We hosted Marine recruits again this weekend, for free. It’s one of the best things we do. Why? Because the Marines get CrossFit, the Marines use CrossFit, the Marines know that training in the CrossFit method will do more to save their lives on the battlefield than a thousand hours on the treadmill or the pavement or the pec deck or a leg press machine.
CrossFit, in its essence, is like nothing that’s come before in the world of fitness. Sure, the components of it were there before — the Olympic lifting, the metabolic conditioning, the powerlifting, gymnastics, etc. But nobody had ever put them together in this way until Greg Glassman did it on a large scale. And then he grabbed a stopwatch and timed it and asked for observable, measurable, repeatable performance in the fitness realm. It seems so obvious and yet no one had done it before in that manner. When I first met Greg Glassman, he said something to the effect of “I’m not a genius. I’m just the a***ole who took a stopwatch, a measuring tape, and a scale to human performance. And I’m amazed that no one did it before me.”
So, think of CrossFit like a novel. All the words in a novel may have already existed, but the author is the person who put them together into a comprehensive, moving way that means something, that creates a world, that achieves a purpose. That’s what Greg Glassman did with CrossFit.
What else happens with a novel? There are critics, and fans and haters, as there are with so many things in this life. Everything has its champions — and those who would sit on the sidelines and complain. And so, we have those who decry, or put down, or sneer at CrossFit. That’s okay. In times like these, we need to remember the Marines who CrossFit. They care neither for the politics or the popularity of a workout regimen. They care about what will make them most fit and help to keep them — and their buddies — alive. And that’s CrossFit. End of argument. Time for burpees and deadlifts. Somebody start the stopwatch.
December 7th, 2009 at 10:31 am
1st!!!
and new CFW rule:ALL MILITARY PERSONNEL ARE TO WOD WITH THEIR SHIRTS OFF!!! K HAS SPOKEN!
December 7th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Excellent Analogy Liz!!
December 7th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Well put and spot on! I like.
With that being said, I will sadly miss the burpee-deadlift WOD tonight – my (other) knee did not respond well to all that running methinks. Gonna try to give it a little rest
And I will say it again, this weekend was epic!
December 7th, 2009 at 11:09 am
Ah, N8, sometimes the bread crumbs do not lead to the gingerbread house . . .
December 7th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Burpee deadlift….where did you get that idea? Hummmm???
December 7th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Ok I’m here…..no autographs please!
December 7th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
paparazzi always welcomed
December 7th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Darsh…you always know how to get us fired up! Great blog post today!
The first thing I always say when I talk to my friends about CrossFit is that it literally saved my life. Nothing in my 41 years of trying to get fit has helped me as much as CrossFit. It SAVED MY LIFE! F**k the haters… I will always be thankful for Glassman and Darsh. My affection for CF is based on what it has given me: a level of physical fitness I never thought possible and a joy for living that I’ve never had before now.
Bring on the burpees!
December 7th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
I’m with K – shirts off please, though I might have a problem doing the WOD without slipping on the drool.
December 7th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
I always take my shirt of while WODing….is this not good enough for you ladies….geessh!
December 7th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Great post! Sometimes people don’t understand what I do at CrossFit. They think we’re crazy. If they came to check us out, they’d know we ARE crazy, but they’d also learn about a great new way of life. BTW, I can’t believe I’m missing the DL/Burpee workout. I may have to do it later this week. I’m fired up for any kind of a great workout after the weekend! I might have to do some pushups with Jackson on my back tonight. Hopefully Chris can join class tonight…this is HIS workout, afterall.
December 7th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
No Jen… not good enough..
December 7th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Great blog post (aka the usual at cfw)…I’m still recovering from Sat, the pain and bruises are subsiding and I think I’m feeling sore, not totally sure though. Seeing the Marine recruits rock & get rocked at cfw is alway awesome
December 7th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Kirk — don’t worry. Today was Front Squats and some pull-up thingy. But now that you and N8 talked about it, we’ll have to do the burpee/deadlift WOD soon! Everybody, say thanks to Kirk and Nate!
December 7th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Oh — and K, this one’s for you: http://theshirtlessman.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/nascar20fan1.jpg
December 7th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Kirk and Nate…how many times did I tell you…DON’T PULL A CHRIS! Now Becky’s gonna kick you butts too!!! Holy SOTS!
(Disclaimer) I cannot be held responsible for the filth that comes out of my mouth on Burpee Deadlift day…those who have witnessed me do that workout know it always brings out the monster in me…ugh!
December 7th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
You know what Lisbeth?! that shit is messed up… I should have known better than to get all excited… you suck lol
December 7th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
LOL
It’s the least I could do. Really . . . it was the least.
December 7th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
lol… ok you win…. but can we make this official or what??
I think I have been with you and CFW long enough to know what direction the gym should go in… Quite frankly Lis, the direction involves half naked Marines, I’m just being honest.
December 8th, 2009 at 12:04 am
Hmmm, K, after much deliberation and consideration, I must agree. I too share your vision. Half naked Marines it is!
Oh wait, we don’t have a base near us. Will this hinder our plan?
December 8th, 2009 at 12:16 am
I’m glad you finally see the potential I see…
More half naked military personnel will be easy to aquire, I’m sure Jen and I can manage to find more than a few by diligently scouring bars and strip clubs…. We may have to use D and his powers of persuasion for some of the harder to find men, but I think loves CFW enough to help us out lol