CrossFit Power – Workout of choice for entrepreneurs

There’s no denying that CrossFit is one of the fastest-growing sports and fitness programs in the world. But why is it becoming the workout of choice for entrepreneurs?

It seems entrepreneurs can’t get away from the extreme stuff. We love intensity, and that’s why we seem to love CrossFit. It’s measured, competitive, and mentally engaging—just like running a business.

1. It’s Productive
“I do CrossFit because start-ups are stressful!” said Manpacks founder Ken Johnson in an interview. “And without much of a time commitment (one hour, three to four times a week) you can stay in really good shape. I used to run to the gym before lunch every day, but my routine was getting so repetitive. With CrossFit, the workouts are always changing—one day, I’m climbing ropes and doing handstand push-ups, the next I’m doing Olympic lifts heavier than I ever thought possible.”

2. It’s Measured
Entrepreneurs love putting pressure on themselves to achieve tangible results, and that’s what CrossFit is all about. Your progress, improvements, and setbacks are tracked on a chart. You can’t get away from it. Seeing this data in front of you will push you harder to perform better. At the end of the day, you’re ultimately tied to a number. It’s a workout that completely compliments the entrepreneur’s psyche.

3. It’s Openly Competitive
Entrepreneurs thrive on competition, but with CrossFit, you’re not competing against others— you’re competing against yourself to be better than your best. You’ll see everybody’s scores, but your focus will be 100 percent devoted to yourself. Entrepreneurs thrive on this motivation because they’re always setting new and ridiculous personal challenges. What feels better than winning and beating them?

4. It’s a Tough Mental Game
Sure it hurts, and sure you want to puke your guts out. Sure you don’t think you can go any harder or faster, but guess what? You always manage to do it. More than anything, CrossFit is a mental game, and it’s up to you to beat it. And then there’s the whole peer pressure thing. Because you’re doing the same workouts as everyone else in the room, you push yourself harder and further than you normally would. Who the hell cares if you’re tired—it won’t kill you! The reality is you’ll pass out before you die.

5. It’s Social
“I love the sense of community built around CrossFit,” Johnson said. “Everyone shares a common drive to push themselves beyond personal limits, and people notice when you’re slacking off. I’ve gotten emails from instructors asking why I hadn’t been to class in a few days. The community is definitely a motivating factor.”

Classes are about 10 to 15 people at a time, and you’ll see the same people often. You’ll get to know them well. You’ll cheer them on, and they’ll cheer back at you. You continuously support each other to push harder, and afterwards you’ll hang out and catch up on life. You’ll be so sick to your stomach from the intensity of the workout that you’ll never want to talk about CrossFit again. But somehow you do—you’re obsessed with it.

“Extroverted people are social people and CrossFit is very much a social fitness class!” says Marc Hébert, co-owner of Maritime CrossFit. “People are encouraged to ask questions, to interact with their classmates, and to cheer others on during workouts. It’s this team dynamic along with a personal competitive nature that keeps people motivated and addicted to CrossFit.” You leave every class not only in muscle pain and feeling great, but with new friends. This leads to discovering that …

6. You’re Sucked In
If you don’t go to class, your instructors and peers will hunt you down, typically using Facebook in a very public way. You’ll never hear the end of it. You have to go back. Even if you just had the flu. Even if you just had a baby. No matter how hard life gets, you stay committed. You have no choice. Being accountable to others is how great entrepreneurs build their companies, by having customers, employees, and investors. CrossFit is no different.

If you’re lacking in the workout department, it’s time to consider something new and exciting to rev your startup engine. CrossFit is the workout of choice for entrepreneurs for a reason. Now’s the time to join a gym and get fit! WODs will quickly become a part of your daily lingo and you won’t shut up about it.