By Karl Britten

Some of you may know someone who loves CrossFit or you yourself might already be part of our cult… I mean tribe… I mean… well whatever. In the realm of people who workout, train, or exercise; CrossFit has been taking more and more place in the mainstream spotlight. CrossFit is renown for its intense workouts and its avid community of athletes.

What draws someone to Crossfit is hard to define. Although anyone can do CrossFit, I recognize that it is not for everyone, but not for the reasons you may think of at first. Age, gender, injuries, physical “limitations,” general athleticism, or current state of health are no more defining than hair color, in someone’s capacity to do or even become very good at CrossFit. No, the factors that will define an athlete’s success in CrossFit are far more difficult to define or circumscribe.

Attitude, state of mind, desire to succeed, discipline, and work ethic are far more important in defining an individual’s success.  Talent alone will not be enough to carry an aspiring CrossFit athlete beyond the first initial workouts. The reality of hard work, sweat, and discomfort will rebut the faint or those looking for a quick fix.

What drew me to CrossFit was how incredibly strong CrossFit athletes were and the  very difficult workouts that seemed so inoffensive on the white board. As my body ached, I was encouraged and supported by other CrossFiters who have felt and understand “our kind” of suffering. It is unlike any other… Unique, it has redefined my perception of what is a true physical effort. And no matter how long I have been training in the CrossFit method, and no matter how elaborate my skill set has become, I still find each workout to be as gruesome as the first.