"Gaining familiarity with the elements of the CrossFit® routines has to be the first step", according to Greg Glassman.
“If you are not intimate with the elements of the CrossFit® routine (squat, deadlift, clean, pull-up, push-up, box jump…) then gaining familiarity has to be the first step”. In an interview with the CrossFit® Journal in January 2003, Greg Glassman, founder of the CrossFit® methodology and the eponymous brand, gave some valuable advice to the beginners: the need to master the basic movements of the discipline.
Many beginners throw themselves wholeheartedly into their first training sessions, leaving aside the basics. Many focus on high-intensity effort, driven by a desire to surpass themselves and, sometimes, a desire to keep up with their training partners. They are wrong.
For Greg Glassman, the main objective should be to master the basic movements of CrossFit® during "the first month or two" of practice. For him, this is even an essential prerequisite before increasing the intensity of the sessions, in order to avoid injury in particular.
"For those new to the CrossFit method it will be necessary to establish consistency with the Workout of the Day before increasing the intensity of the workouts, said Glassman. The workouts exceed the capacity of the fittest men on earth. Be careful."
So remember to train intelligently and progressively. This means learning the basic techniques of each movement with your coach.
Once you've improved your general fitness level, you'll be able to increase the loads and therefore the intensity of your sessions. And be freer in your CrossFit® practice.