Crossfit.What do people think?

2

Replies

  • CrossfitOCRunner
    CrossfitOCRunner Posts: 61 Member
    I love crossfit and I am in the best shape of my life because of it. I am also healthier than I ever have been, as it has cured my back issues and other issues/imbalances. It's not for everyone, but at a good box its definitely worth a try. its tough because every box isn't the same and every coach isn't always good. But its a wonderful form of exercise with a good balance of strength and stamina. As an endurance athlete, I do crossfit endurance to be able to lift heavy and run long. let me know how it goes!
  • Obeg
    Obeg Posts: 49 Member
    CrossFit is the toughest thing I have ever tried to do. (Much tougher for training for 2 marathons that I have run). As I sit here - I can still feel my shoulders and quads are sore from Monday and Tuesday. I took off yesterday and my 44yr old body is telling me I should take off today. I think I will just go lift and hit the sauna, hot tub, and pool instead and repair for the partner WOD on Saturday. It is very tough and it changes every day so your body has a hard time adjusting. That is what is awesome and hard about it. If you are slow to recover or not 23 and gifted, it will be even tougher for you. But is very rewarding.

    The moral of my rambling - I think the above is why some hate it. It's too hard. It's too different. It "looks funny". It makes your hurt. --- Conversely I think that is why many love it. It's hard. It's different. You do new, funny things everyday. It makes you hurt. And those rewards and sense of accomplishments are what keeps you coming back as well and expressing your accomplishments that you worked so hard for and are so proud of to who you think are your friends on Facebook,

  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    Amym26 wrote: »
    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.

    Biggest deterrent to me is the cost. I won't say not ever, but man, it's expensive. (To be fair, I also consider personal training very expensive.)
  • questionfear
    questionfear Posts: 527 Member
    auddii wrote: »
    Amym26 wrote: »
    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.

    Biggest deterrent to me is the cost. I won't say not ever, but man, it's expensive. (To be fair, I also consider personal training very expensive.)

    Same for me. I've seen deals where you can take X number of classes for $50 or something similar, but I've always held off because even if I like it, there's no way I could justify spending upwards of $150/month on a gym right now.

    I fully recognize the reason behind it being so expensive, since it's basically small group training, but it just isn't in my budget at this point. Also doesn't help that there's not really a super convenient Crossfit gym near me. There's one nearby but the hours don't work for me, and the ones with hours that are better are too far to drive. :(
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,973 Member
    Neither love nor hate it. It's another way of training that fits for some and not for others. I like kickboxing and jiu jitsu for conditioning, better than CF, but for many that would be boring or not "hard" enough.
    So like anything else, if it's some you can stick to and enjoy, then do it. I have a friend who's slightly younger than me and is in great shape in CF and even won his class in a competition at last year's Olympia.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    9285851.png
  • Upstate_Dunadan
    Upstate_Dunadan Posts: 435 Member
    Obeg wrote: »
    CrossFit is the toughest thing I have ever tried to do. (Much tougher for training for 2 marathons that I have run). As I sit here - I can still feel my shoulders and quads are sore from Monday and Tuesday. I took off yesterday and my 44yr old body is telling me I should take off today. I think I will just go lift and hit the sauna, hot tub, and pool instead and repair for the partner WOD on Saturday. It is very tough and it changes every day so your body has a hard time adjusting. That is what is awesome and hard about it. If you are slow to recover or not 23 and gifted, it will be even tougher for you. But is very rewarding.

    The moral of my rambling - I think the above is why some hate it. It's too hard. It's too different. It "looks funny". It makes your hurt. --- Conversely I think that is why many love it. It's hard. It's different. You do new, funny things everyday. It makes you hurt. And those rewards and sense of accomplishments are what keeps you coming back as well and expressing your accomplishments that you worked so hard for and are so proud of to who you think are your friends on Facebook,

    Well said Obeg. I'm 47 and I'm in the best shape of my life. Even better I think than when I was playing sports in High School and College way back when. I truly believe CF is the fountain of youth. I know a lot of 40-50 year olds at our box feel the same way.
  • Alidecker
    Alidecker Posts: 1,262 Member
    I did a CrossFit trial, it was the boot camp or on ramp class, plus a few classes once I passed that. It was good, I liked parts of it, wasn't a fan of parts of it. That said, my trainer got certified as a CrossFit instructor after I had been working with him for a few years, he now owns a CrossFit gym and he includes some CrossFit type training in my workouts and I love that. I have also been to his classes and enjoy them. The cost is probably the biggest draw back fro me. I like to be able to do other workouts and at the prices, I feel like I would have to stick with just CrossFit. From what I hear, I would follow the advice of others and make sure you find a good box that has good trainers that watch your form and care more about form than speed.
  • SamAdamsLoL
    SamAdamsLoL Posts: 1 Member
    I feel like CrossFit is a thing that people either do it and Love It, Do It and hate the Environment/Pace and don't go back or Judge it from afar.

    Personally I do it (and LOVE IT). I use this website to Track Macros and Cals for CrossFit since I'm too scrawny and need to bulk up.

    Started CrossFit went from 6'0" 186 to 149 in 1 Year [which is fine] but, I sacrificed Muscle for Gymnastic-type Fitness. Now I'm about 157 concentrating on Olympic Lifts more than body weight movements (still go to all Classes at CF just also go to Strength/Oly on Monday Nights).

    Cf is a great for overall fitness. Just make sure when you shop a Box, look for quality of Coaching over EVERYTHING ELSE. Even if the place is a dump; take some Emergen-C if the Coaching staff is stellar.
  • kwtilbury
    kwtilbury Posts: 1,234 Member
    Traditional lifters primarily don't like crossfit because it won't get you bigger or stronger (compared to other forms of training).
  • Keladelphia
    Keladelphia Posts: 820 Member
    kwtilbury wrote: »
    Traditional lifters primarily don't like crossfit because it won't get you bigger or stronger (compared to other forms of training).

    I'm no gung-ho supporter of crossfit and certainly don't think it's the best form of training for everyone or suited for all goals but I find these comments that it's not "real training" or you cant get stronger compared to other forms of training pretty amusing. Even before I started training for competitive crossfit (which someone has already stated is more pure strength and endurance training than "Wods") I went from a 135#deadlift, 125# squat, 45# snatch and 75# Clean and Jerk to a 300#deadlift, 250#squat, 140# snatch and 170# Clean and jerk. If that's not getting strong ( compared to other forms of training) I really don't know what is. The point about not getting bigger did run true in my circumstance, I got smaller and shredded instead of maintaining high body-fat.
  • kwtilbury
    kwtilbury Posts: 1,234 Member
    kwtilbury wrote: »
    Traditional lifters primarily don't like crossfit because it won't get you bigger or stronger (compared to other forms of training).

    I'm no gung-ho supporter of crossfit and certainly don't think it's the best form of training for everyone or suited for all goals but I find these comments that it's not "real training" or you cant get stronger compared to other forms of training pretty amusing. Even before I started training for competitive crossfit (which someone has already stated is more pure strength and endurance training than "Wods") I went from a 135#deadlift, 125# squat, 45# snatch and 75# Clean and Jerk to a 300#deadlift, 250#squat, 140# snatch and 170# Clean and jerk. If that's not getting strong ( compared to other forms of training) I really don't know what is. The point about not getting bigger did run true in my circumstance, I got smaller and shredded instead of maintaining high body-fat.

    That's awesome. I never said you couldn't get stronger by doing Crossfit.

    Here's my point: If you were to go to a personal trainer with a goal of getting stronger, how many would prescribe a Crossfit training protocol vs. a more traditional powerlifting protocol?
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    I neither love or hate crossfit but it really bothers me when people who do it automatically assume that they are way more fit/ better than those who don't do it (I have seen it in this thread). I train hard and am very fit and I don't do crossfit. I don't seem to see people who do other forms of training going around saying how much harder and more fit they are.
  • Gemmi73
    Gemmi73 Posts: 23 Member
    I was a CF owner for 4 yrs and currently train in a CF gym (as well as at home). I would say try it. It's motivating to be able to do various (weightlifting, Olympic lifting, etc) training in a group setting. However, all CF gyms aren't created equal. Like others have said, make sure you get exercise form down before you start going all out in metcons and such.
  • ROBOTFOOD
    ROBOTFOOD Posts: 5,527 Member
  • kimdawnhayden
    kimdawnhayden Posts: 298 Member
    ROBOTFOOD wrote: »
    56jsmmsplgwn.gif

    Those are not real pull-ups no matter what anyone says. :)
  • ROBOTFOOD
    ROBOTFOOD Posts: 5,527 Member
    ROBOTFOOD wrote: »
    56jsmmsplgwn.gif

    Those are not real pull-ups no matter what anyone says. :)

    Yep. Dead hang for life.
  • Kekekylene
    Kekekylene Posts: 112 Member
    I neither love or hate crossfit but it really bothers me when people who do it automatically assume that they are way more fit/ better than those who don't do it (I have seen it in this thread). I train hard and am very fit and I don't do crossfit. I don't seem to see people who do other forms of training going around saying how much harder and more fit they are.

    We must be reading a different thread - not seeing this.

    Me too, I have read everything in this thread and do not see anyone stating any of this.....?

  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    ROBOTFOOD wrote: »
    56jsmmsplgwn.gif

    Those are not real pull-ups no matter what anyone says. :)

    This is the picture I get when I think cross fit. Poor form, poor technique, an injury waiting to happen. Same sense I got when I saw a Cross Fit competition on TV. Maybe Cross Fit is a good exercise program, just in some practice... not so much.
  • Keladelphia
    Keladelphia Posts: 820 Member
    edited May 2016
    kwtilbury wrote: »
    kwtilbury wrote: »
    Traditional lifters primarily don't like crossfit because it won't get you bigger or stronger (compared to other forms of training).

    I'm no gung-ho supporter of crossfit and certainly don't think it's the best form of training for everyone or suited for all goals but I find these comments that it's not "real training" or you cant get stronger compared to other forms of training pretty amusing. Even before I started training for competitive crossfit (which someone has already stated is more pure strength and endurance training than "Wods") I went from a 135#deadlift, 125# squat, 45# snatch and 75# Clean and Jerk to a 300#deadlift, 250#squat, 140# snatch and 170# Clean and jerk. If that's not getting strong ( compared to other forms of training) I really don't know what is. The point about not getting bigger did run true in my circumstance, I got smaller and shredded instead of maintaining high body-fat.

    That's awesome. I never said you couldn't get stronger by doing Crossfit.

    Here's my point: If you were to go to a personal trainer with a goal of getting stronger, how many would prescribe a Crossfit training protocol vs. a more traditional powerlifting protocol?

    With the goal of getting stronger at what? Pull-ups? Power lifting? Olympic lifting? Taking out the trash?

    Here's my point: if you were to go to a personal trainer with the goal of getting stronger at the power lifts you would train power lifting specifically and of course you would get stronger at dead lifting/squatting/bench pressing than you would with crossfit because that's what you're training specifically. If you were to go to an Olympic coach with the goal of getting stronger at the clean and jerk/snatch then of course you would get stronger at the clean and jerk and snatch than you would with crossfit because that's what you're training specifically. Crossfit is a general preparedness program designed to make you stronger in many different areas not to make you the strongest powerlifter or the strongest olympic lifter or the guy who can curl the most. I'm certainly not disagreeing with you that specific strength goals are best achieved through specific types of training, a good personal trainer would develop a program that supports an individuals specific goals. This is why I personally don't train traditional crossfit programming anymore, because my goal is not to get stronger in many different areas but a few very specific areas.

    You said "it won't get you bigger or stronger (compared to other forms of training)" which I think is deceptive to someone who isn't really familiar with crossfit programming. This is why I pointed out that you can indeed get get stronger (compared to other forms of training).
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    ROBOTFOOD wrote: »
    ROBOTFOOD wrote: »
    56jsmmsplgwn.gif

    Those are not real pull-ups no matter what anyone says. :)

    Yep. Dead hang for life.

    This is where people need to realize they are 2 distinct and separate movements. Well 3 if you count butterfly pull ups. Its not about which is a "real" pull up. Its about using the appropriate movement for the task at hand.
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    Crossfit. Safer than say, climbing Mt. Everest, but probably costs you a bit more however.
  • DrifterBear
    DrifterBear Posts: 265 Member
    I love it but the expense is really adding up. I may quit after this month even though I enjoy it. It's a great interval/strength workout that I can't replicate on my own. It's hard to do anything like it at a normal gym because etiquette requires you not take up half the equipment to set up a circuit. It also gets you to do workouts that are much harder than MOST people would do on their own with more variety than most would do. Plus, sometimes I just don't want to do it but as with any class environment, quitting is much harder than when solo. There's risk of injury but if you find a good gym and listen to your body and modify accordingly, you'll reduce the risk.

    Crossfit is just one class-based HIIT workout that emphasizes strength. There are plenty of options out there.

    I'd say it's a great workout with reasonably high but manageable risk of injury and high cost.
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    rybo wrote: »
    ROBOTFOOD wrote: »
    ROBOTFOOD wrote: »
    56jsmmsplgwn.gif

    Those are not real pull-ups no matter what anyone says. :)

    Yep. Dead hang for life.

    This is where people need to realize they are 2 distinct and separate movements. Well 3 if you count butterfly pull ups. Its not about which is a "real" pull up. Its about using the appropriate movement for the task at hand.

    Next you're going to tell me push presses and military presses are different and one of those isn't wrong and/or cheating...
  • sllm1
    sllm1 Posts: 2,130 Member
    I absolutely love it and I'm the strongest I've ever been in my life (at 43) - and getting stronger and more fit every day.

    For some reason the term CrossFit brings out a multitude of haters, but I would say give it a try and judge for yourself.
  • zdyb23456
    zdyb23456 Posts: 1,706 Member
    I know several people who love it. I saw one girl with bandages on her hands - I asked her what happened. She said she ripped off all the callouses and skin from her palms doing 100 pull ups.... Okay. Why? What's the point?

    My husband works with several guys who do it and overuse injury seems prevalent.

    I understand it can be a fun, hard workout. I just don't understand the intense high reps of exercises when performed with poor form cause injury.

    Of course, the same is said about running. I guess I just have never met runners as intense about running as crossfitters are about cross fit.
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    zdyb23456 wrote: »
    I know several people who love it. I saw one girl with bandages on her hands - I asked her what happened. She said she ripped off all the callouses and skin from her palms doing 100 pull ups.... Okay. Why? What's the point?

    My husband works with several guys who do it and overuse injury seems prevalent.

    I understand it can be a fun, hard workout. I just don't understand the intense high reps of exercises when performed with poor form cause injury.

    Of course, the same is said about running. I guess I just have never met runners as intense about running as crossfitters are about cross fit.

    http://www.endurancesociety.org/infinitus.html
  • Markdjones83
    Markdjones83 Posts: 852 Member
    A bit too expensive from me and I have a hectic schedule that would make it difficult to make classes, but people seem to like it. I stick to DVD programs, my indoor soccer, and traditional lifting
  • musclegood_fatbad
    musclegood_fatbad Posts: 9,809 Member
    One of the best parts of crossfit for me (or at least the gym I was at) is the focus on mobility and recovery. I feel like all of my olympic lifts became a ton better by really focusing on mobilizing the hips, ankles, and shoulders on a daily basis. I really was never able to squat correctly before learning and working on the techniques to open up the areas needed for those lifts. Of course you don't have to do crossfit to learn those but for me it was a huge benefit instead of just going to the gym and jumping into lifting heavy right away
  • rldeclercq4
    rldeclercq4 Posts: 269 Member
    What do I think about CrossFit?

    I know they call their gyms "boxes" and I think that is pretty lame.