You don't need to have a lot to start, in fact it might be better if you don't...

There is a bit of a misconception that to get fit and healthy you need access to lots of equipment or a membership to a massive gym and that just isn't true. We don't even need a lot of space,1.5 meter squared of space and we can not just get started but we can get you fit. Yes I will admit that if you have a specific goal around your physique or a specific type of exercise then yes we will need access to certain spaces and equipment. If your goal is to start on your health and fitness journey in a cheap and effective way though it could be as simple as getting onto Youtube and doing one of the many workouts on Joe Wicks' Channel or starting off with an intro video on Yoga with Adrienne.

The point here is this though, over the years we have done things like glorify the Bench Press but neglect the humble yet effective Press Up. We have glorified a heavy back squat but neglected the mechanics of the full depth bodyweight squat. In fact there is no argument that starting off with those basics is fundamental to long term success. Want to Snatch a heavy load? You had better have a fundamentally fantastic squat. Want to be great at high volume pressing? There is no better place to start than with press ups and piked press ups. Speaking from personal experience, I was just thrown a barbell and told to power clean it, it has taken years for me to break the bad habits not being taught properly created. Would I have been frustrated when my crew mates were lifting heavy whilst I was nailing my technique with a PVC pipe? Yes. Would I have been a better athlete in the short, medium and long term if I had? without a doubt! In the words of the CrossFit Charter, Technique, Consistency and then Intensity.

Essentially If you goal is health and fitness whatever you have can be adapted to make it effective. Don't have a box for example, let's do step ups, tricep dips and incline or decline press ups on a chair. If anything, when you are starting out less is more! No need to get confused with how to use different pieces of equipment to isolate muscles or try and go over the top in the squat rack straight off, you can do that later if you want to. Arguably the challenge and therefore skill of top CrossFit coaches is like no other because of their ability to scale any movement and any activity to fit either the environment they are working in or the current fitness level of an individually (something to continually work on!).

The most important thing from my perspective is that if you are worried about not having flashy equipment or the time to travel to a gym then those worries can be easily overcome. Like I said, you don't need a coach to start, there are loads of free resources out there but if you need help then as coaches we adapt to your goals and your environment to develop a programme that is going to work and build your fundamentals with whatever there is at our disposal. Every person and every situation is unique, we just need to be creative and open minded in our approach. There is after all no one size fits all when it comes to your health and fitness.

Thanks for reading, let me know what you think and why not try the below workout in your living room if you want to get a sweat on!

5 rounds of 45 seconds on 15 seconds off

Min 1: Squats (Or Squat Jumps)

Min 2: Press Ups (Scaled on the knees if needed)

Min 3: Lunges (Or Jumping Lunges)

Min 4: Butterfly Sit Ups

Andy