Posted: 9/16/2010 9:23:51 AM EDT
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The gym I belong to is bringing in the Crossfit Program in the near future. There will be a fee if you participate, of course. I have been to the Crossfit site and looked around, but have a few questions. Normally I try to lift three days a week and get some walking in on the off days. Is Crossfit a 5 or 6 days a week deal? Can it be done once or twice a week with my normal lifting day in there too, or are the two sort of imcompatible? I can see how my fitness would take a turn for the better with some Crossfit, but sort of dislike having to devote 5 or 6 days a week to the Program, and I'd also hate to stop my normal weightlifting routine completely. Well, actually, I don't think my current life will allow 5 or 6 workouts per week. Any answers out there? Thanks,
Jeff |
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Crossfit is not a strict style 'program'
It is more of a workout philosophy. Each Crossfit gym is different than the next and it can vary widely. The key is getting into a gym that has good trainers. IMO too many of the crossfit gyms lack the strength portion of overall philosophy and try to pander too much to the 'I need to loose a few pounds' crowd. Crossfit done right is extremely hard and will absolutely wear your butt out. it is not meant for beginners and those that are overweight. A person getting into it should have at least some decent strength or decent cardiovascular ability and you will have a leg up if you have both. |
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Quoted:
Crossfit is not a strict style 'program' It is more of a workout philosophy. Each Crossfit gym is different than the next and it can vary widely. The key is getting into a gym that has good trainers. IMO too many of the crossfit gyms lack the strength portion of overall philosophy and try to pander too much to the 'I need to loose a few pounds' crowd. Crossfit done right is extremely hard and will absolutely wear your butt out. it is not meant for beginners and those that are overweight. A person getting into it should have at least some decent strength or decent cardiovascular ability and you will have a leg up if you have both. My gym is a pretty hardcore weightlifting gym and the trainers who work there seem pretty good. I just wondered about the flexibility of the Program. Oh...and I am not all that young, so it may be too tough for me anyway. I might be better off just doing more/different on my three workouts each week. I was viewing the video they had on display at the gym and one of the trainers ask what I thought about what I was seeing. I told him I thought that workout would probably kill me. But he responded that the Program makes accomodation for strength differences and for "ability". Jeff |
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The main site WOD are brutal. They are made to push the best athletes. Off on the left side of the main page is a link that says "Start Here" then click on the Brand X Scaled workouts. THey have a scale for each workout, each day. They are fantastic as you get into the program. You set your own scaling. Hell I went there and got my scaling before I ever walked into my gym every day.
If your gym is already into the heavy lifting you will be in better shape. Some gyms still are not down with guys throwing 135lbs over their head and then letting it drop. Crossfit is about all around fitness. Being good at a lot of different things. Like the earlier poster said, some gyms focus too much on the "cardio" workouts or Metcons. Just follow the main site workouts and you almost can't miss. You could easily do this three days a week. I would do it inplace of your lifting and keep your walking. I bet you will be presently suprised with your progress. My only other piece of advice, is start slow. It sneaks up on you in a workout. |
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Crossfit can be for beginners or veterans...old or young. The nice thing about it is that it can be scaled to any ability level. I have seen 80 year old women, super fatties and little kids doing Crossfit. It is extremely difficult, but if you're dedicated you can do it. Follow the link the guy above posted, it will take you to the scaled WOD's.
As far as your question, yes you can mix and match however you want. You can throw in 1-3 Crossfit WOD's on top of your normal routine- just be sure not to overdo it and to deconflict like exercises (ie- don't do Fran the same day you do heavy front squats, unless you know your body can handle it). |