Cross Fit...Yay or Nay?

mrsmorris13
mrsmorris13 Posts: 225
edited October 4 in Fitness and Exercise
Checking out a cCross Fit gym tomorrow. Anyone out this have any experience with it? Is it all it's cracked up to be or bunk? Obvioiusly, what I put into it is what I will get out of it, but is it worth the money?

Replies

  • drog2323
    drog2323 Posts: 1,343 Member
    I really want to try it, but don't want to spend the $ right now.

    from people I have talked to, and some folks on here, all say good things. but i think it also depends on the "box" and the instructors.
  • pander101
    pander101 Posts: 677 Member
    Haven't tried it but researched it. The only con I could find is the cost. But you'll only get the results if you put in a lot of effort.
  • MsSheilaT
    MsSheilaT Posts: 1 Member
    Here's an article that weighs the positives and negatives, and what to look for! Hope it helps.

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/545200-the-fall-of-fitness/
  • divades
    divades Posts: 145
    Yay! Money can definitely be a deterrent seeing as how some Crossfit gyms charge up to $150. Fortunately my gym only charges half of that and offers other classes too. I love Crossfit but I don't think I would pay $150 to do it, but I do highly recommend it if the price is right and if you can afford it.

    One thing that I will say though is taking Crossfit classes is much like working with a personal trainer. They help you with your form, you get a lot of one on one and they will even help you with nutrition (at least this has been my experience with my trainers). So when you look at it like that, the price is worth it because you may pay $150 A WEEK for personal training and $150 a month for Crossfit. Just a thought.
  • Kimmy546
    Kimmy546 Posts: 102
    This is a YAY, I have a few friends that swear by it... If you have the time it comes highly recomended.
  • radix89
    radix89 Posts: 48 Member
    I was doing it 2 years ago when I was running. I absolutely loved it. I modified it to fit my needs since I am a fail at pull-ups and some other stuff but my favorites were the days when you run a set distance, do something like lunges or pushups and just repeat for reps or time. I was training and had to get my run time down. I hated running. I really think it was the only reason I was able to get my mile down to 8:30. It was the only time ever I was running that fast. Once you know how to do all the exercises correctly you can do almost everything at home or your home gym.
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    CrossFit is a grass roots fitness community. It's online and completely free.
  • Macote
    Macote Posts: 12 Member
    I say Yay. Every time I have started at the gym I get bored with the workouts and give up. Since I have been doing Cross Fit, I have been able to keep myself interested in working out for the past 6+ months. The cost can be an issue, but if you learn and do some planning of your own you can come up with workouts for yourself. You can check out www.crossfit.com
  • Shizzman
    Shizzman Posts: 527 Member
    Heck yea! CrossFit for the win. It keeps things varied, makes sure you are ever improving. A good box is all about the community and it'll really encourage you to push yourself while at the same time making sure that you do things with proper form (and try to avoid hurting yourself).
  • shanolap
    shanolap Posts: 1,204 Member
    I love CrossFit! The community, the support, the WOD...it's all worth it. Some gyms allow you to just do the class for a higher price, so you don't have to be a member. My class meets 3x a week and it's worth it!
  • millerll
    millerll Posts: 873 Member
    Read the article previously posted. It has a great synopsis of the current state of Crossfit. In my opinion, and based solely on the numerous Crossfitters I know, the fad has gotten ahead of good oversight. By that I mean the Crossfit has become so popular so fast that the national governing body has lost control of the certification and continuing education process of most Crossfit gyms.

    I see way too many new, untrained, inexperienced folks pushed way beyond what is safe for their level of fitness. I've never seen a higher injury rate in any sport as I've seen in CF. Ruined shoulders. torn knees, muscular and joint injuries requiring surgery, etc. These people are pushed, pushed, pushed until they break. I think CF is great for people who are already in pretty good shape and are looking to take their training to the elite level - military, police, etc. - but the average person can't handle it the way it's presented in most CF gyms. Of course, your local gym may differ, but just be aware of your limitations and don't let your ego write checks your body can't cash.
  • drog2323
    drog2323 Posts: 1,343 Member
    Read the article previously posted. It has a great synopsis of the current state of Crossfit. In my opinion, and based solely on the numerous Crossfitters I know, the fad has gotten ahead of good oversight. By that I mean the Crossfit has become so popular so fast that the national governing body has lost control of the certification and continuing education process of most Crossfit gyms.

    I see way too many new, untrained, inexperienced folks pushed way beyond what is safe for their level of fitness. I've never seen a higher injury rate in any sport as I've seen in CF. Ruined shoulders. torn knees, muscular and joint injuries requiring surgery, etc. These people are pushed, pushed, pushed until they break. I think CF is great for people who are already in pretty good shape and are looking to take their training to the elite level - military, police, etc. - but the average person can't handle it the way it's presented in most CF gyms. Of course, your local gym may differ, but just be aware of your limitations and don't let your ego write checks your body can't cash.

    nice...thanks for that. interesting post.
  • lucyhoneychurch
    lucyhoneychurch Posts: 576 Member
    I agree pretty much with all the pp on this, that it depends on the gym/trainers for the $$ involved. I have a positive outlook of Crossfit. Before I got pregnant, my husband and I checked out a Crossfit gym and it is doable and useful. My husband often watched Crossfit videos on Youtube and simulates the exercises at home.

    Good luck observing the gym, I hope it's a positive experience! :)
  • mrsmorris13
    mrsmorris13 Posts: 225
    I'm really excited to check it out.....just thinking, however, I can get a great workout for a lot cheaper. It's more for something new. Torn.
  • mrsmorris13
    mrsmorris13 Posts: 225
    Honestly, I like a gym atmosphere. I suck working out at home. :ohwell:
  • velezdina
    velezdina Posts: 31 Member
    YAY for Crossfit, I joined a crossfit gym about 4 months ago, after having my baby and currently have lost all the baby weight I gained plus 7 extra pounds and feeling stronger and fitter than ever before.... Crossfit it is one of the most effcient workouts I've tried. It is pricey but at least at my gym I get a discount if you join with another person. Also the trainner is always watching my form and encouraging me to push myself... Love the mix of sprinting/weight lighting/gymnastics... high intensity trainning.....
  • mrsmorris13
    mrsmorris13 Posts: 225
    Okay...so this is my take on Cross Fit...I frickin loved/hated it. It was brutally fabulous! So....If someone is disciplined enough to do workouts alone at home or gym with the same intensity...then I'd say save your money. However, if you love/need/prefer someone supporting/motivating/encouraging/whipping(haha) you....then it's worth every frickin' penny! I am the latter.
    :drinker:
  • divades
    divades Posts: 145
    Okay...so this is my take on Cross Fit...I frickin loved/hated it. It was brutally fabulous! So....If someone is disciplined enough to do workouts alone at home or gym with the same intensity...then I'd say save your money. However, if you love/need/prefer someone supporting/motivating/encouraging/whipping(haha) you....then it's worth every frickin' penny! I am the latter.
    :drinker:

    Glad you had a great experience with it!
  • snkeller24
    snkeller24 Posts: 459
    The thing about doing it on your own is you lose that competive edge with your fellow box mates but you can always compete against yourself. I've done a few WOD's at "chain gym" and people get in my way, A LOT. But when it comes to the Hero WODS and the Girls you constantly want to increase your time and get up to that RX'd weight.

    Obviously everything is scalable as long as you're doing the same "movement" that is requested.

    I can be in pain one day and still go the next, why? Because I love it. I love that feeling after a WOD of being sick or sore knowing that I busted my @ss. It's pricey but in the end I think it's worth it. You get out of it what you put it ... it's not for the faint of heart.
  • OregonRunner
    OregonRunner Posts: 2
    Nay on CrossFit for me. I'm a fan of balance and moderation. I also am very secure with myself and don't feel the need to prove myself to anyone. So I wouldn't be considered 'a good fit' for CrossFit anyway...

    I have friends who do CrossFit and frankly, it seems like they've joined a cult. They're obsessed with their bodies, which breeds insecurity and are always bragging about their latest workouts. Puking during a workout is particularly brag worthy apparently.

    The other thing is the guy who runs CrossFit sounds like total *kitten* and is on record as saying that 'Cross Fit can kill you'. And he doesn't even do CrossFit himself. Spending $150 a month to help make that guy rich? No thanks. I'll take a pass.
  • victoria4321
    victoria4321 Posts: 1,719 Member
    Nay on CrossFit for me. I'm a fan of balance and moderation. I also am very secure with myself and don't feel the need to prove myself to anyone. So I wouldn't be considered 'a good fit' for CrossFit anyway...

    I have friends who do CrossFit and frankly, it seems like they've joined a cult. They're obsessed with their bodies, which breeds insecurity and are always bragging about their latest workouts. Puking during a workout is particularly brag worthy apparently.

    The other thing is the guy who runs CrossFit sounds like total *kitten* and is on record as saying that 'Cross Fit can kill you'. And he doesn't even do CrossFit himself. Spending $150 a month to help make that guy rich? No thanks. I'll take a pass.

    You don't have to prove yourself to anyone but yourself in crossfit. All the work outs are scalable so no one is being forced to do any weights they can't handle.

    That being said, I just started a month ago and its great. I was already in pretty decent shape so its a good way for me to take it to the next level. At my box you're only being pushed to be your own best, not to be better than anyone else. I don't see anything wrong with that at all. I'm not sure where you think that someone trying to beat their own personal records and get stronger is an insecurity though.
  • Nataliaho
    Nataliaho Posts: 878 Member
    CrossFit is like absoutely everything else... it depends... You need good trainers and good programming. It is more expensive but you are supposed to be getting a more closely managed and efficient regime. If the group sessions have any more than about 8 people I'd look for another box. The nature of the movements and techniques are such that I don't believe larger groups can be safely supervised. Also I really believe that you need technique sessions in addition to the WODs. Doing an of the olympic lifts or gymnastic movements without proper training is dangerous.

    I have done CrossFit for a while now and I have seen it done properly and badly. I think it is far superior to joining a regular globogym and doing les mills classes. That being said you have to be way way more informed and in control of your own capacity as there is way more scope for injury.

    Personally I think the most overlooked and important part of CrossFit is programming. Unlike a pump class, if you overdo certain types of workouts or movements, you'll get injured. You should not be doing WODs with high volume chinups 7 days in a row for example, but if no one is watching your programming and you're not proactive this could easily happen.

    I liken CrossFit to being a footballer. A footballer doesn't train by playing a full game of football every day. Some days they do ball skills, somedays strength, some days sprints etc. Why then does it make sense for a CrossFitter to a comp-level WOD every single day?
  • michaelfurey
    michaelfurey Posts: 51
    Nay on CrossFit for me. I'm a fan of balance and moderation. I also am very secure with myself and don't feel the need to prove myself to anyone. So I wouldn't be considered 'a good fit' for CrossFit anyway...

    I have friends who do CrossFit and frankly, it seems like they've joined a cult. They're obsessed with their bodies, which breeds insecurity and are always bragging about their latest workouts. Puking during a workout is particularly brag worthy apparently.

    The other thing is the guy who runs CrossFit sounds like total *kitten* and is on record as saying that 'Cross Fit can kill you'. And he doesn't even do CrossFit himself. Spending $150 a month to help make that guy rich? No thanks. I'll take a pass.

    You don't have to prove yourself to anyone but yourself in crossfit. All the work outs are scalable so no one is being forced to do any weights they can't handle.

    That being said, I just started a month ago and its great. I was already in pretty decent shape so its a good way for me to take it to the next level. At my box you're only being pushed to be your own best, not to be better than anyone else. I don't see anything wrong with that at all. I'm not sure where you think that someone trying to beat their own personal records and get stronger is an insecurity though.

    I tried Cross Fit, but went back to Krav Maga training. KM is as efficient as CF, and you get the added bonus of knowing how to defend yourself.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories