Love and crossfit, perfect match?

“My wife left me because I was apparently obsessed by crossfit. I don’t understand, we have been together for 5 opens »

This funny sentence said by Crossfit Gigean made all of us smile and with good reason! However, people going through this tough situation have less fun!

When Crossfit or another activity takes too much space in someone’s life, there is no more (or only a little bit) space for the relationship. Little arguments start when the other one feels neglected, which can lead to bigger rows and to a final break-up.

For Anthony, Crossfit was not a deal breaker but an escape to forget his relationship’s issues : 

« I think when we are really in love, we want to spend time with the person even if there is another passion out of the relationship. After a bit of time, the routine settles down and trainings become more intense. Going to boxing was a way for me to keep on being independent, to have my group of friends and to feel free for few hours…”

On the contrary, for Manon Laurent, sharing the same passion has never been a source of conflict: “Crossfit has been a matter of agreement as any other sport we tried before that. Weekly training together has always been a habit in our relationship. That has never been a bone of contention, on the contrary! When someone was a bit demotivated, the other one was there to motivate him/her again. If one of us sometimes decided not to go to boxing, that was never a source of conflict. Each of us lived his passion the way he wanted it, as long as our relationship’s balance was not in jeopardy. I think it was easy for us as we met in a sportive environment and sport is one of our relationship’s pillars. Training was as natural and normal as watching series together for other couples every evening…the question: You are gonna train again tonight ?! has never been pronounced!”

On the contrary, for Manon Laurent, sharing the same passion has never been a source of conflict:

“Crossfit has been a matter of agreement as any other sport we tried before that. Weekly training together has always been a habit in our relationship. That has never been a matter of contention, on the contrary! When someone was a bit demotivated, the other one was there to motivate him/her again. If one of us sometimes decided not to go to boxing, that was never a source of conflict. Each of us lived his passion the way he wanted it, as long as our relationship’s balance was not in jeopardy. I think it was easy for us as we met in a sportive environment and sport is one of our relationship’s pillars. Training was as natural and normal as watching series together for other couples every evening…the question: You are gonna train again tonight ?! has never been pronounced!”

Even if for Manon, the said question was never asked, she admits that Crossfit sometimes took over: “I never thought we spent too much time at boxing. However, I admit I have always been more extreme when I started to be passionate about an activity. I sometimes refused a long romantic weekend as it was impossible to train for few days. Stepping back, I realize that it was a bit too much and that solutions could have been found. I think in any couple, if one thinks the other spends too much time training, talking and trying to find solutions is what needs to be done. Trying to avoid the NO no matter what the other one asks is important. »

According to this sportive lady, it is totally possible to combine a lot of training hours and a fulfilled love life: “I think we need to match our training hours. Going together to the gym is already more pleasant than to see each other in the hall while one is getting home and the other is dashing off to Crossfit alone. Spending time together during the travel to the gym is already a relationship moment.” Another solution found is to plan in advance: “That can be interesting to be on the same page for the training week coming, see which days are better for wods, together or not. It prevents surprise and potential blames if we agreed before on it.”