CrossFit combined with rigorous adventure therapy and a solid nutrition program is a much-needed change of pace from the traditional “classroom type setting” treatment facility.
The mere mention of CrossFit usually evokes a hard-core monologue about how it’s changed someone’s life. Whether you resist rolling your eyes at the friend who won’t stop gushing about Paleo (the “caveman diet” often adopted by hard core CrossFitters) or you are the friend who now swears by Paleo, the exercise’s increasing popularity is undeniable. The notorious garage gyms are popping up everywhere. But will they soon be a common presence in rehabs for drug and alcohol addiction, too?
Wait, What Is It Again?
Although you’ve most likely heard of it by now, you still might not know exactly what the hell CrossFit actually is. If you think it’s just people with well-defined shoulders pushing big tires around while grunting, there’s actually more to it than that. CrossFit, Inc. describes its regimen as “constantly varied functional movements performed at relatively high intensity…these movements reflect the best aspects of gymnastics, weightlifting, running, rowing and more.” All of this super intensive work is done in relatively short time spans, upholding a pretty solid example of how to work smarter, not harder, and build some serious biceps in the process.
The team work and fellowship aspect comes into play by the community that’s organically created when these folks are lifting all these heavy kettle bells as a group—it’s one of the major reasons they can’t get enough of the workout. The couples/friends/coworkers who essentially train like professional athletes together, stay together. This can also be said for those who are getting sober together, no?
CrossFit Meets Rehab
Of course, physical exercise this rigorous could appear to be a pretty intense challenge for someone in early sobriety. Rock Recovery Center in West Palm Beach, Florida doesn’t think so. In fact, the implementation of CrossFit is an essential component of its treatment program. Each client seeking recovery in the inpatient program has full access to the facility’s CrossFit affiliate, CrossFit First Step. He or she is assigned a trainer who creates an individualized plan and places them in a permanent group to foster peer support throughout the physical challenge. The team at Rock Recovery Center believes CrossFit combined with rigorous adventure therapy and a solid nutrition program is a much-needed change of pace from the traditional “classroom type setting” treatment facility. Read more “the fix”…