Should I Sleep or Workout?

Is your body just asking for you to hit the snooze button each day, or maybe you’re never feeling like you’re fully rested? It might be time to consider sleeping in a couple days over working out if we are truly sleep deprived. Here’s the low-down on how sleep could be affecting your body composition. […]

Is Personal Training for Me?

Though CrossFit training is typically delivered in a group setting, many beginners and even seasoned veterans begin to wonder is personal training for me? Carl Marella, NCSF-Certified Personal Trainer and CrossFit Level 1 Coach at CrossFit Des Plaines shares some of the benefits of working with him in a personal training session: ♦ Personal training […]

Returning to Fitness

We’ve all been there before: we’ve had to take a break and eventually make a return back to fitness. Even trainers, coaches, and the most elite athletes–encounter breaks in their regular fitness routine. For some, making that return is fairly seamless, and they can dial it back in with the least amount of physical, mental […]

What’s a good warm up?

We often wonder “what’s a good warm up?” when we’re finally committed that one hour of time in our day to get moving. Sometimes, it might be hard to even start working out because you are already perplexed with this idea of “warming up” to prepare for movement such as lifting weights or some sort […]

Just Move… More!

Last week, CrossFit Des Plaines kicked off the 6-week challenge program, “Just Move”, a class designed for CrossFit beginners and those who are simply looking to Just Move! Challengers receive an initial orientation to get to know their coaches, take initial measurements, and complete a mini workout to get a feel for what CrossFit training […]

The 2019 CrossFit Open

Over 60 of our members had taken part in the 2019 CrossFit Open this year! Between judges, participants, and coaches alike, all bringing the heat, week after week. The week right after the Open is a great time to reflect on what this last year of fitness has allowed you to improve on and achieve, […]

Is CrossFit for Beginners?

Is CrossFit for beginners? Sometimes walking into a CrossFit gym for the first time might be incredibly confusing, overwhelming or downright unappealing. Many CrossFit gyms (also known as “boxes”) don’t always carry the pristine, appearance of a LifeTime fitness, nor do they have the shiny price tag of $10/mo. that Planet Fitness does. However, CrossFit […]

Will I get hurt doing CrossFit?

It can be intimidating to take a step into a CrossFit “box” or watch the “CrossFit Games” on TV and quickly assume that your level of fitness is not up to par, or may not measure up to the type of training CrossFitters do. However, often times, what we might not realize is that CrossFit […]

Should my children do CrossFit?

It can be intimidating for even an adult to walk into a CrossFit gym and think that this training methodology would be a good fit for their daily exercise routine. However, many seem to realize early on that CrossFit can be for anyone, and that also includes our kids! No, your kids won’t be throwing […]

Should I Change My Nutrition for Competition?

We receive a few questions from time to time about whether or not an individual should change their nutrition for competition or game day. The answer is not truly cut and dry, and can vary! Here are some simple guidelines for whether or not to adapt, and how to adapt nutritional intake for the purpose […]