Be a Fitness Sponge
If you are an athlete or coach that’s been in the health and fitness game for a while, you need to start getting curious about implementing diverse types of training into your routine. You’ll discover that such experiences can benefit not only your primary training endeavors, but your mindset, skill set, and performance. I see a lot athletes and general population fitness-enthusiasts get pigeon-holed into one type of training — if you CrossFit, that’s it. If you yoga, that’s it. If you distance run, that’s it. Sometimes we do that because the chosen activity is fun. Other times, because the power of tribe and identity is a driving force in human psychology and behavior. “Belonging” is important to us — in the past it provided security and higher chances of survival (social and physical). But beware that “belonging” does not become “excluding”. In doing so, we may miss out on bountiful opportunities to expand and improve upon our performance.
We can benefit from and derive impact from nearly anything and everything — be a fitness sponge!
You only get one body in this life, let it do ALL THE THINGS and see what happens! Don’t pigeon-hole yourself into thinking that if you identify as a CrossFitter, no other modality of fitness or exercise expression is worth your time. That’s just silly. Spending time moving organically in a dance or gymnastics class will increase your kinesthetic awareness. Time spent running or implementing endurance events will develop a deep aerobic capacity, not to mention mental resiliency and pacing.
Would an artist who paints with oils find new inspiration/perspective from drawing with charcoal? Likely.
Would a road biker gain something from spending time on a mountain bike? Absolutely.
Would a yogi benefit from attending a strength class? Definitely.
Would a CrossFitter benefit from attending a martial arts class? You see where this is going.
What you can learn from is limited ONLY by your own curiosity and mindset.
This principle holds true across modalities > Fitness. Business. Relationships. Science. Life. Open your mind, fitness-jedis, and see that the force is all around you — whether it’s a spin bike, yoga mat, barbell, or a mountain!
Hugs & thrusters, Meatheads!
Thanks for your time and attention.