Training Until You’re 99

As a young man, I spent my early 20s first going through and then working for a residential treatment program for addicts. 

This was my first introduction to working out which was a cornerstone of the program along with vocational training and group therapy. 

My whole life I had always struggled with being over weight and also developed a substance abuse issue in my early teens. 

I remember feeling it was alchemy that by measuring my food portions and lifting weight I could get my body to change. 

In addition to this, being able to do things in the weight room that I wasn’t able to do previously left me curious about what else I could accomplish- outside of the gym. 

In 2014 I found CrossFit. It was a time where I was trying to decide what I wanted to do with my life and I first fell in love (like many) with the idea of competing in “The Sport of Fitness” back then (2014) it still felt like the sport was grass-rootsy enough that a “normal” person like me could make it with good old fashioned hard work and dedication. 

I was hooked, and I decided that one day I would own a CrossFit gym. 

While studying for my Level 1 CrossFit Trainer exam I was blown away reading how nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle affect our health-span.My whole life I grew up  with the assumption that I would die young due to the diabetes and heart conditions that run in my family. 

Well I made it past 30, this year I am 38 and I have never been more convinced of the potency of the idea of CrossFit to improve a person’s quality of life and extend their Health-span. 

I believe everyone should do CrossFit. With a caveat. 

I believe that everyone should take the long view of doing CrossFit and ask themselves this question. What does training look like today if I want to keep training until I am 99? 

If we take that view, we realize it’s not about winning the workout everyday. 

It’s not about loading up the barbell as heavy as we can every session (also this is a really ineffective way to build strength). 

It’s not about going as hard as you can everyday. 

Because you can’t sustain that pace until you’re 99. You may get injured, but you’ll more than likely burn-out first and become those “CrossFit’s not for me, that stuff’s too intense people”

So how do we do it? How do we do it until we’re 99? 

We learn to move well, we don’t load movement we can’t do well unloaded, and we learn to hate moving poorly whether coach sees you or not. 

We prioritize quality of movement (through a full range of motion and to the standard) over how many rounds you get.

We take it easier some days, because walking out of the gym feeling beat up doesn’t lend itself well to life and also doesn’t mean you are getting fitter (it just means you are getting beat up). 

We work on our weaknesses. We spend time developing strength, aerobic capacity, and mobility that is individualized to our unique bodies. 

Last, but not least we chase consistency. I say chase because it’s an ever moving target and what works in one season of life doesn’t always work in others. We learn to adapt and come 2-3x a week but we have a bare minimum and we don’t let it fall under that. 

We show up because showing up is the hard part, once you’re here we take care of the rest. 

Now the last part of this is why should a person care about doing this until they’re 99? 

Training your body isn’t just training your body. Training your body is also training your mind. 

A stronger more capable body is a stronger more capable you. 

It’s more confidence in yourself and your ability to handle anything life or the world throws your way. 

Thinking back to my recovery program days, it’s that question. What else am I capable of? 

When we train folks at CrossFit Novato, that is what I am most excited about. 

I care less about the weight loss or the weightlifting personal bests and I care more about  hearing what is happening in their lives outside of the gym. 

Pursuing new jobs/careers, showing up as better parents, spouses etc. 

Not running out of breath on hikes or as they walk up the stairs at Oracle Park.

Those are the wins that I love hearing about. 

Training at CFN isn’t just weight training its training to feel confident and effective at life. 

If you’re curious and you’re new or considering returning we would love to have you back. 

Book a free consult today. 

 

-Michael