Can someone explain Crossfit?

[Roger Bacon]

(No homo)

I was watching the crossfit games or whatever it's called.  Most of the guys (in the finals) looked better than 90% of natural bodybuilders.

I couldn't careless about fitness really, but is this how nattys should be training?  How do these assholes train?  I see them doing about a million clean and presses, jumping on plywood boxes and that's about all I know.



(/no homo)

[Tightskin]

Peds

[Roger Bacon]

Peds

oh yeah... I just assumed these shit heads were naturals...

[Tightskin]

oh yeah... I just assumed these shit heads were naturals...

My  experience-
  Any that look better than natural bb are likely using.  

[Jadeveon Clowney]

the top two guys - rich 'shirtless' frowning and his buddy are supposed to be crischens. they can't lie/break the law, etc.

[mass243]

Not sure if natural though....

[BB]

Crossfit started out as regular old "Cross training" (look up John Jesse's training or Bob Gadja's PHA training for a very similar type of training) with some hip marketing behind it to market it to yuppies. It also helped that it was getting popular as people were tiring of the specialization fitness programs, and older fitness ideas were becoming popular again(Olympic lifting, bodyweight training, Kettlebells, etc......).

With Crossfit, it really depends on who's designing the training. There are, and were, some smart folks attached to it, but as it became popular the level of programming went down. It slowly turned turned into "How can I get the most training done in the shortest amount of time" rather than smart training. The fellas that questioned it were either stifled by corporate or left on their own.

Some also stayed for the Crossfit branding because it brings in the cash, but moved toward their own style of traing with a few Crossfit principles thrown in. These are the one's that actually do the best. Very few actually follow the traditional Crossfit main page workouts that the public see.

[Roger Bacon]

Thanks, that's interesting...

[Krankenstein]

Crossfit started out as regular old "Cross training" (look up John Jesse's training or Bob Gadja's PHA training for a very similar type of training) with some hip marketing behind it to market it to yuppies. It also helped that it was getting popular as people were tiring of the specialization fitness programs, and older fitness ideas were becoming popular again(Olympic lifting, bodyweight training, Kettlebells, etc......).

With Crossfit, it really depends on who's designing the training. There are, and were, some smart folks attached to it, but as it became popular the level of programming went down. It slowly turned turned into "How can I get the most training done in the shortest amount of time" rather than smart training. The fellas that questioned it were either stifled by corporate or left on their own.

Some also stayed for the Crossfit branding because it brings in the cash, but moved toward their own style of traing with a few Crossfit principles thrown in. These are the one's that actually do the best. Very few actually follow the traditional Crossfit main page workouts that the public see.

Thats the truth right there.  Unfortunately with youtube SOOO many dumb shits think they are top notch trainers/coaches.  The last comment you said about very few follow the HQ shit is true.  I am a number of guys who have affiliates and keep it because of the name.  Think of it this way.  When bodybuilding was really exploding (think late 80's early 90's) would you love to be able to just pay like $1000 for the "Golds Gym" name?  I am sure many would.  As I am sure many would also train people the way they want to and not follow something posted online.  I certainly hope this is isn't going to turn into a battle with Coach and I.  Recently I tried to bury the hatchet with him via PM but don't know how good/bad it was received.

I am no CFD (crossfit douche) like I was a BBD (bodybuilding douche), old age has tempered me in that aspect.  I love the challenge and hope to compete next year in the games.  Funny thing about last years games.  The THIRD place prize was more than the FIRST PLACE money in my last pro show for bodybuilding.

[Marty Champions]

when i looked pretty good i did alot of cardio every day got weak as hell no way i couldve done those lifts but i looked like i couldve. i enjoyed the vince gironda method , short rest light weights 8 reps sets then did alot of cardio

[Roger Bacon]

The women's Cross Fit games is really cool to watch.  Some really beautiful girls competing.  

The blond Scandinavian girl that was real pale in the tall socks really got me going.  

[Coach is Back!]

I had one crossfitter tell me they train for life. Everything isn't the same and everything is high intensity.  Again, program of randomness, no assessments, little in the way of progressions and little if any ecord keeping.

[oldtimer1]

Crossfit believes that most sports is training for specificity. They believe in training for fitness in all the categories of fitness like strength, power, balance, speed, conditioning and such. So in effect they don't concentrate in any one area of fitness.  One thing they don't do is aerobic conditioning as in distance running,swimming or biking. It's one area of fitness they don't feel is important.  They feel sports specific training is of course specialized to the sport played.

If I remember correctly the founder was a gymnast who also had an interest in Olympic weightlifting. He is out of shape now but he is treated with respect among crossfit followers. The main organization puts out a WOD that is a workout of the day that is varied that many follow. Individual gyms naturally can follow their own workouts or choose to follow the WOD. Each owner is certified by the main cross fit organization.

In truth of course you can find beginners and the fringe doing silly stuff on youtube videos but you can also find the elite doing incredible stuff. Many a bodybuilder or bench specialist have been put to shame by women with their lack of conditioning.  

They have been criticized that some followers are so rabid that they have actually damaged their kidneys by muscle damage doing the work outs beyond healthy reason.  Also some wonder about the safety of doing high rep Olympic lifts. They are fond too of kipping pull ups where the they will jerk their body to get their reps.  

If you are interested it's easy enough to find information from their site. A workout could be something like 3 rounds of 15 clean and jerks with 135lbs, 30 burppees, 15 chins, 40 free hand squats and a quarter mile sprint all for  total time.

I lift weights, run and sometimes bike. I can't put down a dedicated crossfit follower. Just like there are beginner lifters and advance the same for crossfit. A guy who is serious about crossfit is ripped and in serious shape.

[Roger Bacon]

Crossfit believes that most sports is training for specificity. They believe in training for fitness in all the categories of fitness like strength, power, balance, speed, conditioning and such. So in effect they don't concentrate in any one area of fitness.  One thing they don't do is aerobic conditioning as in distance running,swimming or biking. It's one area of fitness they don't feel is important.  They feel sports specific training is of course specialized to the sport played.

If I remember correctly the founder was a gymnast who also had an interest in Olympic weightlifting. He is out of shape now but he is treated with respect among crossfit followers. The main organization puts out a WOD that is a workout of the day that is varied that many follow. Individual gyms naturally can follow their own workouts or choose to follow the WOD. Each owner is certified by the main cross fit organization.

In truth of course you can find beginners and the fringe doing silly stuff on youtube videos but you can also find the elite doing incredible stuff. Many a bodybuilder or bench specialist have been put to shame by women with their lack of conditioning.  

They have been criticized that some followers are so rabid that they have actually damaged their kidneys by muscle damage doing the work outs beyond healthy reason.  Also some wonder about the safety of doing high rep Olympic lifts. They are fond too of kipping pull ups where the they will jerk their body to get their reps.  

If you are interested it's easy enough to find information from their site. A workout could be something like 3 rounds of 15 clean and jerks with 135lbs, 30 burppees, 15 chins, 40 free hand squats and a quarter mile sprint all for  total time.

I lift weights, run and sometimes bike. I can't put down a dedicated crossfit follower. Just like there are beginner lifters and advance the same for crossfit. A guy who is serious about crossfit is ripped and in serious shape.

Thank you,  I was kind of interested because I'm at a new gym and there are some people doing Crossfit stuff.  It looks really cool, but to me it doesn't look like they're accomplishing much.

[Knooger]

(/no homo)

Posting that, I think, means you have switched back to homo.


no homo

[Krankenstein]

I had one crossfitter tell me they train for life. Everything isn't the same and everything is high intensity.  Again, program of randomness, no assessments, little in the way of progressions and little if any ecord keeping.

Joe, do we have to go through this again?  The good coaches will use good programming that is tracked.  

[THEBOSS]

    Douchebaggery  . In its highest form . All the explaining you need .

[Montague]

It looks really cool, but to me it doesn't look like they're accomplishing much.

Trust your instincts.


I suspect most people who "do" Crossfit are like the ones you see massively failing in YouTube montages. They have little or no proper instruction, and the only thing they're working on is an injury.

There's also something to be said about an institution that uses 25 lb plates that are the same diameter as conventional 45 lb plates, just much thinner. Is this to make them feel better about something?

If you want training variety, why not just learn traditional Olympic lifts the right way? Also, many gyms offer various fitness classes, most with plenty of hot babes enrolled. There's your motivation and conditioning. Most of all, you'll receive proper instruction and be less likely to hurt yourself.

Additionally, no one will laugh at you for doing "kipping pull-ups."

[Roger Bacon]

Trust your instincts.


I suspect most people who "do" Crossfit are like the ones you see massively failing in YouTube montages. They have little or no proper instruction, and the only thing they're working on is an injury.

There's also something to be said about an institution that uses 25 lb plates that are the same diameter as conventional 45 lb plates, just much thinner. Is this to make them feel better about something?

If you want training variety, why not just learn traditional Olympic lifts the right way? Also, many gyms offer various fitness classes, most with plenty of hot babes enrolled. There's your motivation and conditioning. Most of all, you'll receive proper instruction and be less likely to hurt yourself.

Additionally, no one will laugh at you for doing "kipping pull-ups."

Wow, you pinpointed it! haha

I didn't know about the thin plates, that's hilarious!  I need to order some of those.


I was at the gym, and this guy (no clue why, not sure if it was crossfit related) was doing pushups on the squat rack safety bars that catch the bar when you squat too low.  He had both arms on one side and both feet balances on the other bar. 

[Krankenstein]

Trust your instincts.

I suspect most people who "do" Crossfit are like the ones you see massively failing in YouTube montages. They have little or no proper instruction, and the only thing they're working on is an injury.

There's also something to be said about an institution that uses 25 lb plates that are the same diameter as conventional 45 lb plates, just much thinner. Is this to make them feel better about something?

If you want training variety, why not just learn traditional Olympic lifts the right way? Also, many gyms offer various fitness classes, most with plenty of hot babes enrolled. There's your motivation and conditioning. Most of all, you'll receive proper instruction and be less likely to hurt yourself.

Additionally, no one will laugh at you for doing "kipping pull-ups."

So, olympic lifting is bullshit because they use the 25lb olympic-sized plates?

[Montague]

So, olympic lifting is bullshit because they use the 25lb olympic-sized plates?

Answer my question first.

[Montague]

I was at the gym, and this guy (no clue why, not sure if it was crossfit related) was doing pushups on the squat rack safety bars that catch the bar when you squat too low.  He had both arms on one side and both feet balances on the other bar. 

The next time you see him doing it, you should ask him what the advantage is in doing a push-up that way as opposed to doing them on the ground. Don't expect any kind of decent answer.

That actually beats guys curling inside the squat rack because this prick isn't even using any weight! Go home and do your stupid push-ups.

[Abacab]

Dedicated Crossfit can do AMAZING things to a woman's body. Just look through bradistani's thread "Women of CrossFit, Fitness & Athletics"..

[Roger Bacon]

The next time you see him doing it, you should ask him what the advantage is in doing a push-up that way as opposed to doing them on the ground. Don't expect any kind of decent answer.

That actually beats guys curling inside the squat rack because this prick isn't even using any weight! Go home and do your stupid push-ups.

haha, I feel too embarrassed for him to even ask!  

I was hoping his feet would slip and he would hit his shins real hard!

[Krankenstein]

Answer my question first.

Why do YOU use 25lb plates?