Safety
SPORTS INJURIES
One of the many differences between normal gym fitness and Crossfit is your exposure to injury. At a basic level, CrossFit combines various Olympic sports in its work outs: Whilst attempting to reduce the risk of accidents, sporting injuries are accepted as a fact of life to athletes, footballers, climbers rugby players, boxers weight lifters etc.
If you do not wish to increase your risk of injury, do not follow CrossFit.
RHABDOMYOLYSIS.
However, apart from normal sporting injuries, high intensity exercise can run the risk of a condition called Rhabdomyolysis. Please follow this link and read and understand the condition.
http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/rhabdomyolysis.html.
LEAVE YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR.
Crossfit is about developing elite fitness, it requires dedication and hard work to master the workouts and obtain elite performance. If you are a beginner, start off by understanding, then practising the moves, then light versions of the posted workouts. If you treat the workouts with arrogant contempt and just jump in, they will get their revenge.
So visit the “how to start page” on the main CrossFit site
http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/start-how.html
SCALE YOUR WORKOUTS
The work outs are for the toughest of the tough. You work up to them. The secret is to scale them to your ability. Start with light weights then go up only when you can do the exercise with proper form. If you don’t know how, ask. Post on the main message board; email one of the instructors etc. These are not work outs for thickies. They require self management and intelligence.
THE SAFETY OF THE EQUIPMENT/VENUE YOU ARE ABOUT TO USE
What ever piece of equipment you intend to use should be checked by you: collars should be on Olympic bars, You should walk over 100-200-400m sprint courses to make sure there are no hidden hazards. Test that bars will take your weight, read the instructions. Consider risks. Consider others.
Remember the magic words: STOP: if you are not sure, or something has happened that changes safety: STOP
(Thanks to CrossFit London for allowing the reprint of this safety advice!)