Is Cross Fit the new Scientology?

driftking

Wheel size expert
How is 'Crossfit' different from 'exercise'?
That's like asking how are potatoes different from vegetables.

exercise is a collective term that includes cross fit.

I'm curious though wespelarno, how is it a Fad with no benefit.

It depends what you are looking for, for some people 30mins of light walking is beneficial to maintain or even improve fitness.
Any form of movement that is working the body either through resistance or cardio is burning calories and promoting improved development.
 

Art Vanderlay

Hourly daily
Yeah, I don't get it. A friend who was a mountain biker, is now into the 'boot camp' thing. He was going to 3, 1 hour sessions a week. $10 a pop. Instructor cut the sessions from 1 hour to half an hour, but the price hasn't changed???? My mate tells me they just cram what they were doing in 1 hour into half an hour...?.... And he keeps telling me how good it is, blah, blah, blah.

Sorry, I just don't get it. I give some random person $10 (per session) and they tell me to do some random exercises.
 

wespelarno

Likes Dirt
How is 'Crossfit' different from 'exercise'?
It isn't particularly different from exercise in general, it just has a certain overall structure. It is basically a high intensity <30 minute work out where you go all out for 30 min doing cardio and strength training, so the strength acts as a break from cardio and visa versa. Actual break time was few and far between during the half hour sessions. Sometimes we did it as a team where the team had to do X number of reps before we could quit (which built team moral really well because you didn't want to let your mates down), or we did it competitively against each other (so everyone was working as hard as possible). It was relatively structured, didn't people chance to skip out on workout but not running as hard etc and provided a good mix of cardio and strength. All of which could be done with a normal exercise routine that was well structured, but the coach drew inspiration for the workouts from the crossfit references, so called it that. Also made it relatively fun which is better than just "run and get fit".

I'm curious though wespelarno, how is it a Fad with no benefit.

It depends what you are looking for, for some people 30mins of light walking is beneficial to maintain or even improve fitness.
Any form of movement that is working the body either through resistance or cardio is burning calories and promoting improved development.
It depends on how it is done. I will clarify-any exercise is better than no exercise and I would always promote people getting out and doing something.

My concern is more with people who say "i'm doing crossfit" and assume cross fit is imbued with some magical property that makes it super effective or better than any other well managed fitness program, irrespective of how much they put into it. Same way boot camps were a popular a few years back and were the fad instant fix fitness solution. Or pump classes. There are no shortcuts in fitness or weight loss or good health. Crossfit is usually a <30min workout that should basically be a chance to bust your ass. I always wanted to go and die quietly after a crossfit session. Conversely, some people I know were doing a crossfit program with a personal trainer/class and barely breaking a sweat. If that is the case, it isn't crossfit, and they were deluding themselves regarding how much benefit they were getting. But because it was "crossfit", they thought it was ideal.

So if done properly, fantastic. If done badly, it isn't that magic cure people are after and doesn't offer as much as they think.
 
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TMLS1

Likes Dirt
New Crossfitter

Well I'm in to the start of my 7th week of Crossfit and have to say I really enjoy it. I have always played competitive sports and the easiest way I've heard it described is, "Fitness is now a sport".

I initially saw a, "Box" in the US about 12 months ago and found one close to my work by chance. They give you a free trial session and I hadn't felt that smashed in a while. These were just beginner exercises. Being competitive this is where it kicks in, seeing a fit (not body builder) chick doing hand stand push ups I thought that was pretty cool.

Main aim was to not get lazy in Winter in Melbs as trails are closed a lot. I have two little ones aged under 3 so windows of opportunity to train on the bike is minimal so easy just to get lazy and wait for spring. I've probably lost 3 to 4kg in 6 weeks and put back on in lean muscle. I'm going 3 to 4 times a week and session are generally 45 mins. 15 mins strenth, then "WOD" Work out of the day.

Cost? Well a lot of people follow crossfit.com as they have "WOD's" listed each day and you can train at home with limited equipment.

My, "Box" also had two Wattbikes so added bonus. No.1 guy in the world who just took home $275k last week is a machine, has a Wattbike for his training and mountain bikes in his spare time for fun and active recovery. CF actually has a lot in common with MTB'ing as people are really friendly and it's not a roid shop. Usually if someone's struggling to get through a WOD other people will help and give a bit of encouragement. Aussies are not competing yet, better tell that to Ben McKay who I think finished 11th at the Crossfit games and Kara Webb who finished 12th.

The stuff you see on youtube treat with a grain of salt they put vids up saying CF fail and grab vids of gym meat heads with poor form and they say it's crossfit. Some a probably true as there's always cowboys.

I had to do 8 intro sessions to learn form. Then transition and then into to std WODS. There are up to 4 instructors/coaches at any given time depending on class sizes and poor form they try to work out and they give clear advice on how to complete properly and safely.

So my session this morning was, "warm up: 2 x rounds 10 jumping lunges, 10 tuck jumps, 5 strict squats body weight, 4 x rounds of band hip flexor extensions". Strength 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 working to max weight strict should press bar and same for standing row thingo. Then today's WOD was actually 15 x 100m sprint rows. Was a bit more cardio today as last week there seemed to be a lot of leg strength work.

I don't facebook my WOD's but they do track them at the box and upload to an app every day to help you track progress. RX'd I had to google last week it means you did the workout as prescribed (some doctor terminology apparently). I still don't know half the terminology and have to google all the time as there's 100+ official WOD's they do in comps etc and they're all funnily enough named after girls, like "Fran, Cindy, Barbara etc".

Is my MTB'ing better by getting off the couch during winter and smashing myself. Bl00dy oath, and it's 100% more fun challenging myself that boring old gym work. Not defending crossfit just hope that explains a little bit more about it than the facebook updates etc
 

driftking

Wheel size expert
It isn't particularly different from exercise in general, it just has a certain overall structure. It is basically a high intensity <30 minute work out where you go all out for 30 min doing cardio and strength training, so the strength acts as a break from cardio and visa versa. Actual break time was few and far between during the half hour sessions. Sometimes we did it as a team where the team had to do X number of reps before we could quit (which built team moral really well because you didn't want to let your mates down), or we did it competitively against each other (so everyone was working as hard as possible). It was relatively structured, didn't people chance to skip out on workout but not running as hard etc and provided a good mix of cardio and strength. All of which could be done with a normal exercise routine that was well structured, but the coach drew inspiration for the workouts from the crossfit references, so called it that. Also made it relatively fun which is better than just "run and get fit".

its pretty much the standard weight circuit with cardio added as part of the cycle. plus some retarded kipping haha. Just another group of exercise put together with a name thrown on. I think we need to consider too thought hat a structured routine with separate cardio and strength sessions the adaptions are somewhat different and the body is less accustom to perform them together, there is a big advantage of working out in a practical manner. for the average joe its probably plenty, for the competitive its more ideal to add more time involved split/periodization routine, to prepare for competition.

It depends on how it is done. I will clarify-any exercise is better than no exercise and I would always promote people getting out and doing something.

My concern is more with people who say "i'm doing crossfit" and assume cross fit is imbued with some magical property that makes it super effective or better than any other well managed fitness program, irrespective of how much they put into it. Same way boot camps were a popular a few years back and were the fad instant fix fitness solution. Or pump classes. There are no shortcuts in fitness or weight loss or good health. Crossfit is usually a <30min workout that should basically be a chance to bust your ass. I always wanted to go and die quietly after a crossfit session. Conversely, some people I know were doing a crossfit program with a personal trainer/class and barely breaking a sweat. If that is the case, it isn't crossfit, and they were deluding themselves regarding how much benefit they were getting. But because it was "crossfit", they thought it was ideal.

So if done properly, fantastic. If done badly, it isn't that magic cure people are after and doesn't offer as much as they think.
I think in general the people who look to crossfit are those who are looking for a magic bullet, so if they're in fact doing "crossfit" it will dramatically improve their fitness, generally these people are unfit as is, that said cross fit done professionally is ridiculously taxing, Its definitely not a easy or less efficient form of exercise, what does matter as you stated is a proper crossfit vs label crossfit, the term cross fit does not mean you get results for lesser work. The body adpats in certain ways, no matter how you label and exercise its still going to adapt the same way.

Somewhat like the tabata protocol, people like to think they are doing it because they sprint for 20secs than rest for 10sec, but what most neglect is the actually Protocol is designed with those 'ON' efforts to use 170% of VO2. Most people who think they are doing tabata are just doing very intense HIIT. Benefit?, of course its harder exercise but its not true tabata.
 
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nathanm

Eats Squid
Well I'm in to the start of my 7th week of Crossfit and have to say I really enjoy it. I have always played competitive sports and the easiest way I've heard it described is, "Fitness is now a sport".

I initially saw a, "Box" in the US about 12 months ago and found one close to my work by chance. They give you a free trial session and I hadn't felt that smashed in a while. These were just beginner exercises. Being competitive this is where it kicks in, seeing a fit (not body builder) chick doing hand stand push ups I thought that was pretty cool.

Main aim was to not get lazy in Winter in Melbs as trails are closed a lot. I have two little ones aged under 3 so windows of opportunity to train on the bike is minimal so easy just to get lazy and wait for spring. I've probably lost 3 to 4kg in 6 weeks and put back on in lean muscle. I'm going 3 to 4 times a week and session are generally 45 mins. 15 mins strenth, then "WOD" Work out of the day.

Cost? Well a lot of people follow crossfit.com as they have "WOD's" listed each day and you can train at home with limited equipment.

My, "Box" also had two Wattbikes so added bonus. No.1 guy in the world who just took home $275k last week is a machine, has a Wattbike for his training and mountain bikes in his spare time for fun and active recovery. CF actually has a lot in common with MTB'ing as people are really friendly and it's not a roid shop. Usually if someone's struggling to get through a WOD other people will help and give a bit of encouragement. Aussies are not competing yet, better tell that to Ben McKay who I think finished 11th at the Crossfit games and Kara Webb who finished 12th.

The stuff you see on youtube treat with a grain of salt they put vids up saying CF fail and grab vids of gym meat heads with poor form and they say it's crossfit. Some a probably true as there's always cowboys.

I had to do 8 intro sessions to learn form. Then transition and then into to std WODS. There are up to 4 instructors/coaches at any given time depending on class sizes and poor form they try to work out and they give clear advice on how to complete properly and safely.

So my session this morning was, "warm up: 2 x rounds 10 jumping lunges, 10 tuck jumps, 5 strict squats body weight, 4 x rounds of band hip flexor extensions". Strength 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 working to max weight strict should press bar and same for standing row thingo. Then today's WOD was actually 15 x 100m sprint rows. Was a bit more cardio today as last week there seemed to be a lot of leg strength work.

I don't facebook my WOD's but they do track them at the box and upload to an app every day to help you track progress. RX'd I had to google last week it means you did the workout as prescribed (some doctor terminology apparently). I still don't know half the terminology and have to google all the time as there's 100+ official WOD's they do in comps etc and they're all funnily enough named after girls, like "Fran, Cindy, Barbara etc".

Is my MTB'ing better by getting off the couch during winter and smashing myself. Bl00dy oath, and it's 100% more fun challenging myself that boring old gym work. Not defending crossfit just hope that explains a little bit more about it than the facebook updates etc
mate this is exactly what I'm talking about, blowing your wod here and there the fracking terminology.

I didn't start this tread for people to go posting up there workouts like on facebook. Just the opposite.

The whole Crossfit thing just strikes me as so elitist.

Rant Over, for now.
 

TMLS1

Likes Dirt
mate this is exactly what I'm talking about, blowing your wod here and there the fracking terminology.

I didn't start this tread for people to go posting up there workouts like on facebook. Just the opposite.

The whole Crossfit thing just strikes me as so elitist.

Rant Over, for now.
....and I purposely used very Crossfit terminology to take the p1ss.
 

nathanm

Eats Squid
....and I purposely used very Crossfit terminology to take the p1ss.
Well played sir, you had me raging :target:

The irony is I went to the gym tonight, fracking weedy blokes all getting round in singlets using my equipment as soon as I turned my back.
 

tomacropod

Likes Dirt
Seriously, people are about getting fit and healthy and reducing the burden on the health system, you lot want to bitch about it being elitist? Wowsers, live and let live, the details are up to the individual surely.

(I'm a three-mornings-a-week boot camper, the structure is good for lazy, disorganised and busy people like me.)

- Joel
 

Matt H

Eats Squid
Mixing high weight, low rep compound lifts with intense cardio just sounds like a recipe for bad form and easy injuries.
 

ajay

^Once punched Jeff Kennett. Don't pick an e-fight
** Grave Dig **

Mixing high weight, low rep compound lifts with intense cardio just sounds like a recipe for bad form and easy injuries.

Generally, you don't mix 'intense' cardio with 'high weight' lifts anyway.


I've started up recently, after (even in this thread I think) being quite openly not in favour of parts of it, and really enjoy it now.

Now it seems that there's this mass hysteria over "injuries waiting to happen". Sure, there are risks, as with any sports ( *cough* mountain biking *cough* ). Weightlifting is dangerous, but with proper instruction and coaching, there's no reason to hurt yourself. I've increased my body awareness and my pre existing bad back has never felt better, despite lots of Dead lifts and P/rows. I'm also learning the Clean & Jerk and Snatch from a very highly qualified weight lifting instructor.
If we have lifting in the WOD, its not HEAVY, you work out the weight based on what you CAN lift, and you might do 60% of that with higher reps - this is standard gym stuff, nothing mysterious or magical - or elitist.

I think where it can all breakdown, is when you get someone with PT qualification who wants to open a crossfit gym. Excellent, attentive trainers are a must, some of the movements are complex and take a while to learn for some people. The trainers at my gym are strength/conditioning coaches with big resume's, they're know their stuff and its reflective of how the place runs and the clients they have. We had someone come in to "watch" the weightlifting coach so they could develop their own lesson plan... now thats a recipe for disaster.

Kipping.... yeah i know..... I can do strict pull ups so I wasn't too fussed about learning, however the progression is for muscle ups (or whatever the gymnasts call it), so the "kip" is of great use.....

Results? Extremely positive. I'm riding stronger, rockclimbing stronger, shagging like a porn star, I'm in better shape than I've ever been in. It's not cheap per sè, but im there 5 times a week, and its basically one on one.
 

driftking

Wheel size expert
Kipping.... yeah i know..... I can do strict pull ups so I wasn't too fussed about learning, however the progression is for muscle ups (or whatever the gymnasts call it), so the "kip" is of great use.....
I understand that concept but its still ultimately a movement that could cause injury,

A true muscle up to me has two methods.
1.without the crazy momentum, ie instead controlled and slow.
2.A fast explosive up that follows a pull up motion(proper bio-mechanics) than rotates up.

Kipping fits towards number 2 but takes away all form, at least from what I have seen anyway. Its virtually or at least looks like a way for people too weak to attempt something to hard for them.

This is a true muscle up in my eyes as a slower controlled motion. (well ideally a non false grip but not sure how many people can actually do a non false grip muscle up)
[video=youtube;79RSCRNmtIk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79RSCRNmtIk[/video]
 
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ajay

^Once punched Jeff Kennett. Don't pick an e-fight
Nit pick all you like, a kipped muscle up is still hard. And having done both, I'd definitely say the kipped is safer. The ethos behind crossfit is functional movement, not brute strength.

You sound like you've read a lot of books, but haven't actually trained much.
 

driftking

Wheel size expert
Nit pick all you like, a kipped muscle up is still hard. And having done both, I'd definitely say the kipped is safer. The ethos behind crossfit is functional movement, not brute strength.

You sound like you've read a lot of books, but haven't actually trained much.
I'll spend an extra 6 months training to muscle up right rather than cheat with kipping. I guess functionally it makes sense to do a movements that involves momentum and the entire body purely because that's how we move. But to train, I train to hit muscles, using momentum like Kipping is just taking volume off the muscle and reducing exercise effectiveness also it appears most people kipping are hyper extending their back as they come back down.

Better of getting stronger and not relying on momentum
If you can not rely on momentum how much stronger will you be with momentum?
If you're always training with momentum as soon as you lose moment, your strength is also lost.

what happens if you need to pull up a wall? you cant swing due to the wall, you have no way to gain horizontal momentum to transfer it vertically.

If I'm training ill rather maximize my time than do a half assed movement like kipping, Its exactly as I stated before, its people trying to do a muscle up when they cant, its essentially the poor form someone too weak will use to try and do a muscle up.

I'm not saying that makes it easy, I'm not saying it wont make you stronger but its not the most effective way nor safe. Its making people try movements they don't have the base strength for. Using body swing is ridiculous.
 
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Quintin

Eats Squid
I'll spend an extra 6 months training to muscle up right rather than cheat with kipping. I guess functionally it makes sense to do a movements that involves momentum and the entire body purely because that's how we move. But to train, I train to hit muscles, using momentum like Kipping is just taking volume off the muscle and reducing exercise effectiveness also it appears most people kipping are hyper extending their back as they come back down.

Better of getting stronger and not relying on momentum
If you can not rely on momentum how much stronger will you be with momentum?
If you're always training with momentum as soon as you lose moment, your strength is also lost.

what happens if you need to pull up a wall? you cant swing due to the wall, you have no way to gain horizontal momentum to transfer it vertically.

If I'm training ill rather maximize my time than do a half assed movement like kipping, Its exactly as I stated before, its people trying to do a muscle up when they cant, its essentially the poor form someone too weak will use to try and do a muscle up.

I'm not saying that makes it easy, I'm not saying it wont make you stronger but its not the most effective way nor safe. Its making people try movements they don't have the base strength for. Using body swing is ridiculous.
agree. crossfit is just a wank fad for people who cant lift and who are too cool for bootcamp.
 

johnny

I'll tells ya!
Staff member
I just youtubed kipping. Ha, you gotta be fucking kidding me, GTFO here with that silly crap.

You can frame it any way you want but it's just swinging your way up instead of using your muscles. I don't have an opinion on Xfit (cough-rabdo-cough) but kipping is about the stupid shit I've seen people try to pass off as a good idea.









PS - come speak to me when you can do 8 chins with 40kg swinging off your belt and your legs straight out in front of you at right angles to your torso [insert emoticon giving you the finger]
 

cressa

Likes Dirt
I have always been a kipper. I've been kipping daily my whole life. I mostly kip at night but occasionally, I'll kip in the afternoon.

Kipping is not a fad. Kipping is here to stay.

Alright it's getting late, I better get kipping.
 
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