What are you best at? Chances are, that's your favourite thing to do. There's an obvious self-fulfilling paradigm there: if you like it, you get better at it. As you get better at it, you like it more.
Doing the CAT Testing with the other coaches a few weeks ago, it quickly became obvious that our strengths and weaknesses were poles apart. In other words, if my 1000lbs Crossfit Total netted me 8 out of 10 on the Strength portion, my aerobic test was likely all the way at the other pole (i.e. 2 or 3.) There weren't very many scores in the middle.
It's natural to stick to the things at which you're best, but true growth and physical progress comes from improving our weaknesses. Think about it: it's much easier for me to improve a skill at which I'm less than great (ie running,) that to add another 10lbs to my deadlift (already more than 2.5x my bodyweight.) Which will improve my overall fitness? Conversely, a lifelong runner will typically find more joy in watching their squat strength improve than trying to shave 5 minutes from their marathon time – the payoff is nearly immediate due to their relative inexposure to the lift.
Yes, at some point, these elements of fitness are mutually exclusive. The world's top lifters are NOT running marathons. However, the
overlap between elements is far greater than you may think.
overlap between elements is far greater than you may think.
For instance, the world's fastest runners (sprinters) are also excellent jumpers and weightlifters, due to the similar demands placed upon them by their sport. Those who score high in agility necessarily do better than average in flexibility also. The correlation between two distinct physical capacities cannot be overlooked in training.
We teach our runners to deadlift. Hip extension power is the primary determinant of speed in running, even at ultramarathon distances, given a flat surface. We teach our powerlifters (who appear slow, by comparison,) to move weight quickly, because the neuromuscular overlap means greater success in their sport. We teach weightlifters to become more flexible. We increase the anaerobic AND aerobic capacities of hockey players, because they're intermingled.
For this reason, it's useless to compare different fitness pursuits against one another. Yoga is great. So is pilates. So are martial arts, running, cycling, bodybuilding, weightlifting, Powerlifting, wrestling, and pole dancing. But do any develop all physical attributes concurrently? No.
It's a tough challenge. However, to be a well-rounded human, you don't have to spend equal time working on all 10 elements individually. Training at those points of overlap is key.
For instance, high-intensity anaerobic training will improve your aerobic capacity (until you reach a very elite level.) Likewise, training in explosive movements will help your back squat. Improving your coordination score, if done properly, will boost your agility levels to new heights.
What do we all this combination of movements? Crossfit. Crossfit is the broad application of basic human movement, done in a fun and intense way. On any given day, you'll be improving on a broad foundation of fitness. You'll be able to run a mile. You'll be able to pick up something heavy and lift it overhead without fear of injury or failure. You'll be able to address and overcome a very demanding physical task in a short time. And you'll smile, say thanks, and come back again tomorrow. You'll start to become addicted; you'll check our site first thing every morning to see the WOD. You'll feel guilty on mandatory rest days. You'll annoy your friends with your talk of faster Frans and pain-free Angies. You'll post odd status updates on Facebook. And little by little, you'll improve. You'll notice your heart rate climbs more before the workout, with anticipation, than during the workout. You'll move more weight. You'll run 5km nonstop. You'll relish the challenge of a workout that, not long ago, seemed ridiculous to consider. You'll call the gym to see what time Clint scored on Murph that day. You'll hit 'refresh' a few times on the Crossfit site at 11pm, just to see the next day's WOD, and then lose sleep thinking about it. And someday, you'll read an email just like this, and you'll laugh, and then you'll be a Crossfitter.