Getting Started in BJJ/MMA/CrossFit/SOMETHING!

[Nicole]

Hello wonderful BM writers and coaches,

I have a question. Every summer my husband and I get together and make a new fitness goal. Last year my goal was just to recondition myself after my pregnancy (I had a baby on Valentines Day 2011) and get back to a good weight. Check on that one. Now I want to take the next step and jump on the bandwagon with CrossFit, MMA, BJJ or something of the sort.

But...I can't decide which one! And I don't even know if it's doable at this point in my life. My husband does Krav Maga, and I would love to do that BUT it is very expensive and I don't know if I can commit to going enough to justify the cost, you know? My main priority right now is being a mom to two little girls, ages 3 and 1, and working from home, so realistically I will probably be able to go to class/the gym only once a week. Is it even worth it or doable? I know a lot of people who do CrossFit, but they're in the gym 3 nights a week, and I know that isn't possible for me right now.

Any suggestions?

[Valerie Worthington]

Hi Nicole! Thanks for writing, and congratulations on meeting your fitness goals. If you only have one day a week to go to a class, one thought is that you try CrossFit. The reason is that you can get instruction on the day you go to an actual class, and then you can get "homework" to do once or twice a week at home, maybe when the kids are asleep. Also, as you probably know, many CrossFit workouts are 20 minutes or shorter, so you wouldn't require hours and hours.

That way, you could get the benefits of a 3 day/week workout without having to commit to a lot of time. I'm sure the instructors at a CrossFit gym would be able to help you do some work on your own.

I'd be interested in what the other coaches have to say as well.

At any rate, good luck with your plans! And thanks for writing.

[Becca Borawski]

I second Valerie's suggestion. If you're a motivated individual (which I think you are!) then going 1x/week to something like CrossFit and committing to a couple workouts on your own through the rest of the week is great. Kettlebells are another great one to take on in this fashion. Things that are super skill-oriented like martial arts, dance, etc. aren't as do-able with this sort of schedule.

I would check to see who teaches CrossFit in your area and either meet up with them or talk to them on the phone - tell them your goals and your obstacles and see what they have to offer. I bet you'll get a quick sense of who you can/want to work with based off that conversation.

[Andrew Read]

Hate to sound like a broken record, but I'll second (third?) the general exercise suggestion. Martial arts are not much fun if you only go once a week - simply takes too long to learn any decent level of skill and ultimately become very frustrating.

Spend your training dollars on getting in to see a good trainer who will set you up with whatever skills you need to learn in a single session and then set you homework to do on your own as suggested. To me, the two main options are - pay for one on one time, or buy your own set of gear to use at home.

[Nicole]

Thanks so much, Valerie. I actually didn't realize that CrossFit was so doable. I'm really glad, because I've been wanting to get involved for a while now. The friends I have who go train pretty intensively, but it sounds like there's more flexibility than I realized before, which is awesome. I really appreciate your response---loving your athlete journals btw!

(03-28-2012 12:48 PM)Valerie Worthington Wrote:  Hi Nicole! Thanks for writing, and congratulations on meeting your fitness goals. If you only have one day a week to go to a class, one thought is that you try CrossFit. The reason is that you can get instruction on the day you go to an actual class, and then you can get "homework" to do once or twice a week at home, maybe when the kids are asleep. Also, as you probably know, many CrossFit workouts are 20 minutes or shorter, so you wouldn't require hours and hours.

That way, you could get the benefits of a 3 day/week workout without having to commit to a lot of time. I'm sure the instructors at a CrossFit gym would be able to help you do some work on your own.

I'd be interested in what the other coaches have to say as well.

At any rate, good luck with your plans! And thanks for writing.

---

Hey Becca,

Thanks so much for your advice. I actually found a CrossFit gym I really like and am going to start next week---can't wait! I agree about the skill-oriented part. I'm really attracted to BJJ but maybe I'll wait on that until my kids are older...gives me something to look forward to!

Thanks again,
Nicole

(03-28-2012 01:15 PM)Becca Borawski Wrote:  I second Valerie's suggestion. If you're a motivated individual (which I think you are!) then going 1x/week to something like CrossFit and committing to a couple workouts on your own through the rest of the week is great. Kettlebells are another great one to take on in this fashion. Things that are super skill-oriented like martial arts, dance, etc. aren't as do-able with this sort of schedule.

I would check to see who teaches CrossFit in your area and either meet up with them or talk to them on the phone - tell them your goals and your obstacles and see what they have to offer. I bet you'll get a quick sense of who you can/want to work with based off that conversation.

---

Hey Andrew,

Thanks so much for your response! That's a really good point about the costs...I hadn't thought of it that way. I think I probably have a lot of the equipment for something like CrossFit anyway, so that's a head start anyways. And it's always good to have gear at home. Looks like CrossFit it is...

Thanks!
~Nicole

(03-29-2012 02:07 AM)Andrew Read Wrote:  Hate to sound like a broken record, but I'll second (third?) the general exercise suggestion. Martial arts are not much fun if you only go once a week - simply takes too long to learn any decent level of skill and ultimately become very frustrating.

Spend your training dollars on getting in to see a good trainer who will set you up with whatever skills you need to learn in a single session and then set you homework to do on your own as suggested. To me, the two main options are - pay for one on one time, or buy your own set of gear to use at home.

[JohnnyFit]

Hi Nicole, all of the suggestions here are great. I'd like to add one more.

Bootcamps can be a lot of fun and an effective way to train your entire body, particularly if your time commitment is limited. There are indoor and outdoor bootcamps of varying class sizes. The good ones will have all of the equipment that you need already: TRX, kettlebells, sandbells, sandbags, Swiss balls, etc..

Many of them have a free week or free class for you to try out and see if it's a fit.

[Nicole]

Hey there,

Yes, boot camp is great! I had a baby last February and started doing a boot camp class as well as a spin class at a "globo gym" right up the street from me in May. It really helped me lose my baby weight and get back in shape. It was actually an awesome class and introduced me to kettlebells. I still go once a week. And you're right about it being a lot of fun.

Thanks!

(04-04-2012 09:06 AM)JohnnyFit Wrote:  Hi Nicole, all of the suggestions here are great. I'd like to add one more.

Bootcamps can be a lot of fun and an effective way to train your entire body, particularly if your time commitment is limited. There are indoor and outdoor bootcamps of varying class sizes. The good ones will have all of the equipment that you need already: TRX, kettlebells, sandbells, sandbags, Swiss balls, etc..

Many of them have a free week or free class for you to try out and see if it's a fit.

[winslow]

(03-28-2012 12:48 PM)Valerie Worthington Wrote:  Hi Nicole! Thanks for writing, and congratulations on meeting your fitness goals. If you only have one day a week to go to a class, one thought is that you try CrossFit. The reason is that you can get instruction on the day you go to an actual class, and then you can get "homework" to do once or twice a week at home, maybe when the kids are asleep. Also, as you probably know, many CrossFit workouts are 20 minutes or shorter, so you wouldn't require hours and hours.

That way, you could get the benefits of a 3 day/week workout without having to commit to a lot of time. I'm sure the instructors at a CrossFit gym would be able to help you do some work on your own.

I'd be interested in what the other coaches have to say as well.

At any rate, good luck with your plans! And thanks for writing.

as a CrossFit coach and personal trainer, the only caution I would offer is not asking for personalized homework all the time, especially if you are a one-time/week drop-in student.

maybe get some kettlebell DVDs like the ones reviewed here on Breaking Muscle for your non-gym days; use the gym as your community re-up and extra-intense day but respect the time and energy that goes into creating that environment and experience

[Nicole]

Hi Winslow,

That's a really good point. After going to my first class the other night, I see that it really is a community effort...it's not like going to a "regular" gym, where you just kind of do your own thing. I love that there are other coaches and members there to give you support and their own advice. Although you certainly could go once a week, it seems like to really reap all the benefits it would be ideal to go twice a week or more.

Fortunately, it looks like I'm going to be able to go more than once a week. I just found a really good CrossFit gym that has class 3 days per week for moms, and you can bring your kids, which is perfect for me. It really is amazing how, once you just open your mind to something and search it out, the opportunities present themselves. So, problem solved!! Oh, and I have a ton of Lauren Brooks kettlebell DVDs at home for off days.

Thanks for the advice!

(04-13-2012 10:04 AM)winslow Wrote:  

(03-28-2012 12:48 PM)Valerie Worthington Wrote:  Hi Nicole! Thanks for writing, and congratulations on meeting your fitness goals. If you only have one day a week to go to a class, one thought is that you try CrossFit. The reason is that you can get instruction on the day you go to an actual class, and then you can get "homework" to do once or twice a week at home, maybe when the kids are asleep. Also, as you probably know, many CrossFit workouts are 20 minutes or shorter, so you wouldn't require hours and hours.

That way, you could get the benefits of a 3 day/week workout without having to commit to a lot of time. I'm sure the instructors at a CrossFit gym would be able to help you do some work on your own.

I'd be interested in what the other coaches have to say as well.

At any rate, good luck with your plans! And thanks for writing.

as a CrossFit coach and personal trainer, the only caution I would offer is not asking for personalized homework all the time, especially if you are a one-time/week drop-in student.

maybe get some kettlebell DVDs like the ones reviewed here on Breaking Muscle for your non-gym days; use the gym as your community re-up and extra-intense day but respect the time and energy that goes into creating that environment and experience