So who here does Crossfit? (please no Crossfit haters... it's played out)

[Jer]

Just curious who here does Crossfit. Some of you may recall that I did a juice fast about this time last year and managed to lose about 30lbs doing so. I've managed to put 5lbs or so if it back on but I'll still take 20-25lbs of weight loss from doing barely anything for a few weeks every time. At the time I had a lot of life things going on and was unable to commit to a set schedule three nights a week for three weeks. I know it's not for everyone but this thread isn't about juice fasts so if you would like to debate the healthiness of that approach I linked the juice fast thread in the first line so feel free to click it and argue away. There's no denying that I'm 25lbs lighter and as a result my first class of Crossfit was probably made a little bit easier. That being said....

Phase 2 of my getting healthy: Crossfit

Last night was my first of nine fundamentals class at Crossfit DNR in Fort Collins. Wow it kicked my ass. My hammies were cramping up 5min into it and it made it a REAL struggle to get through. I hope that tomorrow night they're stretched out and I can get through the workout w/o cramps because that would be a night & day difference. That being said this is a fantastic workout from just about every aspect. I've done it all at this point in my life... cardio, lifting/cardio, sports, nothing... just about everything one could do to affect their health and this is probably the most complete workout I've done. There's a lot of science to it from a biology standpoint too and I'm not sure why the weight lifters I know bash on it. It incorporates cardio, strength, stamina, balance, flexibility... all the stuff you would want to hit basically and puts it together in a way that makes it fun and competitive. In the end, if someone finds something that works for them and they're not adding to the statistic of fattest nation in the world what does it matter what they do? But, I digress. I've been motivated by watching late-night Crossfit competitions on ESPN to do something with myself and now I'm excited to actually be doing it. I know it was only one class but it whooped my ass and today I have that long-missed feeling of accomplishment that I feel every time I try to sit up or bend a leg to sit down.

"Pain is weakness leaving the body"

Love it and this feeling is addictive. Oh how I missed it.

So who else here gets theys Crossfit on?

[Tim K]

I've done it on and off for years. I'm certainly no CF hater, but it got very hard on my body and I've backed off. For developing street fight fitness I think it's excellent. I miss it, but my shoulders won the argument. The very fittest I've ever been was last year about this time when my training for the SAC was just ending. That was 90 minute CF sessions 4 days a week and rucking 2 days. I was a tank until the shoulders gave up.

[Justin]

With the exception of a year-and-a-half absence (where I got fat), I've been CrossFitting regularly for a bit over five years.

In that time, I've come to really like most of the things embodied by CrossFit and much of the culture that surrounds it.

The best pieces of advice I can give you are these:

1.) Find a gym with a supportive staff and client culture. If they aren't interested in helping you achieve your goals, or don't seem to give you proper coaching on technique, find a different CrossFit gym.

2.) Listen to your body, engage with the coaches, and scale the WODs appropriately. The WODs are specifically designed to be extremely challenging even for someone who is exceptionally athletic. If there's something you're not sure about, reduce the weight, ask for coaching, and substitute an exercise you know you can do with proper form.

3.) Get a notebook and log your workouts, and keep track of things like performance on baseline WODs (the girls) and 1, 3, and 5 rep maxes for the weight lifting moves.

4.) Start doing stretches and other forms of mobility work like rolling out on a foam roller and tennis ball. Go here for lots of good info:
http://www.mobilitywod.com/

I have/had a lot of mobility issues in my upper body, and this caused a lot of problems with being able to execute things with proper form. I found that going to the gym early and doing some mobility work helped out. Getting a foam roller and rolling out at home is also a good idea.

5.) In addition to scaling WODs for proper technique, scale for intensity. Many of them are programmed to be short, fast, and intense bursts. If you do the WOD as prescribed, but it takes you 40 minutes to complete a 15ish minute workout, you're going about it wrong.

6.) if you opt to supplement, start with the basics. Vitamin D3, zinc, magnesium, and maybe creatine monohydrate. Check any supplements against the data at examine.com.

7.) The paleo diet works (at least it did for me) but it's a pain in the ass to stick to, and almost impossible if your spouse isn't on board with it.

[Dave_L]

Not hating but felt I should clarify this "I'm not sure why the weight lifters I know bash on it.".

The reason there is some "hate" against crossfit is the general elitist attitude that crossfit people bring. Add that in with the fact since it's only a 2 day course to get certified to open a CF gym, it allows for A LOT of misinformation/form. There are a lot of specialized motions that should not be done in jerky/swinging motions.

I agree that being active with anything is WAY better than sitting on the couch hating on others. It really comes down to what you want to do and what you enjoy. Bodybuilding isn't crossfit and crossfit isn't bodybuilding.

Way to get active and help yourself though. Like others said, make sure you have quality instructors and you'll be fine.

[Jer]

With the exception of a year-and-a-half absence (where I got fat), I've been CrossFitting regularly for a bit over five years.

In that time, I've come to really like most of the things embodied by CrossFit and much of the culture that surrounds it.

The best pieces of advice I can give you are these:

1.) Find a gym with a supportive staff and client culture. If they aren't interested in helping you achieve your goals, or don't seem to give you proper coaching on technique, find a different CrossFit gym.

2.) Listen to your body, engage with the coaches, and scale the WODs appropriately. The WODs are specifically designed to be extremely challenging even for someone who is exceptionally athletic. If there's something you're not sure about, reduce the weight, ask for coaching, and substitute an exercise you know you can do with proper form.

3.) Get a notebook and log your workouts, and keep track of things like performance on baseline WODs (the girls) and 1, 3, and 5 rep maxes for the weight lifting moves.

4.) Start doing stretches and other forms of mobility work like rolling out on a foam roller and tennis ball. Go here for lots of good info:
http://www.mobilitywod.com/

I have/had a lot of mobility issues in my upper body, and this caused a lot of problems with being able to execute things with proper form. I found that going to the gym early and doing some mobility work helped out. Getting a foam roller and rolling out at home is also a good idea.

5.) In addition to scaling WODs for proper technique, scale for intensity. Many of them are programmed to be short, fast, and intense bursts. If you do the WOD as prescribed, but it takes you 40 minutes to complete a 15ish minute workout, you're going about it wrong.

6.) if you opt to supplement, start with the basics. Vitamin D3, zinc, magnesium, and maybe creatine monohydrate. Check any supplements against the data at examine.com.

7.) The paleo diet works (at least it did for me) but it's a pain in the ass to stick to, and almost impossible if your spouse isn't on board with it.

Thanks for the detailed response. I'll address the points you made w/numbers to try to make it easier to keep things organized.

1. The gym I'm going to was opened by some friends of mine. They're quite helpful/friendly & the trainer to student ratio is very good. They explained the ratio to us and based on most Crossfit gyms the ratios here are really good.

2. Good advice and I will certainly pay attention to this as I get more involved.

3. I need to do this. I never kept a journal when I lifted and felt like I needed to but didn't know how/where to start. I will look into this for Crossfit to be able to refer to where I was or am as I progress.

4. My wife has one of those foam rollers so now I just need to use it. I'm fairly flexible for a guy of my size and even the trainers commented on how much range of mobility I had for the first class. I did have some cramping in my legs though and they have me some leg stretches to work on at home to try to get them relaxed. Right now the cramping thing is my #1 priority.

5. I did tons of supplements when I lifted and had hoped to get away from it. I know that I won't stay 100% supplement-free but I plan to keep it basic when I do start.

6. I've heard good things about that. I may also look into this as I've heard it works well in conjunction w/Crossfit. I think that my wife would be onboard if it seemed like something that would be beneficial to us.

[Jer]

Not hating but felt I should clarify this "I'm not sure why the weight lifters I know bash on it.".

The reason there is some "hate" against crossfit is the general elitist attitude that crossfit people bring. Add that in with the fact since it's only a 2 day course to get certified to open a CF gym, it allows for A LOT of misinformation/form. There are a lot of specialized motions that should not be done in jerky/swinging motions.

I agree that being active with anything is WAY better than sitting on the couch hating on others. It really comes down to what you want to do and what you enjoy. Bodybuilding isn't crossfit and crossfit isn't bodybuilding.

Way to get active and help yourself though. Like others said, make sure you have quality instructors and you'll be fine.

A few points of clarification... Having not been a Crossfiter and being neutral I can say that the weight lifters are WAY more critical of Crossfit and I feel like a lot of what I saw Crossfiters do was defend more than anything. The constant and unwarranted attacks would tend to make any group a little bit less willing to reach out. The constant barrage of attacks by those who lift can't possibly be helping to break down the walls of 'elitism' as you called it. That being said... just like any group, a few bad apples can spoil the bunch.

That two day course is more than is required to open a regular gym.

There are a few motions I've seen while watching Crossfit competitions that to me look terrible. Now, these are VERY experienced athletes competing at the height of their sport and well know that big boy rules apply when you're that far along so my guess is their bodies are slowly hardened over time to these sorts of motions but agree that some look bad. If I'm ever told by a trainer to do something that I don't feel is right or doesn't seem sound I simply won't do it. Over time if I get to the point where my muscles and joints are much stronger than they are now and I feel like those same movements would be easier to handle then I may change my mind but I agree that there are some things that just look... odd.. in Crossfit. Then again, even having lifted for years there are some movements in lifting that I always felt were odd too even when I trained with proper form for a length of time. I think that's just part of the nature of either one really but I plan to do my best to avoid injury no matter what I do.

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

[Monky]

I've been doing CrossFit for about 6 years.. minus a year break, where I broke my back (not really crossfit's fault).

Biggest thing is listen to your body. Drink lots of water. The weight will move up quickly at first... it will slow down. I started over last Oct.. and I'm taking it super super slow.. but coming millimeters from being paralyzed I'm ok with taking it slow. I've just started deadlifting again. I will not go over 250# squatting ever again. Personal choice. I know if I went for a 1RM i'd be well over 300.. but I won't. I was at 355# BS, 435 Dead, and had a BW clean/jerk/snatch when I broke my back. No warning on it.

You're going to be sore. You're going to be tired. You're going to push yourself and your body. Give yourself ample rest. If you fail at a lift don't be discouraged, try it again next time. Form is EVERYTHING. You can be ripped and fail at a lift due to form. Hopefully they stress that.

The best thing you will (hopefully) find is that that loudest cheers will come for those who finish last..

[T-Giv]

Interesting that you posted this thread as I have been looking into Crossfit. Some guys I work with are all about it and my wife wants to get into it. Who knows some good Crossfit gyms in the C-Springs area?

[Jer]

I know of a few good ones from Denver north but nothing that far south. That's why I started the thread though since it seems like a few people benefited from the juice fast thread. Whatever motivates people to get healthy man.

[Monky]

At my box they do things differently now... the strength portion of the day is tiered. Meaning you have to build a good base before you start the difficult lifts. A person just starting should NOT be doing Oly lifts when they can't even DL their BW. I like the philosophy.. owner brought it back from a 2 week camp he went to last year. The WOD is still the WOD.. but we typically have a strength session prior. I can't wait till I get to start OLY lifting again.. I like the movements.. they kick your ass. I just never seem to be able to make it for the night of Deads to get my 3 BW deads..