March 8th marks International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and acknowledge the work that still needs to be done to achieve gender equality. This year’s theme, “Embrace Equality”, reminds us that equity isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have. A focus on gender equity needs to be part of every society’s DNA, and it’s critical to understand the difference between equity and equality.
For decades, women have been breaking barriers and challenging norms in every field, and the world of fitness is no exception. While CrossFit was initially dominated by men, women have been making their mark in the sport and breaking stereotypes along the way. CrossFit is a symbol of strength, perseverance, and discipline; characteristics also shared by our amazing female athletes that call CrossFit Raven their second home.
The women of CrossFit Raven love the boost in confidence and self-esteem that CrossFit training provides. Our workouts focus on performance and measuring progress in terms of strength, and endurance, not aesthetics. Women who train in CrossFit often report feeling more resilient, confident, and better equipped to handle challenges in their lives outside of the box. Seeing our CrossFit athletes feel empowered and proud after every workout is one of the most rewarding parts of being a part of the CrossFit Raven team.
Women have also made their mark as coaches and trainers in CrossFit, and here at CrossFit Raven, we are proud to have some of the best CrossFit coaches training our athletes. Female coaches have taken on leadership roles in CrossFit gyms around the world, inspiring and motivating athletes of all ages and abilities to achieve their fitness goals. In doing so, they have helped to create a supportive and inclusive community that welcomes people from all walks of life.
One of our amazing coaches you’ll have the pleasure of meeting when you visit our box is Emily Townsend, coach and owner of CrossFit Raven. Emily has 4 years of CrossFit coaching experience and 10 years in the fitness industry as a personal trainer under her belt. She is also an experienced CrossFit competitor herself, having competed in the 2019 and 2020 Australian CrossFit Championship (Individual) and 2019 Downunder CrossFit Championship (Individual).
Emily says “CrossFit has completely changed my life in the most incredible way possible. Growing up I was always active and was involved in lots of different sports, but nothing ever captured me and drove me as much as CrossFit. After completing my first CrossFit class in 2016, I knew it had lit a fire within me. There is nothing quite like walking into your CrossFit Box and being challenged every single day to be the best you can be, not only physically, but mentally. CrossFit is more than going to the gym and doing a workout, it’s a community. The support, and camaraderie is, I believe, like no other in the fitness world.”
From the start, CrossFit has looked to transform the sports landscape with its emphasis on gender equity. Looking at the CrossFit Games alone, the same number of women are invited to the CrossFit Games as men. Women are awarded the same amount of prize money as their male counterparts. Women compete in the same types of events as the men. And women are breaking all-time records for both divisions. Despite the progress made in the sport of CrossFit, there is still work to be done to achieve gender equality. Women often face sexism and bias in sports, and CrossFit is no exception. Female athletes have been subjected to comments about their appearance and questioned about their abilities compared to men. However, women in CrossFit are choosing to challenge these stereotypes and push for change.
International Women’s Day 2023 is a reminder that we must continue to strive for gender equality in all areas of life, including sports like CrossFit. By supporting and empowering women in athletics, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society for all. So, let’s celebrate the women of CrossFit and all the amazing things they are doing, and let’s continue to choose to challenge gender bias and inequality wherever we see it.
So here’s to all the women who are crushing their CrossFit workouts and pushing their limits every day! Keep up the great work and inspire others to join you on your fitness journey, and happy International Women’s Day!
