Trainer & Participant Roles

For those new to Cleveland CrossFit, here are some basic guidelines as to what you can expect:

The role of a trainer at Cleveland CrossFit is the following:

• Provide instruction on proper form and general safety.
• Provide guidance on scaling load and intensity of workouts appropriate to age, sex, and fitness level.
• Provide motivation, encouragement, and support to all participants.
  
• Do the same workouts as participants (not necessarily at the same time). We believe in our program.
  

The role of a participant at Cleveland CrossFit is the following:

• Arrive properly hydrated - drink water, bring a water bottle or sports drink with you.
• CrossFit is very challenging. To the extent you are capable leave your ego at the door. There is no shame is starting where you are, whatever level that may be. There is no "right" fitness level - only right directions. Please don't be ashamed of your current fitness level. Be proud that you are on a highly effective path to improving your health.
• Be supportive and respectful of other participants. There is no "right" fitness level - only right directions. Just like you, the direction of their training is far more valuable than the current level of their training.
• Participate frequently - the "weekend warrior" is no warrior and will see little or no effect from training. Frequent physical stressors = frequent physical adaptations. The frequency and consistency of participation determines your rate of personal development.
  
• Eat, sleep, and rest - getting enough sleep is better than pushing your body to workout on only 5 hours of sleep. Your body grows only when it is resting, not when it is working out. Regularly pushing your body beyond its ability to recover might seem "intense" but it is stupid. Allow your body do its thing.
• If you want to choose the music during group workouts bring your iPod. We have a stereo set up specifically for this purpose!

CrossFit scales to any age / sex / fitness level and we help you make this possible. For example, 225lb squats can scale down to 30lb squats - see the image below with 225lb total on the back bar and 30lb total on the front bar. These are special 15lb aluminum training bars with hardened plastic plates that we purchased for scaling back load to something workable for any beginner.