WHAT BODY CHANGES CAN YOU EXPECT WHEN YOU TRAIN CROSSFIT?

Crossfit uses constantly varied strength and conditioning exercises that challenge your body in ways traditional workouts may not. But what body changes can you expect when you train Crossfit?

CrossFit Training Boosts Cardiovascular Health

One of the primary benefits of training Crossfit is its impact on cardiovascular health. The high-intensity nature of Crossfit workouts pushes your heart and lungs to work harder, thereby improving your cardiovascular fitness. This type of training can increase your heart's stroke volume (the amount of blood pumped per beat), improve lung capacity, and enhance oxygen utilization by the muscles.

Moreover, studies have shown that high-intensity interval training (HIIT), a key component of many Crossfit workouts, can significantly reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

CrossFit Training Enhances Muscular Strength and Endurance

When you train Crossfit, you're not just getting a cardio workout; you're also building muscular strength and endurance. The varied movements in a typical Crossfit workout target different muscle groups, leading to overall increases in muscle strength and endurance.

Crossfit incorporates functional movements like lifting, pulling, pushing, and squatting - all activities we perform daily. These exercises help build lean muscle mass while also improving muscular endurance. Over time, this leads to increased strength and power that can translate into improved performance in other sports or daily activities.

CrossFit Training Promotes Fat Loss and Increases Metabolism

If weight loss is one of your fitness goals, then training Crossfit could be an excellent choice for you. The intense nature of CrossFit workouts means that you burn a significant number of calories during each session. Additionally, the muscle mass gained through strength training boosts your base metabolic rate (BMR), meaning you burn more calories even when at rest.

Moreover, the afterburn effect or excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) is another significant benefit of high-intensity workouts like Crossfit. After an intense workout session, your body continues to burn calories as it works to recover from the exercise-induced stress. This effect can last up to 48 hours post-workout, meaning you’ll have a long period of post-workout calorie burn.

CrossFit Training Improves Mobility and Flexibility

Another often overlooked benefit when you train Crossfit is improved mobility and flexibility. Many people associate flexibility with disciplines like yoga or Pilates but underestimate its role in a program like CrossFit.

CrossFit incorporates various exercises that require a full range of motion - from deep squats to overhead presses - which over time can improve joint mobility and flexibility significantly. Additionally, CrossFit classes incorporate warm ups and cool downs that reinforce the mobility and flexibility needed. Improved flexibility not only enhances performance but also reduces the risk of injuries by promoting better movement patterns.

So, Is Training CrossFit Right for You?

If done correctly under professional supervision with proper form and scaled according to individual capabilities, anyone can reap the benefits of CrossFit training: improved cardiovascular health; enhanced muscular strength; fat loss; increased metabolism; and better mobility & flexibility.