What makes us afraid to try something new? Fear of failure? Fear of looking goofy? Fear of being uncomfortable? Fear of getting hurt?

I think for a lot of us on our CrossFit journey, all of these things are in our thoughts as we try something new.  As a Crossfit coach and athlete for the past four years, I can tell you that all of these things have gone through my head, and I have heard and seen them play out over and over with countless other athletes as well.

It can be quite daunting when you see some of the top athletes in your gym repping out muscle ups and handstand push-ups or walking on their hands, and you think to yourself, “I wish I could do that.”  You go over and give it a whirl, fail at your attempt, and say to yourself, “Forget it.”

Well, I’m here to tell you that it is possible.  I truly believe that if you really want to develop a skill, put in the proper work, follow a skill progression, and get the right coaching, that you can develop one of those highly sought after skills.

When I attended some CrossFit gymnastics classes with one of the lead gymnastics coaches for CrossFit HQ, I learned some of the progressions during those classes.  It was so informative and fun.  I wasn’t actually performing the muscle up, but I could tell that it was giving me an understanding of spatial awareness (where my body is in space), how to build strength, and I was learning the proper skill development…all without putting myself in danger of falling through the rings or kipping like a maniac to get up on the bar.

I also signed up to get my Gymnastics Certification through CrossFit.  And that is where we are today.  I am not an expert by any means and I have not even gotten my first muscle up, but I am in the gym every week working toward gaining strength throughout the whole movement, developing body awareness, and persevering.

The one thing that stood out to me was work on strength, strength, strength…and when you’re done working on strength, work on more strength.

If you have a desire to work on something new, and I hope you do, we can help.  The coaches at CFIT are here to help you achieve your goals.  We can give you the proper progressions to use so that you can get to work on developing a new skill.

Don’t be afraid to fail.  The greatest achievements in the world had people who failed and failed, but never gave up.  Just because you fail at something doesn’t mean you should quit.  Think of Michael Jordan, Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey, Walt Disney, and J.K. Rowling.

Don’t be afraid to look goofy.  You probably will for the first few times you do something new, but you will see improvement as you continue to work at it.  Remember riding a bike for the first time?

Don’t be afraid to be uncomfortable.  Being uncomfortable is part of the process.  Your body has to adapt to those new movements.  Give it time and trust the process.

Don’t be afraid to get injured.  While injury is always a possibility in anything we do, know that we as coaches are here to give you the proper steps it takes to achieve the results you want, and to encourage and support you in all that you do here at CFIT.  Now get to the box and start working on something new.