“Finishing Last” is an editorial series by Christina Crumpecker, MD. Check out Christi’s Featured Athlete profile here. 

Finishing Last: Reasons Why I Can’t Go to CrossFit Today

I’m the girl who spent months stuck in Fundamentals classes. I’m the one who took week-long “breaks” from the gym.

I had every excuse in the book for not making it to CrossFit Memorial Hill for regular classes. And it’s not that I didn’t want to go or didn’t like the place; there just always seemed to be something getting in the way. So I wrote a list of that stuff and made plans for how to address it. That has helped me turn the corner and get myself in to the gym. Maybe you’ll see something familiar here.  Maybe you have something to add. Maybe you’ve never been affected by any of these reasons for not making it to CrossFit, and if so, good for you!

But I think most of us have at least one reason in common for not walking in the door today

5. Yoga Pants

It’s true that a lot of women at CrossFit look like they should be modeling for lululemon (again, that’s hard work right there). I used to hate going anywhere in leggings or yoga pants, even the gym. I could imagine what people are thinking when they saw me from behind. Now I’ve become the person who has family and friends suggesting they put on some “real pants” before heading out to Costco. I still typically wear a long shirt with them because I prefer to cover my assets.

But I’ve learned that at the gym nobody really cares.

Lots of women wear yoga pants or leggings because they are comfortable and easy to work out in, but there is no dress code for CrossFit. I’ve seen everything from sports bras and short-shorts to tutus (side note: be careful on the rowers) to an infamous mullet wig. Pajamas. A Wonder Woman outfit. Basketball shorts. Leg warmers (seriously, who still knows where to find those?). Day-Glo colors. All black. Wear whatever you are comfortable moving in.

Stand out or blend in. Just show up.