Let me start by saying I am not hating on Crossfit, in fact I do think it can be a great intense workout once in a while. The issue I have with Crossfit and Crossfit style workouts is that 95% of the people that do them have no athletic or fitness background to begin with. Most Crossfitters you will meet at a Crossfit facility are everyday people looking to try something new. They are not people with an athletic or fitness background that understand the elements of program design, progression and movement prep. The idea that these workouts are not personalized and taught in one big group is just dangerous if you ask me.
I met a guy the other night and he asked what I did for a living.
Me: "Im a personal trainer"
Guy: "thats awesome, I do Crossfit sometimes, I can't walk today!"
Me: "Cool"
......And I walked away
As if that would impress me? It does not impress me in the least. In fact, it really turned me away. It would be 'cool' if this guy said that he loves to exercise, is getting into Crossfit, really likes the intensity but is working his way up to correct form" now THATS impressive!
I don't get how its impressive when people brag about their Crossfit workouts and how they 'can't walk the next day' because of the extreme intensity. That is not safe, effective nor does it set the body up for a lifetime of health.
Most people do not know even how to properly squat properly let alone load up a barbell and throw it over their heads. When I start with a client, they NEVER start with any sort of weight. We start with a dowel rod or a stability ball learning proper squatting patterning. This is a fundamental coaching tool we use before any sort of load is imposed on the body. The Crossfit style "Olympic lifts" can takes weeks, months and years to perfect and execute flawlessly. More and more I am seeing people attempt these Olympic Style lifts with atrocious form and all I can do is feel sad that some these Crossfit Coaches are smarter about 'educating'
As a trainer, I take pride in truly teaching and educating my clients on proper body mechanics, form and muscle activation. I take each client I have as a blank canvas. Sure, all of my clients have goals, but I am sure most of you don't realize that we as trainers have our own goals as well when we work with our clients. My goal for each and everyone of my clients whether elite or beginner is to make them feel and move better. I want you to be able to walk into any gym-commercial or Crossfit and know how to properly execute exercises as well as know when something feels 'off'
A young man who happened to be an oversees studen from Japan walked into our facility today, speaking very little English. He went to the front desk, asked to join and inquired about a 'coach' Most people just approach the desk and ask about "personal training" This man specifically said "is it possible to meet with a coach" I thought for a second, I AM a coach. I pride myself in the fact that I want to teach my clients how to perform movements correctly, help them reach their goals and most of all not kill yourself doing so. Each and every program that I write, I take time to put together. I assess, gather and continue to assess and gather information every single time I meet with my clients.
The fact that any Joe Schmoe can walk off the street into a Crossfit facility and join a class, fitness or athletic background or not scares the crap out of me. YES you will work hard. YES Crossfit workouts are intense, but my idea of intensity doesn't mean not being able to walk because you threw your back out during those snatches that you had no idea how to perform. Lets say that same Joe Schmoe got really into Crossfit (like most people are these days) and decided "hey I like this stuff, I am going to get certified and teach it...cool" Oh boy...then Joe Schmoe gets to teach a whole new slew of bandwagon Crossfiters how to "WORK THE HARDEST THEY HAVE EVER WORKED IN THEIR LIFE" scary scary thought. And it really is that easy!
There are of course exceptions to this. There are some Crossfit coaches out there who acutally DO know what they are doing and teach proper form, technique and movement. The fact is that when someone walks into a Crossfit facility, they are expected to have a HARD INTENSE workout and if a Crossfit coach takes any time 'educating' the truth is that that person will move onto the next coach that just has them doing burpees and cleans until they puke. Good times.
Now THIS is scary stuff....
This is not in anyway meant to be a "Hate Crossfit and NEVER try it" post. What this is meant to be (hopefully) is an informative post on the potential dangers that can happen when you are not properly educated. If you think (and I am SURE you know if you are or not) you are capable of performing flawless Olympic style lifts and extreme high intensity workouts, give Crossfit a try and see what you think! If you think that you are a beginner but jumping into Crossfit because eveyrone around you is doing it, well then I would think twice. Before you eat your Paleo meal and head to your nearest Crossfit facillity, try working one on one with a personal trainer or someone who has been doing Crossfit for YEARS and is an 'expert' Learn the basics and understand how your body is supposed to move. You must progress SLOWLY. Why push your body into a state where it could potentially breakdown. Your body is the most precious thing you have and you MUST respect it.
I am not a gambler at all. I don't understand it and I certainly do not know how to play any games in Casinos besides the twenty five cent slot machines. Would I sit down at a craps table and throw down $500? HELL NO. I would sit and watch and understand the game before I start gambling my money just so I can be considered a 'high roller'
Check your ego, don't be 'that guy' and start from the ground up when it comes to workouts like Crossfit. Education + intelligence is powerful. They are two of most attractive and smartest qualtities you can have when it comes to exercise.
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