Ying Li

Name: Ying Li

Age: 29

Hometown:  Urumqi, Xinjiang, China

How long have you been CrossFitting? Six months since I picked it back up and one month right before COVID curfew in Cayman.

What is your favorite WOD/Exercise?  Anything but running… Would be muscle ups when I could do an actual one! (and thanks for support from the coaches allowing me to fake one for my pic!)

What is your least favorite WOD/Exercise? If I didn’t make my point clear, I really don’t like running.  The further you run in one direction…the further you have to run back again…

What is your previous workout/athletic background? Not a lot.  Back home I used to swim in summer and ski in winter.  At school my goal was simply to ensure I was  the second most unfit person in my class and not the first.  Being first would have been an athletic over achievement.  I never thought I could do workouts almost every weekday like now.  If you are looking for a typical nerd, look no further.

What was your first experience at CrossFit Cayman like?  My back and neck hurt a lot so I decided that I had to do some proper exercise.   My boyfriend convinced me to have a try at CrossFit.  Guess who is still doing it while the other is having a “long break” with back and neck pain? 

What results have you seen since CrossFitting? Everything has improved.   I can see my body shape getting better.  I can do push ups rather than not even 20s plank hold.  I can swim longer before I have to breathe.  Most useful thing is probably getting groceries home without putting everything down to have a rest…of course, back and neck don’t hurt any more!  

What do you do to get yourself through a tough workout (mental thoughts, tips and tricks, etc.)? Still trying to be the second last person.

What's your favorite aspect about working out at CrossFit Cayman? Everyone is so friendly and supportive, it helps for a tough workout (especially running).  Coaches are so good that they always give helpful instructions throughout the workout to help you become stronger as well as avoid any injury.

What advice do you have for someone thinking about joining CrossFit Cayman? Please have a try. It helps you stay away from back and neck pain!