To level with you, it’s perfectly normal to be nervous, anxious or a little intimidated by starting CrossFit®. Anything where you may be a beginner for a while, where there’s new people to meet and a little of the unknown can make you feel like that. Think about your first day of a new job and the nerves that come with that. Have a read of the rest of this article as I explain more about how everything we do at Shapesmiths is set up to help beginners succeed.
Our Programming and the Workouts you’ll do.
60% of our classes are what we call Practice days. These sessions include built-in rest periods, allowing you to focus on maintaining high-quality movement—ideal for getting comfortable with everything. Our coaches excel at scaling workouts to your level, and they’re always ready to assist. Please, be chatty and ask if you need more help.
Within the CrossFit® world tracking your workouts to collect some data on your fitness levels is extremely useful. That’s why we program benchmark days, where we measure your fitness through a workout helps us take a scientific approach to what you do. Benchmark days are Measurable, Repeatable and Observable and they account for 30% of our classes. Benchmark days feature multiple options (Rx, Intermediate, and Novice), and we can further scale these as needed. This flexibility is crucial, especially during Benchmark workouts, where modifying the workout to suit your needs will help you preserve the intent of the workout. This approach is the fastest route to making gains, progressing, and mastering the movements we use in CrossFit®.
It’s also important to remember that, while it may not always be obvious when you look into a well organised class, many novices are thriving at our gym. Everyone here is incredibly friendly and supportive, so you’re in good company.
The final 10% of programming includes Resilience Days. These days are there to help you develop resilience through focus on breathing, goal setting, positive self talk and visualisation. These things will not only help you with workouts but also outside of the gym, in your day to day lives.
Workshops, Seminars and Events
We also support our newbies with a variety of workshops and seminars for all levels, and with over 200 classes a week, there’s always something to fit your schedule. We even offer specialised classes, like Gymnastics and Weightlifting, designed to help you build confidence and improve your skills. Spending time in these classes will set you on the path to success.
The range of exercises in CrossFit®
It’s important to press the simplification button on the CrossFit® methodology and we have done this below.
Despite the wide range of movements in CrossFit®, they all boil down to seven core movement categories:
- Squat
- Hinge
- Push & Pull
- Flex & Extend
- Rotate & Twist
- Run
- Jump
No matter the exercise you’ll be developing your proficiency across these 7 key areas! If you ever have questions, don’t hesitate to ask the coaches—they’re approachable and always happy to help!
New to the Community?
If you’re new to Shapesmiths and looking to meet people, check out our Events diary. We host quarterly meet-ups for members who have been with us for three months or less. The Events diary is packed with workshops and social events, providing plenty of opportunities to connect with others.
Welcome to the community—we’re thrilled to have you here!