CrossFit

My understanding is that Greg Glassman founded Crossfit because he looked around at the non-sport, exercise community and he saw weight lifters who were so bulky that they were lumbering and inflexible, and runners who barely broke a sweat before five miles of road work but had so little strength they had to drag the newspaper in from the porch.
So, he thought, let's devise some workouts where you combine cardio and strength training, where you lift some heavy weight, then run around the block, etc., etc.
After all, shouldn't one prefer to be well rounded?
He used a lot of gymnastics movements because that was his own personal background.

I think a major reason it has become so popular is because it gets excellent results. People see improvements in their abilities and their physiques. These improvements are largely due to the group atmosphere of Crossfit gyms. You are working out next to somebody, which is a naturally competitive situation, which pushes you to work harder than you would otherwise, the same way a personal trainer or a coach does.
Many people like that competitive atmosphere and camaraderie.

There is a famous story about how Crossfit caught on, which says a lot about what Crossfit is about.
There was a video put up on Youtube recording three women -- who are famous in the Crossfit world now -- going through a workout called "Nasty girls." (Google "Youtube, Crossfit, nasty girls," you'll find it.)
The workout is three rounds of: 50 air squats, 7 muscle-ups on gymnastics rings, and 10 hang power cleans.
One of the women, in particular, really struggles at the end. She gets hung up on the last round of muscle-ups. She is grimacing and shaking out her hands and failing just about every other time she tries to get up. She looks incredibly distraught, as the other two have already finished.
Her last set of hang cleans is unadulterated misery. She almost falls over on the last few reps, with the weight on top of her. She is crying she is so frustrated. When she finally finishes, someone has to hug her while she sobs.
You wouldn't think that would be much of an advertisement. A lot of people don't like that kind of thing. They'll say: Oh, that's not good! That looks painful. And her form on her muscle-ups and hang cleans was horrible. She could have really hurt herself!"
But surprisingly, many people did not respond that way -- women particularly. They said: "Cool! I want to test myself like that." And that single video, according to the lore, helped launch Crossfit to the popularity it has today.

My best friend has done CrossFit for years both him and his wife, they love it. I think it’s like any other type of workout, on some level you have to like it to be able to stick with it. It’s definitely not for me. I like to workout alone. I prefer more moderate steady pace workouts and for lifting a moderate progressive program. I used to be a competitive swimmer but I was a distance person not a sprinter and I hate any kind of HIIT workouts. For me CrossFit would be miserable. I fully support anyone doing something they love to stay active and fit though.

I have been doing CrossFit for 9 months. Originally I was simply hoping to start living a healthier lifestyle. At 60 yrs old it was that or lots of medication for health issues. I started at a morbidly obese weight of 285 and was amazed at how encouraging the gym members were. I was brought along very slowly at first and learned a lot about scaling each exercise to my particular ability level. I was amazed how addicting it has become for me and how much i've learned and improved in this short time. I may be one of the lucky ones who just wondered in to a very good box for any fitness level but I would encourage anyone looking to improve their health and self esteem to at least give it a try. It has literally changed my life !! P.S. I'm new to the site any of you guys who would like to add me as a friend that would be great !!

cwolfman13 wrote: »

Onedaywriter wrote: »

Love it or hate it? Why

Indifferent...not my bag though.

same... I also worry about injury.

Neither. I think it's not for me for a variety of reasons (some physical limitations, some psychological disinclinations). Some of my friends have joined Crossfit boxes around here, love it, and have had really stellar results. Different things suit different people, and that variety makes conversing with others more interesting.

My Fiancee does it and loves it. I did a workout with her and hated it. I personally like power lifting. If you like it, it doesn't matter what others think.

I notice that the Crossfit enthusiasts in this thread do not mention the credentials of the people who are instructing them. That concerns me quite a bit. If at all possible, find someone who actually knows how to do the lifts and exercises without causing long term damage to your body. It may feel okay now, but become a problem years down the road. I have heard a few horror stories about "Boxes" that are owned and run by people who have no more than a weekend class "certification" in any kind of fitness or health. No, it really isn't as simple as watching a youtube video and replicating it. A good trainer will be able to see any physical abnormalities you might have and help you balance out your body and improve stability before they even start you on a heavy lifting or cardio routine. From what I am reading in these comments, you have to tell them what limitations you have and make your own modifications. That is...problematic for me. I think it's a better choice for people who already know quite a lot about lifting, form and anatomy. And of course many locations are run by proper instructors who will do a great job. But as a whole, I can't feel good recommending Crossfit, especially to new gym goers.

I just finished watching the games. What a beautiful finish. I cry at silly movies but this is a first for a CrossFit event.

My daily life is fairly active, and after no "exercise program" whatsoever for over 15 years, I joined a Crossfit gym at 58 years old. I never got injured. I LOVED IT. I got STRONG and well rounded. Regardless of AMRAP, I purposefully did lifts and exercises as slowly as I had to to maintain form. I started "box jumps" using a few plates, and within one year was using regular boxes. I was able to do around 25 double unders uninterrupted. I was beginning to nail wall hand stands! I never was able to do unassisted pull ups or chin ups, but I was getting there. I made no real changes to my diet, and never saw big obvious visible changes to my body, and started feeling guilty about spending the money. I quit, thinking I would continue on my own at a less expensive gym. I soon stopped going there too.
This time around, now age 62, I am dieting NOW, and walking mostly, running a little, and I just got my speed jump rope. My plan is eat at a deficit and drop the weight FIRST. I plan to rejoin my Crossfit Box and build muscle I can SEE right off the bat. I am nearly there, I think about 5 pounds to go.