I did crossfit for two months last October/November. I loved it but I felt like I never really got integrated into that cult mentality that was definitely present at my box. The workouts were intense but usually fun and it was a great way to push myself. I was gaining lots of muscle (I actually gained about 5 pounds) and eventually ran an 8 minute mile, a personal best.
However, I witnessed its high potential for injury. You are encoraged to finish the WODs, which often combine exercises requiring heavy weights and/or perfect form, in a short time period of time and as fast as possible. No matter how careful you are in maintaining your form, the intensity without opportunity to rest is exhausting. Often times I personally compromised form in order to finish quickly. I saw a few injuries while there, including my boyfriend who dislocated his shoulder. That pretty much ended it for us.
I don't get what the hoopla is over Crossfit: It's like gym class for adults. What's so revolutionary about that? After taking about ten classes with two different instructors, here are my specific criticisms:
1) A lot of time wasted. Our class is scheduled for an hour, but out of that hour, I get about 20 to 30 minutes of working out. The rest of the time is spent setting up equipment, talking about form (which should be done in an Intro. class or before class, not during class--except to those whose form looks problematic), etc. If the class was scheduled for just half hour, that would be fine, but to schedule an hour class for a 20-30-minute workout is a waste of time. So, what should be an efficient workout, is actually inefficient.
2) Higher risk of injury - I agree with one of the other posters who mentioned this issue. I really believe crossfit is for the young. I'm pushing 45, and my body does not respond well to quick movements with weights. I, too, hurt my shoulder during a crossfit class, and this is after almost two years of exercising 6 days a week with no injury (and I'm no slouch---I push myself & take other tough classes).
3) It seems haphazard - When I lift on my own or even take group fitness classes, there is some method to it. I want to hit all the major body parts. With crossfit, though, it seems haphazard. For instance, during a single class, my shoulders may get a great workout but my triceps might only get an incidental or no benefit. KWIM?
4) Can't I do this on my own? My gym sells packages of 10, and I bought one because I wanted to try CF. But it only took a few sessions for me to ask myself, "Why can't I do this on my own?" There's nothing complex about selecting a few moves and rotating them as fast as one can.
All in all, I'm not a big fan of CF, but I realize I'm in the minority because there are many people out there who love it.
I've heard (I'm not sure if it's true) that there are so many injuries that no major company will insure any of the "boxes." I believe crossfit itself had to start an insurance company just to cover their affiliates. There was that guy who sued one of the gyms because they pushed him so hard he got rhabdomyolysis. I'm all for pushing oneself but there comes a point when that pseudo-machismo is just kind of silly. There's one workout it's something like thirty reps of snatches for time. That defeats the purpose of doing an "o-lift." Instead of actually getting people to reach their own fitness goals it's all about getting them in the door with that "are you tough enough" mentality. You can't train for everything and if you try to you just end up mediocre at everything. Did anyone see the crossfit games where one of the competitions was a softball throw? Where does it end? Some of their workouts are good, don't get me wrong. I used to do them in my garage but after a while it went from varied to just chaotic and I don't mean that in a good way.
Location: Lyin' in a puddle of sweat on the floor.
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Midwife, I'm still doing crossfit, 4 years now at the same gym, still love it. Definitely, not all CF gyms or trainers/owners are the same. I definitely got lucky finding such a great one the first time out. Glad you have found a gym that you love and that you're enjoying the workouts.
There is actually a crossfit gym (I guess it's called a box?) near me and I have been interested in trying it out, but now that I've heard more about the overall mentality, and the injuries, and the dietary restrictions, I think I'll pass. I'll stick to using my kettlebells at home for a fun, safe, total body workout.....
Cheryl! Thanks for chiming in. I miss our old weightlifting threads...
Keep Moving Forward, it seems there is variation in the different boxes.
Also, maybe I am old/grouchy/crochety enough to know that I should and shouldn't do during workouts (ie I don't rush). I haven't felt unsafe at all.
Maybe I'll start a Crossfit support thread with the idea it is for support, although I do think the information in this thread may be useful for general information.
