WHAT AGE IS "TOO YOUNG" TO START CROSSFIT?
There is never an age too young to start CrossFit. If you want to start teaching your 2-year-old squats, then great. As soon as a child becomes mobile, you can start teaching the basics of movement - pull, push, climb, carry. This all aids in functional movement that you can carry into life. But, in a class group setting, I would start no younger than kindergarten; age 5 and up.
HOW CAN CROSSFIT TRANSLATE INTO ORGANIZED SPORTS?
CrossFit encourages specialization. Once a child becomes well rounded, it's easy to find out what his or her capacity is as an athlete. It teaches you to not get injured and to not burn out.
WHAT IF YOUR CHILD IS NOT AN ATHLETE?
I cannot stress enough how important it is to encourage physical activity for health, even if they do not exhibit a love of organized sports. But, a kid in P.E. is going to be asked to do the same physical things as a more athletically inclined child. If he or she can't climb that rope as high or throw that ball as far, that could have an adverse impact socially and on self-esteem. CrossFit is scalable to every child. Each child may be at a different stage of the same exercise, but they will each sweat and get stronger physically and emotionally.
WHAT ABOUT THE COMMUNITY ASPECT OF CROSSFIT?
Many more classrooms are organizing their desks in circles or groups now. More and more children are no longer 20 sitting with their heads down at their individual desks in a row. Those educators' goal is to create a group mentality. Children are more alert and attentive and participatory. CrossFit is a group activity. It encourages leadership as well as a sense of teamwork. They know that they can be helped and that they are encouraged to help others. If you are finishing behind others, we encourage cheering you on to help you finish. Knowing how to work as a team and the mentality of "no man left behind" translates into success in the workplace and in other relationships.
CAN CROSSFIT BE POTENTIALLY HARMFUL TO LITTLE BODIES?
The kids NEVER carry anything heavier than their school backpack. As was said earlier, exercise routines are scaled to the fitness level of the individual. Emphasis on correct form, as it pertains to avoiding injury and burnout, is a part of the training. *If you have any questions and would like to know more about what we do, please do not hesitate to email us at
contact@crossfithorsepower.com or call us at
(818) 748-6051. Visit us online at
www.crossfithorsepower.com.
