Crossfit--worth it or too extreme?

Any form of physical activity runs the risk of injury. Period. Know your limits, remember technique, and get help, if needed. I've seen the inside of a CrossFit gym and personally, I wouldn't know how to work half of the equipment, and even if I did, I'm not sure I'd want to put my body in some of those situations. That's JUST me, though. My advice would be to check out the gym for yourself, maybe take a session with one of their trainers and make a decision from there.

My advice is just go to a normal gym and forget Crossfit. Then you won't have to figure out how to modify their extreme exercise routines so a normal person might be able to do them.

Crossfit routines were created for fitness extremists. If you're not an extremest, you probably won't enjoy being in that kind of an environment.

Those of us who crossfit bash our heads every time we see her posts. Talk about beating a dead horse. Bottom line you can get injured doing anything. Crossfit takes functional everyday movements, makes you stronger at them, and like at my box to your ability level. That's important to look for in a box....my coach pushes me when he knows I'm gaming a workout. I've never piker, piker more in high school basketball practice.

I'd much rather be an "average human" that gets fit gradually than a Crossfitter in the emergency room!


http://www.bookofodds.com/Accidents-Death/Articles/A0501-Exercising-Yourself-into-the-ER-Living-the-Tale

You made your point earlier. You have a real vendetta against Crossfit, and a tendency to put forward situations like this as the norm, not the exception. Again, as I said above, I can point you to examples of this with pretty much every exercise modality. Enter anything from weight lifting to running to cycling knowing the potential dangers, but don't demonize it because of the wack jobs out there.

Things I enjoy about CrossFit:

* The workout is always different. Some days are more strength focused, some days are more cardio focused, some days are a really good mix of the two.

* All the workouts can be modified based on skill and strength.

* There is a trainer there who can and will point out right away if I'm doing something wrong, or if I need to push harder, or if I'm pushing too hard and need to go down in weight or speed or whatever. It's almost like having a personal trainer.

* There is a great sense of community. When someone does something great or needs support, the whole class is right there. And this doesn't just apply to the super strong guy setting some amazing PR. It's also for the 60 year old grandmother who just set her own PR.

But I'll admit it, there are people I know that CrossFit who are extremists. I am not, and in general, people at my box are not. There are people there who do paleo, but our onsite dietitian does not recommend it.

I think it depends on which Crossfit you go to. My son has friends who go to the one in our city. He went with them once to observe their workout and he said the form was really bad, and the trainers weren't bothering to correct it. He said he was just cringing waiting for someone to get injured. That said, his friend's mom has had great success with weight loss and her only workouts have been at Crossfit.

Crossfit is the right choice for me because I really miss fifth grade PE class and recess I missed having a group of friends (well, some you could always take or leave, right?) that I saw five days a week to run around with, race, goof off with and engage in friendly competition with. Crossfit fulfills my human need to play. I'm sure there are other groups that offer this as well, but this one suits me best. This doesn't mean it may be best for all.

If you find it too extreme, I entirely respect that I belong to a great facility with quality coaches. I'm still scaling down almost everything we do, but I'm getting stronger!

I will say though, that it makes me sad when I hear people say things like how the videos are misrepresentative of what most people can do. Sure, they typically feature elite crossfitters, no doubt! But I think many would be surprised at what most people can accomplish... without making fitness their life. (Will all women get a 300+lbs deadlift? Perhaps not! But I bet most can break 200lbs!) We're moving in ways the human body was designed/evolved (whichever you subscribe to) to move! Humans are capable of great speed and strength. Our ancestors were incredibly strong, quick and fit! Especially women - don't sell yourself short. If you have no desire to get faster or stronger through any medium, or do crossfit specifically, I 100% respect that! BUT if you want to and think you can't, I implore you to reevaluate! Of course you cannot step in and start doing 200lbs deadlifts or swing a 35lbs kettle bell over your head coming from a very unfit body (if the coach advices this, run away quickly! in a crossfit gym or otherwise) - it takes time and work and patience. It's about the long term.

I don't go to crossfit to burn calories. I don't go to crossfit to get skinnier (admittedly it has had quite the positive effect in my physique lol).

I go to crossfit to have fun and play with my friends I sincerely hope everyone here finds what fulfills that need for them, be it crossfit, a running group, a recreational sport team or otherwise.

It's not an intelligent way to approach resistance training.

How'd I know Racheal would be all over this like stink on ****.:laugh:

I'm glad I have places I can play with my friends that does not involve dealing with Crossfit Workout of the Day extremism and Crossfitters with elitist attitudes!

I'm happy you have found places to incorporate play in your life. Many people today don't, and it makes me sad that a lot of us have lost sight of this.

I wish you the best.
And again, thank you for your caring, genuine concerned attitude and general uplifting spirit to help all MFP find something that can bring them joy, happiness and fitness.

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