One of my posts that receives the greatest number of hits each day is this piece on Rich Froning, both 2011 and 2012′s Fittest Man in the World.  Based on this information, the increasing number of commercials on TV, and friends / family members who have gotten involved with a ‘box,’ I’ve determined that crossfit is officially “IN.”

However, as with all things that undergo a drastic surge in attention, crossfit has also received a boatload of criticism.  To the outsider (or unaddicted-er), the community resembles a meat market for egotistical jocks, an inflated workout routine and even criticized for injury-prone movements.

Yet, perhaps the most insulting comment of all comes from the people who call crossfit a FAD.

I will probably still crossfit while I’m pregnant and beyond the age of 70

Ok, before you start freaking out.. are you a crossfitter?

No?

Ok, let me explain something.

I am an active person.  I enjoy exercise, mainly because it allows me to fit in the same pair of jeans for at least a year, but also because it gives me a happy feeling at the end.  A smart person once told me that this an endorphin.

Sure, I could go out and run 5 miles a day and receive the same high, but do I need to run 5 miles in the course of my everyday life?  Probably not.  Yet, I need to walk up stairs, carry groceries, cram myself into my tiny Mitsubishi Eclipse and fix things in my condo with 10 ft. ceilings (e.g. when my smoke detector was out of batteries last week… a little scary standing on one foot on my bar stool).

My point is that crossfit prepares me for everyday life.  20′ box jumps resemble stepping up stairs, carrying groceries is like farmer’s carries and heck – when I’m lugging around a 10 lb. baby – I hope that those power cleans were not done for nothing.

* Disclaimer prayer: Please lord do not make me give birth to a 10 lb. infant *

If you are still in shock that a woman can crossfit while pregnant or that yes - crossfitting grandmas exist, please click those links that I just provided you.

Oh, and if you were wondering, even my dancing has gotten better!! Keep the core tight, folks.

I have friends

I get it – that was a bold statement, but they exist, I swear!  One of the greatest advantages of crossfit is that not only do I break a sweat each week, but I interact with people. I have buddies, I challenge others to complete their goals and dreams, I immerse myself in others’ lives, their spouses, their struggles.  There is a common bond among crossfitters – we believe that we are strong in many avenues in life.  Whether that is PR’ing one of our Olympic lifts, cheering others on at a half marathon or providing a shoulder for someone to lean on, we encourage each other to persevere throughout life’s challenges.

I feel like a B.A.

I think that, as a woman, cleaning a barbell is one of the most gratifying activities.  When that weight hits your chest and you turn up your elbows with the perfect speed, it is the biggest rush.  ”Yeah, I just cleaned that weight again.”  <— Definitely said that to myself during a workout.

Furthermore, have you seen how awesome people look lifting 100# overhead, jumping on a 30′ box, and getting their first pull up??!! Bad A!  Real bad.

As the story goes, haters gonna hate.  The criticism will not die down anytime soon.  I will most likely never make it to the Crossfit Games, probably not even a regional competition.  I might not ever have six-pack abs or looks as cute as some of the girls on the new crossfit commercials.  But, I do know that, for me, crossfit is the furthest thing from a fad.  Instead, it has become of the largest sources of happiness, encouragement and strength in my life.

WOD ON.