CrossFit is all about Community. What continues to impress me so much about CrossFit is that no matter which box you go to it is comprised of genuine, hard working people. People who stay with you and cheer you on until the very last rep. People who help you clean up your barbell. People who hold you accountable and reach out to you to find out what’s going on when you don’t make it to class. It’s these people that keep us coming back for more, that keep us fighting to the last second of each WOD and the reason why we are better outside of the gym walls. It’s because of the community, I am proud to call myself a CrossFitter. – Goose
In a short time, CrossFit Southie has gained some of the most amazing people that make up this tightly knit community. Doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers, construction workers, police/firemen, accountants, sales reps, etc. all come together to work towards a common goal, health and fitness. Mark Hyman, medical director of the UltraWellness Center, stated that “the power of community to create health is far greater than any physician, clinic, or hospital.”
There are amazing benefits of be had by working out together in a group setting. Working out with a group of people, subconsciously encourages you to push your limits. Although we all have different fitness goals, we are all innately competitive beings at heart. By surrounding yourself with others working towards a common goal you push yourself further than you could have ever imagined. Get comfortable with letting your competitive nature work it’s magic during the strength set or WOD. Take a look at some of the scores on the board before the workout starts and find someone else’s score to use as your motivation to beat. A little friendly competition never hurt anyone!
The level of accountability is one of my favorite aspects of CrossFit. Each and every time you show up, you know that you are held accountable for the work that you do by posting your time, reps, weights on the whiteboard. As coaches, we want you to take pride in the work that you accomplish in that hour by taking responsibility for your hard work. Down downplay your hard work no matter what weight used or how many reps you scaled the workout by. Each day you show up you are one step closer to your goals.
The programming and facility at CFS is great but the support system and encouragement from your peers is why you keep coming back. We’ve all been there before, everyone else is finished the WOD and you’re still chipping away. Most likely those finished are surrounding you cheering you on until that very last rep. The support system here is second to none. That form of support sticks with you and never goes away.
Lastly, the community involvement outside the box is probably one of the most amazing things about CrossFit. Here at CFS, our social events can be more popular than our classes! Lasting friendships with others within the community are made on a daily basis. Have you ever been a member of a gym and hung out with other members outside of the gym? My guess is, probably not. – Coach Christina
Personally I think one of the best things about being a member at a CrossFit box is the community that personifies that particular box. At CrossFit Southie it is no secret that we pride ourselves on the outstanding community that surrounds us that is on display every morning, ever evening, at the Garage Games, or any outside social event where 75 people show up to hang out. Lets look at what makes this community.
The Box: Anyone who has been around to other Crossfit boxes knows that we have a world class facility at CF Southie. 2 enormous spaces, tons of equipment, great bathroom/shower facilities. It doesn’t get much better at a gym in general let alone a CrossFit box. Im pleasantly surprised almost every class when people take it upon themselves to keep this all as good as it is. I love when I see people cleaning up not only after themselves but each other post wod. You don’t understand how much of a help it is to us trainers and your fellow members when you do things like wipe down bars, balls, abmats, and chalk explosions, or keep the facilities clean after you use them. Keep this going and Southie will continue being the best there is.
The People: Starting at the top with Goose and Amy, two of the best at running a business and promoting this awesome community, all the way down to the newest member, CrossFit Southie has amazing people. There is such a positive attitude around the box its almost unreal, especially when comparing experiences I have had at other places and in other athletic endeavors. Again, lets keep this going. Keep cheering and encouraging each other during workouts, help out with someone that looks like they are struggling or at least point them in the right direction, and generally just keep being awesome while you are here. The people make this place special. Rock
on.
The Experience: CrossFit is amazing for more reasons than I have time to explain. Part of what makes CrossFit a community driven sport is that its success or failure relies so much on the people involved and what they take/give to it. I want to specifically touch on how much we can all take from fully embracing this community spirit and taking advantage of what we have when at the box. At Southie we have people who have served/are serving in the military, we have professional and collegiate athletes, we have business owners, teachers, doctors, bartenders, coaches, firefighters, police, nurses, moms, dads, grandparents, and more new and different people every day. Work together when you can. You might learn something new, whether it be a different way of looking at the third pull of the snatch, or that you have more in common with a fellow member than just loving CrossFit.
Lastly, the awesomeness of the community is all about respect. Respect what we have here. Respect each other, that everyone starts from a different place and that the path to wellness is an individual process. Respect the ways of the gym, whether that is showing up to class on time, listening and understanding the nature of the days work, or knowing your weights and scores and putting them on the board. Respect this community. You all are the ones that make it what it is. – Coach Lando
