9/29 Transformation Tuesday

Anne started training with us to get stronger.

The flexibility she gained through dance and barre has benefited her in CrossFit.

Anne, Why do You do CrossFit?

What was your fitness life like before you started training with True Spirit CrossFit? 
I was and still am very into body weight exercises and mobility. I danced ballet as a hobby on and off for years and when I discovered barre, I loved the similarities and compliments to dance. But I came the point where I wanted to do more strength training and cardio HIIT circuits. CrossFit never crossed my mind as an option since I had always thought it was for “super athletes” – those totally ripped gym-rats who went hard and heavy. Being that my background was limited to studio work, I didn’t think that my inexperience around equipment would be that welcome.

What brought you to True Spirit CrossFit in the first place?
Wanting to challenge myself beyond barre, I signed up for a few regional Spartan races, and knowing that I would need some help training, I was delighted to see that True Spirit CrossFit offered an OCR specific workshop series. It was perfect! – until COVID happened. Even though everything was cancelled, I decided to enroll in the foundations course just to see what the gym was about. It turned out that True Spirit’s flavor of CrossFit had been exactly what I was craving!

What was your first impression? Has that changed?
I was and remain truly impressed with how welcoming and helpful Leslie and the other coaches are. Having never touched a barbell prior in my life, I was extremely intimidated by them and had no idea how to move with one. But every time the barbells come out for class, the coaches are wonderful about teaching the technique and, more importantly, correcting form for that various movements. And it isn’t only the coaches that have impressed me; the culture within True Spirit is one of encouragement and celebration. It’s an absolute joy to cheer on my fellow classmates and to in turn hear them as I fight through an exercise. This isn’t something that I’ve encountered often within gyms and I think it is very special.

What was the first thing fun or positive thing you experienced while training with us?
Barbells, barbells, BARBELLS!!! I am in LOVE with lifting!! Learning to lift and refining my technique, all as I slowly progress in weight, has been my absolute favorite thing.

Are you working on any special CrossFit related skill now?
I am coming for that strict pull-up! I am also working toward being able to clean my body weight. That goal is a little farther off than the pull-up, but one day, I’ll get there – one more rep and/or pound at a time.

How has you life changed since training with TSCF? 
I have certainly seen an improvement in my physical strength and a change in my body composition, but for me, the mental benefits have been even more impactful. CrossFit and the lifts especially have helped me to further affirm that my body is an agent of action. It has given me more confidence to own my space; few things are as empowering as the thunder of a barbell as it drops to the floor after a PR. CrossFit has taught me there is no reason for me to always yield or to hold myself back from my potential. The assertive, bold, and sometimes loud, movements have forced their way into concept of self, and I embrace it.

What's your favorite True Spirit CrossFit memory?
The 31 Heroes work out was absolutely brutal. But I loved it. I love pushing my threshold and I was particularly proud of how long I was able to go on the RX'd rope climbs. I remember the rope climb from gym class as a kid and I could never do it. But they also never taught us the technique – work smarter, not harder!

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Do you know someone who wants to get stronger, lose weight, or be ready for ski season? Forward this blog to them and tell them to contact Coach Leslie. 

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