CrossFit Kids - Opinions

SarahAFerguson
SarahAFerguson Posts: 250 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So, I have come to the conclusion that I am in no shape to do the adult version of CrossFit and am working on learning how to lift weights properly. My trainer (dear husband) thinks it will take me a good long while to learn proper form, like maybe a couple of years (I am a very slow learner when it comes to physical movement, think 10,000 repetitions). In any case, I talked to the gym owner to see about changing things around as I've already invested some $. I could go for a few sessions with a personal trainer or I could sign my daugher up for kids CrossFit, which she would love to do. I'm just wondering if anyone has had a positive or negative experience with this program and if you would be willing to share your thoughts.

Replies

  • donyellemoniquex3
    donyellemoniquex3 Posts: 2,384 Member
    why not do some Zumba with her ?
  • summertime_girl
    summertime_girl Posts: 3,945 Member
    Crossfit is scalable. You should be able to give it a shot no matter what. Part of what you're paying for is personal training. Don't quit!
  • blues4miles
    blues4miles Posts: 1,481 Member
    I'd do the personal trainer thing for yourself. Just a few sessions with someone unbiased who can coach you and give you tips would probably be well worth it. Also, do you already have a gym membership? If you are concerned about form that is my understanding as to why the weight machines are supposed to be good, they can let you get up to higher weights without compromising your form. Just my thought. No reason not to spend the money on your daughter, but if this was something meant for you, than you should really take advantage of it!
  • mandorla
    mandorla Posts: 81 Member
    Wow, there was a story just this morning on NPR's Morning Edition about CrossFit kids.

    http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/09/24/158652017/is-crossfit-training-good-for-kids
  • PhilyPhresh
    PhilyPhresh Posts: 600 Member
    I've done CrossFit for the past year (I went for 2 years a while back but took off for a year due to financial issues...) and it is the greatest decision I have ever made for my life. There is no reason you shouldn't be able to go in and scale a workout down to learn and work your way into it. My very first day I showed up I did about 75% of the warm up and then threw up... at the time I couldn't even run 50 meters without feeling winded, now I can run several miles non-stop, and I am completing WODs RXd (at recommended weight levels) and in generally in great times. When I originally started I was 237lbs, I am now in the 180-185 range. If you want to do it, then do it, but if not then don’t. Don’t make excuses, because you will always have one to hold you back...

    PS, my wife does CF as well, and is a total badass at it... :wink:
  • Deejalert
    Deejalert Posts: 13 Member
    My boys (9-12) have been doing it for 5 months and love it. They are soaked in sweat when it is over and it is a guaranteed 2 hours a week they are not sitting in front of the xbox. They recently asked me to start them on a weight training program, which I think is directly related to them being involved in crossfit.

    I would also recommend you start. Do the elements class and they will teach you proper form and technique. A good crossfit coach will be essential to help you know when you are ready for progression.
  • myofibril
    myofibril Posts: 4,500 Member
    Hell no.

    For adults - I have my reservations (I'm not going to repeat them again for fear of sounding like a broken record.)

    For kids - not in a million years unless it could be guaranteed to me that the issues which plague the adult version of Xfit have been resolved (which I think is unlikely.)

    If your kids want to do gymnastics then take them to a proper gymnastics lesson or coach. Same with weights. Personally, I think the best thing kids can do is just be kids: climb trees, run around and play games with their friends in the park, get on their bikes....
  • ilovedeadlifts
    ilovedeadlifts Posts: 2,923 Member
    ^^Agree with MSF74.

    If the coach/trainer is good. I think it's okay for adults.

    BUT if the coach/trainer is good, they wouldn't be training children using crossfit. They don't need the added weight at a young age.
    Bodyweight stuff and plyometrics are plenty for kids.


    So overall, I'd just get away from it.
  • Determinednoob
    Determinednoob Posts: 2,001 Member
    ^^Agree with both.
  • PhilyPhresh
    PhilyPhresh Posts: 600 Member
    ^^Agree with MSF74.

    If the coach/trainer is good. I think it's okay for adults.

    BUT if the coach/trainer is good, they wouldn't be training children using crossfit. They don't need the added weight at a young age.
    Bodyweight stuff and plyometrics are plenty for kids.


    So overall, I'd just get away from it.

    I guess that my box must be different from other CF's out there because our CF kids is body weight work until they are at least preteens... I completely agree that kids don't need to be doing weight lifting. I will also agree that there are a LOT of issues out there with bad/poor coaches and trainers in CF boxes and it is difficult to learn and do properly if you have a bad trainer... I have been fortunate enough to have an amazing experience with CF, but to each their own...
  • kdiamond
    kdiamond Posts: 3,329 Member
    Agree with above. Weights shouldn't be used if it is kids. My neighbor takes her 2 kids to Crossfit for Kids and they do stuff like rowing, sprinting, box jumping, pullups/chinups, situps, relay races, stuff like that. All body weight stuff. I can't imagine any reputable box using weights for young kids. I did Crossfit for over a year, and I while I liked it for myself I think it is too pricy for kids that can basically do the same things outside with their friends. I stopped doing it at the box because once I knew how to do everything I decided to do it on my own in addition to my regular gym routines. There are places online to print out all kinds of free Crossfit workouts you can do yourself.
  • SarahAFerguson
    SarahAFerguson Posts: 250 Member
    Thanks all for your replies. I will have to confirm that this particualr CrossFit Kids class at this particular gym does not include lifting weights. I know that they do obstacle courses, jump onto and over things and climb ropes and such. My older daugher already goes to a different program at this gym and she loves to climb the rope. She got a big round of applause from the adult CrossFit class when she got to the top.

    Anyway, I would love to be able to do CrossFit, but .... well I really don't want to be throwing up every second day. I did already injure myself lifting the lightest bar they had, not badly mind you, but enough to make me think it through. I have an old injury to my left arm/shoulder that I need to work on since I realize I've been trying to work around it and doing things the wrong way as a result. I need to work slowly with the weight lifting and get very specific instruction on exactly what body part to move when and how to position myself and what should hurt and want shouldn't. The pace of the CrossFit class is too fast for me to learn all this and do it at the same time kwim? My plan is to spend time learning how to lift correctly and do walking and C25K for cardio until I feel like I'm in good enough shape to not hurt myself at the gym.

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