Miss Manners

CrossFit boxes as a rule are not that big on formality.  Shirts?  On or off, go for it. Cussing?  My delicate sensibilities can handle it.  Grunts, groans, screaming?  Hey, whatever gets you through the WOD.  Blood, sweat, tears?  As long as it’s not the 70s band, yeah, no worries.  Short shorts, long shorts?  Whatever floats your boat, man (no thongs, sorry Golden). Chalk?  My life is covered in it. Make fun of Golden or Cliff?  Knock yerself out (see line above).  Not formal tends to be an understatement at CF West.

However, ahem, there are a few points of etiquette that should be covered.  Good sportsmanship, support, and respect.  That’s it.  That is what we demand at CF West.  Well, that and blood, sweat, and tears…but you can keep your firstborn. Seriously folks, all three points go hand in hand and are pretty much a no brainer.

Maintain good sportsmanship at all times.  Don’t whine about the WOD being hard.  I know it’s hard, I programmed it.  Everyone else knows it’s hard, they are doing it.  Do not get overly upset if you don’t make a lift.  Do not angrily slam the bar to the ground, kick or hit it or any other equipment. Do not pout or sulk or walk around cursing. There are legions of people out there that would practically kill for the ability to attempt the lift that you are crying about.  Don’t argue with a coach over form or ROM.  Just do the rep again and shut up.  First off, the coach is right; secondly, it’s only going to make you stronger; and besides, it’s only a workout anyway. And never ever bitch about the record board. That is about as crass as it gets.

Respect. A CrossFit box is a temple.  It is a place where lives are literally changed.  Treat it as such.  No, you don’t have to whisper or light a candle or get down on your knees (you’ll be flat on your back soon, though).  But, have some respect. Clean up after yourself and don’t leave your stuff lying around.  Erase your scribbles off the whiteboards. Clean your blood off the bar and your sweat off the floor.  You know, respect.

Support.  Hey, listen up, just because it’s last doesn’t mean it’s least. You don’t have rivals here, you have teammates.  You don’t have competitors, you have people who push you to do more, go faster, be better.  Support them.  Don’t just talk about yourself and your numbers, ask them how they are, what big lifts they have done recently, how is their training going.  If you are done with your workout, run with someone on their last leg, gather around and cheer them on their last rep.  Slap hands and pat shoulders, telling people what a great job they did, and mean it.  If you see someone new, be friendly, introduce yourself, don’t be a hifalutin rock star.  I remember when everyone at CF West started and no one was hot shit in the beginning.  Try to remember how you felt at your first class. Absolutely be stoked about your progress and scores, but be stoked about everyone else’s too.  If you are just hanging out, help out, never be too cool for school.  Support. We are a community, folks, a pretty great one.  And that is thanks to all of you.

Well, there you have it.  The CF West laws, rules, and regulations. Please take them to heart. Oh, sorry about the thong, Golden.  

Miss Manners out.

Please post thoughts to Comments.

All the example pics below of anger, frustration, and a big pout, I am happy to say, were staged.

A big reminder about the Paleo Challenge meeting.  Today, Sunday the 7th, from 5PM.  Please bring $5 dollars for the dinner.  See you there.

Workout:

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Hang Squat Clean (heavy, about 3RM weight)

30, 25, 20, 15, 10 Pushups

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 High Box Jump (high)

Post WOD and score to Comments.