Re: Crossfit FAQ
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Rearden,
Not so much in depth. I'm definitely not a Crossfit junkie. I'll expand on the point a little.
1) Absurdity - Better for BB than BB?!? They use asinine comps to validate this. Such as "We have big people". Yes, I have a friend who is 6'4 230. He is huge. He rarely lifts weights, he gets drunk a ton, and is insane. He's also strong like bull. Why? Genetics. If Crossfit was so great they'd have a few guys who could compete at BB contests, but as it is they have none. Crossfit does not address basic points such as symmetry which are crucial to BB. I think we can settle that (as been agreed above as idiotic). Also the whole functional aspect of Crossfit is tired and boring. What % of Crossfitters workout so they can perform their jobs better? How many are guys wanting to get in shape or just look better? Lastly, why are you only allowed to be on one [censored] diet at all? And why isn't it a normal Zone. Why do they make up their own rules for it? It seems strange to "Crossfitize" everything for their programs.
2) Crossfit doesn't seem to want people to try other methodology despite volume-intensity periodization changes widely being considered amazing for gaining size and strength. Doing the same program for years will likely result in your growing and performing quite well. But would it be better than rotating your program every so often? Likely not.
3) The aforementioned problem I have with the crossfit total where Rippetoe took a PL total and swapped a strict standing press for a bench and it is magically better. Kipping is suppose to be functional and increase power output. Why don't they increase power output in all their workouts? Why... If I curl my toes while kipping, I'll increase power output as well.... I'm gonna stop here. I can't "analyze" anymore of this drivel. I stopped reading their foundations page at around "triathletes are not athletes"
Here's another great quote: "We’ve used our same routines for elderly individuals with heart disease and cage fighters one month out from televised bouts. The needs of Olympic athletes and our grandparents differ by degree not kind."
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i am going to do a quick address of the issues you discussed. not defend mind you, but give my understanding.
1. better for bodybuilding. not from what i can see, but like i said before, better than what most people do in the gym who are "trying" to bodybuild. they don't have people competing in bb contests because it is exactly who they don't want to be. people who give the illusion of fitness, but not functional fitness. crossfit believes looking fit and being fit are two different things. i tend to agree with this. how do you function? not how do you look.
as far as being tired and boring (the functional part) i truly believe their methodology was concieved for the military, firefighters, mma dudes, police, etc. and is now being "adapted" for the general public so it can be boxed and sold. so yes function is important and also very driving in keeping people working out consistently. i find it much more inspiring to look for improvement (in any of their fitness parameters) than by measuring my arms for the 10th time this month or trying to "look" better. [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]
those goals have always been hollow to me and caused me to not work hard once i felt like i looked good enough. whatever that means
the diet issue, hmmmmm, they recommend zone or paleo. what super modifications are implied?? because i havent' really been aware of any.
2. unless i am missing something crossfit encourages you
to use all types of sport and fitness, i sure as hell do.
i just had the discussion about the fitness level of marathoners (my wife is one) and triathletes and said that i could really dominate them in most things fitness related.
obviously in almost all non aerobic endurance things and i can hold my own their against average runners. you know my point.
i don't think crossfit is that off in their opinion that specialists are only fit in a few of the 10 measures of fitness. that is ok for them, but are they truly fit?
the question they raise is who is fitter, the winner of the iron man triathalon or the olympic gold medalist in the decathalon??
i know my answer for about 9 different reasons.
as far as the final quote, what do you disagree with?
improving all aspects of ones fitness and functionality isn't age/gender specific to me. the are trying to not be specialists and improve broad based fitness. is it perfect for someone with very specific goals. no. is it right for almost everyone else. well pretty close i think.
later. J.
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