I asked Jenna Hovermale (owner of Wabash CrossFit) and her trainers about how CrossFit transferred to At-Home workouts while they were forced to close down.
HOW HAVE THE AT-HOME WORKOUTS BEEN DIFFERENT FROM WORKOUTS AT THE GYM?
I find it difficult to have the same intensity. When I don't have my gym community there to push me to go faster or try harder, I find myself struggling to push myself. I keep reminding myself though that some exercise is better than nothing. - Jenna
They're quite a bit less frequent and less intense. - Jeff
Always having to use the same stuff over and over again. I can't do anything I really like to do like pull-ups and muscle-ups. - Michael
I have been doing more cardio-based high rep movements compared to lifting for strength. - Brian
Besides the obvious lack of equipment, it seems to be either feast or famine. I'm either blowing through the workout or on death's door 90 seconds in. Ok, maybe that's a little dramatic, but you get what I'm saying. - Wade
WHAT HAVE YOU MISSED THE MOST ABOUT WORKING OUT AT THE GYM?
The camaraderie and the schedule. It's so much easier to stay in a consistent routine when you have people expecting you to show up and workout on a regular schedule. I miss the accountability and the community. - Jenna
The celebration and conversations with friends after the workouts are completed. There's just something about the energy in a class atmosphere, it's very motivating. Learning to stay motivated on your own is very important too. So I think this isolation has been a good learned experience for some. - Jakae
The people for sure, talking after class about how people have been or what they did that day. And helping people improve and get better. - Michael
I miss having access to every piece of equipment and the space to do all the movement in. - Brian
The atmosphere and the support. I never realized how much I enjoyed suffering along with others. Being on your own, you have no one to chase, no one to yell at to get moving, and no one yelling at you. That's what I miss. - Wade
WHAT WORKOUT EQUIPMENT WOULD YOU SAY IS "ESSENTIAL"?
Dumbbells and a jump rope or running shoes and a jogging stroller for the kids. - Jenna
Nothing is "essential". There's so much that can be done with bodyweight and household objects. - Jeff
Thinking in terms of someone just starting to build their home gym, I would say start with your body. Obviously that's the cheapest route. My next purchase would be resistance bands, SO MUCH can be done with them! Then a kettlebell, after that start to build your dumbbell collection. - Jakae
Dumbbells, ab mat, and something to jump on and a jump rope. You can do a lot of different workouts with these items. - Emily
The assault bike for sure haha - Michael
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE WORKOUT YOU'VE DONE WHILE AT HOME?
I like the Murph prep workouts. Knowing that Murph is around the corner (WCF hosts this Hero WOD on Memorial Day every year). You can easily sub the pull-ups for dumbbell rows, dumbbell swings or negative push presses to build those muscles needed for pull-ups. - Jenna
No favorite. They're all different and I like that. - Jeff
I have done several "100's" is what I call them. I pick the moves I want to do, and 100 reps of each before moving on to the next. I'm always sore from this format and I love getting done with a movement and knowing I don't have to do it again. - Jakae
Don't really have one! Just trying to keep moving during this time of change! - Emily
Every workout is my favorite. - Michael
100 Squat Snatches for time with 15 calories on the ski erg every 3 minutes. - Brian
Honestly what I've enjoyed the most is jogging. I've tried to get out at least 3 days a week and I've really enjoyed that. - Wade
While CrossFit has faced many critics over the years, I've noticed during the stay-home orders that many people have ended up doing CrossFit workouts (constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity). If you've enjoyed the intensity of your at-home workouts, consider a class at Wabash Crossfit & Fitness. While the workouts will force you to dig deep, the greatest part is the class atmosphere and the community that you will build. Check out Wabash Crossfit & Fitness on Facebook and Instagram for updates to classes and see what the members are up to.