I often joke about being the old man in the gym. I’d be lying if I said it is easy doing CrossFit in your sixties, after decades of sedentary office work.
It isn’t easy, but it is possible. CrossFit is scalable. Let me repeat that for you, CrossFit IS scalable. If you are an old timer, that is a CrossFit Newbie perhaps over 50 years of age, don’t start by trying to keep pace with a 25 year old athlete. If you do, it is likely that you won’t be visiting the Box for long.
It isn’t about keeping up with kids half your age. It’s about getting yourself stronger and healthier. It is about competing with the YOU that walked into the gym. You do the work to your full capacity with the desire to a) finish, and b) be better when you leave, than when you arrived for the workout. And then you do it all again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day after that.
Being the “Old Guy” I am often approached by “Masters” who want to know how to deal with being intimidated by the animals in the Box. I ask them why they’re intimidated. Are these young jocks and jockettes acting in a condescending manner? No. Are they being rude or impatient with you? No. Are they put off by your questions? No. Then where is the source of your intimidation? I hate to break the news to you friend, but I think the source of your intimidation is between your ears. It is not the 20 year-old college kid doing muscle-ups after the WOD.
Hey, I’m not picking on you. I had concerns when I came to CrossFit 2a in August 2012. It is not easy being overweight, severely out of shape and weak. You think everyone in the place walked in the door able to do pull-ups, double-unders and snatches, and you must be the biggest dork to ever darken this doorway. Wrong! Many of these people were “you” several months or years ago.
The brutes that scared me when I first walked into the gym, turned out to be among my biggest supporters. They encourage me. They coach me. They give me tips.
Don’t sabotage yourself by comparing yourself to others in the gym. Show up and do the work. Get Defiant! Get Well!
Well said!