How fast will CrossFit get you in shape? That is a difficult question to answer, as there are so many differentiating factors that can influence your transition. For example: how many times a week do you plan to exercise with CrossFit? And are you going to match your lifestyle to your newfound exercise routine?
You see, you may not see any results at all with CrossFit, if you don’t stick to it with regularity and consistency, and you don’t couple it with a generally healthier lifestyle.
For the best results with CrossFit you need to do the following:
- CrossFit regularly: You should aim to get to 3 CrossFit sessions per week as quickly as possible. Once at this level, you can decide as to whether you can cope with more (say, 4-5 times per week). Certainly, the frequency with which you can exercise depends on your work and home life balance. However, for the best results, you really need to stick to it.
- Lead a healthy lifestyle: You can CrossFit 5 times a week, however, if you are still eating junk food, drinking excessive alcohol, and you don’t have a healthy sleeping pattern, then the results are going to be slow, if non-existent. Certainly, you will feel stronger and have more energy, but if you want the best results from CrossFit, then you should eat well, drink plenty of water, cut down on your alcohol consumption, and get into a better sleeping routine.
(Don’t worry, you can still eat junk food and drink alcohol! But you must do so in moderation if you are serious about changing your life for the better).
- Allow your body to recover: Doing CrossFit 7 days a week isn’t ideal, as your body needs time to recover. You may be desperate to get in shape and change your body as quickly as possible, but there is such a thing as going overboard. If you burn the candle at both ends, then you will likely end up causing yourself unnecessary injury and pushing your CrossFit goals back even further. The best approach (for the optimal routine) is to work out 5 days a week (3 days on 1 day off and repeat).
- Listen to your trainer: if you are truly serious about getting shredded, then you need to listen to the advice of the experts. If there are certain workouts that can benefit you more, or certain things that you need to cut out of your life, then listen to your trainer and follow their instruction. They only want what is best for you at the end of the day!
As long as you are serious about CrossFit and you commit yourself to it wholeheartedly, it shouldn’t take long for you to notice the results.
In fact, if you haven’t done exercise in quite some time and you are ready to break the cycle and do away with some of those naughty habits, then you can start noticing physical changes to your body in as little as a week. Certainly, you aren’t going to like Brad Pitt in Fight Club condition after so little time. However, with regular CrossFit, healthy eating, and drinking plenty of water, your body will start burning fat almost immediately.
As to how long it will take for CrossFit to get you in shape, it really all depends on you! But if you stick to it and throw yourself into this new healthy lifestyle, within 3 to 6 months you can be in truly excellent condition. Then it’s just onwards and upwards from there!
Will CrossFit make you ripped?
Will CrossFit make you ripped? Again, it’s another question with an answer that depends entirely upon you! If you are going to half-arse CrossFit and continue eating crap and drinking too much alcohol, then you won’t be ripped. However, if you throw yourself into it, commit yourself to regular CrossFit at a minimum of 5 times a week (with plenty of recovery in between), then over time, you will indeed get ripped.
However, if washboard abs and serious guns are what you are after, then you will likely have to optimize your workout to focus on that end. And that takes some serious dedication! All of these influencers you see on Instagram are hitting the gym every day, following a rigorous diet, drinking nothing but water and protein shakes, and are wholeheartedly committed to their pique physiques. That, and they live for the ARMRAP mentality (ARMRAP explained)!
This means that “ripped” might not be something that you can obtain. Because you really need to want it, and you really need to commit to it, whilst following all of the right steps.
That being said, everybody is different. No two bodies are the same and some people struggle to put on muscle no matter how much they exercise. In any case, there’s no better way to find out than to get stuck in!
Conclusion
And that about sums it up! Yes, CrossFit will get you in shape, and yes, CrossFit can certainly make you ripped. However, it doesn’t happen overnight and it doesn’t come cheap. The ripped version of you will be acquired through blood, sweat, and tears! Through regularity, dedication, and a commitment to a better way of life. If you can stick to your guns and keep up your end of the bargain, then CrossFit will take care of the rest!
If you are deadly serious about getting into shape and want to hit the ground running, then find a reputable gym like Crossfit Norsemen and embark on your fitness journey today. The only way is up!