"Previous workout experience isn't required, but prior experience with HIIT (high-intensity interval training), cardio boot camps, and weight lifting classes can be beneficial in the beginning," says Young. She recommends starting with a beginner session, since they're a great way to learn the foundations of the workouts.
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CrossFit Is Determined By Each Athlete
"CrossFit is not only customizable and determined by each athlete, but it's also universal," Young suggests. The workout and its purpose are totally up to each participant, she adds.
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Make Sure You Treat Any Lingering Injuries
"CrossFit is a loaded full-body workout that requires the involvement of all major joints," says Dr. Thanu Jey, CSCS, FCE, D.C, clinic director at Yorkville Sports Medicine Clinic. "If you have lingering injuries, it is a good idea to have them looked at prior to starting CrossFit, as the intensity of this training can expose those compromised areas."
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Don't Be Afraid to Modify Your CrossFit Workouts
"Many CrossFit workouts can be modified to be done safely, so it's a matter of understanding how to perform them this way," explains Dr. Jey. So listen to your body (and your trainers and your doctors), especially when engaging in a new workout regimen.
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There Are Steep Learning Curves In The Beginning
"For a while, it might feel like you're getting a lot to think about and focus on improving your movement," says Deidre Bloomquist, certified CrossFit Trainer (Level 3), NASM CPT. According to Blomquist, that feeling is completely normal — because there's a lot to know, and some workouts are more complicated than others.
