--- title: Why I CrossFit as a PT description: As a Physical Therapist and a long time CrossFit athlete and coach, here is why it's my fitness of choice. image: https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/hubfs/240801RPPT170.jpg --- [![refined performance logo-1](https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/refined%20performance%20logo-1.webp?width=1539&height=373&name=refined%20performance%20logo-1.webp "refined performance logo-1")](https://refinedwellnesspt.com) # Refined Performance # Refined Performance This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. - [Blog](https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/refined-blog) - [FREE CONSULT](https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/contact-old) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. # Why CrossFit is My Top Fitness Choice as a Physical Therapist by [Dr. Gabrielle Perea, PT, DPT](https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/refined-blog/author/dr-gabrielle-perea-pt-dpt)   |   Aug 29, 2024   There are all kinds of opinions out there about CrossFit, and I’m sure you’ve heard a few yourself: “it puts people at risk of injury,” “it is unsafe,” “they don’t do real pull-ups!” As a Physical Therapist and a long time CrossFit athlete and coach, here are a few reasons that it continues to be my chosen fitness modality. 1. The opportunity to build strength and aerobic capacity, all in one place. CrossFit combines weightlifting and aerobic intensity in a way that allows its participants to consistently improve in both strength and endurance capacity. Most CrossFit gyms program both a strength component and a “metcon” (metabolic conditioning) in one hour, ensuring that athletes get the most possible out of their workout. CrossFit combines olympic lifting, powerlifting, gymnastics, plyometrics, and aerobic conditioning all into one workout, creating well-rounded workouts that are designed to prepare you for whatever life throws at you.  2. The emphasis on functional movement. Everyone at any age and any skill level should have some capacity to squat, deadlift, push and pull. Whether that is with a barbell or kettlebell, in a pull-up or a ring row, CrossFit emphasizes these movement patterns that promote athleticism and resilience. CrossFit prioritizes resistance training in a fun way (no more 3 sets of 10). Resistance training is vital for building lean mass, improving bone density, and helping us stay active as we age. If done correctly and with appropriate loads, all exercises performed in a CrossFit gym are safe and will help develop your overall fitness.   3. There is always room for improvement. Even CrossFitters who have been involved in the sport for years on end have the continued ability to improve. CrossFit will show you your weaknesses but also give you the tools to work towards making them your strengths. Whether you want to do your first pull-up or your first muscle-up, deadlift 100lb or 500lb, everyone in the gym is working towards their own individual goals, together! 4. It is for everyone. CrossFit coaches receive training and have the knowledge to scale any workout to any ability level, age, or fitness background. Whether you are just starting your fitness journey, are a retired athlete, or have been CrossFitting for years on end, each workout can be altered to fit anyone. Don’t let the heavy barbells or gymnastics skills scare you- everyone starts somewhere! 5. The best part of CrossFit really is the community. I’ve met my best friends in a CrossFit gym, people that have grown to be huge parts of my life. I know people who’ve met their husbands or wives at the gym, who’ve gotten jobs because of connections they’ve made through CrossFit, and more. If you want to be surrounded by a group of encouraging, kind, motivating, supportive people, I say with confidence that you’ll be able to find this at any CrossFit gym. There’s just something special about getting through a tough WOD that really brings people together.  Are you experiencing pain that is limiting you in the gym? Our team of expert PT’s are here to help not only get you out of pain, but address the root cause so that you can keep doing what you want to do without restrictions. [Schedule a call with our team today](https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/contact-old) - - - - #### About the author Dr. Gabrielle Perea, PT, DPT ### Related posts [Sync Your Workouts with Your Menstrual Cycle for Optimal Performance](https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/refined-blog/should-you-cycle-sync-your-workouts) [See a Pelvic Floor PT Before 6 Weeks Postpartum for Better Recovery](https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/refined-blog/why-you-can-and-should-see-a-pelvic-floor-pt-before-6-weeks-postpartum) [Why CrossFit is My Top Fitness Choice as a Physical Therapist](https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/refined-blog/why-i-crossfit-as-a-pt) [Debunking the Myth: Pain Doesn't Always Mean Tissue Damage](https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/refined-blog/myth-1-pain-tissue-damage) [Why Performance Physical Therapy Outshines Traditional Methods](https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/refined-blog/not-all-physical-therapy-is-created-equal) [![Untitled design (32)](https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(32).png?width=1539&height=373&name=Untitled%20design%20(32).png "Untitled design (32)")](https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/) - [ABOUT](https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/our-team) - [OUR TEAM](https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/our-team) - [SERVICES](https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/our-services) ## **Subscribe to our newsletter** - [ABOUT](https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/our-team) - [OUR TEAM](https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/our-team) - [SERVICES](https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/our-services) ** Visit Us:** 14 Spencer Street Stoneham, MA **Call Us:** (617) 398-0007 14 Spencer Street, Stoneham MA (617) 398-0007 ![Screenshot 2026-03-31 at 4.36.19 PM](https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-03-31%20at%204.36.19%20PM.png?width=990&height=964&name=Screenshot%202026-03-31%20at%204.36.19%20PM.png "Screenshot 2026-03-31 at 4.36.19 PM") © 2026 Refined Performance  |  [Privacy Policy](https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/privacy-policy-terms) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Dr. Gabrielle Perea, PT, DPT", "url" : "https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/refined-blog/author/dr-gabrielle-perea-pt-dpt" }, "dateModified" : "2025-11-14T12:22:21.321Z", "datePublished" : "2024-08-29T17:43:52.000Z", "headline" : "Why I CrossFit as a PT", "image" : [ "https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/hubfs/240801RPPT170.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/refined-blog/why-i-crossfit-as-a-pt", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.refinedwellnesspt.com/hubfs/refined%20performance%20logo-1.webp" }, "name" : "Refined Performance" } } ```