What CrossFit Has Done for Women

In years past, our society created examples of what a beautiful woman should look like. And through the years women have tried to live up to those images. But more recently, and as I have had the privilege to train women, I have seen a change in how women regard themselves to those images. As I see women train in CrossFit daily and watch them grow, progress, become stronger, and more passionate about advancing in their fitness, I see these women accept who they are and relish in the fact that they are strong, and that they love to be athletic and fit. CrossFit did that!!! Most of these women never picked up a barbell before and believed that they would never be able to perform a pullup, not to mention some of the other remarkable things they have accomplished. Most of them never thought in a millions years that they would be in some type of competition, or road race, or obstacle course race. They never thought they would be so compelled to participate in something so challenging and athletic. Yes, they want to look their best, but CrossFit has helped them realize actually what that best is…not the images of what society once believed was healthy and beautiful. CrossFit made these women believe they belong, there is a place for them, that they are great just the way they are, and that being fit is the outcome of training consistently, healthy nutrition, and not a number on a scale or a dress size.

Through CrossFit and striving to be their best, these women have developed confidence which has transferred over into other aspects of their lives. These women are strong inside due to the perseverance and drive that is required to be a CrossFitter, and ultimately it has enhanced there overall image – to themselves and to the world. Over the next month we will be celebrating these women. We start with the upcoming National Competition Girls Gone Rx. This will be our 3rd time hosting this event at CrossFit Sanctuary in order to raise money to fight Breast Cancer through Compete For a Cure. Women from all over the NY Metro area will be at our Box competing for their crown of GGRX!!! And on the morning of November 11th, we will be having our Barbell for Boobs event where each member will have a chance to do “Grace” and/or donate money again to fight Breast Cancer. The fun doesn’t stop there, later that evening we will once again be hosting the WODmother – a friendly Box competition for women/mom’s of certain age, once again to come together for some fun and to raise awareness and money toward fight against Breast Cancer. Throughout the next month or so, we will be taking many opportunities to highlight our women and letting the world know how Beautiful and Strong they are!!!

She just wants to be beautiful
She goes unnoticed, she knows no limits
She craves attention, she praises an image
She prays to be sculpted by the sculptor
Oh, she don't see the light that's shining
Deeper than the eyes can find it
Maybe we have made her blind
So she tries to cover up her pain and cut her woes away
'Cause cover girls don't cry after their face is made

But there's a hope that's waiting for you in the dark
You should know you're beautiful just the way you are
And you don't have to change a thing, the world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we're stars and we're beautiful
Oh-oh, oh-oh
And you don't have to change a thing, the world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful, we're stars and we're beautiful

-Alessia Cara