CrossFit is all about goal-setting, right? That makes it a perfect sport to kick off your 2018 fitness goals. According to CNBC.com, when it comes to popular methods of fitness for New Year’s resolutions, “Yoga clients have the highest drop-off rate, with a full 70 percent leaving after the first month. Yet CrossFit members are about twice as likely to stick it out until February or the end of the year”.
So, whether you’re already a dedicated CrossFitter, or want to start, research seems to say that you’re in the right place if you want to get (or stay) in shape! Setting some box-related resolutions for 2018 is a great way to stick it out all year.
Here are 5 goals to keep yourself motivated:
1. Master Your Handstand
The Games wouldn’t be complete without them, and they’re a cool party trick, but learning handstands is no easy feat. Luckily, as with anything, practice makes perfect. And once you find that right place of balance for your body, they’ll seem as easy as pie. Make it a goal to work on them every week until you’ve nailed it. It’ll make you feel like a kid again!
2. Increase Your Deadlift Weight by 20%
A key component of CrossFit, deadlifts are an excellent exercise for gaining functional strength. Plus, being able to lift more may make some of those Hero WODS feel a tad easier to complete! Just be sure to increase weight slowly and carefully over time, maintaining perfect form before adding more.
3. Swim 800 Meters (1/2 mile)
Now that swimming is part of the CrossFit Games, it’s a good idea to add it into your routine, even if you never plan to compete at the Games. Swimming is a great way to improve your overall fitness by improving your endurance and lung capacity. Not to mention, it’s a great way to give your joints some rest while still moving on your active rest days.
4. Do 3 Mobility WODS (or more!) Per Week
Let’s face it – CrossFit can be really hard on your body. While it promotes functional fitness to make daily life easier, some workouts can leave you sore and achy, especially if you don’t stretch. If you make it a point to warm-up and cool-down properly with mobility work and be intentional about rest, you can recover faster and reduce the chance of injury. Plus, you’ll get more out of your workouts when your muscles are supple and your range of motion at its best. Be sure to prep your stretching with a foam roller or lacrosse ball to get those muscles as loose as possible and help get the blood flowing for the best results.
5. Try a New Workout Style
Gasp! Go outside of the CrossFit “cult” to do something different? Why would anyone do such a thing? Call us crazy, but we can get so caught up in our preferred method of fitness that we could be missing out on gains, or simply the joy of experiencing something out of the ordinary to keep fitness fresh and fun. We’re not suggesting you leave CrossFit for a period of time, but every few weeks skip a day at the box to go for a hike, play basketball, do a bodybuilding workout, dance it up at Zumba, or take a Pilates class. Give your body a break from the routine and you may develop some new skills, muscles, and appreciation for other forms of exercise!