Ever wonder to yourself – is 30 too late to start CrossFit? Believe it or not – you’re not the only one wondering. If you’re in your thirties or beyond and are considering trying CrossFit for the first time (or perhaps simply thinking of starting a new fitness routine!), it can feel pretty daunting.
Surrounded by… Youths
Ever step foot into a new place, expecting to feel like the oldest person there… and you’re exactly right? Well – whilst you might be correct… it could also be confirmation bias! In short – if you’ve already established an assumption or expectation, your brain will interpret what it sees as further evidence of your existing belief. The same can go for assuming everyone else is fitter, stronger or more experienced than you. So… distance yourself from those beliefs, and instead focus on the EFFORT of those around you. All of those people are dedicated, hard working people, turning up to work hard. And so are you. You are one of them. You belong!
It is also a known fact that people always look younger when they’re in their gym gear..! So… if you’re looking out across the gym floor feeling like the class is full of twenty-somethings… picture them in suits and jeans and your brain might start to see reality. Seriously!
Ageing: that ‘old’ chestnut
Sadly, we can’t prevent ageing. There are a number of things that can be done to help combat the effects though – and as involuntary changes start to rear their (often ugly) heads – such as decreased bone density, increased risk / chance of metabolic disease, increased susceptibility to gaining body fat – we can’t just ‘eat a bit healthier and hope for the best’. And unfortunately…Some of these risks and processes begin as early as our thirties. Exercising isn’t just about enhancing our fitness – it’s defence against ageing. We can be passive and let it happen… or we can be proactive, and combat the inevitable.
Your Natural ‘Peak’
Did you know… your muscle mass, bone density and performance naturally peak in your thirties? It’s true! This certainly feels like good news (and it is!) but it could also be seen as a critical opportunity. According to Dr Emily Finkelstein, a geriatrician at Weill Cornell Medicine:
“As we edge past 45, we begin to lose critical muscle mass, which can decrease our strength and balance. Decreases in bone density can leave us more vulnerable to stress fractures from repetitive motions and stress. The cartilage in our joints thins, while tendons and ligaments stiffen. All of this means we’re more prone to injuries during physical activity. Recovery takes longer too.”
Yikes… so what’s the good news again…? If you’re in your thirties and have fallen out of a fitness routine (or perhaps have never really established one), now is a crucial time to start to not only celebrate your peak muscle mass and bone density (and have a chance at realising your potential!) but you’ll be more likely to be working WITH your body, rather than fighting the decline.
As CrossFit’s sickness-wellness-fitness continuum theory goes, it is about creating a buffer to combat the signs of ageing, sickness and decline – and what better time to start that when our body is naturally most prepared. It’s no secret that it’s easier to maintain a level of fitness than it is to establish one – especially if your body is already experiencing the signs of ageing.
“I should’ve started earlier”
It’s probably true – we probably should’ve all started earlier! Unfortunately, short of discovering how to time travel, there’s really nothing that can be done about that now! But – it’s not all doom and gloom. In the same way that we now feel like we should’ve started earlier, ‘future us’ would be so glad that we started today. So – yes, perhaps earlier would’ve been better, and would’ve paved the way for speedier progress… but it’s not as black and white as that – because starting today will put future you ahead of where you’d be if you delayed another few years.
“I’m BEYOND my 30s, though… am I too old for CrossFit?”
It really is quite simple: CrossFit by nature is infinitely scalable… so it may look very different for different ages – but it is still an incredibly effective fitness programme whatever your age. Yes, it might a little more challenging starting a new fitness routine the older you are, but with expert guidance from experienced coaches you’ll be given ability and age-appropriate workouts that set you up for success, whatever your starting point.
“But I have an old injury / long term niggle”
You are NOT alone. If you’ve been living life as a normal human being it’s very common to have picked up an injury by the time you reach your 30s and unfortunately, fear of being limited or held back by a long term ache or pain often delays people from getting started. The reality though is:
- CrossFit is infinitely scalable – YES, that includes accommodating your long standing back twinge or knee niggle!
- The coaches are adjusting workouts to suit the individual member every single day. You won’t be singled out: every single person will have their own version of the workout, adjusted for their strength, fitness level, current wellbeing AND any injuries.
- Often, moving can help address the issue. Many back, hip and knee issues (to name just a few) come about as a result of our sedentary lifestyles, and adopting a habit of regular exercise can sometimes tackle the cause of the pain in the first place. Win!
- Worst case scenario, if the injury starts to cause more of a problem, you are always welcome to book in with SCFIT’s very own in-house Physiotherapist Gemma Holmes of Arca Physiotherapy. With physio AND CrossFit coaching experience, over the years Gemma has helped hundreds of members get back to exercise and enjoy working out pain-free for good. Find out more about Arca here.
So… is 30 too late to start CrossFit?
Absolutely not – in fact, it could be the ideal time! So, if you’re reading this and have been on the fence for some time… or perhaps you used to do CrossFit and life has happened (we totally get it! Jobs, kids – it’s a lot to juggle) – this is your sign to just start (or start again!) The time is now, and future-you will thank you. AND – with SCFIT’s new Get Started options, there’s a route for everyone. Book a call to chat to a member of the team!