Continued...About Crossfit

[cuppa]

I don't want to hijack the other thread so this is to response Tman666 and USMCHokie.

 

 

Tman, I understand why the resentment toward the crossfit people who think that they are above everyone because they can do 100 kip pull-ups or 100 burpees under 4 mins. I was probably the softies that you mentioned about, like I died running 800 m before but now could do all those sprints & miles with no problem (and yes, I was thinking to climb Mt Kilimanjaro too, maybe in 3 years or something...that's not a bad goal to have, is it?). In fact, I went to Mt Everest base a few years ago (but actually, I don't really think that mountain climbing is my passion but I want to excell at martial arts - so crossfit to me is my conditioning tool).

 

I think I was spoiled because my crossfit gym has great trainers who also certified in a lot of other things (their main thing is Brazilian Jiu Jit Su and Krav Maga). I live in California, my city is known for mixed martial arts so we have great great trainers and reputable academies (no phonies or one day cert type of trainers). We also have Olympic weight lifter champion, who used to compete professionally, so I'm very convinced that I was taught a proper technique (i.e: my back pains went away since I joined crossfit while before, I got it just doing Jillian Michaels video at home).

 

Having said this though, yeah, I think some crossfit people think that they are elite athletes or something. even in my gym, there are a lot of hardcore trainers or people who think that I'm imbecile for asking on how to treat my callusses. I guess we all have to be hardcore and bleeding while doing exercises is normal! However, some of the trainers are so great! Like the one who taught me the deadlift move with different grips, he's really concerned over my posture and he's very encouraging every step of the way. When my callusses ripped open, he went to get antibiotic and cleaned the wound (he's also a registered nurse). So yeah, in general, crossfit program is great i think, but the trainer makes the whole difference.

 

I hope I don't come across as those smug crosffitters. Sometimes, i got too excited when I thought I pushed the boundaries so I tend to overshare over here and in my circle too. Maybe it's annoying for some people (but others also said motivating).

 

 

Cuppa,

 

Let me first say that my opinions of any particular workout program are not meant as a judgment of the individual partaking or benefiting from said program. To me, it is pretty obvious that (again, this is not a dig against anyone here) you train harder than 95% of the others here. If crossfit is working for you and you are getting the results you want, then that's what matters. You (or I, rather) cannot argue with results.

 

My personal (mostly negative) opinion of crossfit has to do with their marketing strategies, programming (or lack thereof), and preachy dogma.

 

From what I understand, it doesn't take much to become a CF certified trainer. Depending on the level, I believe they take a one-ish day course and pay CF hq a few grand, and bam, a CF trainer is born. While this tactic definitely provides for a profitable business model, I believe it lends itself to possibly low quality trainers. It's one thing to know how to demonstrate exercises, motivate people, and pass down nutritional/training advice from CF hq. It's an entirely different matter to have to experience and expertise to diagnose training problems, customize nutrition plans based on an individual's goals, and to keep your clients safe while still pushing them. Are their some great CF trainers out there? Undoubtedly so. However, there are others that will blindly follow the WOD and impose their best "drill sergeant" impression on trainees regardless of what may or may not be optimal (or even safe) for the trainee.

 

It's not that CF doesn't work for a lot of people. It's obvious that when an untrained individual (or anyone else that has not been training at a high intensity level) begins to train like a crossfit-er on a consistent basis, they are going to get stronger, lighter, and better conditioned. Perhaps even more highly trained individuals benefit at times from the change in pace.

 

The programming problems lie in the application of some of the techniques. For example, olympic lifts should not be done for high reps. Olympic lifts are extremely form intensive and require a lot of power to complete successfully and safely. Performing multiple rep oly. lifts not only increases injury potential, but it also defeats the purpose of the exercise altogether.

 

That being said, HIIT techniques such as Tabatas can be properly applied to bodyweight exercises, sprints, and even some weight training movements (i.e. front squats) safely and effectively. However, from what I have seen, CF all to often misapplies this concept. That isn't to say that some of their properly applied Tabatas cannot be an excellent conditioning workout (see WOD for April 2, 2010).

 

Regarding the dogma, like USMCHokie said, their are many, many CF devotees who have "drank the koolaide" so to speak, and are convinced that they are all on their way to becoming superhuman specimens. Some seem to consider themselves members of some warrior elite class of athletes, ready to take on all challenges. It just gets annoying, especially when you get the people that have been doing CF for 6 months (after being marshmallow soft for the previous extent of their lives) and are suddenly experts on training, have plans to climb Everest, fight in the UFC, join the SEALs, etc. Not that I'm against setting goals for oneself, but c'mon.

 

I guess the bottom line for me is that CF has some good stuff going for it, but just like every other training system on the planet, it is not all encompassing. Unfortunately, some people seem to think it is the end all holy grail of training. You don't see professional athletes from any sport doing crossfit workouts exclusively. Even though CF has potential to build strength, stamina, power, and dexterity, it is not specialized enough call itself the best training system for any particular activity (except for the Crossfit games, of course).

 

I would have no problems with it (minus the safety issues I mentioned) if they were honest about the system. If they said "Crossfit will bring most untrained people to a much higher level of physical fitness then the rest of the general population", I would not have a problem with it because that would be true. However, their claims that their system is the "principal strength and conditioning program for many police academies and tactical operations teams, military special operations units, champion martial artists, and hundreds of other elite and professional athletes worldwide" is pretty dubious. Granted, "many" doesn't quantify their claims very well, but this is an obvious marketing tactic to get people to assume that Crossfit will turn them into the baddest mothers on the block.

 

Anyhow, none of this has really any bearing on the other person's original post. I apologize for the big ol' thread jack.

 

Tman

[tman666]

Haha, you definitely do not come across as on of the ones I was speaking of.

 

That's great that CF is working out for you so well at this point. Just remember that a hardcore "work through the pain" attitude will only take one so far. Slipped callouses, bloody knuckles, and scraped up shins are one thing (perfectly acceptable). You have to take care of your soft tissue and joints in order to avoid injuries, make gains, and not feel like you've been hit by a truck.

 

Just don't let anyone tell you that their way is the only way. Take what works for you, and discard what does not.

[cuppa]

Haha, you definitely do not come across as on of the ones I was speaking of.

 

That's great that CF is working out for you so well at this point. Just remember that a hardcore "work through the pain" attitude will only take one so far. Slipped callouses, bloody knuckles, and scraped up shins are one thing (perfectly acceptable). You have to take care of your soft tissue and joints in order to avoid injuries, make gains, and not feel like you've been hit by a truck.

 

Just don't let anyone tell you that their way is the only way. Take what works for you, and discard what does not.

 

Yeah, I have come to this realization too. in fact, one lady in my class, she injured her knees doing an "airforce" routine (20 thrusters/20 sumo deadlift high pulls/20 push jerks/20 overhead squats/ 20 front squats. At the beginning of every minute, you must do 4 burpees. M:95#/W:65#).

She hasn't been back in weeks, hope she's ok. Even the head trainer, he popped so many pain killers in a day, that's actually pretty concerning. I don't want to be in that position (good at exercising but not exactly healthy).

 

Thank you for the suggestion, this is very very important for anyone who joins crossfit. I keep reminding myself that it's better to be slow & controlled, instead of sloppy and fast. It's just that I got caught up sometimes (the competitive spirit) and to see how fast everyone went, I wanted to get fast too.

 

I only do crossfit twice a week now (from 4 times a week). I can't pound my body through this everyday , it's too harsh. Last week, I found Capoeira, this one seems easier on the body while still emphasizing on flexibilty, strength, endurance, and stamina (overall fitness basically).

[torranceshipman]

Your calluses ripped open? What the heck are you doing in your gym?! You haven't considered work out gloves??

[tman666]

People who wear gloves in the gym are generally patsies. If your hands are too sweaty to properly grasp the bar, buy some chalk. Just sayin'...

[USMCHokie]

Your calluses ripped open?

 

 

This happens to me regularly in about two week cycles. Not necessarily "ripping open," but the top layer of the calluses peels off with fresh calluses awaiting underneath.

[Star Gazer]

(i.e: my back pains went away since I joined crossfit while before, I got it just doing Jillian Michaels video at home).

 

Eeeek, I don't want to TJ, but I do have a question about this... What kind of back pains were you experiencing? Did you notice it with any particular move?

 

I ask because a friend of mine has hurt her back twice now during the JM videos... during the burpee part.

[cuppa]

Eeeek, I don't want to TJ, but I do have a question about this... What kind of back pains were you experiencing? Did you notice it with any particular move?

 

I ask because a friend of mine has hurt her back twice now during the JM videos... during the burpee part.

 

I am not exactly sure which part except now when I did Jillian Michaels (I did 8#), I can barely feel anything but before, I wanted to die and my back, shoulder, and neck ached/twisted in knots. Now, I do things 10 times harder, I am pain free. I'm thinking even the above shoulder dumbbell movements, sometimes, people twist certain ways that can mess up the neck or the crunches (where people pull necks instead of working the abs). Little things add up I think because you can't watch your posture while your eyes are glued to her on the screen. Or it could be that from "no exercise" to "Jillian Michaels" is quite a shock for some people.

 

Another example is that I did JIllian Michaels with my coworkers once a week at the work gym. So one of my coworkers, when she curled the dumbbell, she didn't tighten her abs (her shoulders slouched, her form is really sloppy) so I told her that if she's doign that, it will hurt her back than actually helping her. The thing with JM, she combined squats, lungest, squats hold with dumbbell and I think people focus on the hand movements but didn't tighten/straighten their spine/abs or their overall core (sloppy form).

 

The burpee in Jillian Michael is not even the real burpee. It's a hip thrust (or sprawl). I was taught on how to do burpee properly in my crossfit & kickboxing, including what to do when your body is too tired to execute push-ups during those burpeees (because it's actually 6 steps - Squats, thrust, plank, push-ups, plank, squats, and 6 inches jump - that is burpee to me). Squats also need to be done with certain techniques (I learned against the wall) or else it will mess up the joints in the knees.

 

I am thinking I have better techniques in a lot of standard movements (squats, lunges, dumbbell movement above the shoulder, crunches, scissors move, etc) so that might be the difference (in addition stronger abs/legs make a whole difference in executing JM moves).

[cuppa]

People who wear gloves in the gym are generally patsies. If your hands are too sweaty to properly grasp the bar, buy some chalk. Just sayin'...

 

You sounded just like people in my crossfit. No one in my gym lifted with gloves and was told that my callusses will help me down the road (including executing the pull-ups). So, I just let it built up and say good bye to my smooth hands!

 

Plus, it's easier to grip without gloves actually. Yes, I do chalk too....I tried to use gloves once in one of the routines, in addition being mocked incessantly (in a teasing way I hope), it didn't feel good lifting with gloves (same with pull ups too!)

[cuppa]

Your calluses ripped open? What the heck are you doing in your gym?! You haven't considered work out gloves??

 

yep, it ripped open when I executed 13 rounds of 5 reps (total 68 reps) of body weight deadlifts (that's 125# for me), in addition of climbing robes 13 times in 20 mins .

 

Workout gloves don't really work for me (haven't found one yet) and besides, I was told that I need the callusses to do my pull-ups (so far, I still need the band in order to do pull-ups).

[tman666]

You sounded just like people in my crossfit. No one in my gym lifted with gloves and was told that my callusses will help me down the road (including executing the pull-ups). So, I just let it built up and say good bye to my smooth hands!

 

Plus, it's easier to grip without gloves actually. Yes, I do chalk too....I tried to use gloves once in one of the routines, in addition being mocked incessantly (in a teasing way I hope), it didn't feel good lifting with gloves (same with pull ups too!)

 

I sounded like a crossfitter? Oh Noes!! j/k j/k.

 

Seriously though, I believe gloves only inhibit transfer of power in most cases. Plus, for faster, more complex movements such as olympic lifts, one needs to be able to feel exactly how the bar is moving in order to control the weight in its proper form.

[USMCHokie]

I sounded like a crossfitter? Oh Noes!! j/k j/k.

 

Seriously though, I believe gloves only inhibit transfer of power in most cases. Plus, for faster, more complex movements such as olympic lifts, one needs to be able to feel exactly how the bar is moving in order to control the weight in its proper form.

 

 

Hahahah, you're a crossfitter!!! Bwahaahah.

 

But I agree, there'd be too much play in my grip if I wore gloves...none of the serious lifters at my gym wears gloves...but to each their own...

Edited April 8, 2010 by USMCHokie

[You'reasian]

Not a crossfitter devotee, although I've tried it out. Its tough!

 

I've found P-90X cheaper though. As far as drinking the koolaide, I find crossfit training very intense physically and mentally - that goes along way for preparation in other activities, like doing martial arts, rock climbing, 5 and 10 K racing etc.

 

As far as bruised shins and callouses, yeah if you do a great deal of sparring or grappling its bound to happen. Gotta take time to heal so you can train and grow!

Edited April 9, 2010 by You'reasian

[cuppa]

Not a crossfitter devotee, although I've tried it out. Its tough!

 

I've found P-90X cheaper though. As far as drinking the koolaide, I find crossfit training very intense physically and mentally - that goes along way for preparation in other activities, like doing martial arts, rock climbing, 5 and 10 K racing etc.

 

As far as bruised shins and callouses, yeah if you do a great deal of sparring or grappling its bound to happen. Gotta take time to heal so you can train and grow!

 

Not all crossfit is the same but I tried P90X (I do it as an add on when I couldn't make it to the gym). I can tell for sure that the crossfit in my gym is much much much tougher than P90X. Funny, I was trying to save money too by trying out P90X but it's definitely not the same.

 

I hope I don't sound like a cult here but I credit crossfit for my transformation. Example, today, in my kickboxing, we did high rep 10# dumbbell movements (similar to kettlebell swings & above the shoulder thrust), I blew past every one including the men (and 2 of them are fit marathon runners). I was the tiniest in the class yet now, I think I become the fittest in just 4 months since I joined crossfit.

 

Also capoeira, i think in just 2 weeks, I can keep up faster compared to people who've been training for months. It's a great conditioning program, I just feel that I'm quicker, faster, more agile, better endurance, better recovery, and a lot stronger.