A good reason to avoid Crossfit

Health_Gal

This article illustrates a very good reason to stay away from Crossfit. They expect people to do all sorts of dangerous stunts like box jumps that don't really help your fitness level all that much and can send you to the emergency room

http://sgirlcrossfit.blogspot.com/2011/07/july-18th-gross-stairs-and-box-jumps.html

nuttyfamily

While this type of exercise is not for me, I know many folks who do it and love it and have great results.

You can get injured doing any exercise. I am a runner and have running friends that have gotten hurt for example by stepping on a rock and twisting an ankle...but that won't stop me.

Health_Gal

I run too, and I do realize there is always going to be some risk, but the Crossfit program requires people to take many unnecessary risks and push their bodies to the extreme.

A lot of people are thinking about trying new exercise programs this time of the year, and I want anyone that's thinking about trying Crossfit to be aware of just what they're getting into. T4

he people that promote Crossfit try to make it sound safe and do-able for people with all levels of fitness, but usually, that's far from being the truth. I know too many people that were in good shape that got injured doing Crossfit to believe any of their hype about how their training is supposed to be so great and protect you from injury.

Have you read this article from the NY Times -- Getting Fit, Even If It Kills You?

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/22/fashion/thursdaystyles/22Fitness.html?pagewanted=all

tangal88

For those who do not know, the OP on this thread, appears to only be on this website for one reason - to bash Crossfit.

She is not a fan, and has made it her personal duty, to "inform" everyone else also.

An example of her other posts is show here:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/402165-crossfit

She pretty much posts the same thing over and over, about this subject.

Box Jumps are a common exercise varient, performed in many exercise groups. While not well suited to everyone, it does have its benefits in plyometric training.

I did variants of them (23 years ago) in physical therapy, when recovering from a dislocated knee, with torn cartilage, damaged ligaments, and bone chips under my knee cap - at Dr and PT recommendation to help repair my knee. It did help.

Yess it can be done poorly, improperly, or in the wrong situation - causing injuries. But so can riding a horse.

Box Jumps are not only a Crossfit Phenomenon.


Everyone has their preference, and everyone has a right to chose what personally suits them, and *kitten* the risks based on their health and situation.

I am an active recreational Scuba Diver, love the sport. Have 100's of dives under my belt. I am a PADI certified Advance Open water Diver with Rescue Diving, and Selvage Diving experience and credentials. I have dove worldwide, boat, and beach, shallow and deep depths.

I know it is a very dangerous sport, and can be very risky. It is worth the risk to me, for the payoff.

Having a good instructor, good partner, and properly assessing your skill level, dive environment, equipment functionality and more are all necessary to perform in the sport properly and safely.

Yet even with all that, people die in Scuba accidents every year. Fit healthy people.

Not all instructors are good. Not all equipment is good. Not all diver partners are reliable, Not all Boat Masters are safe, or good.

Many resorts offer cheap, one day, open water, scuba courses for a few bucks to vacationers from out of state.

Is this the best, safest way to learn? Nope. Does it really give you a good understanding of the real risks. Usually nope.

But it also does not mean the entire sport, or certification process is "evil".


If someone chooses not to use wisdom or common sense, in regards to their health, then yes, bad things can happen. This is try in any sport, and exercise, and in life.

Please stop beating the same dead horse over and over.

We get that you feel strongly about this, but can we move on already?

The New York Times, is Journalism, and as such they make money when they create drama, and sensation. The purpose is to draw interest to a story. No interest, no sensation - they lose readers and advertisers.

Many times that includes posting one side of a story, slanting an article in the way you want to color it, but not always the complete picture.

I have been interviewed myself, many times, as an expert in my field. And 9 out or 10 stories misquote me and my peers, take verbiage out of context, and make or words or stores say things we did not say.

Does that mean News media is all bad? Nope, just means it is what it is - one side of a story, one persons view, part of a picture. Not the complete whole.

Take it for what it is, do your own research, and make your own decisions.

Bentley2718

Lots of physical activities are dangerous, we all need to pick something that works for us. You can cause repetitive use injuries speed walking with poor form. Heck, you can hurt yourself swimming. I pole dance. It can be dangerous--you can fall, you can injure your arms and shoulders (particularly if you're not careful about form). Even if you don't seriously injure yourself, most of us constantly have bruises, scrapes, etc.. I've taken skin off my feet, shins, arms. Whenever I see a new doctor I have to explain that I don't bruise easily--I earn those bruises. But I love it, so I keep doing it. My point is, if you don't like cross-fit, if you think it's unreasonable, find something else.

Health_Gal

For those who do not know, the OP on this thread, appears to only be on this website for one reason - to bash Crossfit.

She is not a fan, and has made it her personal duty, to "inform" everyone else also.

An example of her other posts is show here:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/402165-crossfit

She pretty much posts the same thing over and over, about this subject.

So....my question is: How is your post "For those who do not know" posts about me different from my "for those who do not know" posts about Crossfit?

It seems that you are doing exactly the same thing you are complaining about.

4thehardman

tangal88 I think I love you.

Flyntiggr

This article illustrates a very good reason to stay away from Crossfit. They expect people to do all sorts of dangerous stunts like box jumps that don't really help your fitness level all that much and can send you to the emergency room

http://sgirlcrossfit.blogspot.com/2011/07/july-18th-gross-stairs-and-box-jumps.html

While it is clear you don't like Crossfit, the content in your link is not Cossfit exclusive. I've done loads of bootcamps and personal training seasons where we do plyo training and box jumps. This injury could have happened in any gym in the world, as box jumps are staples of strength training.

If you don't like Crossfit, fine, don't go, but if you are going to bash it, I'd suggest having valid facts and not some random blog post from someone thst is clearly jonesing to get back in the game..

wildcatlizzie

I have a friend doing Crossfit and she absolutely loves it. She's had several knee problems in her past as well as a great level of weakness on one side on top of breaking both of her ankles at one point during college.

Crossfit is doing a great job of working with her and modifying her exercises so that she can do them safely.

If Crossfit isn't for you, then don't do it. But don't turn something negative for someone else when it could be a benefit lost for them.

coyoteo

I'm a little confused by how the first link shows anything bad about it at all. She f'd up and skinned her shins....but as she sign's her blog "peace love crossfit", I don't think she was that disturbed. Pretty sure we've all gotten hurt exercising. Won't bother reading the other article as the source is generally biased. Either way, good luck on your weight loss mission.

cameron679

Crossfit is an excellent way to stay in shape. Crossfit doesn't injure people, poor decisions do. You have to know your limits.

HeidiMightyRawr

Uh oh

I'm not into Crossfit (never tried it) quite happy doing what I'm doing, but OP I've seen you on here quite often and all you seem to do is bash Crossfit.
I think we all realise now that you don't like it - There are risks and dangers with so many sports and if certain instructors are pushing people beyond what they are capable, creating unnecessary risk, (which I've heard a few do) personally I think that's a bad reflection on the person leading it, not Crossfit as a whole.

Have you seen olympic weight-lifting competitions? I think some of those lifts are SO much more dangerous if messed up yet I don't go round saying the whole sport is bad. Also, there are many coaches within that area that push and push and push to get bigger lifts, sometimes when the person has no experience within that. If you don't try, you're never going to get better with that sort of thing. It's a rush for many people, and as an adult you have to weigh up the pro's and con's yourself, as well as taking the safest route you can.
Is there really a safer alternative to jumping on a box? You could jump on a smaller one, but eventually you are going to get used to it, and you'll have to make the box taller. You can't keep blaming other people for things which you choose to do.

At the end of the day, know your own limits, make your own (sensible) decisions and keep doing what you enjoy and what works for you

Health_Gal

Getting Fit, Even If It Kills You, from the NY Times, is a really good article exposing the problems with the Crossfit organization.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/22/fashion/thursdaystyles/22Fitness.html?pagewanted=all

It's not just about one person getting injured from a box jump, it about a LOT of unnecessary Crossfit injuries, people getting addicted -- "drinking the Crossfit Kood Aid" as they say -- and coming back for more.

Don't ever set foot in a Crossfit gym or watch a Crossfit video, and you'll never become addicted.

MaximalLife

This article illustrates a very good reason to stay away from Crossfit. They expect people to do all sorts of dangerous stunts like box jumps that don't really help your fitness level all that much and can send you to the emergency room

http://sgirlcrossfit.blogspot.com/2011/07/july-18th-gross-stairs-and-box-jumps.html

true, but at some point and at some level of fitness, we need new challenges.

What I do would cripple most.

SassyCalyGirl

you simply need to be banned from posting! Bottom line!

SassyCalyGirl

DON'T FEED THE TROLL!

koosdel

DON'T FEED THE TROLL!

Just wait.. a mod will come along shortly and defend the troll. Like always.

engineman312

erxkeel

christ, again? isnt the horse been beat enough? poor dead B@stard.

cameralinds

In my years of school, I have never been able to use blogspot as one of my sources for research or proving an ACCURATE point. I would be laughed out of my class. Therefore, it is invalid.

Most people know their limits when it comes to exercise -- that's where modification comes in!

beeblebrox82

^^ lol. Haters gonna hate.

You know Rachel, when you troll like this, any scrap of valuable information in your words is lost, because you're obviously just keyboard commando, and therefore not a useful source.

If you want to be really truly fit, you have to push your body. Sometimes it might break, but you will come back stronger. With any intense work out program you have to stay safe and know your limits.


And the whole addiction thing...that's just the dumbest thing I've heard... well ever. I work out 6 to 7 days a week... am I addicted?

TrophyWifeSass

What did Crossfit ever do to you? It's crazy how worked up you get over this and how you are always bashing Crossfit. Is this your full time job? Just amazing....sigh...now pass the popcorn!

engineman312

for no reason, here is jerry seinfeld.

engineman312

lol

ejohndrow

The crazy thing about crossfit?
DON'T DO IT IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE IT.

ejohndrow

^^ lol. Haters gonna hate.

You know Rachel, when you troll like this, any scrap of valuable information in your words is lost, because you're obviously just keyboard commando, and therefore not a useful source.

If you want to be really truly fit, you have to push your body. Sometimes it might break, but you will come back stronger. With any intense work out program you have to stay safe and know your limits.


And the whole addiction thing...that's just the dumbest thing I've heard... well ever. I work out 6 to 7 days a week... am I addicted?

Okay, we we've gathered here today because we feel that you've been working out too much. we feel you may be...addicted.

beerbomber

Haters

stormieweather

Locking the thread.

I'm not defending anyone, what a stunning generalization.

Everyone is free to express an opinion, but leave personal attacks out of it and please, it's unnecessary to repeatedly create new threads to spread your personal opinion.

Thanks.

Stormie
MFP Forum Moderator.