Crossfit Discussion

[Thremp]

Since I'm a fairly well known hater on Crossfit. I'd like to discuss why it sucks or why it rocks. I've never done crossfit, at some point in my life I may try it. But it does not suit my current goals.

Thoughts:
1) It is far better than most programs.
2) I don't like its non-specific nature. It is very "general". You can't focus on one thing while doing crossfit. You'll never become "elite" in terms of physical potential.
3) I really really like the lower volume. Today's workout has you doing very low intensity work with a high volume. I like this paired training and do this occasionally myself with higher intensity. Though some days you just have a O-lift max day while is very low in volume.
4) It is good for a recreational athlete, who wants to be "in shape" but doesn't have any sport specific (or otherwise specific goals).
5) I like the organization of it and how anyone can just pop on this site and scale up or down the WOD and go for it.

1C5,

I think you converted from crossfit for a specific goal. Maybe you can explain your thoughts behind why you did this, what you like about each, and why.

[SmileyEH]

1) Agree

2) I kind of dissagree with you here. Crossfit can be simply doing the WOD everyday and you a right, just doing that will make it essentially impossible to reach an elite level in anything (I highly doubt anyone has reached lvl 4 in their fitness standards by doing the WOD). However, there is more to crossfit than the WOD. A weekly schedule of O-lift/Squat/deadlift + metcon/rest/metcon/o-lift/rest is crossfit with an emphasis on explosive strength. I guaruntee that a relatively gifted athlete sticking to that schedule will be putting up bw+ snatches, 1.5xbw power cleans and 2.5xbw deadlifts within a couple years. Additionally they will have the metabolic fitness to complete Fran in less than 5 minutes and probably do 20-25+ dead hang pullups.

4) More than that, crossfit principles have been applied to baseball and footbal teams with great success.

5)This is definitely the best part. Also because it is rarely more than 2 movements a day, it is excellent for teaching technique. When a workout comes a long like 10 single hang cleans you know a person with a poor or nonexistant clean will be able to drastically improve their technique just by dedicating so much time.

[1C5]

No, I think you got me mixed up, I never did crossfit and never heard of it until I read about it here. I just do my own workout plan.

[Thremp]

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No, I think you got me mixed up, I never did crossfit and never heard of it until I read about it here. I just do my own workout plan.

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Doh, I meant Smiley. Apologies.

[SmileyEH]

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No, I think you got me mixed up, I never did crossfit and never heard of it until I read about it here. I just do my own workout plan.

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Doh, I meant Smiley. Apologies.

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Oh, I became obsessed with olympic lifting so I cut out almost all of the timed workout stuff. I should really start doing them again at least once a week.

[Thremp]

Smiley,

Timed workouts are also done with EDT. IIRC that is a pure hypertrophy program. That involves doing you 10RM as many times as possible in a 20min window (15 after a while on the program). I'm considering doing this in the future after I get done with my more immediate goals (which should take me through the end of the year).

[maniacut]

check out the two latest vids on the crossfit front page. I'm thinking of drinking the kool-aid.

http://media.crossfit.com/cf-video/C...OHStrength.wmv

http://media.crossfit.com/cf-video/C...nHeavyFran.wmv

[kickpushcoast]

the goal of crossfit is to be above average at many things, so while you may never be an elite olympic lifter, middle distance runner, sprinter, etc. you will be pretty good at all of these things, far better than someone who does bodybuilding style workouts and slow cardio. face it, if you re like most people you'll never be elite at the above mentioned activities anyway, unless you have great genetics. with crossfit, almost anyone can achieve an elite level of condtioning, work output, capacity, etc. for health and functional fitness this is way more important than snatching 300 pounds or being able to run a marathon.

i've done almost every kind of workout, from powerlifting, olympic lifting(with angel spassov, google him if you dont know who he is), ashtanga yoga, thai boxing, bjj, and freestyle wrestling. crossfit and rosstraining workouts are probably harder and require more of a gutcheck(if you push yourself 100%) than any of them.

i dont follow their program to the letter, and i could care less about their dietary advice, but they have some great workouts, esp the filthy 50, and the named workouts like cindy and fran. i'm 30 yrs old, 6 2 and about 220 pounds, im happy with my muscle size so crossfit(and rosstraining) are perfect for someone like me. i honestly dont think ive ever been in better shape in my life than i am now, and ive only been doing these mixed modal workouts for about 4 months.

i do 2 strength days(mostly max, some explosive) per week, and 3 or 4 conditioning days, this has worked out great for me, i dont think i ll ever go back to just doing weights and cardio

[AZK]

i loved CF in theory but in practicality it didn't work for me becuase i was so weak...so for now, i'm just doing working on getting stronger with the eventual goal of cutting back strength days and incorporating more CF per week. Another reason it's nice cause you don't have to do any programming, you just log on and follow...

[Efourdee]

The site sure does read like a cult, especially the forum.

Its not a hypertrophy program, and I don't think they claim it one, but if you are able to do all the WOD's then you are going to have to be muscular. Doing 21 pullups with a 45lb plate takes some muscle.

I dont think its ideal for everyones goals, but I can see how it would do a great job making an average person much fitter. I guess that could be said about almost any decent program though.

Not sure where I'm going with this but the crossfit ideas intrigue me and I am also considering drinking the kool-aid.