I’d like to refer back to my original post here, as I am assuming you will likely not do it, to show you that I feel, and have always felt, relatively similar to the way you do. I’m well aware Crossfit is a fad and I said as much by stating it will be the next big thing in the fitness world-everyone has all but agreed wholly to this. Where we differ is the fact that my stance is that it is a higher quality one than most others that have already been mentioned, Tae bo…etc. The fact that its focus is not on first improving the structural efficiency of each individual or taking the time to slowly, progressively, and conscientiously improve the cardiovascular fitness of each person, as is par for the course in the personal training world, is one of the drawbacks I was referring to in my second post but that fact doesn’t take away from its inherent benefit-that being getting the average Joe off his butt.
The reason sound, long way around, strength training is only minimally popular to put it best is because it doesn’t appeal to the masses, which crossfit and every other fad has managed to do on a much greater scale. It has managed not only to bring in new trainees but take a large portion of the vast majority of the current trainess, of which primarily waste their time, and get them moving towards a level of health and aesthetics that is likely greater than the one they currently experience. Some people will get hurt, specifically the people you have described, but that is the case for the average trainee anyway who rushes into strength training as well; its benefits still outweigh its negatives. The idea that there isn't a 'beginner phase' isn't really a sound one...these workouts much like every other workout are tailored to the people doing then.
Nonetheless, the people you described would, of course, be better off in the long run with personal guidance. Unfortunately, the reality of the situation is such that most people need excitement before they need slow, steady, logic-and if they can get excitement in a manner that is one step up from the last exciting thing that came out, which I pretty clearly think that crossfit is...then all the better-then we've seen an improvement. Improvements in structural and neuromusculary effeciency, the promises of axial loading, and rate of force production are not getting people in the door, but a program with more sense than Tae bo and ab vibrations belts...etc is. Some will be hurt, some will feel left out(though they don't have an excuse, they can just tailor it to themselves and their current level of fitness and avoid that problem altogether), but many more will be introduced to fitness in a way that is better than the last way the masses were introduced. This is positive, imo.
In regards to catabolism and my workout routine, you stated that I don’t like to workout hard. I informed you that that wasn’t the case by giving you an example of a hard workout, which you then deemed too hard. Although, I also stated that that was one type of workout that is then cycled through more traditional type workouts-I cycle for the same reason as your are stating, to avoid negative gains, and to keep getting stronger, improving my lifts, and maybe put on another 10lbs. I am well aware of the dangers of catabolism and I word to avoid them; I continue to improve and when I come back to the hard workouts I described earlier, my performance is always better. I do eat and I do weigh 190, and I’m relatively sure, that most people would be pretty satisfied, if not very satisfied with my physique over that of a competitive bodybuilder’s.
In regards to bodybuilding and the motivation of the public, crossfit in and of itself has not been around long enough to sell magazines and with the current array of exercise magazines on the shelves today, its more likely it will be publicized through one of those mediums. Having said that, the ideals of crossfit-athleticism, fit bodies, and good cardiovascular health far and away sell more publications and more tickets and sell out more seats than anything bodybuilding will ever come close to. Bodybuilding and bodybuilders do not sell magazines-essentially no one cares about or respects the sport of bodybuilding and very few people on the whole would care to listen to anyone 'at that level.' Fitness and athletic looking bodies sell magazines and those few buying hardcore mags are heavily heavily heavily outweighed by those buying fitness oriented mags purporting the crossfit ideal: a level far far removed from what bbing defines as desirable. Crossfit more than takes care of the desires of the average Joe, and thus appeals to them much more than bodybuilding; though it admittingly has some drawbacks that will, of course, have to be dealt with. Last, I think you’re mistaken about the popularity of Crossfit-competitions have more competitors than the average bbing show, and more people on the sidelines.
In conclusion, I’d like to reiterate my initial contention: Crossfit will be the next big thing in the fitness world. It may die out, but it will likely last longer than the other fads simply because of the fact that it is of higher quality than they are and it has a well known strength coach behind it rather than a hollywood personality-in addition to the fact that it has essentially been around forever...it just has some structure now and a name. It has clear drawbacks and they will be well publicized-the fact that it has become competitive is the biggest issue as this takes away from people’s willingness to improve in a sustainable manner. Having said that, the benefits, in my opinion, outweigh the negatives simply because of sheer volume. Last, people are not blind, they too will see an experience the downsides and respond accordingly-the important thing is that they got their foot in the door.
