It cannot be disputed that CrossFit has a sense comradery and community around it. That said, starting out in this sport can be intimidating. The first day when trying out something new, it comes with its sense of fear and uncertainty. This article looks at enhancing the understanding of the CrossFitter to know the CrossFit shoes to wear and the other gear. For the First Timer When you are a beginner in CrossFit gym, it is not advisable that you invest much of your money trying out something. Who knows, you may not even like the gym. If you have never walked in deck, there is no need to do it at the CrossFit box. The best gear for first time CrossFit enthusiasts is an athletic tank top, a pair of shorts, and spandex leggings. This will give you the flexibility to do any workout. Footwear Because CrossFit involves weightlifting, it is important to ensure that the footwear gives you the flexibility and stability. Compared to the other categories of shoes, running shoes have cushy soles which lift your heels above the ground. This is not the ideal way to squat or heavyweight. You should get a minimalist shoe because this combines well with the mid-distance running and great weightlifting. Socks The kind of socks you wear will help to protect your shins while performing box jumps, rope climbs, and deadlifts. With socks, you have an extra layer of protection between the box and you. Hand Protection This investment isn’t glamorous or expensive, but necessary. The gymnast tape is essential in keeping your hands from getting too rough or tear. With hand protection, the deadlifts cleans, and pull-ups you do will ensure your hands are safe from any unnecessary blisters. What You Shouldn’t Wear CrossFit gyms are not luxury points. You will not see scented towels or cleaning crews dusting the equipment daily. Instead, the sport will leave you dripping sweat after challenging yourself more than you had imagined. This space is not about looking pretty or having a workout wardrobe runway; the bottom line is the reassurance that once you get the hang of it and start seeing the results, you will be amazed at the level of confidence that you will have developed. It is therefore important that you put on the right CrossFit gear so that you can have the best performance at whatever stage you exercise in.

If you have a friend doing CrossFit, chances are you have heard them mentioning terms such as WOD, PR, Angie, Fran, or Cindy. Anyone who has never stepped into a CrossFit gym or cared enough to learn the coded language of CrossFitters may be perplexed by this new vernacular. CrossFitters are easy to notice because of their body sculpture. If you are curious and would want to try out CrossFit, it is important first to know the things to put in place so that you can have the best experience in the box. Trainer Academy Understanding CrossFit Developed by Greg Glassman, the CrossFit program is aimed at improving general fitness levels. According to Glassman, fitness refers to an increased work capacity across broad time and modal domains. This simply means, as a CrossFit athlete, you can perform various activities at higher levels in both long and short durations. The workouts last about an hour and comprise lots of mobility and flexibility training. Finding the Right Gym Trainer Academy As a beginner in CrossFit, it is really important to find the right box. Remember the CrossFit organization is very strict, and anyone using the name CrossFit gym must truly be affiliated with the organization. This makes it easy for beginners because all you need to do is to visit the website to find an affiliate near you. Currently, there are over 10,000 affiliates the world over from the United States to Qatar. Since people advocate for the setting up of home gyms, CrossFit workouts can best be done in official gyms to benefit from professional training. Check-In for a Free Workout As a potential new member, you can easily get CrossFit boxes which offer you first free workouts. These initial sessions will give you the opportunity to meet the coach who will give you information about the gym, the program, as well as take you through the program details. Before you settle on any gym, do a quick survey by sampling a few boxes in your area by taking advantage of the free classes. Trainer Academy Register for an On-Ramp Program As a beginner, it is important for you to learn and fully understand the basic movements commonly done in CrossFit workouts. Moves such as the front squat, air squat, overhead squat, push jerk, push press, sumo deadlift, and medicine-ball clean are some of the workouts you should know. On-ramp programs consist of a series of classes which teach you some fundamental movements before you think of adding any weight or intensity. Get the Right Gear While it is important to always look your best, the first 30 days in the gym shouldn’t worry you about how you look. Simply, focus on getting comfortable exercise gear that gives you the freedom of movement. You can wear comfortable athletic shorts and for women, athletic leggings and a tee or tank. CrossFit Shoes are arguably the most important part of your workout outfit because they give you stability and flexibility during exercise. On top of the above, take the initiative to learn the lingo, scale your workouts and get involved in the community. Devoting your time to doing warmups, mobility and flexibility exercises will benefit you by lessening injury cases.

CrossFit is an intense sport targeting a breed of workout goers who want to exercise at maximum intensity and capacity for maximum results. You don’t have to be in CrossFit for long for you to accustom yourself to the level of fierceness that comes with this industry. As you put your body through extreme physical exertion and as you overcome your limiting beliefs, you will realize that there is nothing you can’t accomplish. One of the key ingredients to a successful workout is your sporting attire especially the CrossFit shoes. There is a temptation to just pick any shoe or take your favorite basketball or running shoe and hitting a CrossFit box. This is inappropriate, and it can undermine your performance. Breaking Down the Essential Elements of CrossFit Shoes From the onset, you must appreciate the various CrossFit movements that come with different rigors. Your CrossFit shoe must be able to withstand these pressures if it is to serve you well. Movements such as deadlifts, squats, box jumps, and scaling of long ropes require befitting shoes if you are to be comfortable performing them. Compared to running shoes, CrossFit shoes are supposed to be more stable and supportive. In terms of shape and functionality, they are supposed to be broader and more protective. Most modern CrossFit shoes have unique and cool features such as carbon rubber that help in giving you traction and a good grip as you climb ropes. Some of them have an innovative mid-sole technology which helps to lock the foot into place so that you can be comfortable and even minimize chances of developing blisters. If you are the type of gym rat who accomplishes the difficult, hardstand push-ups, you will find greater utility in zero drag heel shoes because of the smoothness they give you next to the wall. Telling the Difference between a CrossFit and a Typical Running Shoe It is important to appreciate that CrossFit as a sport is an offshoot of cross training. This means the shoes used in CrossFit will have similarity to those recommended for cross training. That said, the shoes in CrossFit are specialized to accommodate the demands of workout of the day.    CrossFit movements are quick and demanding and the lifts heavy. Therefore, the shoes you wear must provide you with a proper supportive base especially at the ankle level so as to prevent injuries. If you have minimalist running shoes, they can’t help you much in a CrossFit environment. Running and jogging is a relatively lengthy and continuous exercise. Therefore, running shoes do not need as much traction because you are traveling in a linear path and you must be as lightweight as possible to make your running effortless and smooth. On the other hand, CrossFit is a compilation of different movements in all directions and in some instances, serious heavy lifting. This is why the shoes recommended are heavier and supportive.  Typical CrossFit shoes must have a nice flat sore that gives room for your foot to establish contact with the floor when performing heavy lifts and other CrossFit exercises. Now that you know the right shoes for the sport, the onus is on you to consider your budget and get the best value for money.  

There is no doubt about the popularity of CrossFit. People from different walks of life and sporting background have found the CrossFit training schedule a much more beneficial regimen which helps in giving them an edge in whatever they do. That said, people come to this sport with histories of injuries, weaknesses, and flexibility issues. Most CrossFit gyms pride themselves in customizing workouts that accommodate the different ability levels and fitness backgrounds of the joining athletes. One of the basic CrossFit supplies that tend to be overlooked in some circles is the footwear. Your athletic background has a certain impact on the type of shoes you should wear in your CrossFit training. Ideally, the shoe needs to address your pertinent needs as well as accommodate higher intensity workouts. Below are some considerations you should make when buying CrossFit shoes for women. Structure One of the intense tasks your shoes will have to handle during CrossFit workouts is a rock climb. People who have mastered leg-less rock climbs are an exception to this, but for the majority, getting to the top of a rope that is 15 or 20 feet long requires a great deal of work on your upper body as well as footwork. CrossFit shoes that fit the bill here should have enough structure at the instep to help them pinch the rope in between your feet while at the same time resisting attempts of the rope digging into you. While in the store, inspect the material on the upper side of the shoe and ensure it doesn’t feel slick to the touch. Durability The trip up the rope may be hard for you, but coming down can be even harder for your shoes. The friction between the rope and the sole of your shoe will slow down your descent and give you a much safer landing at the bottom. When looking for CrossFit shoes, inspect the area around the instep where the sole meets the upper. Instead of going for a soft foam midsole, choose shoes with sticky rubber as this can resist the wear and tear occasioned by the friction between the shoes and the rope. Climate Your local climate plays a significant role in helping you determine the right shoes to buy. By nature, CrossFit workouts are not confined indoors which means you will occasionally have to go outdoors to complete your WOD. For instance, the Helen workouts come up in programming during snow storms. Therefore, you need to consider a shoe that has a good grip and traction to enable you to run in snow safely. Fitness Background If you are an Olympic lifter joining CrossFit so as to add some diversity, you may need to opt for lifting shoes which by design have a firm sole which cannot compress even when under heavy loads. If your background is running, your shoes will have to compress midsoles and much softer soles that will keep your form good during the lifts. The last consideration is a comfort. Every shoe you buy should give you comfort to do whatever exercise you want to engage in. There is nothing as hurting as wearing a pinching shoe.

No pair of feet resembles another because they all vary in shape, form, and size. Because of this, you may experience difficulties choosing the right CrossFit shoes. There is a growing trend where individuals tend to choose style over comfort when choosing CrossFit Footwear. This is a mistake and can negatively impact the condition of your feet. This is why understanding your foot type not only helps you in taking good care of them but also in preventing lots of foot problems. Below is a guide that will assist you in classifying your foot type. Determining Your Foot Type  Several methods can help you determine the type of your foot.The Wet Foot Test – This is a test commonly done, and it is very simple. What you need to do is to wet your feet and then place it on cardboard to create a footprint. After that, you analyze the results, and this will give you your foot type. Checking Your Shoe Heels – This is appropriate especially if you are a runner. You have to identify the part of your shoes that are worn out the most as this determines the part of your feet that endure the most pressure from your daily activities. Video Recording Your Feet – This is a bit complicated as it involves doing a video record of your feet while jogging. The best and probably the only way to do this is on a treadmill. You position a video recorder to record the motion of your feet from behind. This can be tedious but is considered the most effective.  Measuring Your Feet  If you want to measure your feet, the best time to do so is at the end of the day because, after a full day of activity, your feet are usually larger. It is extremely important to remember that your feet are not symmetrical and as such you should measure both feet and buy CrossFit footwear whose size is based on the larger foot. If you are doing the measurement on your own, sit on a chair and carefully measure every dimension. On the other hand, if someone else is doing it, just stand and let them take the measurements. Understanding the Type of Your Foot  Once you have done the above tests, you can now analyze the results. The following elements will help you understand your foot type.  Size – Contrary to what some people may think, the size of your foot includes both the length and the width.  Arch – This refers to the midsection of your foot. As the original meaning of the word has it, an arch is simply a curve structure. The reason the middle section of your foot is referred to as the arch is that of its curvature. The arch is divided into three types: flat feet or low arch, normal arch, and high arch.  Pronation – This occurs at the subtalar joint which sits below the ankle. It describes the motion of the foot and how it rolls inward to distribute the weight each time the foot lands on the surface as you walk or run. The shape of the arch can affect the ability of your foot to roll, and this either causes under-pronation or over-pronation. When buying shoes for under-pronation feet, go for those with a lot of cushioning. For over-pronation, go for well-structured shoes that gives maximum support. Lastly, the shape of your foot will determine the kind of CrossFit Footwear that you should buy. There are 4 different types of foot shapes which are the angled forefoot, square forefoot, rounded forefoot, and Morton forefoot. Know the type of your foot before getting the shoes you will be using in the CrossFit gym.

As you get used to your way around the CrossFit gym, you will discover that the kettlebell is the best equipment piece. If you can only use it right, you can enjoy huge benefits out of it. Long ago, kettlebells were only reserved for the toughest and seasoned CrossFitters, a category that included very few women. Today, there are lots of changes and women are quickly taking up kettlebell training in such a big way. Irrespective of whether you want to gain muscle mass, gain strength, or simply enhance your aerobic capacity, kettlebells can take you there. You don’t need to visit a gym for you to exercise. As long as you have the handful of kettlebells and about a half an hour at your disposal, you can do a killer workout right in your garage or living room. Exercising with kettlebells fires up compound muscle groups all at once particularly core muscles which are used for balance. One other aspect of kettlebells that makes workouts even more interesting is that they allow you to add variations and work different movement patterns. Many CrossFitters mix workouts with kettlebells, thereby deriving more fun, motivation, and an all-around engagement. As a CrossFit woman, your approach to kettlebell should be towards safe and effective workouts. The following are some of the mistakes you should avoid. Going Too Light Typically, women go for kettlebells that underestimate their strength. When doing CrossFit exercises such as goblet squat or kettlebell swing, women should capitalize on their legs and not shy away from using heavier weights. The problem with going too light is that it shortchanges your results and encourages poor form which may end up in overuse injuries. The best way to select the right weight is to go for a kettlebell with which you can comfortably do sets of 5 to about 15 reps with good form. Treating Kettlebell Swing as a Back Exercise Technically, the kettlebell swing is not a back exercise, but rather a hip exercise. Therefore, when you swing the kettlebell too low, it takes you into a position where your chest becomes parallel to the floor. You should know that the lower your chest gets; the more force is exerted on the low back. Try keeping a neutral spine over the range of motion. The kettlebell, when done properly, should pass through your legs at knee height. Bending Over as You Unrack and Rack the Kettlebell When women pick up the kettlebell and put it down, most of them don’t consider this as part of the exercise. So, they hunch over and carry the bells across the floor in an improper manner. This can overly stress your spine as well as the surrounding muscles. The best way to pick up any load including the kettlebell is to keep it directly in line with the center of your body mass. In this way, you will also keep it in line with the feet. The last mistake is wearing cushy running shoes. When you come into CrossFit, one of the things you need to change or invest in is CrossFit shoes. Cushy shoes reduce the force transfer and affect the performance of your exercises.

CrossFit and weightlifting are disciplines whose popularity is on the rise. For this reason, more companies than ever before are looking at demand in this space and producing weightlifting shoes and many other variations of them. Thanks to competition, prices of these CrossFit shoes are falling. As an athlete, you may be confused by the falling prices not to concentrate on the other factors that determine what quality weightlifting shoes should be like. The performance of weightlifting shoes is affected by anything from straps to lacing to fitting and heel height. In terms of utility, weightlifting shoes are specifically designed for snatching, clean, and jerking. On the other hand, cross-training shoes are for people who may want to do snatches, clean, or squats and thereafter run for about a quarter a mile without changing shoes. Whatever the case, the following factors should inform your shoe selection. The Fit Most weightlifting shoes won’t be comfortable the first time you wear them. You will notice their stiffness and the solid, raised heel may feel a bit weird when walking. This should not distract you from picking the shoes. With time, they will be just fine. Compared to your normal shoes, weightlifting shoes should be somewhat tighter and smaller. This will give you more control during a lift which will, in turn, result in more power transfer to the bar. Stiffness This quality is more of a personal preference and does not have a clear-cut line. You will come across shoes that are flexible in the forefoot while others will be extremely stiff. For the flexible ones, you can use them for clean and jerking and the stiff ones for snatching. Heel Height Compared to other types of shoes, weightlifting shoes tend to have a higher heel. The heel should be rock solid and preferably made of plastic or wood. The advantage of such heels is that they allow for as much power transfer through the floor as possible. Typically, the height of a shoe should be 0.75 inches. However, depending on the size of the shoe, this height may vary. Lifters with less flexibility may prefer shoes with a higher heel. The best way to pick the right heel is to go for one that makes your squat feel natural and keeps your torso vertical all through the squat. The Material When CrossFit training, the tension in your feet require shoes that are durable, but not very flexible. Another property is breathability of the shoe material. Most shoes come with at least one Velcro strap to secure your feet in place. This is important for control and power transfer as you lift. Weight Ideal weightlifting shoes should make you feel like you are planted on the ground. This is important for stability. At times, you may feel as if heavier shoes slow you down and as such opt for lighter shoes. It is important to go with your preferences, but don’t comprise on the heaviness much. All said and done, you have the final say as the lifter regarding the shoes you feel comfortable doing CrossFit workouts in. You may not exactly get the perfect equipment, but keep going to master your technique.

The desire and appetite to go to a higher level each time you are in CrossFit training help drive growth and new challenges. In order to scale the heights of CrossFit, you need a good collection of shoes you can rely on for your training. There are lots of models from different manufacturers, and at times this leaves some CrossFit athletes confused as to which is the best pair to train with. The following models have been tested through reps and rounds in jumping, lunging, squatting, hitting the floor, and other exercise movements. The best CrossFit shoes are those that will allow you to push to the limit, but still, maintain stability and flexibility throughout the process. Choosing a specific pair is often difficult, but through extensive reviews, you can settle on some shoes. The following are some of the best CrossFit shoes for your gym workouts. Nike Metcon 3 This model is known for its stability, exceptional transfer of power during sprinting, and an awesome grip for rope climbs. Based on experience, Metcon 3 has a stable heel and sole which is excellent for heavy squats, carries, and deadlifts. That said, its flexible forefoot shines the most in sprinting, jumping, and burpees. Athletes who have tried this shoe find it particularly grippy on rope climbs and can handle well some of the CrossFit movements categorized as trickier. Adidas Powerlift 3 This model is exceptional for weightlifting, gives you incredible protection, and it is comfortable on runs. This is one of the CrossFit shoes that have shown surprising versatility in weightlifting. It performs exemplarily well during short runs and when doing deadlifts, cleans, and heavy squats, it remains relatively stable. If you are seeking an edge in heavier lifts competitions, the Powerlift 3 is a smart choice. No Bull Trainer This shoe is comfortable and has a durable upper part. Come to think of it; it lives up to the hype. Regarding performance, it gives you an all-around assurance and doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses. It is easy to wear, and you can work out in it for hours both before and after the WOD. Its finish is clean and stylish and can be worn with virtually any casual leave alone CrossFit gear. The No Bull Trainers gives you an elegant solution if you are looking for one pair of shoes you can work out with and at the same time wear to informal events. Reebok Nano 7.0 The Nano 7 is one of the most popular CrossFit shoes because it does everything. Its features make it favorable in weightlifting. Its slightly elevated and supportive heel provides excellent stability when squatting or receiving heavy cleans. When it comes to squats and Olympic lifts, the Nano 7 outperforms many other shoe models thanks to its stiffer and stable sole. Other shoes you may consider when hitting the CrossFit gym include Adidas CrazyPower Trainer, Asics Conviction X, and New Balance Minimus 40.