Crossfit Thoughts

I have been looking at trying Cross-fit. I was an athlete but now I am very out of shape.

Any thoughts out there for beginners?
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Replies

  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
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  • Lift_hard_eat_big
    Lift_hard_eat_big Posts: 2,278 Member
    I have been looking at trying Cross-fit. I was an athlete but now I am very out of shape.

    Any thoughts out there for beginners?

    Practice strict form to minimize chance of injuries
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    try and find a box that insists that you take a 2-3 week intro course. they'll teach you the basics and get you started. it's good so that you know what you are doing when you join the regular classes, and so you don't slow the classes down.
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    I think doing dynamic movements beyond technical failure is a big, big problem.
  • dreilingda
    dreilingda Posts: 122 Member
    I think doing dynamic movements beyond technical failure is a big, big problem.

    It sure is trendy though. That's something...
  • Jindra12
    Jindra12 Posts: 256 Member
    Why don't you join Crossfi group on MFP? You'll get better responses over there.
  • There are good CF gyms, and bad ones. The problem with CF is that the individual gyms aren't regulated. Find a good CF gym with good programming and I think it's amazing. I don't think you should join CF "because one opened down the street" because that doesn't mean it's a quality place. I know you didn't say that, but it's what I hear a lot. Check out a few of them, interview the owners and go from there :)
  • WRXymama
    WRXymama Posts: 342 Member
    There are good CF gyms, and bad ones. The problem with CF is that the individual gyms aren't regulated. Find a good CF gym with good programming and I think it's amazing. I don't think you should join CF "because one opened down the street" because that doesn't mean it's a quality place. I know you didn't say that, but it's what I hear a lot. Check out a few of them, interview the owners and go from there :)

    I couldnt agree more with this statement. I got a XFit membership for a gym that was just down the street from work...24/7 and CHEAP. I went in there and was COMPLETELY clueless as to what I was doing, and there were NO regular classes, just "join in when you can with our group". The one time I did, I was the same weight in fat than then "bulky" guys were in muscle, and the gym owner was incrediblely NOT helpful. My one negative experience turned me off enough to it. Do I think that xfit works and is great, HELL YES I do! Was it for me? Not so much.
  • petstorekitty
    petstorekitty Posts: 592 Member
    my friend joined crossfit and her legs got all huge and she cried. I guess she hasn't lots much fat. Sad but that's what you get for doing trendy things.

    I'll agree with the "it depends on the gym" reply, however. Apparently some people love it because of the community. *shrug*

    The idea of doing crazy-hard workouts sounds fun to me, but I am not even about to pay $$$ to do group workouts that make my legs all huge.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    get your form DOWN before starting. yes there is a 2 week on ramp course, but they fly through stuff. most movements you need to do hundreds if not a thousand times for it to be second nature to your body, especially the super technical moves like snatches. i would suggest learning the basics like squats (front and back), deadlifts, pull ups, push ups, situps, cleans, push presses, KB swings, jerks, snatches etc before even starting the onramp class. because once you have to there, you're essentially learning it with a weight (even though it can be scaled0 as well as being asked to do it for time

    i recently took an on ramp class and before the end we had 2 injuries in my 6 person, a 3rd person recently hurt her back during a class doing snatches for time. so basically half my class got injured. of ther 3 other people who were left, 1 guy stopped going and the other 2 of us still go BUT we both have 10+ years of solid weight lifting and olympic lifting training.

    with that said, i love crossfit. i'm definitely not lifting as much weight as i would during my heavy lifting days, but i like the comraderie of it plus it's forcing me to work on my cardio and endurance more. i'm also a former athlete and a lot of it reminds me of the group off season workouts we'd have for rugby
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    my friend joined crossfit and her legs got all huge and she cried. I guess she hasn't lots much fat. Sad but that's what you get for doing trendy things.

    I'll agree with the "it depends on the gym" reply, however. Apparently some people love it because of the community. *shrug*

    The idea of doing crazy-hard workouts sounds fun to me, but I am not even about to pay $$$ to do group workouts that make my legs all huge.

    PicardDoubleFacepalm-1.jpg?1316330080
  • dane11235813
    dane11235813 Posts: 682 Member
    my friend joined crossfit and her legs got all huge and she cried. I guess she hasn't lots much fat. Sad but that's what you get for doing trendy things.

    I'll agree with the "it depends on the gym" reply, however. Apparently some people love it because of the community. *shrug*

    The idea of doing crazy-hard workouts sounds fun to me, but I am not even about to pay $$$ to do group workouts that make my legs all huge.

    :huh:
  • journalistjen
    journalistjen Posts: 265 Member
    Thanks for all the info--I've been wanting to try it too.
  • mrstravisjones
    mrstravisjones Posts: 104 Member
    my friend joined crossfit and her legs got all huge and she cried. I guess she hasn't lots much fat. Sad but that's what you get for doing trendy things.

    I'll agree with the "it depends on the gym" reply, however. Apparently some people love it because of the community. *shrug*

    The idea of doing crazy-hard workouts sounds fun to me, but I am not even about to pay $$$ to do group workouts that make my legs all huge.

    I'm sorry for your friend's experience, but my thighs have shrunk quite a few inches in the last 5 months I've been doing crossfit. My waist is narrower, and I've gone down 2 pants sizes.

    I guess some classes don't slow down to teach beginners, but I've never felt lost in mine. And I am far from being a physically fit athlete.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    my friend joined crossfit and her legs got all huge and she cried. I guess she hasn't lots much fat.

    sorry but this is hilarious to me..:laugh: maybe she's eating more food . i'm actually one of those girls who easily gain muscle and i can tell you that muscle doesn't make your legs huge, fat makes your legs huge... and considering that most of the weights are only like 30-50% of someone's 1 rep max it's hard to build based on that

    maybe your friend goes nomnomnomnom too much after crossfit?
  • cjosenga
    cjosenga Posts: 37 Member
    Check this out. It's long, but moving.
    CrossFit - Transforming a Reservation - YouTube
  • IronPlayground
    IronPlayground Posts: 1,594 Member
    my friend joined crossfit and her legs got all huge and she cried. I guess she hasn't lots much fat. Sad but that's what you get for doing trendy things.

    I'll agree with the "it depends on the gym" reply, however. Apparently some people love it because of the community. *shrug*

    The idea of doing crazy-hard workouts sounds fun to me, but I am not even about to pay $$$ to do group workouts that make my legs all huge.

    Your friend was eating too much! I'm not a fan of Cross Fit, but her results were caused by food!
  • DarkAngellEyes
    DarkAngellEyes Posts: 317 Member
    There are good CF gyms, and bad ones. The problem with CF is that the individual gyms aren't regulated. Find a good CF gym with good programming and I think it's amazing. I don't think you should join CF "because one opened down the street" because that doesn't mean it's a quality place. I know you didn't say that, but it's what I hear a lot. Check out a few of them, interview the owners and go from there :)

    This. Exactly this.

    Just don't let the haters and nay-sayers deter you... if its something you're interested in - check it out. Then decide for yourself if its something you want to pursue.
  • Leadfoot_Lewis
    Leadfoot_Lewis Posts: 1,623 Member
    To the OP - what exactly is your goal since I don't believe anyone has asked.
    my friend joined crossfit and her legs got all huge and she cried. I guess she hasn't lots much fat. Sad but that's what you get for doing trendy things.

    Lost no fat but has huge legs? = friend needs a calorie deficit.

    The idea of doing crazy-hard workouts sounds fun to me, but I am not even about to pay $$$ to do group workouts that make my legs all huge.

    *Facepalm*
  • KittieLea
    KittieLea Posts: 1,156 Member
    my friend joined crossfit and her legs got all huge and she cried. I guess she hasn't lots much fat. Sad but that's what you get for doing trendy things.

    I'll agree with the "it depends on the gym" reply, however. Apparently some people love it because of the community. *shrug*

    The idea of doing crazy-hard workouts sounds fun to me, but I am not even about to pay $$$ to do group workouts that make my legs all huge.
    Yer doin' rite if yer legz get huge and u kry.
  • Dub_D
    Dub_D Posts: 1,760 Member
    my friend joined crossfit and her legs got all huge and she cried. I guess she hasn't lots much fat. Sad but that's what you get for doing trendy things.

    I'll agree with the "it depends on the gym" reply, however. Apparently some people love it because of the community. *shrug*

    The idea of doing crazy-hard workouts sounds fun to me, but I am not even about to pay $$$ to do group workouts that make my legs all huge.

    tumblr_ma3g41MU3d1qlglddo1_250.gif
  • EMc4452
    EMc4452 Posts: 187 Member
    Like any new fitness program I would always suggest to just give it a try and see if it works for you. Some people love CrossFit some don't. Like all the other comments have said start slow and focus on form in every workout! Good luck.
  • I'd say take an intro class or have someone teach you form prior to starting.
    My husband does CF. He started with a trainer and it really helped him learn proper movements. He loves it. He was the type that had a set gym routine, and found it not working anymore... CF was perfect for a serious change and lots of hard work has been paying off. Best of Luck. :)
  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
    Why don't you join Crossfit group on MFP? You'll get better responses over there.

    This. Join the CrossFit group and hear what they have to say. My son does it and absolutely loves it. It is the only form of exercise you has ever really committed to and stuck with. It is the camaraderie in the gyms. He likes that.
  • my friend joined crossfit and her legs got all huge and she cried. I guess she hasn't lots much fat.

    sorry but this is hilarious to me..:laugh: maybe she's eating more food . i'm actually one of those girls who easily gain muscle and i can tell you that muscle doesn't make your legs huge, fat makes your legs huge... and considering that most of the weights are only like 30-50% of someone's 1 rep max it's hard to build based on that

    maybe your friend goes nomnomnomnom too much after crossfit?

    I agree with nomnomnom.
  • BOLO4Hagatha
    BOLO4Hagatha Posts: 94 Member
    My best friend does CrossFit (also follows the recommended Paleo Diet) and I can see a huge difference in her. She looks great. I love the idea of CrossFit, but hate the idea of parting with so much $$$ per month. She did recommend that if I ever decided to do CrossFit that I take their intro course where they teach your form. Her opinion of CrossFit is that it is designed based on your own abilities. You shouldn't feel ashamed that you can't do a pull up without assistance or that you can barely lift the bar when doing squats. You will eventually get there, and at the end of the work out you feel great.

    Good Luck with your decision.
  • Jindra12
    Jindra12 Posts: 256 Member
    my friend joined crossfit and her legs got all huge and she cried. I guess she hasn't lots much fat. Sad but that's what you get for doing trendy things.

    I'll agree with the "it depends on the gym" reply, however. Apparently some people love it because of the community. *shrug*

    The idea of doing crazy-hard workouts sounds fun to me, but I am not even about to pay $$$ to do group workouts that make my legs all huge.

    tumblr_mcxoqbLfQC1rtt21jo2_400.gif
  • ukgirly01
    ukgirly01 Posts: 523 Member
    my friend joined crossfit and her legs got all huge and she cried. I guess she hasn't lots much fat.

    sorry but this is hilarious to me..:laugh: maybe she's eating more food . i'm actually one of those girls who easily gain muscle and i can tell you that muscle doesn't make your legs huge, fat makes your legs huge... and considering that most of the weights are only like 30-50% of someone's 1 rep max it's hard to build based on that

    maybe your friend goes nomnomnomnom too much after crossfit?

    This! Haha