossFit 101: What to look for when starting your CrossFit journey

Congratulations! You have decided to bring your passion, excitement and dedication to your first "box" (or gym). Maybe it was the games that brought you in, or your friends raving about how crazy yesterday's WOD was, or maybe you just heard you could try a class for free so you figured you would give it a shot.. whatever the reason, we're all glad you came, but before you start training to become the next Sam Briggs here are some friendly tips to help keep you safe, happy and in beast mode for years to come:

1. Do your homework: Anything can be dangerous, you can walk down the street and fall in to a hole and be out of the gym for a while (hopefully you're looking!) but as with anything regarding your health you want to be sure that you are doing your research. You wouldn't follow a guy into a back alley that claimed to be a doctor to give you a check up, right? Well the same outlook should be taken when it comes to your gym. By joining a gym with experienced trainers who have numerous certifications you will be ensuring yourself not only a safe experience but a fun one as well! Don't be afraid to ask them questions or to see their certifications, as reputable gyms will have copies on file and trainers are happy to share with you any of their specialties.

2. Save your dates! Before heading to the gym you are going to want to check the gym's schedule to make sure they offer classes that fit your schedule. You wouldn't want to spend money and never make it to class because you work too late. By signing up for a CrossFit gym you are getting much more than a workout, you are gaining another family who looks forward to seeing and sweating with you each week so make sure you can make it!

3. Get out of your comfort zone, get comfortable with the uncomfortable. Finding the right atmosphere is essential to your own success so whether you join with friends or put yourself out there make sure you are ready to feel uncomfortable for the first few classes. You will be trying different things, some things you may have never seen before and you will not be good at all of it. Leave your ego at the door and take the experience for what it is, after all anyone who is an expert at something was a beginner at some point.

4. Have fun! Get crazy, make some new friends, rock out to the mid-WOD music, be yourself. You are about to join a nation of people who have left normal at the globo-gym down the street, we welcome the unexpected and take each experience for what it is. We have to be normal all day long at our 9 to 5's so why not take this next hour for ourselves? To let loose, sweat with some friends and get wrecked by the WOD.

Hopefully some of these tips helped you figure out a box that is right for you!

-CrossFit RedZone
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