Anybody (specifically older bodies) doing Crossfit?
rmk20togo
Posts: 353 Member
My workout routine is getting stale. I box 2x/wk, lift 2-3x/wk, and take a class that's a mashup of P90x/Insanity/HIIT with a sprinkle of Crossfit exercises 2x/wk.
There's a new Crossfit box in my 'hood and I'm trying to muster the courage to give it a try. I have a couple of hurdles to get past first. First, I'm 52 and, although I consider myself in reasonable cardio condition and very strong for my age, I'm 52. Second, though I'm used to being the oldest person doing whatever I'm doing, I don't want to hold anyone back (I'm a slow runner and 400m sprints are part of their program - I can sprint, but not for 400 m). Third, it looks like Crossfit is for the youthful superior athlete, neither of which I am. Finally, all the folks in the Facebook pics for my particular box are hotties - not a chubs to be found.
Just wondering is anyone has an Crossfit exposure or experience, especially if you're - say - over 40.
There's a new Crossfit box in my 'hood and I'm trying to muster the courage to give it a try. I have a couple of hurdles to get past first. First, I'm 52 and, although I consider myself in reasonable cardio condition and very strong for my age, I'm 52. Second, though I'm used to being the oldest person doing whatever I'm doing, I don't want to hold anyone back (I'm a slow runner and 400m sprints are part of their program - I can sprint, but not for 400 m). Third, it looks like Crossfit is for the youthful superior athlete, neither of which I am. Finally, all the folks in the Facebook pics for my particular box are hotties - not a chubs to be found.
Just wondering is anyone has an Crossfit exposure or experience, especially if you're - say - over 40.
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No help here as I don't do it - but I have some people on my FL who do, so hopefully they will be able to respond.0
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I share your concern.
I'm 51 and I feel I'm pretty fit, but I would not choose to do cross-fit.
Injury avoidance is important for everyone with a long term view of their fitness. For those of us past the age of easy and quick healing, it's even more important.
The whole thing looks way to uncontrolled and potentially damaging for me to risk it. It's not like there aren't plenty of other ways to satisfy my need for intensity.0 -
The whole thing looks way to uncontrolled and potentially damaging for me to risk it.
I share the same concerns regarding crossfit although I have heard that different crossfit boxes have different philosophies so I won't go so far as to judge the entire program.0 -
I don't do it, but I have several friends over 40 who are members of our local Crossfit box. They all speak highly of it and enjoy the workouts. I haven't asked them about specific workouts/exercises they do - mostly, to be honest, because I'm just not interested. I do know that they do a lot of metabolic conditioning stuff, but that's about the extent of my knowledge.
Also, I don't know if every Crossfit box does it, but it's my understanding that a lot of them strongly endorse/recommend Paleo dieting (I know the local one here does). I'm not stating anything one way or the other about Paleo or making a value judgment of it - just throwing it out there as a point of interest in case it matters to you one way or the other.0 -
The whole thing looks way to uncontrolled and potentially damaging for me to risk it.
I share the same concerns regarding crossfit although I have heard that different crossfit boxes have different philosophies so I won't go so far as to judge the entire program.
^^yep. I would be very careful to ensure that the trainers were very knowledgeable about form for power/oly lifts and that speed was not encouraged at the expense of form.0 -
The local crossfit club here pushes the Paleo diet way too hard and pretty much everyone who goes there is sticking to it, which I have no interest in.
My boss on the other hand is 50, she has never done anything for exercise in the last 30 years but walking and she has been going to crossfit for 3 months now and doing really well. My understanding is they really work with people on form but also have the 9th month pregnant ladies doing heavy cleans, I just don't see how that can be safe.0 -
Interesting comments about injury. I'm interested in it because I hear they drill form, form, form, coach you closely, and don't even count your reps if your form is bad. I love detail and would rather do 8 great reps than 16 half-hearted reps. I tried a couple of trainers at my YMCA, but I think I know more about form than they do. I hoped Crossfit would help me progress and protect me from injury. Maybe not. :ohwell: The scariest looking part to me was the box jumps, and I already do those. I do not, however, lift weights so heavy I have to drop them at the end....my hardwood floors would not approve.
I do know they are all about Paleo, which I tried for a couple of weeks. It didn't agree with my body, mind or lifestyle. I know I won't be subscribing to that part if I do try Crossfit.
Honestly, I'm just ready to get this fat shedding and muscle popping and I'm willing to try anything!!! :explode:
P.S., Thanks SS & Sara for helping me work on the fat shedding part!0 -
Honestly, I'm just ready to get this fat shedding and muscle popping and I'm willing to try anything!!! :explode:
If improved body composition is your goal, there are far better ways to go about it, IMO.0 -
If improved body composition is your goal, there are far better ways to go about it, IMO.
^^Primary Goal...just looking for the right path.0 -
My trainers don't call what we do Crossfit, maybe partly because of the bad rap it's getting.
That said, they do incorporate a ton of Crossfit-style exercises into our workouts. One of the two trainers is my former personal trainer from a women's gym I used to belong to. She and her partner opened their own business, and offer small group training, nutritional counseling (and it's not Paleo-focused), and personal training.
When I log what we do, I typically call it High Intensity Interval Training rather than Crossfit, since we do a bunch of stuff that is probably not considered Crossfit.
Both trainers offer modifications for every exercise, and there are people of all fitness levels in my class.
I hope you find a good class near you and check it out. (The first one here was free.)0 -
Interesting comments about injury. I'm interested in it because I hear they drill form, form, form, coach you closely, and don't even count your reps if your form is bad. I love detail and would rather do 8 great reps than 16 half-hearted reps. I tried a couple of trainers at my YMCA, but I think I know more about form than they do. I hoped Crossfit would help me progress and protect me from injury. Maybe not. :ohwell: The scariest looking part to me was the box jumps, and I already do those. I do not, however, lift weights so heavy I have to drop them at the end....my hardwood floors would not approve.
I do know they are all about Paleo, which I tried for a couple of weeks. It didn't agree with my body, mind or lifestyle. I know I won't be subscribing to that part if I do try Crossfit.
Honestly, I'm just ready to get this fat shedding and muscle popping and I'm willing to try anything!!! :explode:
P.S., Thanks SS & Sara for helping me work on the fat shedding part!
Not trying to put you off xfit here (and I hope more weigh in with their experiences) but have you thought about doing a more traditional strength training routine that incorporates barbell compound lifts with progressive loading?0 -
Interesting comments about injury. I'm interested in it because I hear they drill form, form, form, coach you closely, and don't even count your reps if your form is bad. I love detail and would rather do 8 great reps than 16 half-hearted reps. I tried a couple of trainers at my YMCA, but I think I know more about form than they do. I hoped Crossfit would help me progress and protect me from injury. Maybe not. :ohwell: The scariest looking part to me was the box jumps, and I already do those. I do not, however, lift weights so heavy I have to drop them at the end....my hardwood floors would not approve.
I do know they are all about Paleo, which I tried for a couple of weeks. It didn't agree with my body, mind or lifestyle. I know I won't be subscribing to that part if I do try Crossfit.
Honestly, I'm just ready to get this fat shedding and muscle popping and I'm willing to try anything!!! :explode:
P.S., Thanks SS & Sara for helping me work on the fat shedding part!
If you've got sensible people in charge, I'm sure the risks are much lower than I fear.
If you go for it, be careful and be in charge of yourself. Never let anyone push you past your own idea of safety.0 -
My trainers don't call what we do Crossfit, maybe partly because of the bad rap it's getting.
That said, they do incorporate a ton of Crossfit-style exercises into our workouts. One of the two trainers is my former personal trainer from a women's gym I used to belong to. She and her partner opened their own business, and offer small group training, nutritional counseling (and it's not Paleo-focused), and personal training.
When I log what we do, I typically call it High Intensity Interval Training rather than Crossfit, since we do a bunch of stuff that is probably not considered Crossfit.
Both trainers offer modifications for every exercise, and there are people of all fitness levels in my class.
I hope you find a good class near you and check it out. (The first one here was free.)
Your class sounds a lot like the one I do 2-3x/week (except I don't get nutrition advice and my teachers is not a certified trainer). The problem is I've been doing it for 4 years and feel like I have plateaued in performance. I was interested in the shorter, maximum effort workouts in Crossfit. In my class my heart rate stays in the Anaerobic Zone for 50 of the 60 minute workout which forces me to pull back from maximum effort because I have to last almost an hour.0 -
Interesting comments about injury. I'm interested in it because I hear they drill form, form, form, coach you closely, and don't even count your reps if your form is bad. I love detail and would rather do 8 great reps than 16 half-hearted reps. I tried a couple of trainers at my YMCA, but I think I know more about form than they do. I hoped Crossfit would help me progress and protect me from injury. Maybe not. :ohwell: The scariest looking part to me was the box jumps, and I already do those. I do not, however, lift weights so heavy I have to drop them at the end....my hardwood floors would not approve.
I do know they are all about Paleo, which I tried for a couple of weeks. It didn't agree with my body, mind or lifestyle. I know I won't be subscribing to that part if I do try Crossfit.
Honestly, I'm just ready to get this fat shedding and muscle popping and I'm willing to try anything!!! :explode:
P.S., Thanks SS & Sara for helping me work on the fat shedding part!
Not trying to put you off xfit here (and I hope more weigh in with their experiences) but have you thought about doing a more traditional strength training routine that incorporates barbell compound lifts with progressive loading?
No worries. I'm here for honest advice. I just started heavy lifting, or what I call heavy lifting, October, but had to take off (from lifting) Dec & Jan because of an injury. Before Oct, I only did what we did in class which always incorporated more than one movement (overhead press while lunging, chess press with leg lifts, fly standing on Bosu, etc.) and no rest so I was never able to max out my weights, This is the first time I've done any lifting that involved just the muscles used to lift and incorporated rest periods.
I'm in lifting kindergarten. I use a DVD set by Cathe Fredrich called STS (Shock Training System) and I used dumbells and a barbell....all done in my living room. I just ordered a squat rack because my chest press weight got too heavy to sit up with and put on the floor......that's when I thought I was gonna get injured.
I have no idea what compound lifts with progressive loading is and, without a decent trainer, I almost think I need a DVD series or book or something like it to coach me through. Any recommendations?0 -
Your class sounds a lot like the one I do 2-3x/week (except I don't get nutrition advice and my teachers is not a certified trainer). The problem is I've been doing it for 4 years and feel like I have plateaued in performance. I was interested in the shorter, maximum effort workouts in Crossfit. In my class my heart rate stays in the Anaerobic Zone for 50 of the 60 minute workout which forces me to pull back from maximum effort because I have to last almost an hour.
I post the workouts in my blog; if you want, shoot me a friend request and check them out.0 -
Interesting comments about injury. I'm interested in it because I hear they drill form, form, form, coach you closely, and don't even count your reps if your form is bad. I love detail and would rather do 8 great reps than 16 half-hearted reps. I tried a couple of trainers at my YMCA, but I think I know more about form than they do. I hoped Crossfit would help me progress and protect me from injury. Maybe not. :ohwell: The scariest looking part to me was the box jumps, and I already do those. I do not, however, lift weights so heavy I have to drop them at the end....my hardwood floors would not approve.
I do know they are all about Paleo, which I tried for a couple of weeks. It didn't agree with my body, mind or lifestyle. I know I won't be subscribing to that part if I do try Crossfit.
Honestly, I'm just ready to get this fat shedding and muscle popping and I'm willing to try anything!!! :explode:
P.S., Thanks SS & Sara for helping me work on the fat shedding part!
Not trying to put you off xfit here (and I hope more weigh in with their experiences) but have you thought about doing a more traditional strength training routine that incorporates barbell compound lifts with progressive loading?
No worries. I'm here for honest advice. I just started heavy lifting, or what I call heavy lifting, October, but had to take off (from lifting) Dec & Jan because of an injury. Before Oct, I only did what we did in class which always incorporated more than one movement (overhead press while lunging, chess press with leg lifts, fly standing on Bosu, etc.) and no rest so I was never able to max out my weights, This is the first time I've done any lifting that involved just the muscles used to lift and incorporated rest periods.
I'm in lifting kindergarten. I use a DVD set by Cathe Fredrich called STS (Shock Training System) and I used dumbells and a barbell....all done in my living room. I just ordered a squat rack because my chest press weight got too heavy to sit up with and put on the floor......that's when I thought I was gonna get injured.
I have no idea what compound lifts with progressive loading is and, without a decent trainer, I almost think I need a DVD series or book or something like it to coach me through. Any recommendations?
I sooooo want to get a squat rack. I need a special size one to fit into the only area I can use as a gym at home but plan on getting one built soon(ish).
Progressive loading is where there is a planned increase in the weights so that you continue to challenge your muscles and get stronger. Compound lifts: squats, deadlifts, pendlay or bent over rows, bench, OHP.
I would suggest either Starting Strength or Stronglifts 5 x 5.
While Stronglifts is more popular here, I would encourage you to look at Starting Strength as the instructions on form seem a lot better.
You can find more information here:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/4601-stronglifts-5x5-for-women
http://stronglifts.com/
http://startingstrength.com/
You can also check form on youtube - there is a thread that gives links to good videos here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/852401-proper-form-and-technique-sources0 -
I should clarify, I ordered "Squat Stands" not a rack. My living room doubles as a gym so space is a premium and I use a light weight 54"bar. I think the racks are too wide.
Thanks for the links. Lunchtime reading.
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My workout routine is getting stale. I box 2x/wk, lift 2-3x/wk, and take a class that's a mashup of P90x/Insanity/HIIT with a sprinkle of Crossfit exercises 2x/wk.
There's a new Crossfit box in my 'hood and I'm trying to muster the courage to give it a try. I have a couple of hurdles to get past first. First, I'm 52 and, although I consider myself in reasonable cardio condition and very strong for my age, I'm 52. Second, though I'm used to being the oldest person doing whatever I'm doing, I don't want to hold anyone back (I'm a slow runner and 400m sprints are part of their program - I can sprint, but not for 400 m). Third, it looks like Crossfit is for the youthful superior athlete, neither of which I am. Finally, all the folks in the Facebook pics for my particular box are hotties - not a chubs to be found.
Just wondering is anyone has an Crossfit exposure or experience, especially if you're - say - over 40.
I'm 48 and just finished my fith week of CrossFit and I love it. I would recommend visiting them and talk w/ the instructor. If it is a good box, they will work w/ you and scale down the WOD (workout of the day) to your ability. Very friendly and encouraging group typically. They may even have a trial class that you may attend. I say check it out. Good luck.0 -
My workout routine is getting stale. I box 2x/wk, lift 2-3x/wk, and take a class that's a mashup of P90x/Insanity/HIIT with a sprinkle of Crossfit exercises 2x/wk.
There's a new Crossfit box in my 'hood and I'm trying to muster the courage to give it a try. I have a couple of hurdles to get past first. First, I'm 52 and, although I consider myself in reasonable cardio condition and very strong for my age, I'm 52. Second, though I'm used to being the oldest person doing whatever I'm doing, I don't want to hold anyone back (I'm a slow runner and 400m sprints are part of their program - I can sprint, but not for 400 m). Third, it looks like Crossfit is for the youthful superior athlete, neither of which I am. Finally, all the folks in the Facebook pics for my particular box are hotties - not a chubs to be found.
Just wondering is anyone has an Crossfit exposure or experience, especially if you're - say - over 40.
I'm 48 and just finished my fith week of CrossFit and I love it. I would recommend visiting them and talk w/ the instructor. If it is a good box, they will work w/ you and scale down the WOD (workout of the day) to your ability. Very friendly and encouraging group typically. They may even have a trial class that you may attend. I say check it out. Good luck.
The one in my neighborhood offers 2 free visits. I haven't ruled it out. I love the group atmosphere and find working out with "better" athletes makes me work harder to keep up. Thanks for your first hand information!0 -
I havent done the official CrossFit, it's a trademarked name, but our gym does one that is similar I think. They call it boot camp. I am 44, almost 100 lbs overweight and I can do most of it-even if modified versions.
I've also done Cage Fitness-that one is fun too and geared towards the younger, more fit MMA crowd. It's 30 minutes (more like 40 most times) of pure hell and then when you think you cant do another thing the instructor is calling cool down instructions. It's a great stress reliever, you get to hit things, lift things, throw things, and kick things. I was able to keep up in this class but again, modified some stuff.0 -
I have done crossfit, on and off, for years, it's how I got into lifting. It can be terrible or wonderful, it is all about the particular gym and the trainers.
e.g. we have a CF gym in town that is owned and run by a former national level gymnast who is now a national level olympic-lifter. He's all about technique, I have never heard of issues with injury out of his gym. Another friend has been running her CF place for a long time, national level oly-lifter, former gymnast, no injuries...
On the other hand there is a reasonably new box that I had a short connection with. They have a ridiculous rate of injury. In particular, shoulder injuries are so common its nuts. All because of really poor programming and a focus on money/numbers rather than safety and performance.
So my advice is shop around, do your research, know your body...0
