Introduction 
Starting anything can both be exciting and daunting at the same time. This mixed feeling is best proved when starting a new type of workout. You may be flooded with thoughts like, “Will I be able to do it properly?”, “How will this affect my body?” or “How often should I do this in the first place?!”. 
CrossFit is a more raw and intense form of workout. Here you will not find people doing Zumba to their favorite songs or fancy machines like elliptical. CrossFit is comprised of high-intensity functional movement that is done in intervals. People at the CrossFit gym all have a “Workout Of the Day” that they all complete together.
As a beginner, CrossFit can come across as extreme. But with proper determination and commitment, you can get the body of your dreams. 
That being said, here are 8 things you should know before starting your first CrossFit exercise.

Types of CrossFit Exercises

1. Scope the place: Before starting out, it is important to know what exactly are you getting into. As they say, “Knowing is half the battle”. If you are aiming to go to a CrossFit gym, then visiting the place itself a few days before your session starts can be a great motivator. You will be able to get the feel and vibe of the place and know the type of people with whom you will start your CrossFit workout. You will also get to see many of the routines that you yourself will do. Knowing this will help in mentally preparing yourself for your journey into the world of CrossFit. 

 

2. Get with the Basics: the best part about CrossFit is that the movement is adjusted according to your skill level. This means that people who are just starting out and those who have been training for a long time can both workout together and still improve according to their win metrics. 
In every class, the basics are covered in one way or another. Knowing the basics and routinely doing them each day will you improved much faster while prepping you for more intense routines that are on par with the training of an Olympic athlete. 

3. Loose Old or Baggy Gear: Though CrossFit does not focus too much on training on machines and fancy equipment’s like ellipticals, many coaches and trainers recommended having the right gear and clothing. Avoiding loose and baggy clothes will help the trainer observe your movements better and thereby can guide you.
Wearing oversized clothes like sweatshirts and pants can not only hinder your movements, but it also makes it difficult to identify issues in form and other hindrances that need to be addressed. 
When starting out, you will be making a few mistakes and will not have the best form. These kinks need to be corrected by the trainer. Wearing fitting clothes will aid the trainers and will ultimately benefit you in the long run.

4. The Right Shoes: This make not seem like much but having the right shoe can change the entire CrossFit experience for you. Sneakers may seem like the most obvious choice to wear. The sneaker is running shoes and is great for cardio workouts. But that is not what you want. What you need are training shoes. Beginners may not know the difference and often wear sneakers to their CrossFit gyms. Many sports brands have trainer shoes that are specifically for lunging, jumping, and lifting that are perfect for CrossFit workouts.

5. Post Workout Snack: Exercise and diet always go hand in hand. Eating is always a good idea after a high-intensity workout. This will help you recover better. If you had something light to eat before the workout, it is good to have a more substantial meal consisting of healthy fats and lean meat after your CrossFit. Having a diet with snacks to tone up your body along with your CrossFit really boosts your productivity and shows noticeable changes in your body.
You should keep in mind that different days will wear you out differently, especially when you are just starting out. Before you start your first CrossFit workout, get in touch with your trainer and get to know the week's daily workout beforehand. Also, consult with the trainer on what should comprise your diet pre and post-workout.
Hydrating and drinking fluids is also crucial. Even when you are done with your CrossFit for the day, it is essential to keep hydrating and drink plenty of water.

6. The CrossFit Lingo: When just starting out, you will hear a lot of words that you will not know. Things like WOD or Workout Of the Day and AMRAP or As Many Reps As Possible will be creeping into your ear more than you would think. Getting familiar with the “gym talk” can help you assimilate yourself with others better and help you understand what you need to do. Not to mention that you will get to sound really cool.

7. Push Past the Pain: As a beginner, you will be sore. Accept that fact. After the first day of CrossFit, your muscles will feel like it is on fire. This is a completely normal reaction to have when your body input under sudden stress. This is caused by small micro-tears in your muscle caused during the workout. 
The tearing and healing of the muscles through proper exercise and rest are what makes them stronger.
Even though you will feel like you are hurting all over, it is important not to skip out on the exercise. The more you exercise the accustomed your body will be to the workout. Before staring be mentally prepared to have such days where you feel like a zombie from the walking dead.

8. Don’t Be Afraid to ask for Help: Everyone who you will see at the CrossFit gym are there for the same reason for which you will be going. As a new trainee, no one expects you to know all the ins and outs of the CrossFit routine. Neither does anyone expect you to be a master at the exercises? It is ok to ask for help. 
The trainers will be there to guide you at every step of the way. Similarly, others at CrossFit will be encouraging of you and will be glad to lend you a hand if need be. All you have to do is build up the courage and ask.

Conclusion 
Keeping these things in mind, you will be able to begin your first CrossFit with confidence. 
Working out and doing CrossFit can be a great addition to your life and is highly recommended by many. You can also get to know more about High-Intensity Interval Training which is in line with CrossFit. So go ahead and start your transformation into the best version of yourself! 

Author: Aritra Laha