Besides the WOD, I now also know the meaning of AMRAP, MetCon, EMOM. You know what? I found a new passion – Crossfit.
The initial purpose of me walking into the Crossfit box was to find out if the program could help me lose 20+ kilos of body fat and to finally get in shape. Before that I have been pretty active in the gym by lifting weights the traditional way, but extremely bored by it.
I thought about getting into Karate or doing something new, something that had variety, technically challenging movements with combination of strengths and mobility. Man did I hit a jackpot.
I found CrossFit Sport in my hometown – in Iceland.
From day one I was fascinated with the its concept. The variety is here, powerlifting is here, gymnastics and technical work is here, Olympic lifting and I could go on. I have been lifting weights and doing aerobic work since 1986, but what was this Crossfit stuff? I loved it!
Fifteen months later I am 21 kilos lighter, lifting weights I could only dream of, doing unsupported pull-ups, running miles and in the best shape I have been since 1992 – then being 21 years old. This what the program at Crossfit did to me. I also got to know new people with the same passion. Yes, passion. Never in my life I have done such a sport where people not only had a common passion but sincerely wanted you to do well and improve in what you are doing.
I got to know people that have been doing Crossfit for almost 10 years and they were all explaining and helping me in achieving my goals. The people of CrossFit Sport are special and I am convinced that a high percentage of Crossfitters in general are good people that have common personality traits.
As I got to know the sport better I began to learn about the people that belong to the Elite group of Crossfiters. The individuals that are beyond my comprehension in strength, stamina and mobility. What a fantastic bunch of athletes.
I also learned that high percentage of the Elite athletes also come from my home country of Iceland.
I did some research, watched all the past Regionals, read articles and did a study. I found out that this was not only a feeling but a fact.
So I began to think and wonder why the Icelandic boxes are producing such high percentage of Elite Crossfiters. To those who follow Crossfit know what I am talking about. You have seen them. Out of tens of thousand of athletes, all in brilliant condition, competing for a spot at the CrossFit Games, a total four out of five women qualifiers were from Iceland. Three of them also finished on the podium at 2015 CrossFit Games.
My gym CrossFit Sport won the team competition last year in Europe.
As I studied this fact I realized that this was huge accomplishment.
I wish I could end my words with a conclusion that explains why Iceland Crossfitters rule the north. I do have some ideas but no answers.
Here is what I think:
Passion:
The passion that I felt as I personally started doing Crossfit is in many ways extreme, in cohesion with the country of ice and fire. Icelandic Crossfitters are passionate about the sport.
Innovators:
The Boxes have been around for along time, because Icelanders are in general innovators in marketing terms. They do things like Crossfit with style.
Genes:
The genes and the heritage of strong people coming from Iceland is a fact.
Sincere people:
To me there is a common personality trait among the people in the Iceland CrossFit boxes. Annie Thorisdottir is a fantastic ambassador, she is humble, she is kind and she cares for others.
I am proud of my people and I am looking forward to see them compete against other fantastic elite Crossfiters from all over the world.
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