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The Real Dealio on CrossFit

crossfit workout

Credit: greg westfall.

I once tried to try CrossFit, but I actually never made it to the class because I was running late, then got lost and, then, once I found the address, it was in some dude’s home garage. It was probably totally safe, but I’ve seen too many Dateline episodes to go into stranger’s homes.

Because I wasn’t able to try it myself, I was happy to see a recent research-backed article from the American Council on Exercise about this increasingly popular—and extreme—form of training. It gives the skinny on what the training includes (tire flipping, medicine ball throws and other exercises that will “wreck you”), its risks (very risky and injury prone) and its benefits (you can get wicked fit with this stuff). So if you are up for a serious challenge, read up on the CrossFit pros and cons here!

Have you tried CrossFit? Tell us about your experience in the comments! —Jenn

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Comments

10 Comments
  1. Jenn says:

    I can only speak for my gym (Crossfit Niagara) and its trainers; but I love Crossfit! I have been doing Crossfit for 6 months and love it! It is what has helped me drop the last 10 lbs and it is really intense. I really enjoy the feeling of being pushed to my limits and surpassing them, which I experience at Crossfit regularly.but I can honestly say that Crossfit workouts are not what causes injury, its people who chose to lift more than they are capable of or do not listen to their bodies. The trainers at my gym are really strict about form which has kept me “knock on wood” injury free.

  2. Stephanie says:

    Great article. I’m actually taking some courses from Fabio and his crew at ACE, and it’s good to see this level of research. Interesting!

  3. Marilyn says:

    I urge all readers to follow the link and read the article. It does not say that CrossFit is very risky and injury prone. It says that like any exercise or activity of daily living, you might get hurt. It also does point out areas of improvement and talks about problems with the diet recommended. However, the author is a regular participant in CrossFit!

    Furthermore, some of the criticisms raised apply to many trainers, exercises, and gyms. Do you know what is involved in the ACE and NASM certifications? Do you know that many exercises and training theories are based on a single book published many decades ago and never empirically tested? Remember how the gym teacher taught you bad form and the gym teacher was a sports coach who taught bad form to the athletes who grew up to be personal trainers and who teach the same bad form?

    I don’t do Crossfit regularly but I have done and it I enjoyed it greatly. I found it challenging and effective. I do seek out functional training and I do seek out variety, as we all should.

  4. BB says:

    I loved it! The best my body has responded in years! However, after lifting way too much weight and hurting my back i haven’t been back. I wish I just done the WOD. not the heavy lifting. oh well. such is life.

  5. Lily says:

    Thank you for this article, I have a free 30 day of Unlimited Indoor Fitness at a place with a very similar program. This gives me some insight on what to expect and how to prepare myself. I have considered Cross Fit beacuse I already do a lot of workouts, beach Boot Camp. I truly do enjoy the workouts, they are rigorous enough for me and has made very clear changes in my body and in the way I feel because of it. I will definitely keep this info in mind when ‘trying’ Cross Fit in the future as I wish to only continue to improve myself, but with out going overboard or injury. Thank you for the information.

  6. Alyssa says:

    Wanna try it. Can’t afford it. Too afraid to do the WOD on my own because, well, I’m a klutz.

  7. Fit Girl says:

    Hi Guys, cannot recommend Crossfit enough! For those who are nervous about it the workouts are scaled which means that if you can’t do the exercise, it is scaled down to a similar movement that is just as effective and prepares you to be able to do the actual exercise over time. So you and your granny could workout together, literally!

    Crossfit workouts cover every aspect of fitness so you get to work your strengths AND weaknesses! How many of us do the stuff we do because we’re good at it! Crossfit challenges you to push yourself beyond your limits (safely) and you feel amazing!

    I’ve been Crossfitting for a couple of months now and it has been the best thing I have done in years, bearing in mind I’ve been a trainer for 7 years!

    Can’t recommend it enough!!!! Alyssa, check out their site crossfit.com there are plenty of vids with scaled workouts on them too!

  8. Alyssa says:

    Thank you!!!!!! I’ll check it out!

  9. Mika says:

    I’m a huge fan of crossfit! If you’re in the KC area check out The Fit Pit, http://www.fitpitkc.com They offer a week free pass!!
    You dont have to an awesome athlete to do crossfit, everything can be modified to fit your own personal needs. You’ll be hooked after the 1st week!! 🙂

  10. Sass says:

    The gyms around where I live (Jersey) only want experienced athletes or people who are at a very high fitness level already. No beginners wanted. Sucks so I gave up on Crossfit.

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