by Dr. Lisa Goodman, DC, CCSP, CACCP
A few weeks ago, a friend of mine and Crossfit Wash Park owner, Ethan Goetz invited me to their Holiday Throwdown. I had recently started treating four of the gym’s members and thought it would be fun to see them workout and learn more about a sport that I had never participated in. I spent over two hours chatting with and watching over 60 athletes (in their festive holiday costumes) squat, row, lunge, press, box jump and otherwise throw weight around the massive space that encompases Crossfit Wash Park. Although my knowledge of crossfit is average, they proved one thing I had always heard to be true: it is a close-knit community. As a relative outsider I was being goaded into joining into the throwdown that minute - lucky for me I didn’t have my training shoes with me!
As a sports chiropractor I have spent years treating Crossfit athletes, while reserving judgement on the sport. As more and more doctors in my profession are getting fitter and stronger with Crossfit, I recently decided that it might be time to embark on a Crossfit journey of my own. I guess you could say I’m a little late getting into the Crossfit arena, the brand was officially established around the year 2000. But seeing as how it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, the timing feels perfect. I’m not new to working out, in fact I’ve been consistently training at a few awesome High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) gyms over the last 5 years. I am thankful for my fitness foundation of Pearl Street Fitness, Fitness Please, Kindness Yoga. They all keep me fit (and playing soccer one night a week). With all of these amazing coaches and trainers in my life, I am ready to add a new fitness experience.
Last week, I met with Ethan and we talked through the ins and outs of crossfit, so I could be fully prepared for what I’m getting myself into. Perhaps my favorite thing was when he said “it’s not new, Crossfit is simply strength and conditioning. The reason that Crossfit is so good for so many people is because lifting heavy weight properly makes them better at almost everything else they do”. Ethan also mentioned to me that the complex movements in some of the lifts have been shown to connect pathways in the brain, which is always a good idea if you ask me! He also took me through the balance between technique and intensity. It is most important to have good technique when doing the lifts, but eventually, he told me, you have to increase the intensity to make changes in your strength and your body. In fact, I also love when he told me that one of the main reasons people lift weights is to “look good naked”. I mean, who doesn’t want that? What makes the most sense to me about doing classic weight lifting is that it is functional. As a chiropractor, being strong is a necessity, the stronger, the better.
So what’s next? I am committing to two months at Crossfit Wash Park - following Ethan’s coaching and advice. I was going to wait to start until the Fundamentals class on Saturday, January 9, but I was to excited. I completed my first WOD today. I will still be going to the Fundamentals class on January 9, if you are curious about Crossfit, please consider joining me. Email me at lgoodman@washparkchiro.com if you’re thinking about it!
Next Blog will summarize my first week of Crossfit. A little teaser....today was lots of rowing (pretty cool as I am a former college rower!) and got to be upside-down several times doing 'wall climbs'. The group I worked out with was really fun and very excited to see me participate in my first WOD. Stay tuned....
Lisa Goodman, DC, CCSP, CACCP is a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) and Certified Prenatal and Pediatric Chiropractor (CACCP). She is a CrossFit L1 and CrossFit Kids Certified Trainer. Dr. Goodman founded Washington Park Chiropractic in 2006 in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Goodman incorporates sports chiropractic techniques with prenatal and pediatric patients, she teaches mobility and taping classes locally, and is a contributor to POPSUGAR, Urban Life Wash Park and DC Aligned. She is a committee member on the boards of the ACA Pediatrics Council and the ACA Sports Council. Areas of special interest include prenatal care, ankle and wrist injuries, instrument assisted soft tissue techniques, strength training, and pediatric fitness. Stay connected with Dr. Goodman on Instagram @washparkchiro or @lisakgoodman