Crossfit.What do people think?
lukehealy_12
Posts: 8 Member
Just found out there a is a crossfit gym in my town. So i started doing some research and found some mix reviews. What do you lot think? does it really make you as fit as they say they do on all these websites?
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Replies
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There are lots of threads on this if you search the boards.
Personal Opinion? Not for me. I think it can get too group-think oriented, and it has the potential to cause a lot of injuries if you happen to have a negligent instructor/gym. Its also pretty expensive.
Counter point? Some people seem to really like the sense of community, and there are lots of people who have gotten very fit from their programs.3 -
Not my personal cup of tea to be honest. I have some friends who have done crossfit and I can't say that they looked any different than when they weren't doing it.
I will say that they were super annoying with their Facebook posts of the workout that they did, post workout selfies and pictures of their meals. If you're going to do it just don't be like those people.3 -
Do it. like anything else you get out what you put it in. Be consistent, work hard at skills you need to learn. The community at the box is probably unlike anything else you know.4
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Sassie_Lassie wrote: »Not my personal cup of tea to be honest. I have some friends who have done crossfit and I can't say that they looked any different than when they weren't doing it.
I will say that they were super annoying with their Facebook posts of the workout that they did, post workout selfies and pictures of their meals. If you're going to do it just don't be like those people.
This made me LOL because the annoying facebook part is so true (though I reserve my annoying gym posts for instagram where I don't know anyone in real life
), I personally lost 70 lbs doing crossfit and got in insanely good shape. Someone just posted a thread on this with a good number of responses both pro and con http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10384188/crossfit/p1
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I was never really fond of any workout until I found Crossfit. I started so weak and overweight, I never thought I could do Crossfit. Little did I know, making the decision to sign up would be the best decision I would ever make!
The sense of community is amazing, you learn to really challenge your body like you never have before, and you learn how to properly lift and use good form. You can always try it for yourself and see if it's for you, you never know until you try!
I will add too after seeing you're a dude, my husband started it lately after doing years of weight lifting. He's getting more toned and defined now than he ever did lifting by himself in the gym. He loves it!2 -
Cross fit is the zumba of the weight lifting world.
It's useful- it's something that gets you moving. It teaches you things.
Can zumba be good? yes- is it going to a dance class? nope.
Can cross fit be good- yeppers- Is it pure weight lifting or real training?- nope.
So- just be aware- it's a thing. It's not full training- it's not power lifting- it's not straight oly lifting.
But it can be good- and it's useful and it's a good workout.9 -
whatever gets you up and moving is great. Some people love it. Its too much craziness for me personally, i can't keep up in the classes, but lots of people like that high energy stuff. i'm more into slow and steady workouts these days. Its a good workout if you don't go overboard and get hurt.0
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I have friends that love it. I went to two classes in the last week so I'm definitely not a regular. Before that I had been to three classes because of Yelp and a friend invite. I like group classes so I am a fan of that aspect. Of the gyms that I have been to especially the most recent one the instructor has been great on form and assisting me as it was my second class with him. Last night he gave me an alternative to an exercise because I am just not used to lifting Crossfit style, I suppose you could say. Going forward I could see myself taking a class once or twice a month because the exercises and workouts can get repetitive in my opinion.
I would say check it out. By your original post it sounds like it's the only CF gym whereas here they are on every corner. Every gym now offers a free class or even a week at some of them. That's a good way to test it out.0 -
Cross fit is the zumba of the weight lifting world.
It's useful- it's something that gets you moving. It teaches you things.
Can zumba be good? yes- is it going to a dance class? nope.
Can cross fit be good- yeppers- Is it pure weight lifting or real training?- nope.
So- just be aware- it's a thing. It's not full training- it's not power lifting- it's not straight oly lifting.
But it can be good- and it's useful and it's a good workout.
Huh? Strange comparisons. Who in the world ever thought Zumba was the same as a dance class or Crossfit was the same as power lifting or Oly lifting? What does "not full training" even mean?
I don't do any power lifting and I'm quite sure I do "full training" for my goals.2 -
My husband got into CrossFit 6 months ago and he loves it. He has lost 40 Pounds and really likes the community aspect. He played football growing up and in college and he says that CrossFit reminds him of it. He also knows proper form and would only go to a gym that encourages good form. I do not like the CrossFit atmosphere and prefer putting headphones in and ignoring everyone at the gym - so however you are best motivated.0
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RollTideTri wrote: »Cross fit is the zumba of the weight lifting world.
It's useful- it's something that gets you moving. It teaches you things.
Can zumba be good? yes- is it going to a dance class? nope.
Can cross fit be good- yeppers- Is it pure weight lifting or real training?- nope.
So- just be aware- it's a thing. It's not full training- it's not power lifting- it's not straight oly lifting.
But it can be good- and it's useful and it's a good workout.
Huh? Strange comparisons. Who in the world ever thought Zumba was the same as a dance class or Crossfit was the same as power lifting or Oly lifting? What does "not full training" even mean?
I don't do any power lifting and I'm quite sure I do "full training" for my goals.
its' not strange- it's about the same thing.
That's what I'm saying though- zumba is a cardio class that includes dance- but it's not dance training.
Cross fit- it's not actual weight training- it's just a workout- with weights.
Cross fit WODS aren't training programs- they are just workouts. They don't have long term goals other than "get better at doing X workout"
People who do the cross fit games- they don't actually train at a box doing cross fit wods. They run oly type training programs in the off season and then ramp up the cardio and "cross fit games" appropriate work. But believe you me- they have fully fleshed out OLY lifting type training programs. They aren't just randomly running Fran as the box decides.
And please don't take my commentary as a negative- I don't have any issue with Zumba or Crossfit. I think they are both fine and appropriate and good.
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Search the Forums and you'll find lovers and haters. Most of the haters (repeat most) I don't think have ever tried it. They hate it for other reasons and if you read their comments you'll probably be able to figure it out.
Those how love it, LOVE it. I'd focus on what they say and why. I'm close to hitting my 1 year anniversary doing CrossFit and I can tell you I'll never go back to just working out in a gym on my own. I'd die of boredom.
What I love -- Class setting makes working out fun
- Every day is different
- It's never easy - you have to challenge yourself every day
- You push yourself harder than you ever would working out on your own
- If you are competitive, you'll compete with yourself ever day
- If you want, for fun you can compete with others, which helps push them to be better, their doing the same then pushes you to be better
- You'll learn proper form (assuming you don't have a horrible coach)
- You'll expand your workout shoe collection (inside joke)
My wife started several months ago and LOVES it as well. After picking on me for refusing to miss a day of class, she finally realized what it's all about and it's the first thing she's done and found she can stick to in 20+ years.
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Sticking to any program will make you fit. Try it and if you like it great if you don't then try something else. I've been doing it for almost 2 years and would never do anything else and have gotten great results. Most places will give you a free class or two.2
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RollTideTri wrote: »Cross fit is the zumba of the weight lifting world.
It's useful- it's something that gets you moving. It teaches you things.
Can zumba be good? yes- is it going to a dance class? nope.
Can cross fit be good- yeppers- Is it pure weight lifting or real training?- nope.
So- just be aware- it's a thing. It's not full training- it's not power lifting- it's not straight oly lifting.
But it can be good- and it's useful and it's a good workout.
Huh? Strange comparisons. Who in the world ever thought Zumba was the same as a dance class or Crossfit was the same as power lifting or Oly lifting? What does "not full training" even mean?
I don't do any power lifting and I'm quite sure I do "full training" for my goals.
its' not strange- it's about the same thing.
That's what I'm saying though- zumba is a cardio class that includes dance- but it's not dance training.
Cross fit- it's not actual weight training- it's just a workout- with weights.
Cross fit WODS aren't training programs- they are just workouts. They don't have long term goals other than "get better at doing X workout"
People who do the cross fit games- they don't actually train at a box doing cross fit wods. They run oly type training programs in the off season and then ramp up the cardio and "cross fit games" appropriate work. But believe you me- they have fully fleshed out OLY lifting type training programs. They aren't just randomly running Fran as the box decides.
And please don't take my commentary as a negative- I don't have any issue with Zumba or Crossfit. I think they are both fine and appropriate and good.
But part of every session of CrossFit includes working on specific movements/form/strength. Then you do the WOD.
Lots of people have specific goals with CrossFit.
The CrossFit box I used to go to didn't just randomly run workouts, there was a method to his madness.
There is also open gym time where people can come in and work on specific lifts or movements. Lots of the competitors regularly do this.
I agree about CrossFit competitors having Oly lifting programs. The guy who runs the box I used to go to had his own powerlifting coach as well. He also did the WODs.0 -
RollTideTri wrote: »Cross fit is the zumba of the weight lifting world.
It's useful- it's something that gets you moving. It teaches you things.
Can zumba be good? yes- is it going to a dance class? nope.
Can cross fit be good- yeppers- Is it pure weight lifting or real training?- nope.
So- just be aware- it's a thing. It's not full training- it's not power lifting- it's not straight oly lifting.
But it can be good- and it's useful and it's a good workout.
Huh? Strange comparisons. Who in the world ever thought Zumba was the same as a dance class or Crossfit was the same as power lifting or Oly lifting? What does "not full training" even mean?
I don't do any power lifting and I'm quite sure I do "full training" for my goals.
its' not strange- it's about the same thing.
That's what I'm saying though- zumba is a cardio class that includes dance- but it's not dance training.
Cross fit- it's not actual weight training- it's just a workout- with weights.
Cross fit WODS aren't training programs- they are just workouts. They don't have long term goals other than "get better at doing X workout"
People who do the cross fit games- they don't actually train at a box doing cross fit wods. They run oly type training programs in the off season and then ramp up the cardio and "cross fit games" appropriate work. But believe you me- they have fully fleshed out OLY lifting type training programs. They aren't just randomly running Fran as the box decides.
And please don't take my commentary as a negative- I don't have any issue with Zumba or Crossfit. I think they are both fine and appropriate and good.
Cool, it just never occurred to me people would need to be warned that Zumba isn't real dance training or that Crossfit wasn't powerlifting training. Seems obvious. But maybe I need to poke my head into the kickboxing fitness class at the Y and let them know it's not the training real MMA fighters do. Hopefully the old ladies in the water aerobics class realize they won't be swimming in Rio this summer
I kid, I kid.10 -
I thought CrossFit was to fitness what Paleo is to nutrition: better than whatever else you're doing and the hot thing right now. I'd do it, but I can't afford to spend $43,000 a year on a gym membership (yes, that was intended to be hyperbolic).3
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CrossFit lover here, and here's my take. I'm 50 years old and a long-time active person. I started really feeling the effects of my age a couple years ago. My running times had slowed significantly, my strength was ebbing. So I joined a CrossFit box about a year ago and it's really turned things around for me. I feel better; I'm stronger, more flexible, and my endurance has improved. I fully credit 3-4 CrossFit workouts a week for the past year with this improvement.
Some tips...
Your only competition in CrossFit is yourself. When you're new to a box, you'll see other people doing things that you can't do yet. Be patient. It doesn't matter if you can't "Rx" your workout (Rx means doing the prescribed workout at the prescribed weights.) Everyone has to scale ("scale" means doing something at less than the prescribed weight/movement) at some point.
Be coach-able. The CrossFit coaches know their stuff. Their certification process is legitimate. Sure, some are better than others, but they all know the good mechanics of movement. Listen to their advice.
Keep a log. There's several good smartphone apps out there. (I use myWOD for iPhone). It's nice to go back and see your progress. Also, if a WOD (workout of the day) calls for a movement that's "55% of your 1 rep max," it's handy to have a record of your past workouts and max weights.
Understand that it's not for everyone. If you're an introvert and/or just thinking about trying new things in front of strangers give you anxiety, then maybe CF isn't for you. And that's cool. My girlfriend is a fantastic volleyball player, tennis player, runner and weightlifter, but just the thought of doing CrossFit makes her want to take a Xanax. And I totally get it. On the other hand, the thought of going to a Globo-Gym and doing curls in front of a mirror makes me want to puke, so to each his or her own! Do what makes you happiest!
I highly recommend CrossFit. I drank the Kool-Aid and thought it was delicious. I hope you'll give it a try.7 -
3dogsrunning wrote: »RollTideTri wrote: »Cross fit is the zumba of the weight lifting world.
It's useful- it's something that gets you moving. It teaches you things.
Can zumba be good? yes- is it going to a dance class? nope.
Can cross fit be good- yeppers- Is it pure weight lifting or real training?- nope.
So- just be aware- it's a thing. It's not full training- it's not power lifting- it's not straight oly lifting.
But it can be good- and it's useful and it's a good workout.
Huh? Strange comparisons. Who in the world ever thought Zumba was the same as a dance class or Crossfit was the same as power lifting or Oly lifting? What does "not full training" even mean?
I don't do any power lifting and I'm quite sure I do "full training" for my goals.
its' not strange- it's about the same thing.
That's what I'm saying though- zumba is a cardio class that includes dance- but it's not dance training.
Cross fit- it's not actual weight training- it's just a workout- with weights.
Cross fit WODS aren't training programs- they are just workouts. They don't have long term goals other than "get better at doing X workout"
People who do the cross fit games- they don't actually train at a box doing cross fit wods. They run oly type training programs in the off season and then ramp up the cardio and "cross fit games" appropriate work. But believe you me- they have fully fleshed out OLY lifting type training programs. They aren't just randomly running Fran as the box decides.
And please don't take my commentary as a negative- I don't have any issue with Zumba or Crossfit. I think they are both fine and appropriate and good.
But part of every session of CrossFit includes working on specific movements/form/strength. Then you do the WOD.
Lots of people have specific goals with CrossFit.
The CrossFit box I used to go to didn't just randomly run workouts, there was a method to his madness.
There is also open gym time where people can come in and work on specific lifts or movements. Lots of the competitors regularly do this.
I agree about CrossFit competitors having Oly lifting programs. The guy who runs the box I used to go to had his own powerlifting coach as well. He also did the WODs.
Is your Zumba-Lifting-With-Weights-Fit™ now part of your triathlon training?
TIL that it isn't "real training".
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I tried it before. Let me just say that I'm very competitive and I will kill myself to get the same lifts as a twenty year old working out next to me. Which is not good for me .
I found that the box I went to did train you properly for the lifts, but when it came to the WOD (workout of the day) It was very competitive and form went to hell in a hand basket to be the first to finish. I know a lot of people who have been injured from the workouts. I now have a bad wrist and a shoulder that still bother me from 5 years ago doing this. Some people love it though. 0 -
Everyone I know who has done it, loves/loved it. The only negative is becoming one of those "crossfit obsessed people". Lol. I vote to give it a try.1
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Cross fit is the zumba of the weight lifting world.
It's useful- it's something that gets you moving. It teaches you things.
Can zumba be good? yes- is it going to a dance class? nope.
Can cross fit be good- yeppers- Is it pure weight lifting or real training?- nope.
So- just be aware- it's a thing. It's not full training- it's not power lifting- it's not straight oly lifting.
But it can be good- and it's useful and it's a good workout.
Did the crossfit box you were a member of not include teaching the lifts? Have a structured strength program? Have open gym times?1 -
RollTideTri wrote: »
its' not strange- it's about the same thing.
That's what I'm saying though- zumba is a cardio class that includes dance- but it's not dance training.
Cross fit- it's not actual weight training- it's just a workout- with weights.
Ok, I see your comparison. Your right, it's not weight training. It's weight training, gymnastics training, metabolic conditioning, and endurance training.
Cross fit WODS aren't training programs- they are just workouts. They don't have long term goals other than "get better at doing X workout"
That's if you go to an affiliate that trains to improve a specific bench mark workout. Personally, I disagree with that programing philosophy because, as you stated, it's short sighted. The real long term goal of Crossfit is to get better at everything and well written programing achieves this.
People who do the cross fit games- they don't actually train at a box doing cross fit wods. They run oly type training programs in the off season and then ramp up the cardio and "cross fit games" appropriate work. But believe you me- they have fully fleshed out OLY lifting type training programs. They aren't just randomly running Fran as the box decides.
This is very true. The average Crossfit games athlete has a two to three a day training schedule. Athletes have been known to also do powerlifting, gymnastics, and endurance training in addition to their met con training. Long gone are the days when the average Crossfit athlete can make it to the games as an individual competitor.
And please don't take my commentary as a negative- I don't have any issue with Zumba or Crossfit. I think they are both fine and appropriate and good.
I don't take your commentary as a negative. It is an interesting point.
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Cross fit is the zumba of the weight lifting world.
It's useful- it's something that gets you moving. It teaches you things.
Can zumba be good? yes- is it going to a dance class? nope.
Can cross fit be good- yeppers- Is it pure weight lifting or real training?- nope.
So- just be aware- it's a thing. It's not full training- it's not power lifting- it's not straight oly lifting.
But it can be good- and it's useful and it's a good workout.
Lol
I don't think you've ever been to crossfit2 -
Sassie_Lassie wrote: »Not my personal cup of tea to be honest. I have some friends who have done crossfit and I can't say that they looked any different than when they weren't doing it.
I will say that they were super annoying with their Facebook posts of the workout that they did, post workout selfies and pictures of their meals. If you're going to do it just don't be like those people.
This exactly.
I deleted my Facebook about 6 months ago and I must say that it's sooooo nice not to see those Facebook posts anymore!
Anywho, I've known someone who hurt themselves badly from cross fit. But I also know those Facebook posters who love it.0 -
RosieRose7673 wrote: »Sassie_Lassie wrote: »Not my personal cup of tea to be honest. I have some friends who have done crossfit and I can't say that they looked any different than when they weren't doing it.
I will say that they were super annoying with their Facebook posts of the workout that they did, post workout selfies and pictures of their meals. If you're going to do it just don't be like those people.
This exactly.
I deleted my Facebook about 6 months ago and I must say that it's sooooo nice not to see those Facebook posts anymore!
Anywho, I've known someone who hurt themselves badly from cross fit. But I also know those Facebook posters who love it.
I know someone who hurt themselves badly by crossing the street without looking where they were going.
You can get hurt doing anything. Sometimes it's your own fault. Sometimes though, it's just not your day.0 -
I swear I live in a parallel universe when it comes to the crossfit culture of the box I went to. They had solid programming, great coaches, and none of the push till you puke nonsense. I saw next to none of the negative stereotypes that are repeatedly called out. I do like crossfit, it's fun and will get you fit. I see it as a jack of all trades, master of none kind of thing, but that's ok.
I also have to very much agree with JoRocka that the games athletes train very specifically, following solid strength programs & working on thier skills. They don't just do random Wod's0 -
AllonsYtotheTardis wrote: »RosieRose7673 wrote: »Sassie_Lassie wrote: »Not my personal cup of tea to be honest. I have some friends who have done crossfit and I can't say that they looked any different than when they weren't doing it.
I will say that they were super annoying with their Facebook posts of the workout that they did, post workout selfies and pictures of their meals. If you're going to do it just don't be like those people.
This exactly.
I deleted my Facebook about 6 months ago and I must say that it's sooooo nice not to see those Facebook posts anymore!
Anywho, I've known someone who hurt themselves badly from cross fit. But I also know those Facebook posters who love it.
I know someone who hurt themselves badly by crossing the street without looking where they were going.
You can get hurt doing anything. Sometimes it's your own fault. Sometimes though, it's just not your day.
I have friends here on MFP who do CrossFit and friends who do not do Crossfit. Based on a quick mental count, I don't think any of my friends who do CrossFit are currently injured. However, I can count quite a few injured friends whose focus is mainly cardio (running/jogging) with some general strength training.
There are LOTS of stories out there on people who were runners all their lives, and their bodies can no longer put up with the wear and tear that running entails. The most common change I've read about is switching to triathalons to see if that reduces the wear and tear, but it does not. In the end, they find a nice home with CrossFit and their bodies recover from that "dangerous" sport 0 -
I enjoy crossfit as it allows me to do heavy olympic lifting in an environment that is friendly and encouraging. A lot of crossfit comes down to finding a good gym that focuses as much on form as on time. Some gyms don't put the effort in to make you efficient and proper with all your lifts and it ends up hurting you. I think it is a great mix of cardio and lifting especially with the gyms that divide class into two parts, heavy lifting or oly for the first part and then a WOD or more cardio focused second portion of the workout.
That being said, I never post about my gym times or anything on any social media and I haven't drank the paleo cool-aid. In all, crossfit is what you make of it, just make sure to learn form before going too fast or too heavy.0 -
Nope not for me.2
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Just my two cents (as I've never done cross fit, it's out of my budget). But why not try it? I think too many people forget that the most important part of fitness, is to find something you actually ENJOY. If you don't enjoy it, you will not keep it up.3
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