Source
r/xxfitness•
_cool_beans_

Crossfit with mobility issues?

Hi all, I have an internship coming up in another city and I'm pretty disappointed with the gym options in my neighborhood. The one option that is convenient and "affordable" is a Crossfit gym. I have some hip mobility and lower back issues that have kept me from doing traditional deadlifts and squats. Will this be a problem for Crossfit? I can, of course, work on my mobility because I would love for it to not be an issue anymore--but I only have two weeks before I move. Has anyone started Crossfit with some mobility issues?

My other options are a cheap gym with basically no barbells that looks super crowded in the mornings (and gets constant complaints about dirty showers and backed-up drains), or splurging on a private training gym. Which I SO want to do, but...my bank account says otherwise.

Posted May 9, 2016, 6:08 PM UTC

19
birdie16•

Can you go in to talk to one of the coaches at the Crossfit gym to ask about their ideas for modifications? It really does depend on the trainer/coach and how adept they are. Our gym has people at all different stages of mobility, and they are always prepared to help people who are on rehabilitation plans or are injured.

5
_cool_beans_OP•

Thanks, this is helpful! I'll contact one of the coaches. It'd also just be helpful to get someone to officially assess where my mobility issue is coming from and help me with form.

2
writermcwriterson•

Seconding this. Go talk to the coaches and get a feel for their practice.

My Crossfit gym does some less-intensive bootcamps and strength classes, and also has a dedicated mobility class a couple days each week. As part of joining, you go through a two week onboarding that includes (nearly) every possible movement, and talk about your own limitations and modifications. From there, our coaches are pretty good about suggesting modifications or alternatives if you can't manage something as prescribed.

1
_cool_beans_OP•

I didn't know the onboarding includes most of the movements. I guess I'll be in a position to judge, after onboarding, whether it's a good fit for me too. Thanks!

1
writermcwriterson•

It may vary from place to place, so definitely worth having a conversation. My trainer said the goal of the onboarding (at least at my box) is to make sure you've at least seen/tried/experienced everything before you join an actual class. They also spend a good 5 minutes at the beginning of every class reviewing proper form, then give us a couple minutes to practice/adjust weights before we get started.

1
StuWard•

Normally Crossfit wouldn't be a good choice for someone with mobility issues but if the trainer is more experienced than some, perhaps it would work. The trainer makes all the difference.

1
Powercat9133•

I've been doing crossfit for two years and still have mobility issues. I think crossfit actually helped with some issues by forcing my body into positions it wasn't used to (especially with squats) and other issues I try to fix by daily stretching. So to answer your question, mobility can be an issue but it's also something that can be corrected pending it's not a severe physical ailment.

Secondly, if a gym isn't reinvesting in itself, they don't have their priorities straight. I don't look at a gym based on it's showers since there are many great gyms out there without them, but if they are not keeping their equipment up to date and safe, then I would stay away. Gyms like that tend to not stay in business long.

1
_cool_beans_OP•

Thank you! I don't have a severe physical ailment, just some flexibility issues that have made me nervous to try deadlifts/squats without someone watching form. So I'm hopeful crossfit could actually help me, if the coaches are good!

Showers are important to me because I have to shower before work. These reviews aren't just about icky showers, they're about constantly backed-up plumbing that leaves people in ankle-deep dirty water. I'm not dealing with that. Also not dealing with no barbells.

1
sweetlax30007•

After doing crossfit for 2 years, and going through cycles of minor injuries all you have to do is talk to your coach. My husband had hip surgery last year and he could not squat for a long time. It wasn't a big deal, he just did other things (band work/PT/stretches) while other people were squatting.

When my knees or shins flare up, I ask for modifications to not exacerbate the problem.

1