Why do you CrossFit?

"Plenty of people miss their share of happiness, Not because they never found it, But because they didn’t stop to enjoy it."

-William Feather

Above: The Shimamotos on their Spring Break family vacation! All 5 of them CrossFit to improve their health and fitness, so that they can definitely enjoy life to the fullest!

Today's WOD:

For time:

100 ft. Walking Lunge

21 Pull-ups

21 Sit-ups

100 ft. Walking Lunge

18 Pull-ups

18 Sit-ups

100 ft. Walking Lunge

15 Pull-ups

15 Sit-ups

100 ft. Walking Lunge

12 Pull-ups

12 Sit-ups

100 ft. Walking Lunge

9 Pull-ups

9 Sit-ups

100 ft. Walking Lunge

6 Pull-ups

6 Sit-ups

An old-timer once asked me, “Why do you CrossFit?” I replied “Because I want to become the fittest and healthiest person that I can be.” The game of 20 questions about CrossFit had begun…

….I will pause the story here and ask, “Why do YOU CrossFit?”

One reasonable response would be “So that I can eventually do the WOD as prescribed and set a time for me to beat next time to show improvement in order to PR… AND to beat all the other times in the gym, state, country, and world!” Just kidding on that last part.

A true and simple response would be to explain how CrossFit helps you reach your health and fitness goals. Although I accept that response, I want to know if your explanation stops there. Or is there a greater purpose to your health and fitness goals? Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in the process of getting to where we need to go that we become lost trying to get there and forget the whole purpose for the trip altogether. I CrossFit because my goal is to be healthy and fit, but what is the defining purpose for being healthy and fit? To live longer? To pay less medical bills? To look good naked???

For Chris Spealler, a world-renowned CrossFit trainer and competitor, it would appear that CrossFit is his life and defining purpose. He trains as a CrossFit athlete and works as a trainer at his CrossFit gym in Park City, Utah and as a trainer for CrossFit Headquarters. Chris is surely healthy and fit because of CrossFit, but why?

In a 2010 video interview, he was asked about how the birth of his first child has affected his training as a CrossFit athlete. It was a legitimate question. CrossFitters that look up to Spealler must know, just as any athletic fan would be worried about their favorite sports star’s mental and physical condition for the ‘big game’. Chris responds to the question:

“I don’t think it has affected me mentally. It helps put things in perspective. It’s just cool I got a little dude at home waiting for me and an awesome wife. That’s where we lose sight of CrossFit. Like why do we do CrossFit, so we can enjoy life better. And that’s life, my family and it’s just cool to help keep things in perspective and it’s a good thing for sure.”

Chris demonstrates that CrossFit empowers the life that he lives to enjoy it with his family. Does your CrossFit purpose fit in with Chris’s explanation? It doesn’t have to jive. Whether you CrossFit for your family, friends, or yourself do not forget to ENJOY what it has offered you!

A more healthier and functioning body. A stronger mind. A will to survive.

This means that whatever your age, you can walk, run, swim, bike, work, dance, play, sing, read, golf, fish, cook, hike, watch television, climb, ski, surf etc. with your significant other, friends or children to a higher degree because your body is healthy and fit.

This means you start to become free from limitations and excuses.

This means that you can live LIFE as prescribed. Not just the WOD.

Saturday's WOD Board: