If you have an aversion to hard work and don’t mind getting so-so results from your training, read no further. But if you love the adrenaline rush of hitting new PBs (personal bests), constantly challenging yourself with new exercises and techniques, and always improving your fitness level, read on.
In light of the recent 2012 Reebok CrossFit Games and given how much CrossFit has done for me personally, I feel a responsibility to relay its many benefits on to other women.
Here are 8 reasons why you (or a woman you love) should give CrossFit a shot:
1) It’s always challenging you to learn new exercises, so it keeps workouts fresh and exciting. Walking at an incline on the “dreadmill” 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week? No, thank you. There are more fun (and productive) things to be done!
2) It strengthens your core (WITHOUT doing 200 reps a day of ab-specific work). CrossFit includes so many compound exercises that whether or not it’s your goal, you will build core strength. So, once you inevitably peel away fat you’ll have some amazing abs to show for it.
3) It burns calories like crazy. Try doing one of the WODs (Workout of the Day) with running or rowing + compound lifts (like deadlifts, weighted squats, or cleans, for example). It is not only exhausting on all levels but also brings you into a whole other realm of calorie burning. Workouts like this will keep you lean and mean.
4) You’ll get more muscular. And I’m talking about the lean, athletic, fat-burning, awesome kind of muscular. Don’t believe me? Check out this video and try to argue otherwise. “Skinny fat” is nowhere to be seen. 
5) You will feel like the energizer bunny. I know, weird that exercising actually gives you energy, right? CrossFit is no exception.
6) It increases confidence in the gym. I have worked out with so many women who are deathly self-conscious about entering the “men’s area” of the gym. You know, where all the barbells and plates are (aka, the good stuff!). After you bite the bullet and tackle a few of the heavier CrossFit workouts you’ll never harbor that fear again.
7) It increases confidence OUTSIDE of the gym. After completing a killer WOD, I can tell that my sense of accomplishment carries over into everyday life. I can tell that it does this for other women too. I taught a young female client how to back squat in the “men’s area” last night. She simply glowed with accomplishment afterwards… Or maybe that was just sweat?
8) It’s an investment in your future. Like you, I don’t want to suffer from bone density issues when I’m 50. I want my fitness level to bounce back as quickly as possible after I have kids. I want to continue to feel strong and powerful into my 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond. If you do too, now is the time to make the investment.
Train hard,
Steph
PS…
Here are some more resources about Women & CrossFit:
http://games.crossfit.com/features/women-2011-reebok-crossfit-games
http://orangecoastcrossfit.com/crossfit-for-women/
http://blog.fitnesstown.ca/2010/07/01/why-women-need-crossfit/
November 4th, 2011 at 2:09 pm
This is GREAT! You sum it up perfectly! Hope you don’t mind but I’m going to share this with… um…. every woman I know!
November 4th, 2011 at 2:21 pm
Thanks for such a positive response! Please, SHARE away and spread the word about the awesome-ness that is CrossFit!
November 9th, 2011 at 10:44 am
Apparently the physical benefits of life are very important to you…I’m a bit more concerned with your spiritual benefit training you are involved in? Modesty apparently must decrease if the physical training might be geared to exposing bodies that belong only to be seen by God and or spouses! Physical heath is a responsibility but spiritual is a mandate if eternal life is the goal! Now THAT’S a goal to work for!
November 9th, 2011 at 11:02 am
Thank you for your comment, Phillip. We may have to agree to disagree on a couple things, but regarding being a spirtual person, if you read my “About Me” page you will see that working out IS spiritual for me. It is my daily meditation.
I am completely aware of how important it is to be a well rounded person and I work every day (during my training sessions) to achieve that.
Best of luck!
Steph
November 10th, 2011 at 8:23 am
Phililip,
You’re a nutter.
Love,
Tom
November 10th, 2011 at 11:09 am
Rest assured, modestly doesn’t have to be sacrificed. Crossfit is about valuing what you can DO, not how you look. That’s a different message than the one women usually receive in our society. Steph’s list is all about confidence and health, characteristics that go a long way toward filling one’s spiritual potential.
November 6th, 2011 at 8:03 am
Ya Steph..being in my late fiifties and a runner in the past, I find easier to fit in a short intense workout and with all your ideas its fun to mix it up. I love your blog, as I look forward to next one to motivate me!
November 9th, 2011 at 7:53 pm
Thanks Mom!
Gotta love it when your mom likes your blog.
Train hard, as always.
Steph
November 7th, 2011 at 10:51 pm
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November 9th, 2011 at 12:09 am
Love it!!! Sounds like what I “soap box” everyday. Thanks for getting it out there. I’m sharing this too!
November 9th, 2011 at 10:32 am
Thank you so much, and please do share this! I would love it if this post helped even ONE woman get into CrossFit.
Steph
November 9th, 2011 at 12:34 am
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November 9th, 2011 at 10:17 am
How do I get started?
November 9th, 2011 at 10:30 am
Hey Stacy,
If you don’t have a training partner or friend who knows CrossFit, I would find out where the nearest CrossFit box (aka, gym) is in your area and then head there. They can definitely show you the ropes and get you started! Wouldn’t recommend trying CrossFit on your own… Even for someone quite experienced in the gym some of the workouts can be tricky.
All the best! Let me know if you end up trying it out. I will never look back – CrossFit has changed the way I train.
Steph
November 9th, 2011 at 11:27 am
[...] Here are 8 reasons why you (or a woman you love) should give CrossFit a shot: [...]
November 9th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
#9: Results!
Steph, great job, we love them!!!
November 9th, 2011 at 12:13 pm
Thank you so much! CrossFit is so incredible for women… I couldn’t be happier that this post caught on.
Steph
November 9th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
[...] 8 Reasons Why Women Should CrossFit This entry was posted in Articles by Tom Hudak. Bookmark the permalink. [...]
November 9th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
HELL YES..as a 38 year old mom of 2 boys…I crossfit 5 times a week…I can now do 5 pullups in a row….and have done up to fifty in one WOD…I swear by crossfit…yes I get crazy stares at the Y where I workout…but it is totally worth it…and YES the energy is through the roof..have lost 35 pounds….gained a ton of muscle, and am now a size 6!!!….gonna do a Tough Mudder in May!!! yeah baby!
November 9th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
Audrey, YOU are the real-life testimonial for how CrossFit can change lives! Keep training hard!
Steph
November 9th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
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November 9th, 2011 at 3:50 pm
My sister is a crossfitter, she introduced me to it, I loved it, but I felt I couldn’t go at my own pace, I was rushed, kept losing count on reps. Any suggestions? Thanks for the positive message. Ps my sister started crossfit a year ago and is amazing, she looks amazing, feels amazing, has lost 50 lbs and is in better shape now then she was in high school. Shannon s
November 9th, 2011 at 4:10 pm
Hi Shannon! Thrilled to hear about the progress your sister has made with CrossFit! That’s too bad you felt rushed, though… CrossFit can be overwhelming when you’re first starting out., to be honest. Did you try it at a box (CrossFit gym), or on your own with your sister?
If it was at a box, maybe consider asking a trainer there for some extra pointers on technique afterwards. The better you get with your form, the more comfortable you will be overall and the more focus you’ll have for counting reps and stuff. When I started I was concentrating so hard on form and technique, nevermind reps and rounds, that some workouts were definitely overwhelming.
If the workout was just you and your sister on your own, try bringing a pen and paper next time so you can quickly record rep counts between rounds or exercises. I’ve had to do that many times. I hope you can push through that initial learning phase, though, because once you do it is amazing what you can achieve! Your sister is proof.
Steph
November 9th, 2011 at 6:56 pm
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November 9th, 2011 at 7:06 pm
Great insights in this blog. Thank you for your contribution.
November 10th, 2011 at 3:18 pm
OMG so TRUE! I can relate to #6. I was just in a 24Hr Fitness to get a workout in between CF and I walked around that place like I owned it. LOL I used to hate searching for a spot or looking for weights while those roided douche bags look at themselves in the mirror doing wussy bicep curls. That majority of the fitness world has it ALL WRONG. It should be a crime to build most exercise equipment.
November 10th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
I’m a woman pushing 60 who does CrossFit and I can vouch personally for its benefits. My progress is slow compared to women who still menstruate, and I didn’t have much muscle tone to begin with. Never an athlete, I’m also up against arthritis and old injuries. But it still works. My general level of confidence improves every time I finish a workout I thought would be impossible. Low back pain that used to lay me up for two weeks resolves overnight. I still can’t do a regular push-up, but I’m sure that within the next six months I will. My friends think I’ve gone crazy when I describe the work-outs, but I just tell them you have to experience the rush for yourself. Plus: MY BONES! CrossFit plus Paleo eating is my osteoporosis prevention strategy. I’ll take it any day over some expensive drug with side effects and dubious results.
All my life I was a 115 lb. weakling, and now I deadlift 70 lbs. That may be a joke to your average guy, but to me it’s a miracle, and I expect that number will go up over time.
Thanks for your very interesting blog, which I will now check out regularly.
November 10th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
You obviously haven’t borne children! Great in theory, and three years ago I would have agreed with you. However, having had two kids in th time the impact its had means i can’t work out like I would like to and used to – and like lots of women I know I was very fit before birth. Unfortunately there are some things you can’t prepare for or control. Four months after my second and I can barely walk for longer than 20 mins, let alone work out like you suggest.
November 10th, 2011 at 10:39 pm
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November 11th, 2011 at 8:57 am
Hey There. That is a very well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thank you for the post. I’ll certainly return. Business Review
November 13th, 2011 at 11:01 pm
[...] 8 Reasons Why Women (Should) CrossFit Humble Pie: A Not So Tasty Paleo Treat and a Good Lesson in Scaling Longevity Through CrossFit In the Long Run (A Look at Extreme Distance Trail Running) “Grinders aren’t flashy, they’re never fashionable, and most people avoid them like the plague.” Fat Acceptance Is Unacceptable A reminder that a lower weight is not always the goal! As you can see in this picture… muscle is more dense then fat and is much more appealing. 5 pounds of muscle takes up less space than 5 pounds of fat. This is why it is so important not to fixate on the number on the scale, but rather concentrate on how you look in the mirror instead! Bad CrossFit Gym Etiquette [...]
November 14th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
You should have mentioned that Women who CrossFit are generally just all around more attractive. Like you said confidence, and the physical benefits but also the competitive spirit, drive, and all of the positive brain chemistry that just makes you happier, calmer, and much quicker on your feet! Huge fan of all women athletes and those who just live an active lifestyle!
November 14th, 2011 at 6:46 pm
Thanks Josh!
November 15th, 2011 at 3:05 am
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November 20th, 2011 at 7:02 pm
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November 21st, 2011 at 12:35 pm
[...] week my training partners and I took on this very similar WOD (CrossFit Workout of the Day): 3x 800m run. Unassuming, isn’t it? Don’t be fooled – it was truly painful. I know each of [...]
November 27th, 2011 at 5:00 pm
You forget to mention the benefits for our hormone levels. I’m 41 and have been crossfitting for nearly 5 months (after doing not alot of exercise for a very long time). I love what it has done for my body, mind and spirit. Much happier, calmer, and more confident in myself. I love setting new PBs every other week and every WOD scares me but i get it there and kick it as best i can, and scaling alot less now. One of the best side effects for me has been that all the cramps, breast tenderness etc that goes along with the hormonal changes in our body each month has stopped. Cant beat a natural alternative to balancing out the bodies hormones that has so many other benefits for you as a whole person!!
December 16th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
While I am all for women exercising, doing weight training, running, and all sorts of other activities, I am not a fan or Crossfit for men OR women.
To balance out the discussion, I just wondered how many of you Crossfitters have read this article from the NY Times:
Getting Fit, Even If It Kills You
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/22/fashion/thursdaystyles/22Fitness.html?pagewanted=all
While the exercises in Crossfit, or any other program, for than matter, can be done in a sensible way, nearly everyone I know that tried Crossfit decided to leave that gym after a few months because they either realized that pushing through the Crossfit workouts were taking too much energy they needed to do other physical fitness activities they enjoy, such as running, they were too sore to function normally for 2 or 3 days after the class, or they could not afford to take any more time off from work due to Crossfit injuries or extreme soreness.
December 19th, 2011 at 7:10 pm
I just read the latest post about how “dangerous” crossfit is,…well.if you are gonna be an idiot about it, then walking can be dangerous…the GREATEST thing about Crossfit is that it is SCALED to your level….the people that are getting hurt are the idiots trying to do the RX’d wod when they should be scaling it down!
December 20th, 2011 at 2:03 am
It’s possible to injure yourself doing any physical activity, including yoga. I got a bad case of tendonitis from yoga and learned from my physical therapist that it’s not uncommon. CrossFit is high intensity exercise that challenges people in a way that they likely would never challenge themselves in their normal workout routines. I would never have attempted the skills I’m learning now if I didn’t have a CrossFit class with a coach giving me pointers and encouragement. Even at age 60 I am stronger and have more confidence in myself than ever before. Against my deadlifts, squats and clean & jerks, osteoporosis doesn’t stand a chance.
Do I sometimes experience “extreme soreness”? Yes. Have I ever injured myself? Yes, in the normal course of doing something new, on occasion I’ve gotten a sprain. After a week or two, I return to the gym stronger, with added knowledge of where my weaknesses are and better awareness of how to avoid future injuries. There’s no reason to seriously injure oneself doing CrossFit, particularly since scaling the workout to one’s level of competency is standard practice.
Not everybody enjoys yoga, and similarly, CrossFit is not for everyone. Some people don’t like high intensity exercise, can’t handle the pace, or simply don’t want to work that hard. There’s nothing wrong with that. But it’s undeniable that thousands of people around the world love CrossFit. For athletes at the higher echelons of sport, CrossFit produces extraordinary competitive results. And for the rest of us, it promises better fitness for whatever life throws at you.
December 19th, 2011 at 10:49 am
Thanks for sharing! I love Crossfit and truly love the fact that it makes you fit
Merry Christmas!!
December 20th, 2011 at 9:37 am
The pictures show the proof is in the ‘pudding’!
December 20th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
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December 22nd, 2011 at 10:33 am
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January 19th, 2012 at 11:31 pm
I love your article and crossfit. I didn’t join until after having my first kid and I am more fit now than ever. It has taught me to really understand my body and my strengths I didn’t know I had before. My running has improved as well. I take my 19 month old daughter with me and love the fact that she is learning how to be active and fit by watching mommy.
January 25th, 2012 at 10:31 pm
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March 2nd, 2012 at 4:01 am
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