Crossfit VS Asylum??

akaporn
akaporn Posts: 231 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi,

I'm finishing Insanity this week and plan to do Asylum next. But, bunches of guys I'm doing Insanity with are trying to get me to do crossfit with them. For me, I don't really care too much. My passion is in soccer. Insanity / Asylum / or crossfit are just the way for me to get in better soccer shape. After talking with my friends, it doesn't seems like any one really know crossfit enough to compare Crossfit to Asylum So I wonder if anybody can answer some of my questions. Personally, I love Insanity. Asylum's selling point as the elite athlete training really hit me to the point. But, Crossfit does look pretty interesting to me as well.

1) What are the differences between crossfit and Insanity? Which would be better for my soccer game?

2) Is it possible to do crossfit from home rather than going to the gym? I work long hours (7a to 7p). Normal gym time wouldn't work for me. Do they offer crossfit at the normal gyms like L.A. Fitness or 24 Hour Fitness?

3) Can I do crossfit without the weight lifting part? I just want speed and agility. I worry that heavy lifting might hurt my joints (back, knees, ankles) they are already been highly abused by soccer.

4) Am I too old for Crossfit? I'm 37 years old. Crossfit looks pretty intense!

Here are my first four for now. Thank you very much.

Replies

  • hheater
    hheater Posts: 52 Member
    I don't personally do Crossfit because I can't afford it, but i have a friend who interns at one of their gyms...and I researched it a bit. I'll try to answer your questions.
    1.) Insanity uses all bodyweight training, if I understand it correctly. in Crossfit, you'll definitely be lifting some heavy weights along with bodyweight exercises and plyometrics.

    2.) You CAN do Crossfit from home...but usually people who have gone to a Crossfit gym and then left will do that...because you have to go and learn it first. They have you go through an intro session and then you gradually increase your level as you go. That said, Crossfit is its own entity, and you have to go to one of their gyms.

    3.) I suppose that you could do Crossfit without the lifting...but I haven't met anyone who does. You might as well just do insanity. Lol.

    4.) No, you're not too old for Crossfit. People of all ages do it (adult ages), and they tailor the workouts to your ability. :)

    Hope that helps at least a little!!!
  • GlitterMamma11
    GlitterMamma11 Posts: 143 Member


    4.) No, you're not too old for Crossfit. People of all ages do it (adult ages), and they tailor the workouts to your ability. :)


    I have a friend that teaches crossfit and they have a kids crossfit class!! Crazy!
  • almc170
    almc170 Posts: 1,093 Member


    4.) No, you're not too old for Crossfit. People of all ages do it (adult ages), and they tailor the workouts to your ability. :)


    I have a friend that teaches crossfit and they have a kids crossfit class!! Crazy!
    I work with a 58-year-old sociology professor. She also happens to be an avid Crossfitter who could totally kick my *kitten* :laugh:
  • mlb929
    mlb929 Posts: 1,974 Member
    Never done Crossfit. LOVE Asylum! Love Asylum more than I did Insanity. There is also an Asylum 2 coming out this Fall. I trained for my last year October 1/2 marathon with only Asylum, little to no running. It worked out well for me.

    Asylum has an awesome weights routine, an incredible core routine, and the speed and agility - IMO would be exactly what you want in soccer. I haven't played soccer since I was a kid, but still do some of the warm up drills just for mobility.

    Have you considered looking into Tai Cheng? Its not cardio by any means, but SUPER for flexibility, mobility, and stability, I've had super success which would probably fit right into your soccer too.
  • CWSpiegel
    CWSpiegel Posts: 114
    1- CrossFit vs Insanity: Most IMPORTANTLY, Insanity is a weight loss program. That is what it is designed for and, from what I've seen, provides great results. Most of the 'definition' that comes from the workouts isn't from building strength pre se. Do you build muscle? Yes, some. But what you really do with Insanity is cut down the body fat that surrounds the muscle, which makes the muscles you already have 'pop' and look more 'toned. CrossFit is a strength program for athletes. Simple put, it's about muscle gains without sacrificing speed, mobility, and agility. With CrossFit there is tons of cardio, but it is done with relatively heavy weights. You build a ton of muscle, and you need to fuel your body properly. I'm not saying you have to get all cultish and go Paleo, but you need to eat well, and not at a severe deficit. Insanity also has MUCH longer workouts. The typical Insanity workout is about 45 minutes, where a CrossFit MetCon WOD is usually is between 15-25, but I've see some super athletes destroy wod's as Rx'ed in less than 10 minutes.

    2- With Insanity you need no equipment. If you want to follow the CrossFit program, you really do need weights, pullup bars, dumbells, kettlebells, jump ropes, boxes, etc,etc,etc. There ARE a lot of workouts that ARE bodyweight only, but the programming at CrossFit is not designed to only do those workouts. Remember, CrossFit a strength training program designed for athletes, its not a Fat loss program. Gym (Box) times will vary. Mine is open from 5:30 AM to 7:30 PM M-Sa, closed on Sundays. A lot of professionals work out early in the morning, and people with weird hours (firefighters are a big CF demographic) go late at night.

    3- You can, but again, its not what it is designed for. I'm a former college level lacrosse player with a sugerically repaired groin hernia and a reconstrcuted ACL in my left knee. I can keep up with all of em. You will start of scaling the workouts to your ability, so that you can GAIN strength without sacrificing agility and speed. I don't know many people that just strength train that can do complex gymnastic moves that require a fantastic range of motion.

    4- Every age is welcome, and the trainers will tailor the WoD's to your ability. There is a CrossFit kids program at my box with kids around 10-11. One of the best Athletes we have there is also a 58 year old guy, and he just torched a 33 year old Former Special Forces guy in a WOD today by 6 minutes. There's also a 54 year old woman, she just scales the workouts to her ability.

    **If I could impart just ONE piece of information about CrossFit is that it is designed for ATHLETES, which is why many people drop out. You will not lose weight quickly. I've only lost 10 pounds in 4 months, but I look a million times better naked.***
  • jenaissance
    jenaissance Posts: 302 Member

    4) Am I too old for Crossfit? I'm 37 years old. Crossfit looks pretty intense!

    Here are my first four for now. Thank you very much.

    One of our most awesome crossfit ladies just celebrated her 70th birthday!

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