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Cross Fit?

post #1 of 14
3/20/08 at 1:38am
Thread Starter 
Hey everyone,

I've been reading about the Cross Fit program and I'm thinking about giving it a shot. They recently opened up a branch out here in Brooklyn.

http://www.crossfit.com/

I've been lifting for quite a few years, but I've never tried any of the snatches, cleans, or ring work that they do. Just the usual bench/dumbell/squat/deadlift stuff. I've been feeling a bit bored in the gym lately, and this looks like an effective way to change things up. Does anyone on here do it? What do you think?
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post #2 of 14
3/20/08 at 2:11am
I've done some of their workouts, and it's very, very important to start much lighter than they prescribe. Crossfit has an unfortunate reputation for putting people in the hospital due to overtraining rhabdomyosis. Regardless of CF, cleans, snatches, and C&J are great lifts that you should definately add into your routines.
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post #3 of 14
3/20/08 at 2:27am
Wow Crossfitters on SF. Who woulda thunk. I think it's a good idea to go to the Crossfit gyms for the first few months to learn the movements and get tips on diet before you actually do CF. You're so lucky to have people to teach you.
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post #4 of 14
3/20/08 at 2:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by indesertum View Post
Wow Crossfitters on SF. Who woulda thunk.
You're about one year late...
http://www.styleforum.net/showthread...ghlight=forums
Starting from post #8
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post #5 of 14
3/20/08 at 3:07am
Thread Starter 
Ah, that's quite a read. It does seem to be a little cultish. It's claims as a "bodybuilding" program are also strange. On their website, they claim the following: "If you train the WODs hard, and eat right and get lots of sleep, you will definitely gain lean mass, lose fat, and yes, you can build muscle mass with the crossfit protocol. More specifically, according to Coach, Here is a hierarchy of training for mass from greater to lesser efficacy: 1. Bodybuilding on steroids 2. CrossFitting on steroids 3. CrossFitting without steroids 4. Bodybuilding without steroids The bodybuilding model is designed around, requires, steroids for significant hypertrophy" I don't buy it. Going just from their website, everyone looks pretty fit, but they're not all that big. My regular gym has much larger guys who are not on the juice. It's OK for me - I'm not looking to be a bodybuilder or necessarily get any bigger. I mostly like the idea of learning something new and lifting weights in a social setting. But from the looks of the Cross Fit people, and from the descriptions of their workouts, it seems to pale in comparison to regular split-routines for putting on muscle.
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post #6 of 14
3/20/08 at 3:08am
A buddy of mine whom I wrestled with in HS is part of a CrossFit program here in San Diego. I've done one routine. I'd recommend it. If you don't really push yourself in your workouts then you might want to condition yourself first, it's pretty intense.
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post #7 of 14
3/20/08 at 3:08am
A friend of mine is pretty deep into it, he writes quite a bit for it actually. He did some trianing with me and he seems to not have the problem of pushing me too far too quickly. Lots of kettle bell stuff and some really interesting workouts. I wish I could have stuck with it but I needed a lot of assistance and he was too busy. I'm also from San Diego, scfdefinit, do you perhaps know Eric or Charlie?
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post #8 of 14
3/20/08 at 3:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Epaulet View Post
Ah, that's quite a read. It does seem to be a little cultish. It's claims as a "bodybuilding" program are also strange. On their website, they claim the following: "If you train the WODs hard, and eat right and get lots of sleep, you will definitely gain lean mass, lose fat, and yes, you can build muscle mass with the crossfit protocol. More specifically, according to Coach, Here is a hierarchy of training for mass from greater to lesser efficacy: 1. Bodybuilding on steroids 2. CrossFitting on steroids 3. CrossFitting without steroids 4. Bodybuilding without steroids The bodybuilding model is designed around, requires, steroids for significant hypertrophy" I don't buy it. Going just from their website, everyone looks pretty fit, but they're not all that big. My regular gym has much larger guys who are not on the juice. It's OK for me - I'm not looking to be a bodybuilder or necessarily get any bigger. I mostly like the idea of learning something new and lifting weights in a social setting. But from the looks of the Cross Fit people, and from the descriptions of their workouts, it seems to pale in comparison to regular split-routines for putting on muscle.
It's not really meant for putting on muscle like a bodybuilder. It's more geared towards a gymnast or fighter kind of physique. AKA effective muscle mass not just for show. The routines are more geared towards physical conditioning, endurance, and overall body strength. If you're looking to just build mass then it's not for you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian SD View Post
A friend of mine is pretty deep into it, he writes quite a bit for it actually. He did some trianing with me and he seems to not have the problem of pushing me too far too quickly. Lots of kettle bell stuff and some really interesting workouts. I wish I could have stuck with it but I needed a lot of assistance and he was too busy. I'm also from San Diego, scfdefinit, do you perhaps know Eric or Charlie?
Nope, not that I know of.
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post #9 of 14
3/20/08 at 3:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Epaulet View Post
But from the looks of the Cross Fit people, and from the descriptions of their workouts, it seems to pale in comparison to regular split-routines for putting on muscle.
I'd actually prefer just about any full-body lifting program, especially those with power/oly lifts, to splits actually. Plus, doing power cleans, snatches, good mornings, front squats etc. just look so much more badass.
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post #10 of 14
3/20/08 at 1:46pm
meet mr. pukey
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post #11 of 14
3/20/08 at 5:17pm
Sometime last year they encouraged a woman to push too hard which put her in the hospital and almost killed her. But on their forum they talked about her being an "animal."

Hardcore.

Epaulet, I think you'd be better off finding a decent Olympic coach and learning proper lifts. End result should be more strength, power, muscle, fitness and less stupidity.

lefty
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post #12 of 14
3/20/08 at 5:46pm
I'd definitely give it a shot if you want to do the functional strength route. There isn't one near me, but it's very similar to what I've done for martial arts training. I use the workouts on their site and their exercise demos are good for motivation & pointers. If you want to do similar stuff on your own, kettlebell training a la Pavel and the RMAX/ Scott Sonnon stuff have a lot in common with crossfit. Edit: as with anything - learn, benefit, trust your own judgement and don't drink the kool-aid. Same goes for Pavel's stuff, Sonnon's, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and lots of other worthwhile things that become religions for the mindless.
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post #13 of 14
3/20/08 at 6:15pm
I used to crossfit, just too busy with other stuff to be able to recover from a WoD and the hours of practice and climbing that I'm doing at night. Take the time to read up everything, exercises, nutrition, etc. and start slowly. Go to www.brandxmartialarts.com for the scaled WoD and again, start slow. If you do too much too quick you will hurt yourself and that's not what anyone wants. I saw some good gains on CF, still have some residuals so I would def. recommend it. 3, 2, 1 GO
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post #14 of 14
3/20/08 at 10:04pm
i love it, been doing it for a few months. i dont pay the astronomical fee for the "crossfit gym" I look like a fool at my gym
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