We like to mix things up occasionally at Benosh, and one way we’re going to do that this summer is by talking more about something we should all pay attention to: getting in shape. Whether you’re a hiker, a trail runner, a cyclist or mountain biker, or a kayaker, your outdoor passions are better when you’re in better condition.
Back in April of 2010 we asked whether or not you were CrossFit—and this April, we’re revisiting CrossFit not just with an article but with a partnership with CrossFit Bellator here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Three editors from Benosh will be killing it this spring and summer to functionally train using CrossFit so we are better hikers, cyclists, and everything else.
What is functional training, you might be wondering. Whatever you enjoy doing, the right workout program can make you better able to tackle. CrossFit is such an incredible program not just because it sheds extra weight like it was going out of style; it is amazing for training core muscles and total body fitness.
Many workouts isolate specific muscles—how many times have you been at the gym and heard a guy say he was going to do curls to make his biceps bigger? Functional training ditches these appearance-based workout goals and replaces them with some huge benefits:
- Decreased injuries
- Increased in natural range of motion and freedom
- More natural use and development of core muscles
- Faster calorie burning
An interesting study showed that functional training delivered more than 50% greater increase in strength vs. fixed-form workouts, along with dramatic increases in balance and a reduction in joint pain (Spennewyn 2008).
It all sounds good to us, and over the next few months, we’ll be telling you about our workouts, progress, and the gear that use from some top manufactures like New Balance and adidas. Welcome to Benosh XF!
