Crossfit?

abc71

I lost the weight...Now I'm looking for some serious toning.

I'm not a big fan of the machines at the gym. I never know what to do, when, how much, how many??!! I'm considering the local CrossFit gym...Is that going to be too intense for someone like me with decent cardio endurance but not much in the way of strength.

cfbiii64

First of all, I love my crossfit gym, but I have only been to one gym.

Like anything, ask friends/people you trust for recommendations. They are the best source to find a gym that will meet your needs.

Meet with the owner/trainers and talk to them about your goals...if the conversations don't go well, try another.

Watch out for crossfit haters...to them, all crossfit everwhere is bad.

jjmnet

What is Crossfit exactly? I'm hearing a lot about it and people post a bunch of numbers next to some workout names.....can someone explain who has done Crossfit?

abc71

I'm not entirely clear on what it is either, other than it doesn't involve a lot of "stuff". The gyms are supposed to be pared down, the workouts are supposed to be pretty straight forward. I'm worried I'm too much of a wimp! haha! BUT I'm trying to change that and Crossfit seems a little more hardcore than my usual routine. I'd like to add some muscles to my frame!

Bricrekel

I have done Crossfit for a few years and loved it. The exercises are more cardio centric using weights. The idea in Crossfit is your body never has a chance to plateau...never. Usually there will be a set of 3 to 5 exercises to do for a day. Usually you will have to perform so many sets of them and then record your times. It doesn't matter on your strength as you should start with weights matching your level when the daily exercise calls for weights. A lot of them do not but incorporate rope climbs, kipping pullup (different motion made for max reps helping increase cardio).

I am currently doing a Beachbody program (P90X) and have just finished Beachbody's Insanity. I switched from Crossfit to this because I was not going to a "box" (Crossfit gym) and needed something the didn't require equipment. I highly recommend it especially if you are already in shape cardio wise.

SirAlexanderII

Crossfit is basically total body fitness. The basis of program is doing something different everyday. Using your environment and everyday items to aid in your fitness. Now in response to Health_Gal most crossfit gyms are priced pretty high and yes most trainers have a lvl 1 certificate. But both are true because the association that certifies these gyms/trainers cost an arm and a leg. They hold this lvl 1 until they can afford to get lvl 2, also company makes ppl hold lvl 1 at least a year before allowing them to move on. We have to understand this a pretty dynamic and new growing form of fitness. As with all new/in things everyone wants to be apart of it. Once things settle or a new fitness program comes to light these prices will level off. Don't let anyone discourage you from checking it out. Research is the key to starting anything new, google, youtube, bing crossfit games then gyms then personal workouts before going into gym to have a better understanding of this genre of fitness. It may or may not be for you. As a Certified Fitness Trainer I have to say there are no cookie cutter programs, everyone is different everyone needs different things. It about what you want/can invest in your fitness. Hope this helps.

alychil820

Does anywhere near you offer TRX? It works on toning and strengthening your entire body, and it's easy to modify the different exercises to make them easier or more difficult. Or check out a boot camp class! They're great, too, and because they're usually small, the instructor can help with your form and make recommendations for modifying the exercises.

I love Crossfit, but it's not for everyone. If you're interested, then try out a class or two, and then make your decision. You might be stronger than you think.

PRMinx

I love Crossfit. I started a month ago and it's the only workout that has successfully inspired me to work out first thing in the morning and stick with it. I go four times a week. I'm starting to feel results (back squatted 105 pounds today!)

My fitness level prior to starting was running every so often and some familiarity with a weight room. Nothing very consistent in the past three years though. I tailor the workouts to my fitness level and I'm doing just fine - even in the classes with the big guns.

My box is awesome, but not every box is great. Check recommendations. Ask a lot of questions. Look at credentials. Watch a class. That's the only way to see if it's going to be a fit for you. Also, make sure your box offers an elements class (essentially, two weeks of training before you start).

Ignore Health_Gal - she's posts the same comments on every CrossFit thread and has probably already PM'd you by now. She either has no life, is a lunatic, or is getting paid by someone.

DoneBroughtSexyBack

I'm not entirely clear on what it is either, other than it doesn't involve a lot of "stuff". The gyms are supposed to be pared down, the workouts are supposed to be pretty straight forward. I'm worried I'm too much of a wimp! haha! BUT I'm trying to change that and Crossfit seems a little more hardcore than my usual routine. I'd like to add some muscles to my frame!

When I originally started CrossFit several years ago (I took a bit of a break in there) I was so out of shape that I didn't even make it through the warm up routine before I was throwing up... Don't worry about being "too much of a wimp". I have been blessed to find two different boxes to call my CrossFit home that have excellent trainers that understand what they are doing and that just "get it".

As some others have stated, you will find that most boxes (gyms) are only equipped with level 1 cert trainers and more often then not they don’t really know what they are doing. It is just the unfortunate truth. I would go to the local box and ask the trainer there what they have for experience and all that jazz, just interview them. If you can find a good gym with a good trainer, then I think CrossFit is one of the best things you can do. I love it. I look forward to going every day. So much more fun than going to some globo gym and just hitting a few machines… but to each his (or her) own!

Best of luck!!

mizshyne

I am sort of in the same situation..now that I've lost some weight and I'm at a weight that I want. I'm afraid that if I keep going on with whatever I'm doing now that I will continue to just lose. I'm at a point now where I want to focus on toning/strengthening up and I'm not really fond of gym machines either although I'm still using them LOL soooooo..I've signed up for my first Crossfit "class" tommorow )) umm it's free BTW because they want their prospective members to see and experience it for themselves before signigng up for anything.

At first I got thrown off by the pricing and a bit nervous after researching the myths of crossfit etc... #1 being the "bulking up" part but in the end I've decieded to just go for it! because my body will only change for the better and I love a good challenge

So if this is something that you really want, listen to your body, check it out atleast once and ask some questions before crossing it off your list. you might be missing out on something you'll love hope this helps

mgreenham

I have just started Crossfit after doing a lot of what you are doing right now. Namely research. Here is what I found. Visit and talk with the boxes (gyms) in your area. Check their certifications of each of the coaches. They will refer to the students as "athletes" and they take that seriously. Where you are in your athletic prowess will be determined and discuses by the coaches so as not to hurt or overwhelm you. Then watch a few classes. Most boxes will let you drop in and watch the athletes working out. If they don't move on and find one that does. A good box will also have some type of foundations class. This class should last a month or so, going a couple times a week. This gets you somewhat familiar with the workouts you may have watched. It stresses form over intensity. so being a wimp is where we all start ;-) as you get better, the coaches will help you turn up the intensity. Lastly look at their schedule. Many new boxes are run by part time coaches (Not ideal in my opinion) and their hours are limited.

It is built on what they call functional movement, not so much specialized movements that weight machines are designed to improve/enhance. These functional movements are what you do in your everyday life, from picking up a box on the floor, to reachi9ng and grabbing something off the shelf in a store. They then add intensity, meaning more weight, faster times or more reps. Your strength and endurance QUICKLY improve.

One of the greatest things about a good box, is the sense of community you have. See each day there is only 1 routine EVERYONE does each day. So while a hard core expert might do what they call "prescribed" meaning all the weight, and reps... you may be modified to fit your skill level. But everyone works together. When the fast guys get done, they turn to those still working and cheer/encourage them on... the person who finishes last often gets more applause then the guys who finish first. Everyone wants you to be successful no matter your age or ability.

My box offers a free workout for any fitness level each sat. you won't be doing the hardcore movements, but you get a workout and get a sense of the communal atmosphere.

Good luck, I hope you find one that is good. You will quickly love it.

BTW, don't look at youtube... those people aren't your average crossfitters ;-)

DoneBroughtSexyBack

I have just started Crossfit after doing a lot of what you are doing right now. Namely research. Here is what I found. Visit and talk with the boxes (gyms) in your area. Check their certifications of each of the coaches. They will refer to the students as "athletes" and they take that seriously. Where you are in your athletic prowess will be determined and discuses by the coaches so as not to hurt or overwhelm you. Then watch a few classes. Most boxes will let you drop in and watch the athletes working out. If they don't move on and find one that does. A good box will also have some type of foundations class. This class should last a month or so, going a couple times a week. This gets you somewhat familiar with the workouts you may have watched. It stresses form over intensity. so being a wimp is where we all start ;-) as you get better, the coaches will help you turn up the intensity. Lastly look at their schedule. Many new boxes are run by part time coaches (Not ideal in my opinion) and their hours are limited.

It is built on what they call functional movement, not so much specialized movements that weight machines are designed to improve/enhance. These functional movements are what you do in your everyday life, from picking up a box on the floor, to reachi9ng and grabbing something off the shelf in a store. They then add intensity, meaning more weight, faster times or more reps. Your strength and endurance QUICKLY improve.

One of the greatest things about a good box, is the sense of community you have. See each day there is only 1 routine EVERYONE does each day. So while a hard core expert might do what they call "prescribed" meaning all the weight, and reps... you may be modified to fit your skill level. But everyone works together. When the fast guys get done, they turn to those still working and cheer/encourage them on... the person who finishes last often gets more applause then the guys who finish first. Everyone wants you to be successful no matter your age or ability.

My box offers a free workout for any fitness level each sat. you won't be doing the hardcore movements, but you get a workout and get a sense of the communal atmosphere.

Good luck, I hope you find one that is good. You will quickly love it.

BTW, don't look at youtube... those people aren't your average crossfitters ;-)

PRMinx

It's obvious that Health_Gal knows nothing about CrossFit.

At my box, there's nothing complicated about the workout. It's usually one or two lifts per workout, the first being a strength test and the second being part of the WOD (the actual intense part of the workout). They teach you how to do them.

Lifts are one part of an overall workout that includes kettles, wall balls, intense calisthenics, running, rowing, jump roping, box jumps and other cardio intensive cross training activities.

You can find community in any workout you do - it's all about what works for you. I personally found my place at my box. I really like everyone in the morning class and I go because I look forward to seeing them. CrossFit is expensive but it's worth it to me because:

1) I'm motivated to go
2) I like the people
3) I feel results
4) They have a ton of available classes, including yoga sessions
5) I like the idea of a trainer there to watch me (mine are great)
6) the CrossFit culture is to be competitive with yourself, supportive with others

And I'm sure there will be more reasons the farther along I go.

Summit481

a friend of mine just became a cross fit trainer after about a year of getting her cardio up...I don't think there is ever a bad time, and it sounds like it's really fun. I did circuit training once and loved it. I would very much like to try CF. I hope you do, and if so, keep us all posted on how you like it! good luck!

ptjolsen

I wish the quality trainers that really do have some background and education would boycott Crossfit until they stop issuing those Level 1 Certificates to people that aren't qualified to train anyone safely!

HELLO! :drinker:

PRMinx

It's obvious that Health_Gal knows nothing about CrossFit.

At my box, there's nothing complicated about the workout. It's usually one or two lifts per workout, the first being a strength test and the second being part of the WOD (the actual intense part of the workout). They teach you how to do them.

It may just be one or two lifts per Crossfit workout, but they do have a lot of different lifts and moves you have to learn to do the various workouts as Crossfit prescribes them.

The people that run the Crossfit organization probably make things so complicated so people will feel like they have to pay big money to join their facilities to learn how to do all those moves that you don't even have to deal with in most exercise classes.

Wrong. Again.

We learned four basic lifts to start and those are the only ones I have seen used in the general workouts. You spend two weeks learning these lifts under the supervision of qualified trainer. You start with a PVC pipe, and then graduate to a 15 pound bar. That's hardly a lot of lifts and hardly a lot of weight. As you progress, you add more weight. I've been there a month, I've added 20 pounds to the bar. No one has pushed me to go farther than my comfort zone. Most injuries happen because people push themselves past their limits and, from what I've heard, most of those injuries happen in the cardio elements that seem easy and are taken for granted (box jumps being a big one). But, injury happens in any intense sport. Swimmers can drown, gymnasts fall, boxers get punched, etc. You can drop a kettle ball on your foot in boot camp just as easily as you can in CrossFit.

In regards to "a lot of lifts" that's just simply not the case in the beginning. CrossFitters may pick up more lifts as they progress in their sport. But that's like anything in life, sports or otherwise. The better you become, the more things you try.

CrossFit is no more complicated than learning yoga positions, kickboxing, pilates movements or TRX systems. I know this because I've done them all. And all of these things can cause an injury.

Is it hard? Yes. Should your trainers be qualified? Yes.

Money shouldn't really be an argument here at all, because it's all relative. What is expensive to you may not be expensive to someone else. CrossFit is expensive to me, but it's worth it for many reasons (to me). If someone has the money and wants to try the sport, then all the power to them.

PRMinx

I didn't realize jumping on a box, doing a pushup and raising a bar with weights on it over your head was so ridiculously complicated

See the list at the link below. That is a LOT more complicated than any exercise program needs to be:

http://www.crossfitdavis.com/crossfit-davis/crossfit-terminology

Pulling a bunch of acronyms off a website doesn't prove anything. For one, those aren't all CF moves. The majority of CrossFitters don't even know those acronyms exist. And, two, if there was anything on the board that we didn't understand, the coaches would go over it.

You could map out a longer list for yoga that actually included real positions and movements. Try again.

Loulady

It's obvious that Health_Gal knows nothing about CrossFit.

At my box, there's nothing complicated about the workout. It's usually one or two lifts per workout, the first being a strength test and the second being part of the WOD (the actual intense part of the workout). They teach you how to do them.

It may just be one or two lifts per Crossfit workout, but they do have a lot of different lifts and moves you have to learn to do the various workouts as Crossfit prescribes them.

The people that run the Crossfit organization probably make things so complicated so people will feel like they have to pay big money to join their facilities to learn how to do all those moves that you don't even have to deal with in most exercise classes.

The people that run the Crossfit organization put tons of information out on their web site about all the workouts, and how to build your own setup/modify things so you can make do with what you have, and post a daily workout online every morning so anyone can play along at home for free.

I don't do Crossfit, but come on.

mgreenham

Just a brief note on cost...

While true, in comparison CrossFit is more expensive than a traditional $10/mo gym, you also get the benefit of small class size usually 5-10 students to 2 coaches. You are constantly watched and COACHED for that 1 hour. If a coach sees you doing something wrong, they step in, point out the error in form, re-train on the move, then help you refocus on the workout. This is in large part what you would or could pay a personal trainer to do.

A personal trainer is $50-$75/hr. So if you do CrossFit 3x/week x 4 weeks/mo would be 12 sessions or $600-$900 in personal training cost. Most GOOD boxes charge between $125-$175/mo for unlimited use which makes the individual session cost between $11- $15 each... even less if you go more often

As an example.
I went to a 4PM class last night. I had 2 coaches that coached me, my wife, an 18yo high school kid and an experienced Crossfitter. 1 coach for every 2 athletes... which IS personal attention.

While a 2:1 coach to athlete ratio isn't the norm for every class time, it most likely is for a few of them. If your box has many class times to choose from you can find sessions with few people in them. Even the busiest classes (6:00 AM, 11:30 AM and the 6:00 PM) will only have a 5-7:1 athlete to coach ratio...

As someone above put it. Expensive is a relative term. doing your own "math" will help you determine expensive.

m00nflwr

Yes my Crossfit box costs more than the YWCA did, but I love it, go much more often, and am seeing amazing progress!

For me, Crossfit is worth every penny.

JoanB5

If you are looking for something to tone that isn't expensive, there are other options if you have concerns. I started on treadmill and was losing weight with diet changes, but was having some knee tendon pain and had to reduce WAY down once I started hitting 5K point. I looked for others things to do while tendons and ligaments caught up with new muscle.

I started the "NoNonsense Challenge" group on here, not really sure if I would do it. It was so do-able and fun and the community was so great that I stuck with it about 4-5 times a week (it's scheduled for six days and a rest day, but I did DVDs or ran some days). Each week, you get increased reps on the same basic moves (jumping jacks, squats, push-ups, burpees, mountain climbers). I've noticed my biggest body changes from this group. It has an interval training feel to it. You recover, and move on to the next set. All the moves involve major muscle groups and core, so you are burning more calories through the day as well supporting new muscle. My core is ton stronger as a result.

Bonus, yesterday, I realized I've actually improved my time on my 5K by eight minutes over the last 4 weeks by NOT running. The interval training and new muscle helped me recover quicker...I added 3-4 sprint sets to the last mile of my 5K where I'm usually about to die.

Circuit training is free, easy, doesn't take a lot of equipment, and can really improve your tone fast if you want an alternative idea until you figure this out. We start again (probably from week 2 the first week of April. We'd love to have you!) You could start Week 1 this week to be ready for week two with us next week!

sixtyinchesoffury

hey there! I just started cross fit this week. have done 2 one on one training sessions. i'm in a unique position to do a trade with the trainer ( massage for her training me) so cost isn't a factor but I was worried to start. as I started mentioning it to people I noticed a lot of haters out there. many straight out said you're gonna get hurt. as an MT this would be a major problem. I work for myself so if I get hurt then business has to stop while I heal....not to mention the fact that injury can easily turn into chronic pain if it's nor given the appropriate time to heal/recondition.

anyway.....I made sure the very first thing I discussed with the trainer is my concern with form, technique and injury prevention. so we are taking it slow but still challenging! the first day was bodyweight exercise (squats, push ups, sit ups) yesterday she had me do some kettle bell swings, 25 lb, medicine ball slams, 25 lb and rowing. it kicked my butt but the feeling after was AWESOME!

just try it. you can do it

Phrakman

There is nothing overly excessive/extreme about your average crossfit class. They are quite scalable to your level, and well "you" determine how hard you wanna push yourself.

Its a great social enviroment, everyone is super encouraging and supportive.

Most of the time trainers will take you aside if you are having serious form issues and will help you correct them. Or they offer classes in oly lifting to help you out which i highly advise taking as they are a ton of fun.

Yes there are the serious crossfit athletes out there, if you watch them workout it is extreme, but any pro/elite athlete has to be extreme to make it in there sport.

sixtyinchesoffury

It's obvious that Health_Gal knows nothing about CrossFit.



she sent me a PM to tell me to stop encouraging people to do cross fit. that's so sad to me that she feels the need to do that.

gerard54

Try jujitsu...

alexisjfrank

I saw some one mention prices of $125-175 a month and that's true for the unlimited plans, but a lot of boxes offer cheaper plans if you only plan on going for 2x or 3x a week. The unlimited it really only necessary if you want to go 4 or more times a week, then it's totally worth it. I loved my box!

PaleoChocolateBear

There is nothing overly excessive/extreme about your average crossfit class. They are quite scalable to your level, and well "you" determine how hard you wanna push yourself.

Its a great social enviroment, everyone is super encouraging and supportive.

Most of the time trainers will take you aside if you are having serious form issues and will help you correct them. Or they offer classes in oly lifting to help you out which i highly advise taking as they are a ton of fun.

Yes there are the serious crossfit athletes out there, if you watch them workout it is extreme, but any pro/elite athlete has to be extreme to make it in there sport.

What he just said , very friendly every box I've been too and I love crossfit

mountaingirl1961

Those who would dis Crossfit because of the cost or whatever other excuse they want to use know nothing, to quote one of my fave Game of Thrones characters.

Crossfit is awesome and my box rocks. The guy who runs the place is a former national champion Masters Olympic weightlifter, and is certified in a number of different training disciplines in addition to Crossfit. He knows what he's doing, and the atmosphere in his place is immensely focused on doing the workouts RIGHT before you ever try and do them HEAVY. He supervises the classes in such a way that it's like getting a personal trainer for the price of a class. That said, it's also quite possible to do Crossfit at home, with only minimal exercise equipment - and if you can't find the right instructor or gym environment it's a very viable way to go.

The Crossfit website gives the day's workout, along with plenty of instructional videos AND videos that demonstrate how to work up to the (sometimes quite difficult) moves incorporated into Crossfit. In addition, the website links a forum that gives the official scaled workouts, suitable for everyone from rank beginners who can barely eke out a pushup to those on the cusp of Crossfit greatness. There's a place for everyone in Crossfit - everyone, that is, who's willing to work hard to improve themselves.

There's also an ap called MyWOD that is immensely useful for Crossfitters which, in conjunction with the website and the scaled workouts, can pretty much give you everything you need to get going with Crossfit. It has all of the standard workouts (the Girls and the Heroes, for the Crossfitters in the room) as well as a series of road WODs that require nothing more than some floor space and a pair of shoes.

When I'm on the road I quite often do one of the road WODs from the ap, rather than trying to find a local box. I'm cheap, and the ap was only $1.99.

The environment at my gym works well to keep me going. Honestly, the very supportive, social aspect of Crossfit holds me accountable for showing up and busting *kitten*. When I was working hours that were prohibitive for my getting to the gym, though, I had no problem continuing my improvement curve for a couple of months at home. Ya just gotta wanna.

Overall, I've gotten FAR better results in the last year and a half I've been doing Crossfit than I was ever able to achieve being a gym rat - for 20+ years. It's not even close.

preciousthin9s

Crossfit is a good form of Metabolic Resistance training, but take care not to get injured!!! My Physiotherapist tells me 90% of his clients are people who got into CrossFit without any prior strength training. I asked him about it because I was thinking of doing it myself. He recommends you learn techniques first - get your deadlifts, squats, etc... technique 100% correct, and build up some strength, before you tackle something like CrossFit. Although some CrossFit gyms offer 'training' beforehand, I have friends in the fitness industry and they are shocked when they find out that CrossFit trainers take only 1-2 days to teach a deadlift technique. My Powerlifting friends (who compete professionally and internationally) say that it takes months to get that technique right. So, they are also shocked when they see what the CrossFit crowd do! In saying all that, my brother and cousin are massive CrossFit fans and swear by it.... however, they are athletic and already have a very good strength foundation. This goes back to what I was saying: if you want to do CrossFit, I urge you to build some strength first, get a strong foundation in technique, before you tackle squats and deadlifts and other such exercises at a ridiculous speed in minimal time! Good luck!

PRMinx

Crossfit is a good form of Metabolic Resistance training, but take care not to get injured!!! My Physiotherapist tells me 90% of his clients are people who got into CrossFit without any prior strength training. I asked him about it because I was thinking of doing it myself. He recommends you learn techniques first - get your deadlifts, squats, etc... technique 100% correct, and build up some strength, before you tackle something like CrossFit. Although some CrossFit gyms offer 'training' beforehand, I have friends in the fitness industry and they are shocked when they find out that CrossFit trainers take only 1-2 days to teach a deadlift technique. My Powerlifting friends (who compete professionally and internationally) say that it takes months to get that technique right. So, they are also shocked when they see what the CrossFit crowd do! In saying all that, my brother and cousin are massive CrossFit fans and swear by it.... however, they are athletic and already have a very good strength foundation. This goes back to what I was saying: if you want to do CrossFit, I urge you to build some strength first, get a strong foundation in technique, before you tackle squats and deadlifts and other such exercises at a ridiculous speed in minimal time! Good luck!

My box taught us lifts for two weeks before we could join a WOD class. All of the beginners to the WOD class get special attention for a while to make sure that our form is correct and we aren't taking too much on. I've been at it for 7 weeks, and the trainers are still all over me. So your friends in the fitness industry are misguided.

What's interesting about your post is that you haven't been to a CrossFit class yourself and yet you are trying to advise others on what they should do before they start CrossFit. It's kind of weird that you have not only taken such an interest in something that you personally have never tried, but that you are also try to educate people on it.

It's also funny that you just joined AND this is your only post.

You wouldn't be Health_Gal would you? :huh:

juicemoogan

Most places will offer a free intro class so you can try it out and meet with them...

I have only done 1 official class, but i do similar training sometimes.. I love it.. I'm going to try out a new place this weekend that is closer to my house.