Embrace the Suck What I learned at the box abou

Withirreverence,humor,andsoul-touchingcandor,theformereditorofBicyclingmagazineexplorestheCrossFitphenomenon,thefitnessrevolutionsweepingAmerica,chroniclinghisexperience"insidethebox"andhowhegotintothebestshapeofhislife.LifelongamateurathleteStephenMaddendecidedtoputhimselftothetest,physicallyandmentally,byimmersinghimselfintheculture,diet,andpsycheofCrossFit—thefast-growingbutcontroversialfitnessregimethat'sastripped-downcombinationofhighintensityaerobicactivity,weightlifting,calisthenics,andgymnasticspracticedbymorethantwomillionathletesworldwide.Butwhat'scrazier?Thefactthatsuchagruelingregimen—inwhichpukingandmusclebreakdownsduringworkoutsarecommon—issopopular,orthatpeoplepaygoodmoneytodoit?InEmbracetheSuck,MaddenchroniclestheyearhedevotedtomasteringallofthebasicCrossfitexerciseslikedoubleunders,muscleupsandkippingpullups,andimmersinghimselfinthePaleodietthatstripsweightfromitsfollowersbutleavesthemfantasizingaboutloavesofbread.Throughout,heexploresthecultureofthesport,visitinggyms(boxes)aroundthecountry,becomingaCrossFitcoach,andconfrontingsomebasicquestionsabouthimself,hispastandathleticlimitations—andwhysomethingsodifficultandpunishingcanbeatoncebeautiful,funny,andrewarding.