First by Rich Froning

 

Read First Chapter Here

 

Physical Strength Can Only Take You So Far

Reigning CrossFit World Champion Rich Froning is “The Fittest Man on Earth.” He’s fast. He’s strong. And he’s incredibly disciplined. But it takes more than physical strength to compete and win at an elite level. It takes incredible mental and spiritual toughness as well. And it is the precise balance of all three that makes Rich Froning a champion.

In First, readers come alongside Rich as he trains for and competes in back-to-back-to-back CrossFit World Championships. Along the way, Rich shares invaluable training tips, motivational techniques, and spiritual insights that, in keeping with the CrossFit philosophy, will prepare you to respond to any real-life physical, mental and spiritual challenge.

First by Rich Froning was an inspiring and interesting book that really helped me to understand more about CrossFit, Rich's life, and his faith. The book was well written, and it clearly portrayed Rich's life as a child, his introduction to CrossFit, his first competition, and his discovery and growth in a relationship with Jesus after that point. Rich shows with great conviction and personal examples the importance of living, competing, and working for God's glory alone as well as learning how to be open and vocal about one's faith even when you feel uncomfortable or nervous about doing it. First also includes the insider look into the CrossFit games, the other famous CrossFit athletes, and owning and running a CrossFit affiliated gym. Before reading this book I was not sure what I thought of CrossFit. I have friends who are dedicated CrossFitters, I watched the 2013 CrossFit Games, and I was vaguely familiar with many of the exercises used. Even so, I was kind of doubtful of the safety and purpose of CrossFit as a whole. After reading this book I have a much better understanding of the history and purpose of CrossFit, how it can be beneficial to many people, and the safety that is enforced behind the scenes. While I still wonder about many of the workouts, I do think the exercises themselves are safe, and I was glad to see from Rich's book how CrossFit has helped so many people in many different ways. First also included a list of traditional and Hero CrossFit workouts and what they entail as well as short descriptions of Olympic lifting and CrossFit exercise terms.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I liked learning more about a guy that I really admire as an athlete and a believer, and I found the new information I read about CrossFit from an insider's perspective to be very beneficial. Who knows, maybe once I get through college I will join a CrossFit affiliate now...