CrossFit

Acg67

I think it's awful that people are letting their kids get involved in Crossfit. The YMCA is a much better enviornment for children.

It may be awful letting him go out the house with those pants on, but not getting into exercising at a young age

Health_Gal

The gym I go to is not "officially" a CrossFit gym but the workouts consist of the same exercises, just without all the lingo! And its been the best thing I've ever done. Expensive yes, freakin amazing results, yes. I've belonged to multiple gyms in my life in a range of prices per month and I would cut so many things out of my daily life if I had to in order to keep doing what I'm doing.

Personally, I prefer slower "results," less chance of injury, and not being too sore to walk the next day.

Our society is much tooo focused on rapid results. That's why all the fad diet pill companies make so much money. It isn't healthy or safe to try and change your body overnight. It is much better to make changes gradually.

Health_Gal

I think it's awful that people are letting their kids get involved in Crossfit. The YMCA is a much better enviornment for children.

It may be awful letting him go out the house with those pants on, but not getting into exercising at a young age

It's fine to get kids exercising at a young age - just don't get them involved in the Crossfit Cult.

Hickyvikki69

does anyone have ifit live with their workout units at home. i just bought one and looking to see if anyone wanted to hook up.

engineman312

since we like citing sources, and the new york times is cited too, here's what they say about the burpee, a staple of any crossfit box. they also state that the squat, and weight training in general, is better for you then other exercises.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17exercise-t.html?pagewanted=all

Jorra

It's fine to get kids exercising at a young age - just don't get them involved in the Crossfit Cult.

Rachel?

IronSmasher

CrossFit is way too extreme, there's a chance you may get fit.

I'd rather waste my time in an exercise to music class, no danger of anything there.

In truth I'd go for option C, research on the internet and do CrossFit workouts for free.

thefuzz1290

I think it's awful that people are letting their kids get involved in Crossfit. The YMCA is a much better enviornment for children.

It may be awful letting him go out the house with those pants on, but not getting into exercising at a young age

There's nothing wrong with exercising, but weight training at a young age can be detrimental.

tameko2

since we like citing sources, and the new york times is cited too, here's what they say about the burpee, a staple of any crossfit box. they also state that the squat, and weight training in general, is better for you then other exercises.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17exercise-t.html?pagewanted=all

I'm not sure anyone would argue that ANY of the exercises the do at crossfit are bad, its just that the attitude espoused by crossfit can lead to some bad/dangerous practices.

But that said OP - if its cheap enough and the times are convenient, it doesn't hurt you to try it. I don't think it is better than another program you could do on your own but if the motivation would help you then that's a good thing I guess. Maybe before you buy it call them and ask what certifications/experience they have

NightOwl1

CrossFit really is a love/hate thing. I tried a class once and it definitely wasn't for me. But my girlfriend is a huge CrossFit devotee, and she saw fantastic results the last time she went on a regular basis.

Like others have said, quality can vary widely from gym to gym, so do a bit of research first, and don't push yourself past what you feel is safe on any workout. But I think it's worth a try to see if it's right for you.

Health_Gal

since we like citing sources, and the new york times is cited too, here's what they say about the burpee, a staple of any crossfit box. they also state that the squat, and weight training in general, is better for you then other exercises.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17exercise-t.html?pagewanted=all

Nothing in that article supports the way the Crossfit organization operates, the way they run their weight lifting program with high numbers of reps on heavy lifts, etc. If someone wants to do burpees, they are welcome, but there are many other ways to get sufficient exercise without ever having to do even one burpee.

Besides, I like to use my strength training and cardio classes at the YMCA as an exercise time and a social time to visit with other participants, so I have no reason to want to be in and out of the gym in 20 minutes.

engineman312

since we like citing sources, and the new york times is cited too, here's what they say about the burpee, a staple of any crossfit box. they also state that the squat, and weight training in general, is better for you then other exercises.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17exercise-t.html?pagewanted=all

Nothing in that article supports the way the Crossfit organization operates, the way they run their weight lifting program with high numbers of reps on heavy lifts, etc. If someone wants to do burpees, they are welcome, but there are many other ways to get sufficient exercise without ever having to do even one burpee.

Besides, I like to use my strength training and cardio classes at the YMCA as an exercise time and a social time to visit with other participants, so I have no reason to want to be in and out of the gym in 20 minutes.

the crossfit class i took was about an hour long. full dynamic stretch, warm up, skills training, WOD, and cool down. even if you say the teacher talked for twenty minutes, it was still a great 40-45 minute class. most classes at the gym i go to are about 45-50 minutes.

Health_Gal

CrossFit really is a love/hate thing. I tried a class once and it definitely wasn't for me. But my girlfriend is a huge CrossFit devotee, and she saw fantastic results the last time she went on a regular basis.

Like others have said, quality can vary widely from gym to gym, so do a bit of research first, and don't push yourself past what you feel is safe on any workout. But I think it's worth a try to see if it's right for you.

As I said earlier, you are better off staying entirely away from Crossfit, no matter what kind of a deal they offer.

Many Crossfit facilities are cult-like, and even if you are there for just a few classes, they can put a doubt in your mind that if you don't join, you will be missing something, that if you don't continue, you will miss your opportunity to become "elite" like them, that you will forfet all the benefits of being part of their team, etc. I've heard some Crossfit facilities "love bomb" their recruits, as many religious cults do, pretending to be very interested in you as a person and an athlete, etc.....all in an effort to get more money and members.

The truth is, if you like the idea of team support, there are plenty of gyms outside of Crossfit where you can find it. Many YMCAs have "Biggest Looser" type programs where teams compete to see who can lose the most weight, boot camp teams, and so on. Many fitness classes, or small training groups can also give you a sense of being on a supportive team without having to join the Crossfit Cult and pay their rediculously high fees.

thefuzz1290

since we like citing sources, and the new york times is cited too, here's what they say about the burpee, a staple of any crossfit box. they also state that the squat, and weight training in general, is better for you then other exercises.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17exercise-t.html?pagewanted=all

No one is criticizing the individual exercises, just the way they're performed.

I'm going to break down, from my own research, reasons I won't exclusively do Crossfit, and why I don't think others should either.

1. Speed over form - it doesn't matter how bad you look doing it, as long as you get it done. Weight training this way has a higher risk of injuries, and devestating injuries. I have a job where if I get injured, I don't get paid. If you watch a lot of the Crossfit videos, poor form is actually celebrated as long as the weight is moved.

2. Lack of proper coaching certification - $1000 and a 2 day seminar is all that's required for a level 1 certification. These coaches are supposed to be supervising complicated lifts at extreme fatigue. They're also not trained on recognizing injuries, so many times when someone is truly injured, they're encouraged to keep going and often do more damage. I keep reading, from Crossfit supporters, that "no box is created equally." That's not a good argument for me to go out and join a Crossfit gym, I want to know what I'm getting for $100+ a month.

3. No consistency - Its great that you keep your body guessing, but when you do high reps of cleans, snatches, squats, etc. then turn around and do high reps of another similar workout the next time out, you're not making progress. Other than the regular workouts (Isabel, Cindy, Murph, etc.) for time, you don't know where you're gaining or where you're lacking. I've read many people brag about how they couldn't straighten their arms for days after a workout...I'm a cop, if I can't straighten my arms to shoot someone, I'll die.

4. Too much hype - Glassman boasts that in 2 years of doing Crossfit, you will achieve a 700lb deadlift...hasn't happened yet. Glassman also boasted you gain as much endurance as a marathon athelete, and even had his head of Crossfit Endurance enter a few ultra-marathons...where he did not quaify or did not finish. Even one of the winners of the Crossfit games, in interviews, didn't train exclusively with Crossfit workouts.

5. Cult-like mentality - I'm not drinking any koolaide I don't mix myself. The Crossfit community, for the most part, is frankly nuts. They laugh at those who get hurt, especially those who develop Rhabdomyolysis, and call theam weak. There is nothing weak about being injured, it happens. The hardcore members shun any other type of exercise, without any good argument to back it up.

6. Cost - Now you can do the free random workouts they put on the website, but I'm talking about gym costs. I haven't seen a Crossfit gym have a monthly fee of less than $100. In fact, every Crossfit gym around me is $120+ a month. For that much money, I can join a decent gym and actually afford to pay for the gas to drive there.

7. Glassman himself - Mark Rippotte is still strong as an ox, Tony Horton has a body many will never achieve, Jillian Michaels is still as fit as ever, but Glassman is a fat alcoholic who doesn't even use the workouts he claims is the greatest way to get fit. He's also an arrogant *kitten*, who is quick to insult anyone who even slightly questions Crossfit, and consistently insults well respected individuals in the sports medicine field. I'm not giving my money to that guy.

Now that being said, do Crossfit type workouts have their place? Of course they do, but when properly and strategically, not randomly, placed into a fitness program. I actually believe that the Crossfit spin-offs, or Crossfit gyms in name only where the coach has other training, would be a more viable option than the typical Crossfit gym.

engineman312

OP, if you have a deal on one month of classes, i say take advantage of it. try it out for a month. if you go 2-3 times a week for that month, i'm sure you'll have a good idea if it is right for you. you may end up liking the work outs and the environment, or you may come out thinking this isn't for you, or that you just need to find a different place to do crossfit.

remember, in this environment, only you can injure yourself. don't lift or do more then you are comfortable with, no matter who is pushing you. however, crossfit is intended to take you outside of your normal comfort zone.

good luck

/thread

sarahbetherck

The gym I go to is not "officially" a CrossFit gym but the workouts consist of the same exercises, just without all the lingo! And its been the best thing I've ever done. Expensive yes, freakin amazing results, yes. I've belonged to multiple gyms in my life in a range of prices per month and I would cut so many things out of my daily life if I had to in order to keep doing what I'm doing.

Personally, I prefer slower "results," less chance of injury, and not being too sore to walk the next day.

Our society is much tooo focused on rapid results. That's why all the fad diet pill companies make so much money. It isn't healthy or safe to try and change your body overnight. It is much better to make changes gradually.

I didn't say anything about rapid results or trying to change overnight. I'm just saying that I've been at more traditional gyms before with treadmills and weight machines and had little to no progress, my body has responded really well to more dynamic workouts like the burpees and box jumps and dumbell/kettlebell complexes similar to what people I know who are involved in CrossFit do.

ninerbuff

Has anyone tried this at their local CrossFit gym? I have a great deal on a one month membership for unlimited classes, and it sounds/looks great but I wanted to hear about what to expect, results people have seen in a month's time with these classes, and any concern about injuries, etc.

I would advise you to stay away from Crossfit. They are just offering that deal to "hook" you in, and after that, they charge 3 or 4 times more than most gyms. It's totally NOT worth it!

Crossfit has a high rate of injuries because their workouts are extremely intense and are often not all that well supervised.

BTW, this is one of the most informative articles you'll find about the Crossfit organization.

Getting Fit, Even If It Kills You
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/22/fashion/thursdaystyles/22Fitness.html?pagewanted=all

Can't believe that you and I agree on this one! Yeah, I'm not fond of the way they approach high rep squat cleans and some of the other popular power movements. I cringed at some of the youtube vids of people max squatting and doing squat cleans. Especially with power moves, it's about technique and the vids left me cringing since there were so many flaws. I would especially dissuade any beginner because power technique takes some years to develop and it only takes one time to really jack yourself up if your technique is wrong.



A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

fraktion

Crossfit certainly is the marmite of the fitness world.

Coming from a globo gym background, i'm now in month 4 of the crossfit routine. Mainsite, 3 days on 1 day off. All I can say is, without wanting to sound like a cult devotee, it has totally changed my perception as to what a 'proper' workout is.

Yes, it was ridiculously hard to begin with. After my first session, I struggled to make it up the stairs and after driving home, when I got home, I wondered if i'd make it to my front door!

Due to the nature of the timed workouts, and benchmarking yourself, people often want to rush to 'RX' the workouts (do the work out as stated without scaling). I think it's just a natural human ego thing, when in reality, you should hold off as long as possible until you have the correct form nailed. Of course you're going to get coaches with different levels of skill, only you can decide if you're getting enough assistance with form. As for 'no consistency'...I say rubbish. when you first start, you'll be 'broken' for a while, but Crossfit is supposed to be in addition to other things. That's why it's used by tactical operators, martial artists, fire fighters etc. The lack of specialisation in any chosen field is supposed to make you a great all rounder...better at life...functional fitness..which clearly it does. Yes, some 'elite' Crossfit atheletes don't exclusively do Crossfit, because it's supposed to be in addition to other things, such as strength training. The whole idea of timing yourself, then the workout coming up again in 6 months time with you knocking ___ minutes off your last time, can only be a good way of benchmarking your fitness.

It's not for everyone and yes, some Crossfitters bare their ripped hands as war wounds. You don't get a better sense of community and complete lack of ego in modern fitness, than a Crossfit box. The workouts can be so brutal that all anyone cares about is getting through it. Not how good you look in your spandex or "look at that sweaty fatty over there" as I bicep curl in front of a mirror.

I now lift in the mornings, and do the workout of the day in the evening. I've seen more overall progress in 4 months than I did in a year at the globo. It works for me.

Poor form is never celebrated.

Health_Gal

The gym I go to is not "officially" a CrossFit gym but the workouts consist of the same exercises, just without all the lingo! And its been the best thing I've ever done. Expensive yes, freakin amazing results, yes. I've belonged to multiple gyms in my life in a range of prices per month and I would cut so many things out of my daily life if I had to in order to keep doing what I'm doing.

Personally, I prefer slower "results," less chance of injury, and not being too sore to walk the next day.

Our society is much tooo focused on rapid results. That's why all the fad diet pill companies make so much money. It isn't healthy or safe to try and change your body overnight. It is much better to make changes gradually.

I didn't say anything about rapid results or trying to change overnight. I'm just saying that I've been at more traditional gyms before with treadmills and weight machines and had little to no progress, my body has responded really well to more dynamic workouts like the burpees and box jumps and dumbell/kettlebell complexes similar to what people I know who are involved in CrossFit do.

I am not against the idea of people doing most of the exercises and movements they teach at Crossfit. I just don't like the extreme do-it-or-die-trying atmosphere of many Crossfit gyms.

BTW, those exercises and movements are not unique to Crossfit. They've been around for ages. Crossfit just developed a extreme, pumped up version of old movements with new marketing to try and make people believe the are unique to Crossfit.

If anyone wants to learn those movements and do them at their own pace, they can find videos, or for the lifts where you should have supervision, a non-Crossfit coach that can teach you how to do them correctly.

fraktion

Nobody thinks the movements are unique to Crossfit.

How could anyone think a pushup or pullup is new? The problems occur when people think they can jump straight in to performing a 'Snatch' with perfectly correct form after a half hours practice. Some of the lifting moves can take a year to learn correctly....until that time, you lift light.

Let's face it, it's the powerlifting / olympic lifting that people baulk at.

Why not vet the coach first and see what their background is before diving in? If they simply have a level 1 cert, then perhaps walk away. If they're a powerlifting personal trainer as well as a box owner, then perhaps you might be onto a winner.