It seems that I get asked this question more and more often. I don't think any one involved in athletic training of any type has not at least heard of Cross Fit. It is the latest fitness trend and seems to be sweeping the world. For a quick summary, Crossfit combines lifting with calesthetics and bodyweight expercises as well as strongman type training with various implements like tires and sleds. It is a continous circuit type of workout where different expecises are done with minimal recovery in between. In fact, the point is to lower the time it takes to do vaious circuits. Do I like it? Yes, and no. How's that for a PC answer? Seriously, I think the good things about it are:
1. It has gotten alot of people excited about fitness.
2. It is intense and simple. I like that. No gimmicks or promises of quick and easy results.
3. It has done more to introduce people to real weightlifting in the U.S. than USA Weightliftng has.
4. If you get in soon on the ground floor,and know what you are doing, you can make some honest money off of it.
There are also some things I don't like about it:
1. It is a hybrid of aerobic and strength training and doesn't really result in maximum results in either.
2. Exercise technique is often very sloppy. I see too many round backed pulls and dangerous positions that will eventually result in injury.
3. I don't llike to see lifts like snatches and cleans done for high reps for the same reason. it promotes sloppy form and runs a high risk of injury.
4. It may be too intense for Joe Average to stick with over a lifetime.
In short, I think CrossFit is great for military, police, fire fighters,..etc. For athletes......? perhaps wrestlers and mixed martial arts types of competitors. Obviously for serious lfters or track athletes, this is not the way to go. I kind of think of it like what we here in the U.S.A. call a Swiss Army knife. These are little gadgets that contain all kinds of blades and implements like screw drivers,scissors, saws,..etc. in one foldable knifelike implement. They are great for camping or survival situations. They can get the job done in an emergency. However a carpenter or mechanic would not use it for their specialized work. They would buy a real saw, file, or screwdriver and keep a toolbox that was designed for their specialty. Most athletes would be far better off doing strength training, skill training, and whatever aerobic fitness they may need separately. I don't see CrossFit as being a viable training tool for most serious athletes.
Here is an innovative CrossFit routine!! Wrestle a shark then carry him home.
Below is a video clip of David Morgan, a great British lifter setting a new CrossFit record in a sequence they labeled King Kong. David doesn't train as a crossfitter, but in a traditional fashion. He is an amazing speciman.
Even if CrossFit is the new "rage" this type of training has been done by top level javelin throwers for base/general conditioning for many years. I was doing similar stuff in the early 1980's. Sloppy form is not restricted to just this program.... we've all seen plenty of poor posture/positions in lifting regardless of the program of training used if attention to form is ignored. Part of any training routine is to do the exercises/drills CORRECTLY! I'm currently training a pair of national level javelin throwers (74 & 79m PB's) and CrossFit training is involved all year: depending on the cycle and goals it can be for base conditioning, specific or general power. If you can't hold form in high reps of lower weight in snatch or clean what makes you think you can while pulling a PR lift?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your feedback. I really didn't know that some track athletes were training in this fashion. I am not suprised that such training was happening over 30 years ago. I have found that there is really nothing new. What is now "new" has always happened before. I agree that there is no excuse for poor technique. To quote Meg Ritchie Stone, "THere are no dangerous exercises, only dangerous coahces". Thanks.
ReplyDelete-Ollie Whaley
One of my roommates/teammates in college lived for crossfit. He was 5'7, 180 pounds with muscle stacked on muscle. The dude could not scratch his own back because his flexibility was so bad. He went from a high 10 sprinter in high school to an 11.4 sprinter in college and only got worse. He was able to do some pretty nutty archer pushups with a 100 pound weight vest on and he could do some impressive keg lifts but it really hurt his athletic performance in the long run.
ReplyDeleteIf crossfit gets people off the couch i am all for it, but i don't think it's that great for athletes in most cases. Fitness level does not always equal performance level.