Brick: CrossFit and Community
BRICK is a place of community. It’s a place where anyone can come in and if they’re willing to – train like a champion. Crossfit is something that, unless you do Crossfit, you probably won’t understand. Is it a cult? Sure, if you want to call it that. More-so, however, I see it as a lifestyle and people who don’t understand or haven’t experienced this way of living, label it a “cult” because they don’t have enough information to make an accurate understanding of what it really stands for.
Sure, there are varying degrees of commitment regarding this lifestyle. Some people just want to come in for an hour, get their ass kicked, and leave with that endorphin rush, then get on with the rest of their day and leave the gym at the gym. Cool, no problem. Others are more involved, taking part in the “community” aspect, which in my eyes is just as important as going balls out during the WOD of the day. Personally, I have been blessed with creating some of the best relationships and friendships I’ve ever had, through BRICK; without a doubt. I can walk into BRICK any day at any time, and will see someone in there who I’d consider family, because magically that’s what we become. Maybe it’s the gallons of sweat we pour onto the floor as a team during classes that makes this magic happen, but however it happens, there’s a definite bond created between people at BRICK, that you could never create at a “globo-gym.”
Now enough of the sappy crap, let’s get real. We are a team and should act as such. That guy you’re WODing with who you’ve never seen before, get to know him. That girl who is doing her first real Crossfit class, fresh out of Fundamentals, say hello. We are social creatures so there’s no need to act stoic in there. If you’ve been at BRICK for awhile and are a “veteran” so to speak, this applies more to you than the newbies. It’s your unwritten duty to make those newcomers feel welcome and at home the moment they walk through the door.
Also, as a coach, I love questions and this will hold true to every coach at BRICK. If you are unsure of anything… a movement, your diet, whatever the case may be, don’t hesitate to ask any of the coaches there. We will be more than happy to take the time and make sure you are well taken care of. On the flip side, if a coach comes up to you in class and tries to assist you, accept the help graciously. We know what we are doing, so if we say you’re doing a movement incorrectly, you probably are. Our goal is first and foremost to ensure your safety as an athlete, and secondly to make you a better athlete and a fitter human so your quality of life is optimal.
Keep kickin’ ass in there!
Coach Craig
Barker
I was starting to compose a response to this post on Friday. The initial reaction that I had was to write about how my brief participation in Brick has already started to untangle those gnarled, negative neurotransmitters in my mind. My default self-sabotage mode was eroding away at such a rapid pace, it seemed difficult to remember the time just a few short months ago when I allowed it to get the best of me.
I arrived at BRICK for the 5:15 WOD, my first after Thanksgiving break, ready to sweat pie through my pores, only to find that all of the work I’d been doing since mid-September had vanished. Muscle memory had a blinding case of amnesia. The broken record of self-sabotage slowly started turning, winding up like someone had plugged it in with the needle still on the wax mid-song. What am I doing here? I can’t do this. I need to leave. I don’t have it in me.
I ran to the restroom, trying to hide from my thoughts, telling myself,” It’s ok. It’s only today. Be easy, girl.” It was at that moment, a BRICK femme fatale came in to prep for 6:30, took one look at me and said, “Bad day?” I nodded reluctantly, not wanting to acknowledge the presence of ugliness. “Listen,” she said, offering her arms for a hug, “We all have days where we feel like we’re somewhere else. I’ve had a weird week too. Don’t let it get the best of you now and do your best the next time you come in.”
The concept and practice of community is something that I’ve come to rely on at BRICK – to provide me with humor and encouragement when I find it hard to locate within myself. It’s been critical in the moments when I am mentally and emotionally defeated, before a physical attempt even begins. I appreciate this blog the most, because despite my Chiklet biceps and lack of kip technique, my confidence tends to be my weakest muscle. Cheers to coaches and clients for ALL of the strength training.
Alpha male
Who is the photo of in the blog?
H
Craig Avera