Getting Fit Even it if Kills You -Crossfit?

[janie1234]

I'd love to hear all your thoughts on this one. So I've tried the CrossFit workouts. I do have to say I'm still on the fence and pretty hesistent about this one. The website http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/excercise.html#Girls shows extremly advanced exercises that I think can lead to injury if not done correctly. So I'm constantly arguing with my brother. He's a San Francisco cop who just swears by it so much so that he's signed up for the CrossFit games. It is like a fitness competition on steriods. He's convinced that CrossFit is the one and only way to work out. I disagree. I love Cathe and how she always tells us to listen to our bodies and use good form. So I just thought that I can't possibly be the only person in the universe of the world that feels this way. Surprising I only found a few articles on the topic
http://ezinearticles.com/?Whats-the-Real-Deal-With-Crossfit?&id=2041136
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/22/f...l=1&adxnnlx=1135649682-PjeROwtpRhJDnpJeh5r0jg
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/08/marine_crossfit_081708w/
Now I konw that there are some fabulous people here that do the Crossfit. I'm not saying that it does not work but I just can't get convinced. I'm like the tortise in the tortise and the hare, . . slow and steady. I'd love to hear how CrossFit has worked for you. Thanks everyone.

 

[LaughingWater]

I played with Crossfit for a short period of time. The idea is appealing ~ short, intense, effective workouts. Plus it's a great way to breathe new life into one's routine. What I really enjoyed about it was the variety of exercises and the opportunity to reduce the amount of time I spent exercising. I love an hour with Cathe, but some days, a 20 minute all-out sweat fest is more convenient.

I agree that it can tend to appear way too intense, and one can't help but wonder how many injuries are incurred but not mentioned. Some hardcore Crossfitters come across a bit cult-like in their devotion to it, which makes me suspect they may overlook any associated negatives.

I think there's a place for it though, and it can be done safely. I've read that some people are modifying Crossfit just a little and making it work well for them. Cathe's most recent YouTube post featured a mini-exercise break, and it struck me as similar to the Crossfit method.

** Hey, I just noticed I'm over 2000 posts. What a blabber mouth!

 

[janie1234]

** Hey, I just noticed I'm over 2000 posts. What a blabber mouth!

Are you kidding Lori? I really appreciate and value your posts. I think you give really great advice and you express yourself so nicely and intelligently. Post and blabber away.

By the way. I agree Crossfit has it's place. I totaly have to tame it down to get through the workouts. I agree that Crossfiters tend to take their Crossfit very seriously. My brother gets so mad when I say that my workout for the day is Cathe all the way.

 

[lioness]

I do Crossfit-style workouts twice a week. I was introduced to Crossfit through an CF affiliate fitness boot camp that I was attending. Most of the workouts I do come from Crossfit affiliates that I modify or adjust to meet my equipment. I don't do the Olympic style lifting, rowing, or handstand Push ups .

I have read lots of articles on Crossfit and I understand the concern but I do believe there is place for it as long as you work smart and to your ability.

I love my CF workouts. I do them in my backyard and I look forward to them. I love the intensity and challenging myself. They remind me of my fitness boot camp classes but without the high price!

I feel my fitness level has improved considerably with these workouts. I feel that I am stronger and have more endurance. I love my Cathe and Kettlebell workouts but I love these workouts too. I disagree with brother when he says "they are the only way to workout". There are many ways to workout and get good results.

Here is an example of a Crossfit Affiliate workout that I'm doing today. The only change I made was to the "Slam Balls". It originally was 40 Wall Balls but I don't have a wall (my house is vinyl sided) so I changed it to Slam Balls. I'm also not doing the 69 burpees. I may do some burpees but not 69!!

"2009" (courtesy of CrossFit Champions)
2 Rounds for Time
200m Run
40 Slam Ball
40 Sit ups
40 Box Jumps
40 Push Press
40 Jumping Pull-ups
40 KB Swings
80 Walking Lunges
200m Plate Carry

Then

69 burpees at the end of the 1st or second round.

 

[Gayle]

Hi Janie - I'm still CrossFitting, as well as doing a bunch of other things.

I think that in order to REALLY get into what CrossFit is all about, you have to get away from the uber machismo of the main site message boards www.crossfit.com, and start perusing/hanging out/lurking over at some of the affiliate sites.

What you'll find are some pretty cool communities that actually place a method behind the madness that some of these WODs can present at times. I've become a big fan of CrossFit 603, a fairly new affiliate in New Hampshire. They post a daily WOD, but also include skill drills (buy-in/cash-out) and a fair amount of commentary on how to scale, how to modify, form pointers, why the exercise is a benefit, why it's good for you to do something really hard as often as possible , etc. One of the owners also has a very nice blog. There's an attitude that's nurturing and challenging at the same time...if that makes sense. I'd love to go to a gym like that.

CrossFit 603 - http://www.crossfit603.com/
Byers Gets Diesel - http://byerscrossfit.blogspot.com/

Some other cool affilates (that I'm familiar with) are:
New Jersey CrossFit, who specialize in kettlebells - http://www.newjerseycrossfit.com/
CrossFit BrandX, who specialize in programming and training for kids as well as in Krav Maga - http://www.crossfitbrandx.com/
CrossFit One World - http://www.crossfitoneworld.com/
Albany CrossFit - http://www.albanycrossfit.com/

Lori is most definitely correct in that there is a bit of a cult-like following to CF, but in digging deeper into the community (at least from my online vantage point), I've noticed that the meat heads aren't exactly the ones running show or the affiliates. I would also vetnure a guess that they're not hanging with it that long either.

Lori is also correct that a lot of people modify and scale. It is most definitely encouraged. You'll see a lot of that at the affiliate level. No one wants an injured client...that wouldn't be good for anyone. There are plenty of cues for people to listen to their bodies, BUT there's also a lot of encouragement for people to push past their mental limits...and I think that may be the difference.

Also, there are a number of CFers that have developed hybrid programs that allow them to incorporate WODs into training for other interests. A great example of the is Mountain Athlete (http://www.mtnathlete.com/). They're not an affiliate, but they use the CF philosophy frequently in training their athletes (skiers, climbers, bikers, military).

For me, I freakin' love this style of workout. The mental charge (and change) is as big a factor for me as the physical. I'm a lot stronger than I was before starting, and I also feel mentally healthier. Now I don't time or score every WOD, but I do some of them. I also don't do a WOD for every workout. Some days I'll do Cardio Coach (luv Sean), or an AOS DVD (luv Anthony), or just focus on some heavy strength training (luv deadlifts).

It doesn't have to be all or nothing. Tell your bro that and tell him I said so!!

Now, Lori, THIS is blabbering!!

 

[Gayle]

Janie - Is your brother competing in any of the regional events soon? I've been following some of them. Does he work out at CrossFit San Francisco? They've got some great coaches there.

I'd love to get good enough to try competing.

 

[janie1234]

Janie - Is your brother competing in any of the regional events soon? I've been following some of them. Does he work out at CrossFit San Francisco? They've got some great coaches there.

I'd love to get good enough to try competing.

Yes, he signed up for next year 2010 qualifing regional in southern Cal I think he said it is in July? He wanted to give himself a year to train. He just started with a CrossFit personal trainner in San Francisco to help train for the games and during his first few weeks said that he couldn't even walk he was so sore but was saying that there are some really awesome trainners there. My bro used to compete, . . .tennis but gave it up after college and just has this uber competitive drive. Those events are super CRAZY hard. Those competitors are just down right STRONG. You should go for it. I would totally cheer for you! For now I think I'm just gonna watch from the side lines with my jaw dropping to the floor.

 

[Lynn M.]

Hi-

I don't do CrossFit, but there a ton of people at the gym I go to that are pretty hardcore about it..

Undoubtedly, it is a tough innovative program. The things that people do are crazy hard!
Of the people who really follow the workouts at the gym, I can see visible changes in their physiques and stamina.

Unfortunately, I've also heard them talk about how many minor injuries, pulls, esp. in the shoulder and knee area they have as well. The majority of the people who do it are experienced exercisers or trainers, so it is concerning to me that they are getting hurt.

I'm not saying whatsoever that CrossFit leads to injuries, but boy oh boy, I think you really need to know what you are doing and be careful.

I've thought about doing it, but frankly, I like my heavy lifting 8 reps/3 sets 1 bodypart/ day mode of training for fitness too much to try it..

Take care, Lynn Ml.

 

[andtckrtoo]

Lately I've been doing a mish mosh of things - taking Cross Fit workouts, Turbulence Training and kettlebell workouts, modifying them to add more variety or to make them a little more even on the muscle groups or to make them longer (when I'm in the mood for torture ) or shorter (which is more normal ). I still mix in some traditional weight work, too, but for what I'm doing now (much more endurance based stuff) these work best. I tell ya, between Cross Fit and Kettlebells I've never had a stronger core, and I spend very little time on core centric exercises.

 

[LaughingWater]

Janie, thank you.



69 Burpees?! I'd die. No. I'd vomit first, then I'd die.

 

[worseenemy]

My Husband does, He love crossfit and he train hes guys with this kind of workout,
Its so hard ,I have see him getting sick of the hard work..... I use to love the little workouts he was doing for me, now I will wait until he get back home from Iraq,I can picture him working out Nice ....