I first discovered CrossFit in 2006 when a buddy of mine, one of my karate students, invited me to his (globo) gym where he proceeded to punish me for 30 minutes. I was hooked, right then and there. I started reading everything I could, joined the CrossFit.com forums, and even wandered outside the ranks to learn about other CrossFit-inspired modalities (Gym Jones as an example). I sought out some private instruction from a kettlebell and CF Level 1 trainer who shortly thereafter opened the first affiliate box in town. I signed up and trained there for a year, loving every minute of it. I invited friend and after friend, some of whom signed on and are still living the lifestyle today. Needless to say, I’ve always been stoked on my early experiences with the community.

For a variety of reasons, primarily financial, I left the gym and started doing modified WODs in my garage with limited equipment. My then-wife and our roommate joined me and we had a strong year of training together. My roommate moved out, and in one of the motivation lulls I’d hit, my ex-wife and I stopped training. I continued my karate practice, and would attempt a WOD every once in awhile, but it wasn’t the same. Sometime in 2009, after several months away from regular CrossFit effort, I bought a new barbell and plates (iron), dusted off my kettlebells, built a pull-up bar and some plyometric gear, and started working my way back into a regular practice.

Fast forward to now. I’ve been training solo, regularly, for nearly 2 years. With all that time under my belt in both group and solo settings, I am convinced that one of the major factors in CrossFit’s success is the preference for group-based training. You’re competing with just yourself in a solo scenario, but having 5, 10, 15 athletes next to you - pushing, inspring, testing you - progress will be made further and faster and with a higher level of virtuosity. 

I registered for this year’s CrossFit Games, wanting not necessarily to compete, but to officially put my name to a number. I want to see it even though it will be way down the list. I know I have weaknesses, and now I want to own them. As a solo-athlete, signing up for the games offers me another level of motivation to work harder, to fight for that next rep, round, PR. I want to get better. I believe I’ve reached my potential as a solo-athlete but I know I can improve with a community capable of holding me accountable - good form, hard effort, do it again.

I have a lot of love for those folks who train by themselves. For those of you in that category, here are some thoughts I’ve got from my own experience:

1. Make heavy use of the CrossFit website, the forums, and the Journal. There is a wealth of information available that’s inexpensive or free.
2. Post your results. If you follow the WOD from the HQ website, look at what others are posting so you can compare your results to the rest of the community. If not there, use a tool like BeyondTheWhiteboard.com (I have my opinions on that website, but it’s one of the few available and they’ve made the best attempt that I’ve seen so far).
3. Seek education. If you can swing it, take a certification course. If not, read freely available notes and blog posts from other athletes. The internet is your friend if you haven’t already picked up on the theme.
4. When you lose motivation, take a step back and examine why that might be. Are you training too much? Nutrition and sleep in check? Shit, it could just be that you’re bored. In that case, go drop a few bucks on 4 or 5 sessions at a local affiliate. You’ll make some new friends and the group effort will help inspire you to keep after it. 
5. Don’t be afraid to take a break. Spend a week or two learning a new sport, a new activity, something that doesn’t taste like CrossFit. Those of us that aren’t locked into the Sport-of-CrossFit should recognize that CrossFit’s primary aim is to make us better at the rest of life - so go live a little.
6. Talk a friend (or 2) into training with you. If you’re both new, learn together. Compete against each other. Whoever wins buys the next round, programs the next WOD, whatever. It’s incredible how different the intesity of a given workout can be when there is someone watching and/or competing against you.

For myself, it’s time to raise the bar. I’ll likely head back to a local affiliate (there are 4 in town now) and train with a group a couple times per week in addition to my solo efforts (contracts suck). In addition, I’m taking the Level 1 certification course in a few weeks. My sights are set on new goals and training solo won’t get me there. Perhaps other athletes who train on their own don’t share my experience. I find inspiration in training with others and will actively seek that out.

I’d dig hearing from other solo athletes out there. What motivates you? What parts of training solo do you struggle with and what steps do you take to overcome those difficulties?

DGF!

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