I am looking into a new workout routine called Cross Fit (located at www.crossfit.com).  I was wondering if anyone here had experience with them.  A couple guys that I work with have started the routine and think it is the greatest thing since sliced bread.  I thought I would see if anyone here knew about it.

Thanks

While it is the new fad around here I intensely dislike it.  I think it is best suited for the guy wh is already in peak shape, cant progress any further, and is just bored and looking for something different.  Far faster gains can be made in muscle strength and size using traditional techniques.  Untill I am peaked out on my size and strength I have no reason to slow my progress by switching to a routine designed for more muscular endurance and decreased muscle gains.

Crossfit is basically what used to be called "circuit training". Some dude from California thought up a way to market "curcuit training" to the kind of people who buy Macs, Ipods, Prius cars, Ikea... (i.e. trendy San Francisco yuppy faggots and bored house wifes). In my opinion it's dangerous with a high risk of injury. example: that kipping pullup bullshit they love to do. They have a pretty big injury subforum on their discussion board. Personally I think olympic lifts are useless, kipping is useless and anything involving inflatable balls is useless. Crossfit is more of a skill set than useful training. Olympic lifts are very skilled lifts, not muscle lifts. That's why the Clean & Press was dropped from the Olympics because athletes basically used skill to completely cheat the Press part.

Look at Greg Glassman (crossfit inventor) and then look at Ross Enamait, who actually practices what he preaches, and decide who you are going to listen to. www.rosstraining.com

Also check out http://www.moynihaninstitute.com/ for some funny stuff on crossfit, he had a great article a while ago but it's not on the page anymore.

Hey, I jog... its the most effective cardio you can do.  I just try to do most of it on a nice cushy treadmill in an airconditioned gym. That keeps the injures away.

Quoted: Also check out http://www.moynihaninstitute.com/ for some funny stuff on crossfit, he had a great article a while ago but it's not on the page anymore.

I spend a lot of time on the Crossfit website but my workout consists of the squat, deadlift, press and benchpress along with bike riding and in the near future, rowing.  

I don't have any negative opinions on Crossfit but Moynihan's insights into the atmosphere over there are right on the money!!  

I like to jog also, it's probably the most natural exercise. There are tribes in africa who hunt by literally jogging animals to death. It's when you are jogging 20+ miles a week on the road , as was the trend back in the 80s, that it can do damage to you. It kind of got a bad name when all this HIIT stuff became popular.

To prevent injury when it comes to cardio just switch up what you do, there is plenty of things out there, just doing treadmill or just running outside will not work as good as a combination. I have that problem, i dont always switch it up enough.

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Quoted: Hey, I jog... its the most effective cardio you can do.

I think swimming is more effective because it uses more movement and is less of an impact on your body.

Quoted: Quoted: Hey, I jog... its the most effective cardio you can do. I think swimming is more effective because it uses more movement and is less of an impact on your body.

In the Arfcom tradition.  Do both

Well shit,

I did my first crossfit workout today, it is disappointing to hear some of your remarks. The jerks did seems more complicated than necessary but I did get a strong workout. I guess I'll keep up with the traditional and work some things in if I think they're worthwhile. I am going to check out this ross guy too.

I am glad I came into this forum.

96Ag

Quoted: Quoted: Hey, I jog... its the most effective cardio you can do. I think swimming is more effective because it uses more movement and is less of an impact on your body.

I cant swim for shit.  I still think per time unit running burns the most calories.

This link agrees...

link

Quoted: Well shit, I did my first crossfit workout today, it is disappointing to hear some of your remarks. The jerks did seems more complicated than necessary but I did get a strong workout. I guess I'll keep up with the traditional and work some things in if I think they're worthwhile. I am going to check out this ross guy too. I am glad I came into this forum. 96Ag

That workout (row 500 + 21 HPS x 3) was my second Crossfit workout and I loved it.  

Don't let the detractors discourage you.  At it's core, Crossfit is more of a concept than a structured and regimented exercise routine.  I've been reading Crossfit's website for some time and while I thought the remarks from "The Moynihan Institute" were very insightful into some of the folks there, they don't reflect the views of what I consider the "core" of participants.  Crossfit isn't nearly as dogmatic as some would have you believe.  If you are doing workouts that are comprised of a "wide variety of functional movements done at high intensity" then you are doing Crossfit.  The WOD isn't sacred (although some think it is) but rather one option people can choose.  If you download and read the "foundations" article and "what is fitness" you will have a good grasp of the conceptual basis of Crossfit.    Pick a long list of exercises from the three major domains (strength, cardio, gymnastic) and then simply mix-and-match them into an endless variety of workouts that are balanced and designed to address your weak points.  You are now a Crossfitter.

Some people take a cookie cutter approach and by far the most common response for fitness questions on the Crossfit board is "eat Zone and do the WOD".   Sorta gets on my nerves cause it's so dogmatic and I think that kind of thinking is what turns some people away from Crossfit.  For the average person wanting good health and fitness it's quite simple.  Eat sensibly, move in ways nature intended you to move and do it vigorously and often and you'll be in good shape.  

The important thing to remember is to have a variaty a exercises and routines to do. I personally have tried crossfit it's not the be all end all but it's something different, but I also do traditional weightlifting,powerlifing and cardio. Train with as much as you can barbell,dumbell,cardio(too many types to list),kettlebells,and odd lifting such as sandbags(pure hell) remember it's better to do something than nothing.