CrossFit, will it be worth it?

I checked out a local CrossFit gym yesterday, Looks like I can endure the workouts and it will be a change of pace....but the Price is pretty penny :)...is it worth it, I think I might try for 30 days? Whatcha Think?
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Replies

  • AJ_G
    AJ_G Posts: 4,158 Member
    Depends on your goals, if all goes well, crossfit has the potential to get you in really good shape, but I think the crossfit methods are stupid and dangerous. Crossfit has it's followers completing heavy technical lifts in high rep ranges, then fatiguing their muscles and continuing the lifts while compromising form. This is a recipe for injury, plain and simple. There are other, much better ways to get in really good shape that I would consider before ever doing crossfit, but that is just me. Give it a try if you'd like, just be careful.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    I checked out a local CrossFit gym yesterday, Looks like I can endure the workouts and it will be a change of pace....but the Price is pretty penny :)...is it worth it, I think I might try for 30 days? Whatcha Think?
    I was thinking of trying it for a month, just to see what's up. I really don't see how the $150 makes any sense though.
  • AprilKill
    AprilKill Posts: 47 Member
    At my Location, its unlimited for 100 bucks or 3 times a week its $75 for a month.
  • gail200186
    gail200186 Posts: 59 Member
    I used to do bootcamp and I absolutely loved it!! Pretty expensive though, but if you are willing to go 4-5 times a week, I think its worth it. I saw awesome results. I really wish I could go now, but I just moved to a new city and I can't afford it right now :(
  • gail200186
    gail200186 Posts: 59 Member
    I'd do the unlimited BTW
  • BattleTaxi
    BattleTaxi Posts: 752 Member
    Before you sign up for anything, check Living Social and Groupon for new customer deals! I found a coupon that way for a local "boot camp" type thing - 90 days unlimited for $60 bucks, would normally be 500+ !!

    I just searched for fitness stuff in my area I think when I looked. Or I used key words like "boot camp" "Cross fit" etc
  • JNick77
    JNick77 Posts: 3,783 Member
    CF is definitely pricey and it definitely depends on your goals. If your training goals include developing into some kind of endurance athlete then yeah, CF is good. Or, some people simply like training that way. If your goals are just to get stronger and manage bodyfat, then get a membership to a good gym with plenty of free weights and cardio equipment.
  • micheleb15
    micheleb15 Posts: 1,418 Member
    At my Location, its unlimited for 100 bucks or 3 times a week its $75 for a month.

    That's a really great price; I am not sure where you are, but in my area it's around $250+. If it were my thing, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    There's only one way to find out.
  • sayhitostephz
    sayhitostephz Posts: 124 Member
    Depends on your goals, if all goes well, crossfit has the potential to get you in really good shape, but I think the crossfit methods are stupid and dangerous. Crossfit has it's followers completing heavy technical lifts in high rep ranges, then fatiguing their muscles and continuing the lifts while compromising form. This is a recipe for injury, plain and simple. There are other, much better ways to get in really good shape that I would consider before ever doing crossfit, but that is just me. Give it a try if you'd like, just be careful.

    I'm not sure this is true for every Crossfit box. We do heavy technical lifts, but not in high reps. Then, we follow that with a workout involving those lifts, but with a decently reduced weight, so you shouldn't have to sacrifice form. Also, all workouts are scaleable, so you have every option to lower the weight even further if you believe the prescribed weight is too heavy to keep correct form. It's not just about blindly following what someone tells you to do. It's also about using your own brain and listening to your body. That is true about every form of activity though.
  • AprilKill
    AprilKill Posts: 47 Member
    I think i am going to try it, see if this will jump start my burn machine (metabolism). The First 3 classes are Free, I will know after the first class
  • PunkinSpice79
    PunkinSpice79 Posts: 309 Member
    My husband and a bunch of his friends do it, but they do it at home. You can find cross fit WOD's online for free. The hubby loves it.
  • 1PatientBear
    1PatientBear Posts: 2,089 Member
    Depends on your goals, if all goes well, crossfit has the potential to get you in really good shape, but I think the crossfit methods are stupid and dangerous. Crossfit has it's followers completing heavy technical lifts in high rep ranges, then fatiguing their muscles and continuing the lifts while compromising form. This is a recipe for injury, plain and simple. There are other, much better ways to get in really good shape that I would consider before ever doing crossfit, but that is just me. Give it a try if you'd like, just be careful.

    That's a very general statement that is patently untrue in many cases. I just started at my box and the coaches have done nothing but focus on my form and making sure I learn the proper technique. They won't let me lift heavy yet until they make sure that I am doing things the right way. Just like some trainers at a traditional gym are better than others, so are CrossFit boxes. I love the one I go to and look forward to every WOD.
  • Alidecker
    Alidecker Posts: 1,262 Member
    I did a free month made it to 6 classes, I enjoyed parts of it. It was too expensive for me. Now my personal trainer got certified and goes to classes and incorporates the parts I like into my workouts. If it was more conveniet and cheaper than going to my trainer and my gym, I would think about it, but I liek variety and do several other classes and don't want to give those up.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    My wife's cousin has been doing crossfit for a couple of years now (she started as a way to get in shape for her FDNY tests) and loves it. I looked into it locally and it was priced a little out of my comfort zone (a year's membership would buy me a sweet used bike!)
  • Alidecker
    Alidecker Posts: 1,262 Member
    Depends on your goals, if all goes well, crossfit has the potential to get you in really good shape, but I think the crossfit methods are stupid and dangerous. Crossfit has it's followers completing heavy technical lifts in high rep ranges, then fatiguing their muscles and continuing the lifts while compromising form. This is a recipe for injury, plain and simple. There are other, much better ways to get in really good shape that I would consider before ever doing crossfit, but that is just me. Give it a try if you'd like, just be careful.

    That's a very general statement that is patently untrue in many cases. I just started at my box and the coaches have done nothing but focus on my form and making sure I learn the proper technique. They won't let me lift heavy yet until they make sure that I am doing things the right way. Just like some trainers at a traditional gym are better than others, so are CrossFit boxes. I love the one I go to and look forward to every WOD.

    Totally agree with this, the trainer where I went watched us closely. We were learning with almost no weight and once he was satisfied with our form he would let us add weight, and then he still watched closely.
  • Angimom
    Angimom Posts: 1,463 Member
    Depends on your goals, if all goes well, crossfit has the potential to get you in really good shape, but I think the crossfit methods are stupid and dangerous. Crossfit has it's followers completing heavy technical lifts in high rep ranges, then fatiguing their muscles and continuing the lifts while compromising form. This is a recipe for injury, plain and simple. There are other, much better ways to get in really good shape that I would consider before ever doing crossfit, but that is just me. Give it a try if you'd like, just be careful.

    I'm not sure this is true for every Crossfit box. We do heavy technical lifts, but not in high reps. Then, we follow that with a workout involving those lifts, but with a decently reduced weight, so you shouldn't have to sacrifice form. Also, all workouts are scaleable, so you have every option to lower the weight even further if you believe the prescribed weight is too heavy to keep correct form. It's not just about blindly following what someone tells you to do. It's also about using your own brain and listening to your body. That is true about every form of activity though.

    IT's definitely true for the one I tried, where I hurt my shoulder. The guy and girl trainers were screaming at people to get moving, do more, do better, go faster, etc. I know this motivates a lot of people but I think good instruction and having someone help you with form while trying to push you is a better idea. I have not gone back, I really hurt my shoulder and it has been 4 weeks, so I am now thinking that I will need to see a Dr.
  • Depends on your goals, if all goes well, crossfit has the potential to get you in really good shape, but I think the crossfit methods are stupid and dangerous. Crossfit has it's followers completing heavy technical lifts in high rep ranges, then fatiguing their muscles and continuing the lifts while compromising form. This is a recipe for injury, plain and simple. There are other, much better ways to get in really good shape that I would consider before ever doing crossfit, but that is just me. Give it a try if you'd like, just be careful.

    I couldn't agree more with this. Don't get me wrong, I am glad Crossfit is getting people off their couch. Here is the thing, not all Crossfit gyms are made the same. The only requirement to become a certified Crossfit trainer is a one weekend seminar. How can you expect to learn the complexities of these technical lifts on a weekend alone. I myself train using crossfitfootball.com. The programmers are really knowledgeable and the programming makes sense. Not to mention the owner is a professional athlete and has been coached by the best since college.
  • TXBecki
    TXBecki Posts: 40
    Absolutely love it, and it's worth every penny to me. It is expensive compared to a normal gym, but you aren't just getting access to equipment. You get a certified trainer at every session to help you and cheer you on, and you have someone programming for you, rather than just walking in to a gym and getting on a treadmill for 45 minutes, or trying to figure it out on your own. To the poster who mentioned injury/compromising form, CF is only dangerous to the athlete who doesn't scale to their own limitations, and/or attends a CF box with poor coaches (they are out there - so check the certifications of the coaches at your box first). The community of it is one of the best things about it - even at my heaviest, I have never once felt intimidated walking into a CF class because everyone is so supportive, and wants to encourage each other to be the best they can.
  • ajaxe432
    ajaxe432 Posts: 608 Member
    Depends on your goals, if all goes well, crossfit has the potential to get you in really good shape, but I think the crossfit methods are stupid and dangerous. Crossfit has it's followers completing heavy technical lifts in high rep ranges, then fatiguing their muscles and continuing the lifts while compromising form. This is a recipe for injury, plain and simple. There are other, much better ways to get in really good shape that I would consider before ever doing crossfit, but that is just me. Give it a try if you'd like, just be careful.

    That's a very general statement that is patently untrue in many cases. I just started at my box and the coaches have done nothing but focus on my form and making sure I learn the proper technique. They won't let me lift heavy yet until they make sure that I am doing things the right way. Just like some trainers at a traditional gym are better than others, so are CrossFit boxes. I love the one I go to and look forward to every WOD.
    It is a general statement, but it does pertain to the time I tried out crossfit. It was a very young trainer (early 20's) with the kill em mentality. I am a CPT through ACSM and seen the way he was teaching and lack of leading. Bad form and one person who upchucked is what I witnessed. Needless to say I walked out, never to return. Crossfit, like any fitness regimen, depends on the trainer. I would be willing to give it another go though if the trainer is experienced and cares about his/her clientel!
  • Frank_Just_Frank
    Frank_Just_Frank Posts: 454 Member
    I think that if you like the workouts and you like the group environment, you won't question the price so much.....and you better have some specific results you can measure to make sure you get what you need from the place.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    At my Location, its unlimited for 100 bucks or 3 times a week its $75 for a month.

    That's a really great price; I am not sure where you are, but in my area it's around $250+. If it were my thing, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

    Wow. $100 for unlimited? That's a jump on it and get it locked in price. I've never seen it as cheap as the $150 locally. I was used to seeing the program starting at $300 a month for where I lived in New England.
  • RivenV
    RivenV Posts: 1,667 Member
    Depends on your goals, if all goes well, crossfit has the potential to get you in really good shape, but I think the crossfit methods are stupid and dangerous. Crossfit has it's followers completing heavy technical lifts in high rep ranges, then fatiguing their muscles and continuing the lifts while compromising form. This is a recipe for injury, plain and simple. There are other, much better ways to get in really good shape that I would consider before ever doing crossfit, but that is just me. Give it a try if you'd like, just be careful.

    I couldn't agree more with this. Don't get me wrong, I am glad Crossfit is getting people off their couch. Here is the thing, not all Crossfit gyms are made the same. The only requirement to become a certified Crossfit trainer is a one weekend seminar. How can you expect to learn the complexities of these technical lifts on a weekend alone. I myself train using crossfitfootball.com. The programmers are really knowledgeable and the programming makes sense. Not to mention the owner is a professional athlete and has been coached by the best since college.

    I couldn't disagree more with either of these two posts. As many others here have mentioned, not every box is the same, but most boxes mentioned in personal experiences above indicate a solid emphasis on form rather than weight or reps. I've heard stories of people injuring themselves at boot camps or at the gym working out by themselves. Does this mean no one should ever do those things? Anytime you do any type of workout (or anything else, for that matter), you do run the risk of injury if you're not following proper form. Duh--fact of life, people!
    In regards to the Crossfit certifications/trainings/etc., many trainers that I know have other fitness certifications from various other sources, as well. Local gyms often require some type of certification for their staff personal trainers, but the mettle of these certifications varies from facility to facility.

    TL;DR -- don't let two people with negative experiences get in your way of trying it out for yourself at a box with knowledgeable, challenging instructors and a great atmosphere.
  • jenn26point2
    jenn26point2 Posts: 429 Member
    In to read the comments from the crossfit hater that stalks the crossfitters... I'm sure she'll follow up with her typical canned response.

    That being said, I'd do it if I could afford it. I would not be comfortable doing it outside of a box though b/c I'd want the coaching and training to ensure proper form and what not.
  • Tara1090
    Tara1090 Posts: 199 Member
    Not all Crossfit gyms are made the same. I joined a month ago, and I love it. I used to workout with a personal trainer but decided I needed something different. Its a hard workout, but you are motivated by others, and NO ONE screams at you, as one person said in this thread. Yes, we do heavy weights, but you start off low, and build up. No one expect you to bench press 105lbs. I'm still just using the 35lb bar and maybe in a few months I'll add some weight, but in the mean time, I think that if you can do it financially, at least try it for a month. what have you got to lose?!
  • CrazyAnimalLady
    CrazyAnimalLady Posts: 104 Member
    I'm a huge crossfit supporter. I didn't think it would be for me at first but I promised a friend I would try and it and become hooked. I was 345 lbs when I started and everything was able to be scaled to what I was capable of. You want to find a gym who is very attentive to your form otherwise you can get injured. At my gym if they see that your form is compromised they stop you, teach you how to do it properly and strip weights if they feel that they need to. I've been doing it for 5 months, it's absolutely one of the hardest things I've ever done but I absolutely love it and wouldn't trade it for the world.
  • BrainyBurro
    BrainyBurro Posts: 6,129 Member
    Crossfit slept with my cat and ran over my wife.

    ...so no, it's not worth it. :angry:
  • 1PatientBear
    1PatientBear Posts: 2,089 Member
    Depends on your goals, if all goes well, crossfit has the potential to get you in really good shape, but I think the crossfit methods are stupid and dangerous. Crossfit has it's followers completing heavy technical lifts in high rep ranges, then fatiguing their muscles and continuing the lifts while compromising form. This is a recipe for injury, plain and simple. There are other, much better ways to get in really good shape that I would consider before ever doing crossfit, but that is just me. Give it a try if you'd like, just be careful.

    That's a very general statement that is patently untrue in many cases. I just started at my box and the coaches have done nothing but focus on my form and making sure I learn the proper technique. They won't let me lift heavy yet until they make sure that I am doing things the right way. Just like some trainers at a traditional gym are better than others, so are CrossFit boxes. I love the one I go to and look forward to every WOD.

    It is a general statement, but it does pertain to the time I tried out crossfit. It was a very young trainer (early 20's) with the kill em mentality. I am a CPT through ACSM and seen the way he was teaching and lack of leading. Bad form and one person who upchucked is what I witnessed. Needless to say I walked out, never to return. Crossfit, like any fitness regimen, depends on the trainer. I would be willing to give it another go though if the trainer is experienced and cares about his/her clientel!

    That's a fair response. I would encourage you to look around and see if you can find another box in your area. CF is different than anything I have ever done and I am really enjoying it as a supplement to my running.
  • CrazyAnimalLady
    CrazyAnimalLady Posts: 104 Member
    At my Location, its unlimited for 100 bucks or 3 times a week its $75 for a month.

    That's a really great price; I am not sure where you are, but in my area it's around $250+. If it were my thing, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

    Wow. $100 for unlimited? That's a jump on it and get it locked in price. I've never seen it as cheap as the $150 locally. I was used to seeing the program starting at $300 a month for where I lived in New England.

    It's $150 for unlimited at my gym, $125 if you're referred by someone, and if you're a police officer or fire fighter they lower it to $85 a month.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    OP...personally I'd try a couple different boxes. Every box I've ever attended has some kind of an intro class...often it is free. The reason I say this is that not all boxes are created equal...there are good boxes and there are bad boxes...and then there are boxes that should really just be closed down for utter stupidness.

    When I was looking into it, I went to three different boxes. One of these was just horrible...they had a free intro class on a Saturday morning...this was just before the new year so lots of people looking to change up their lifestyles and what not. At any rate, this was a full speed class...but only had 2 coaches in attendance and about 50 people (most of whom were fat and out of shape and hadn't done any of these kind of exercise ever). I couldn't believe the absolute stupidness that went on in this class and there was no way the coaches could keep an eye on everyone. If boxes aren't limiting the class sizes then that should be a red flag right there...they're more interested in volume and $$$ than making sure you don't break your neck.

    The other two boxes I attended seemed very good. I would have gone with the one that offered the three week ramp on...longest ramp on of all three boxes...and they limited their class sizes to the smallest. Ultimately however, I decided that it wasn't really the route I wanted to go. For me it just came down mostly to money and whether I wanted to put those dollars towards something only I was going to benefit from or putting those dollars somewhere that could benefit my entire family. I ultimately decided on a family membership to the Jewish Community Center here in town and haven't regretted it. I do have a number of friends that CF though and they just love training like that.