CrossFit Competition Archives - Triib

Why You Should Sign Up For A CrossFit Competition As Newbie

Jennifer Mcdade — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 18:55:19 +0000

New to the sport of CrossFit? Still trying to figure out what all the movements are, and what all those wacky words mean? Think your CrossFit competition days are still far in the future?

You’re likely more prepared to throw your hat in the ring than you think. Here’s why you should sign up for the next upcoming competition now:

There’s no environment like competition… except competition.
Fear is the greatest barrier to achievement.
Competition is just another form of benchmark.
Consider it CrossFit networking.
The food, the friends, the fun!

1. There’s no environment like competition… except competition.

First of all, something really special and magical happens in a CrossFit competition setting, and you may not believe it until you really experience it. The vibe is just… different from a normal class. It’s different from the CrossFit Open. It’s just…. different. You work harder, you push yourself to a place you never thought possible, and you feel the type of love and support that you can only get in that one, specific environment. Furthermore, there’s a reason competitions seem to be breeding grounds for PR’s and firsts. Something just… happens when you push yourself beyond your normal limits! You may very well end up surprising yourself in that kind of environment. Yes, it’s a lot of pressure. And yes, you may still be new at this. But if a competition has a scaled or newbie division – chances are they’re prepared to help usher you through this new, exciting, and sometimes nerve-wracking experience.

Finally, the people who cheer you on and support you during competition will mean something to you as you conquer this milestone in your fitness journey. Similarly, you can then turn around and cheer them on and mean something to them. Competition is the culmination of what we call “community” in CrossFit. It’s worth the nerves you may feel while the clock counts down that 3-2-1.

2. Fear is the greatest barrier to achievement.

I don’t know if that’s a famous saying, or if I made it up… but I believe it wholeheartedly. If you’re not signing up for a CrossFit competition because you’re afraid that you’re not strong/fast/lean/experienced/insert-silly-reason-here enough, then you’re only stopping yourself from actually getting to the next level of your fitness journey. Furthermore, if you don’t take a risk and push yourself out of your comfort zone, you’ll be stuck with the same mental and physical roadblocks you’ve always had. And why do we do this fitness stuff anyway? It’s to become better. To live better, healthier, more fulfilled lives. So we can be around longer to enjoy everything this world has to offer. If entering yourself into a competition is a way to further that process, what are you waiting for? You can’t let any kind of fear stand in the way of that.

3. Competition is just another form of benchmark.

We test stuff ALL THE TIME in CrossFit. We re-do workouts, check on our 5, 3, and 1 rep maxes, run time trials, and try to beat previous records. Everything we do is measurable, and we test every aspect of fitness constantly. CrossFit competitions run by the same standards as benchmarks. We give it our all every time we do Fran because we want to see how fast we are, how our muscular and aerobic capacities hold up, and how strong we can stay under mental and physical pressure. The principles of competition are the same! And yet for some reason, people feel much more intimidated when it comes to signing up and trying their hand at a day of competition, than they do coming in for a 5:30pm WOD to do Grace. Why? Consider it a day of pushing your body to its max in order to see where you’re at and how you can improve. You were probably going to workout that day anyway, right?

4. Consider it CrossFit networking.

If you’re newer to the sport – you may only know your gym, your programming, your 400m running loop. When you go to a CrossFit competition – you have the chance to meet other CrossFitters in your area who can introduce you to so much more! You will meet other athletes, similar to you. And you will meet different kinds of athletes, owners, and coaches to follow and learn from. Furthermore, you’ll learn about other gyms you may want to visit someday in the future. You’ll be introduced to new techniques, warm ups, stretches, even types of gear! It will expand your CrossFit network and open up other doors that can only enhance your experience with the sport.

5. The food, the friends, the fun!

All strategy aside – the basis of any and every comp is just to have a good time. Competitions are warm, welcoming environments that promote positivity and strength. There isn’t an athlete out there who doesn’t get the jitters in one way, shape, or form. But we’re all in it together, so it’s achievable and rewarding. Competitions are basically days full of yummy snacks (some healthy, some not so much…), friends (old and new), and having fun. Don’t overthink it, just sign up and let the good times roll.

If you’re looking for a competition to sign up for, ask around your box, check social media, or peep some sites that pull resources together like these ones:

https://rxcompetitions.com/

https://competitioncorner.net

https://www.wodrocket.com

And once you make the decision to sign up, be sure to check out our Top 10 CrossFit Competition Essentials To Pack so you’re prepared on the big day!

The post Why You Should Sign Up For A CrossFit Competition As Newbie appeared first on Triib.

Top 10 CrossFit Competition Essentials to Pack

Luke Handley — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Getting ready to put your fitness to the test at a local competition? Here’s what you’ll need in your bag on the big day:

The right kinds of snacks
A comfy seat
ALL the outfits
Proper gear
Supplements, and the means to take them
Your phone charger, or an extra battery pack
Mobility toys
Cash
TP
Dog Treats

1. The right kinds of snacks (and likely, a cooler).

Fuel For Fire Coffee Smoothie

Nutrition is the base of the CrossFit pyramid – we know this. But game-day nutrition may be different than what you normally intake. There are a few things to consider here – you’ll probably want more carbs than usual, they may be simple rather than complex if you’re looking for energy to burn right away, and they have to be in the form of something you actually feel like eating between 3, 4, or more WODs. I don’t know about you, but when I’m two workouts in, I’ve got fran-lung, and my stomach is in knots over the next upcoming event, the last thing I want to do is inhale a bunch of mashed sweet potato. On top of that, you’ll also want to find snacks that: also have a decent amount of protein, can live for a while in a cooler or out of the fridge, aren’t complicated or messy, and are easily share-able – since we’re all family in the CrossFit community! Fuel For Fire Coffee Smoothies are my personal fav because they’re easy to take down and have caffeine.

2. A comfy seat.

Competitions are a lot of fun especially since many have a sort-of “festival” feel. There’s typically an area for competition, an area to warm up and stretch out, and an area to drop your stuff with your teammates or supporters and just hang out when you’re not working out. That area can be really fun, especially with the camaraderie that comps bring out in people. You’ll likely meet new people and make new friends here. But comps can run long. And you can have a lot of downtime. And sitting on the floor for long periods of time between workouts can get really uncomfortable. A lot of people overlook this, and pay for it about halfway through a comp. SO grab your camping chair or beach chair and save yourself from sore buns and feet that fall asleep from sitting on the floor.

3. ALL of the outfits.

There are a lot of good reasons to bring a change of clothes (or a couple). For fun, it can be a good time to get matchy-matchy with your teammates or partner if it’s a group comp. For function, it can be even nicer to have a dry outfit or two if you get super sweaty or you’ve got outside events in the rain/mud/etc. That goes for sneakers too. The WORST is when your shoes get soaked and you’re stuck in them for the rest of the day (can you say blisters?). It never hurts to throw an extra pair in your car or gym bag just in case. Finally, you’ll want to grab an outfit for after the comp so you and your friends can grab a celebratory bite and you’re not stuck in your previously-sweaty currently-stinky outfit. Sandals or other comfy shoes are a nice welcome for tired feet after a day of competing, too.

4. Proper Gear.

2 Pood Weight Belt

CrossFitters love gear, we all know that. You’ve probably got a tool for just about every movement we do in the gym. Comps are a good time to put your equipment to use. While lots of coaches aren’t fans of ALL THE GEAR during regular WODs (since you can form a reliance on equipment rather than strengthening your own body), comps are a good time to make use of the gear to give yourself a competitive advantage. If you have it, bring it, even if you don’t think you’ll need it necessarily. It sucks to look back at torn hands and think “if only I had brought my grips with me” or to be included in a surprise event when you weren’t expecting needing your lifters or a belt. Why not throw that stuff in your bag just in case? Throw a roll of tape in there too. My belt is my security blanket. If I could – I’d do pull ups in it. It just makes me feel better :) In my opinion, the best belts come from 2pood. Bonus points if they’re sequined.

5. Supplements, and the means to take them.

Stronger Faster Healthier Supplements

If you’re the kind of person who just can’t stomach eating in between workouts, you may opt for protein powders, carb formulas, or other supplements to keep your body fueled during competition days. If that’s the case – you’ll want to plan accordingly. Portion out what you think you’ll need ahead of time and pack using tupperware or ziplock bags so that you’re not stuck lugging around big containers. Maybe even double bag those powders so they can’t make a mess in your bag. Pack empty shaker bottles, possibly more than one, if you have some flavored drinks that don’t like to come clean without running the dishwasher. And bring an extra serving if you want to be the hero who can hook someone else up when they’re feeling tired or sore after a couple heats. Stronger Faster Healthier (SFH) is always my fav in terms of supplements – and they also have shaker bottles online that have a section you can store portioned-out cups of protein in. Also love their fish oil and pet products!

6. Your phone charger, or an extra battery pack.

PureGear PureJuice® Portable Charger

For all the selfies, duh! Actually, comps can be a great time for photos and videos. Capture some memories with your friends/teammates/supporters, and document competition firsts and PRs so members at your gym who can’t attend can still get the recap from the comp later on. You can’t do any of that with a phone that’s dead, can you? This is my FAV power bank. I know they come in all shapes and sizes, but this guy charges FAST and can power my phone over and over, even through all the selfies.

7. Mobility toys.

Travel Massage/Mobility Stick

The last thing you want to do is seize up in between events. Having something as small as a lacrosse ball in your bag can help alleviate tired, sore muscles, and prevent cramping in the future. You probably don’t want to travel with something as big and bulky as a foam roller, but lax balls, p-knots, and calf sticks are portable enough to fit in your gym bag and you’ll be glad you have them when you need them. The stick is my favorite, and comes in travel size!

8. Cash.

More and more, competitions are featuring a vendor area where local businesses can showcase the latest and greatest in apparel, gear, and food/drink (so much coffee). Lots of times, these vendors are cash-only, but even when they’re not, it’s always helpful to support local shops by paying with cash and allowing owners to avoid credit-card fees. Same goes for grabbing some extra swag from the gym hosting the competition.

9. TP

That’s right, toilet paper. Competitions typically mean lots of CrossFitters… and not a lot of bathrooms. In fact, many gyms bring porta-potties in to help alleviate their plumbing systems – and who can blame them? When buildings are typically suited to accomodate 20-40 people at a time and suddenly a couple hundred (between competitors and spectators) all need to use the facilities at once… things can get ugly. So it never hurts to be extra prepared with an extra roll of toilet paper. Especially in a porta-potty situation.

10. Dog treats.

Blue Buffalo Dog Treats

CrossFit gyms are notoriously dog friendly places. This is my personal favorite item on the list – as I like to befriend as many four-legged-friends as I possibly can. At family-friendly comps, there’s bound to be a pupper or two, so if you want to get on their good side, throw a treat or two in your bag and let the belly rubs begin. My dog Ollie really likes the grain free/gluten free Blue Buffalo treats. #paleodog.

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The post Top 10 CrossFit Competition Essentials to Pack appeared first on Triib.