Top 5 Reasons I Didn’t Love CrossFit as a Runner and Lifter
CrossFit promises fast results, expert coaching, and a strong global community. Many people are drawn to its constantly varied workouts, the energy of group classes, and the sense of belonging it creates.
I’ve been curious about CrossFit for years, but from the outside, it looked like everyone loved it. CrossFit seems like a tight-knit “tribe” celebrating effort, progress, and results. Everyone appeared motivated and excited to be part of this community.
We all want to belong, right?
So in June, I finally signed up. I expected to be hooked immediately. Hey, everyone who does CrossFit loves it, right? But after more than two months of classes, I realized: I didn’t love it.
Most CrossFitters genuinely describe feeling addicted to CrossFit. So, at first I wondered if something was wrong with me. Was I not giving it enough time or energy? Not social enough? Was I not embracing the right mindset? Or, was I just making excuses??
Ultimately, I decided that CrossFit genuinely wasn’t for me [in this season of life]. And you know what? That’s okay and actually normal. It may not be for you either, and that’s totally fine.
In this article, I’ll share the top five reasons I didn’t love CrossFit and why I chose to return to my regular running and weightlifting routine.
My Fitness Background and Routines
Fitness has always been a part of my life. I run daily and lift four times a week at my local gym. I got into powerlifting 10 years ago and have mastered the main lifts. Generally, I’m not overly competitive, but I’ve run a marathon and a few half marathons. I’ve never been big on fitness classes because I don’t need others to motivate me.
Overall, my fitness is above average. My BMI is healthy, my nutrition is mostly on point, and I feel comfortable in my own skin.
I first encountered CrossFit-style workouts at the police academy, where our fitness instructor, who also owned a CrossFit gym, introduced short, high-intensity routines. These workouts were so efficient that I even repeated some at home, but I had never tried a full CrossFit class.
Why I Tried CrossFit: Searching for Community
I didn’t join CrossFit to get fit or stronger. Instead, I joined to find “my people.” Working from home can be isolating, and I wanted regular social interaction. Since I already work out daily, CrossFit seemed like a natural fit, and there weren’t many other group classes nearby.
I imagined connecting with like-minded people, sharing challenging workouts, and building meaningful friendships. The fitness was secondary.
Turns out I’m not alone in this mentality. Article after article cite the community and camaraderie as a main motivator and reason people love CrossFit and why the organization is so successful.
A Few Notes on My CrossFit Gym
To give context, here’s what my gym looked like:
- The gym had been open for 5 years.
- Two Level 2 CrossFit coaches co-owned the gym, supported by three Level 1 CrossFit coaches.
- The gym didn’t offer on-ramp classes, but they did offer a “FITT” beginner classes (essentially a HITT class without barbell work).
- Space was small, spread across three rooms in an older office-style building.
- Equipment was high quality, but the gym still felt cramped.
- Classes ran Monday through Saturday, with multiple morning, afternoon, and evening options.
- Most members were middle-aged women (40-65+).
- Many athletes didn’t “look” like typical CrossFitters, despite attending for years.
- Most workouts were scaled, and few athletes completed workouts RX.
Top 5 Reasons I Quit CrossFit: What Didn’t Work for Me
Even with all the hype, the reality didn’t meet my expectations.
While many thrive in CrossFit’s high-energy, community-driven environment, I quickly realized it didn’t align with my goals, habits, or personality. Over two months, attending twice a week (17 classes), I noticed patterns that left me frustrated and unfulfilled.
Before the haters comment – I’ll be transparent here: I didn’t go all in. I wanted to test the waters before I committed to the full membership. Twice a week isn’t the “full CrossFit experience.” Still, I was consistent, put in maximum effort each session, and even tried WODs at home to stay on track with major lifts.
At the end of the day, it just wasn’t meeting my needs.
As you read this, remember that not every CrossFit gym is the same. They can vary greatly by location, with different experience levels of trainers, and programming can vary.
Here are my top five reasons why I didn’t love CrossFit, and why I returned to my regular running and lifting routine.
Reason 1: Inefficient Use of My Time
Time efficiency became my biggest frustration with CrossFit. While the main WOD lasts only 15–25 minutes, the total time commitment is much longer, including travel, warm-up, and cool-down.
Here’s an example for a 6:30 a.m. class:
- 6:05 a.m. – Leave my house
- 6:23 a.m. – Arrive at the gym
- 6:32 a.m. – Class would begin, and the instructor would run through the warm-up and workout
- 6:45 a.m. – We’d have finished stretching and start the primer
- 7:10 a.m. – We’d have finished the primer and our main lift for the day.
- 7:12-7:30 a.m. (on average) – We’d do the WOD (Workout of the Day)
- 7:35 a.m. – I’d be done and out the door heading home.
- 7:52 a.m. – I’d be home and walking through my door.
That’s almost 2 hours for roughly ~20 minutes of intense exercise. On top of my daily run, mornings became exhausting. I prefer focused runs and lifting sessions at home. This approach saves time, reduces commuting stress, and maximizes efficiency while targeting my fitness goals.
Reason 2: Misalignment with my Fitness Goals
My primary fitness goals are to get lean, build strength, and improve muscle definition. CrossFit workouts didn’t target specific muscle groups the way I needed to see noticeable progress.
After two months, I didn’t notice significant changes in my body composition. This felt frustrating, especially since I adjusted my diet and reduced alcohol consumption.
Here’s why CrossFit misaligned with my fitness goals:
- Cardio-heavy workouts – Many routines emphasized endurance more than strength, which isn’t ideal for a daily runner.
- Constantly varied programming – It’s not ALL it’s cracked up to be. Rotating major lifts once a week made it hard to track measurable progress.
- Generic scaling and RX weights – Workouts didn’t account for differences in age, body size, or experience. Scaling seemed to involve haphazard guess-work.
When I train solo, I control the weight, reps, and progression. This structure helps me see real results in the areas that matter most to my fitness goals.
Reason 3: I Didn’t Trust [All of] the CrossFit Coaches
Becoming a CrossFit Level 1 (L1) coach is quick, surprisingly straightforward, with minimal commitment or background. It requires attending a two-day course, completing CPR training, and passing a written exam. There are no prerequisites beyond a general knowledge of fitness, and coaches aren’t required to master the lifts themselves.
At my gym, some instructors knew the movements well, but performing a lift and teaching it safely are very different skills.
L1 training covers basic movements, class management, and general scaling, but it does not teach detailed long-term programming like a traditional personal trainer certification.
I noticed inconsistent scaling in workouts and limited guidance for safely progressing to complex lifts such as snatches or thrusters. To lift safely, I often had to ask questions and rely on my own judgment. I felt like a bit of a bother when I had to ask for help. Plus, the way the classes are structured, you don’t have a lot of time to hone in your technique.
Even though my gym had two CrossFit Level 2 (L2) coaches with advanced training in movement analysis and scaling, I still didn’t fully understand (or trust) their programming methodology.
If you consider CrossFit, know that not all coaches have the same depth of training. This can affect safety, progression, and results.
Reason 4: Feeling Like an Outsider in the Community
I joined CrossFit classes hoping to find a supportive community. Instead, I often felt isolated, even surrounded by other members. Cliques, coaches with “favorites,” and limited social interaction made it hard to feel included.
My gym was small but crowded. Most regulars knew each other, and during warm-ups, they would chit chat. Newcomers didn’t seem to fit in easily.
A few times, I sensed that seasoned members grew annoyed as classes became busier, making me feel like I was taking up space. Was this a “me” problem? Maybe. It was possible I was imagining some of this.
Of course, this was my perspective. I had positive interactions and enjoyed seeing familiar faces each week. One lady in particular was kind, and seemed genuinely happy to see me each week. I looked forward to the classes she was in.
Since the gym offered multiple time slots (5:30 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 8:00 a.m., and more), I often didn’t see the same group consistently, which made building connections harder.
Maybe if the gym offered just one morning class that everyone attended, the experience would have felt different.
Reason 5: CrossFit is Expensive for What You get
My CrossFit membership cost $115 per month for two classes per week. Upgrading to unlimited access would have been $160, which is below the average CrossFit membership of $150–$250 per month.
But cost is not just dollars. It is also time, energy, and results. The gym was small and crowded, and some classes had 10 or more people packed into limited space. Even with skilled instructors, it was hard to get the personalized attention you need to progress safely and efficiently.
When I compare it to my local gym, which costs $40 a month, has plenty of space, and flexible hours, it felt like the value just was not there. Between crowded classes and limited coaching access, I realized I was not getting enough for the price.
For anyone considering CrossFit, think beyond the sticker price. Factor in class size, coaching quality, and how well the workouts match your personal goals.
How I Knew It Was Time to Quit CrossFit
I signed up for a three-month CrossFit commitment somewhat arbitrarily. By the end of two months, I was dreading each class. I tracked how I felt before, during, and after workouts and weighed the pros and cons of keeping my membership. This CrossFit experience taught me a lot about what I need from a workout.
I realized I joined CrossFit for several reasons, but I was not getting the benefits I had hoped for.
In the end, the membership cost did not feel justified for my goals and experience.
Conclusion: Fitness Should Fit You
A lot of people love CrossFit, but it did not fit my goals, schedule, or social needs. Inconsistent coaching, crowded classes, and workouts that did not match my fitness objectives showed me that it is okay if CrossFit is not your thing.
You can remain insanely fit, strong, and disciplined by following a routine that fits your lifestyle. Just because you don’t do CrossFit doesn’t mean you’re not an athlete. For me, that means solo lifting and daily running.
The main takeaway is simple: choose a workout you love, not the one everyone else is obsessed with. When fitness matches your goals and personality, it becomes sustainable, rewarding, and actually fun.
Would I try CrossFit again? Possibly, at a different gym. For now, I am happy with my choice and continue to make progress with my new lifting plan.
Need help deciding if CrossFit is right for you? Choosing the right workout can feel overwhelming, but this free checklist makes it simple. Answer a few quick questions to see if CrossFit fits your goals, lifestyle, and preferences. Plus, get two bonus WODs you can try at home or in the gym—small steps to help you feel confident and prepared every workout.
Is CrossFit Right for Me? FAQs
Q: Why Might Someone Not Like CrossFit?
A: CrossFit isn’t for everyone. Some people find the workouts too cardio-heavy, the programming inconsistent, or the classes crowded. Social dynamics, coaching quality, and cost can also impact enjoyment. It’s okay if CrossFit doesn’t fit your goals or personality.
Q: I like running – will CrossFit improve my running?
A: CrossFit includes cardio and conditioning, but some runners find it adds unnecessary fatigue. Your mileage and pace goals might be better served by a running-specific plan. At my gym, they did. a lot of 200M and 400M runs, but nothing greater than a mile except for Hero WODs.
Q: How much does CrossFit cost, and is it worth it?
A: Memberships range $100–$250/month. It can be worth it if the social environment, coaching, and programming match your goals. Otherwise, solo training might be more efficient and cost-effective.
Q: I feel out of place in my CrossFit gym. Is it normal to quit because of culture?
A: Yes. Feeling excluded or uncomfortable is a valid reason to stop. Fitness should make you feel motivated and supported, not anxious or drained.
Q: How do I know if CrossFit is not for me?
A: Pay attention to your goals and feelings. If workouts leave you frustrated, progress is minimal, classes feel unwelcoming, or the cost outweighs benefits, it may not be the right fit.
