Enjoy the day or catch up on a missed workout.
CrossFit boxes as a rule are not that big on formality. Shirts? On or off, go for it. Swearing? My thick skin can handle it. Grunts, groans, screaming? Hey, whatever gets you through the WOD. Short shorts, long shorts? Whatever floats your boat, Chalk? My life is covered in it. Not formal tends to be an understatement at CFP. However,there are a few points of etiquette that should be covered. Good sportsmanship, support, and respect. That’s it. That is what we demand at CFP. Well, that and blood, sweat, and tears…but you can keep your firstborn. Seriously, all three points go hand in hand and are pretty much a no brainer.
Maintain good sportsmanship at all times. Don’t whine about the WOD being hard. I know it’s hard, I programmed it. Everyone else knows it’s hard, they are doing it. Do not get overly upset if you don’t make a lift. Do not angrily slam the bar to the ground, kick or hit it or any other equipment. Do not pout or sulk or walk around cursing. There are legions of people out there that would practically kill for the ability to attempt the lift that you are crying about. Don’t argue with a coach over form or ROM. Just do the rep again and shut up. First off, the coach is right; secondly, it’s only going to make you stronger; and besides, it’s only a workout anyway. And never ever bitch about the record board. That is about as bad as it gets.
Respect. A CrossFit box is a temple. It is a place where lives are literally changed. Treat it as such. No, you don’t have to whisper or light a candle or get down on your knees (you’ll be flat on your back soon, though). But, have some respect. Clean up after yourself and don’t leave your stuff lying around. Erase your scribbles off the whiteboards. Clean your blood off the bar and your sweat off the floor. You know, respect.
Support. Hey, listen up, just because it’s last doesn’t mean it’s least. You don’t have rivals here, you have teammates. You don’t have competitors, you have people who push you to do more, go faster, be better. Support them. Don’t just talk about yourself and your numbers, ask them how they are, what big lifts they have done recently, how is their training going. If you are done with your workout, run with someone on their last leg, gather around and cheer them on their last rep. Slap hands and pat shoulders, telling people what a great job they did, and mean it. If you see someone new, be friendly, introduce yourself, don’t be a rock star. I remember when everyone at CFP started and no one was hot shit in the beginning. Try to remember how you felt at your first class. Absolutely be stoked about your progress and scores, but be stoked about everyone else’s too. If you are just hanging out, help out, never be too cool for school. Support. We are a community, people, a pretty great one. And that is thanks to all of you.
Well, there you have it. The CFP laws, rules, and regulations. Please take them to heart.
What rules do you go by?
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I really enjoy hanging out & coaching at the box & the really cool thing is the culture that has been created, pretty much covers most things/most times that I wrote about.I dont want anyone to think I wrote this about them or such.. ITS NOT!! I was purely thinking about life at CFP & started to write. Anyway let me know what you think..
ReplyDeleteAwesome write up Glenn!
ReplyDeleteI think you're 100% on the money!
I also enjoy hanging out at CFP. Everyone brings there little spark to the place and it really shines through when we're all together!
The coaches, Glenn and Jody. You guys make everyone feel welcomed and at home. Not pressured and uneasy. You should give yourselves a pat on the back for creating such a wonderful place for things like that to grow. You have started this and you should take pride in the community you are helping bring together! :D
Thanks EVERYONE at CFP!
I have been getting heaps of people asking about how my "Paleo thing" is going... Well its going great, i have heaps more energy now that im used to going without processed sugars etc... and to be honest im only paleo 80% of the time.. A few people have followed my intermittent food log & thought it too bland for them.. Dont think for a second that this is the only food you can eat,, the reality is that im too lazy to get creative & my food choices reflect that. Have a look at cavemanfood.blogspot.com to see some alternatives to Paleo.. It is an American blog so some translation may be needed,, see Amanda if your stuck. Enjoy
ReplyDeleteWhat rules do I go by?
ReplyDeleteJust be ME, not like anyone else, just me, that's easy at CFP, it's not often that you see lots of people come together, get along, enjoy each others company and just laugh (snorts and all).
Glenn & Jody we you to thank for that.
Great post Partner.
ReplyDeleteWhat rules do i go by?
1. I shake everybody's hand at the end of a wod, you deserve it and so do I. CrossFit workouts are challenging both physically and mentally and fact that you have turned up says alot about you. We all have days that we could of done better, learn from it and grow.
2. I don't shake anybody's hand until the last person has finished. CrossFit Penrith is a team and fucking good one. Help your team mate pack away their equipment, i agree HC, run with someone on their last leg. Get around support each other, let people know that you have improved in an area, they should be pleased for you, ask them how they have improved.
3. I work on my weaknesses much more then my strenghts because i know that it is the only way to reach number 1 at CFP. Yes i want to be number 1 because i know that the harder i push, the harder Shane, Russ, DC, and anybody else that wants to be number 1 will have to push. That is good for the CFP team.
4. When Glenn says 3,2,1 go it's game on with you as well Veronica. Not because your competition but because you make me a better athlete.
That's just a few.