Crossfit

[Anonymous]

I've been looking into Crossfit lately, looking for a change of pace for my workouts. I have considered it a few times over the past few years, but I have become much more interested since incorporating kettle bells into my gym routine. From what I can see, Crossfit prioritizes explosive movements, muscle endurance and cardiovascular potential. The workouts also appear to be more compact and streamlined than the traditional lifting/cardio split. I was just wondering what sorts of thoughts and experiences people have; positive and negative. I'm in NoVa, and I've seen at least two gyms close to me. One is called Hammer Down, the other I don't know, as I just see a sign with "Crossfit" over what looks like a garage on Main Street in Fairfax. TIA

[Anonymous]

It's WAY too expensive but helpful if you want a group atmosphere, competitive atmosphere and want someone else to put your workouts together for you.

They all offer trial classes though. Just go check one out and decide for yourself.

[Anonymous]

Their "coaches" get their "certifications" in a one weekend thing. Just be very careful about who the people running it are--look into their training, etc.

[Anonymous]

Careful of injuries. Not enough thought to prevent them

[Anonymous]

Is this an ad?

[Anonymous]

OP here. No not an ad, but after rereading my post, I can see how it can be read as such. Perhaps a better way to phrase it would have been to solicit responses about Crossfit in general, and that gym in particular.

[Anonymous]

I've heard it's a total con.

[Anonymous]

I am trying to decide whether or not to join Cross-fit and have been doing a lot of research. I belong to a gym and already do similar exercises (a mix of weights and cardio). I went to a sample Cross-fit class and really enjoyed it. It is expensive compared to most gyms, but way cheaper than personal training. However, having group classes may help you stay motivated. I also think that the changing classes would be fun. I was worried about the intensity of the workout, but I saw plenty of "rounder" people in my class that looked like they were working back into shape.

Regarding injuries, you hear some horror stories but I also hear similar stories about runners (my brother lost a toe by refusing to stop running despite a stress fracture).

Also, you are right that the Crossfit gyms are proudly humble in appearance/amenities.

[Anonymous]

I feel like I've read this exact same post before. Maybe I'm wrong...

OP, everyone crossfitter I know suffers from constant injuries. Also, they all turned into complete morons immediately and won't shut up about it.

I have been doing P90X3, and I love it. 30 minutes a day.

[Anonymous]

those palces are closing faster then they opened

the latest fad/trend but htis one got hammered due to the injuries.

[Anonymous]

Really? Any evidence/ links that point to cf's demise? I didn't know this, but am more of a regular gym guy anyway.

[Anonymous]

Just don't go crazy with it. Have seen the stories about the Crossfit (coach? trainer? who was paralyzed after a Crossfit competition.
And I have a coworker who went into the Crossfit business and has zero background in fitness anything, agree that certifications are meaningless...

[Anonymous]

I do crossfit, primarily because I can walk to the gym in 2 min rather than drive 15 and park. Thus a workout is 1 hr and 5 minutes tops--a huge boon for me. I am definitely in better shape and stronger, but I am also one of the weakest people in the gym because I don't go very much and because I am so careful re: injuries that I probably don't push the weights enough. I don't care about competiting with others (time, weights, etc) but I do try to improve myself.

what I like: short, intense workouts-my cardio capacity has definitely increased.

what I don't like: I'm not a huge fan of a lot of the olympic style weight lifting with heavy weights. I prefer the more bootcamp type of workouts that use more moderate weight. but again I adjust for me.

also, its crazy expensive.

the instructors have been doing fitness for years and work a lot on form. this is not the case at many other gyms.

[Anonymous]

If I could afford it, I'd sign up in a heartbeat. My friends who do it are in great shape now. I had a trainer a few months ago and he was certified & incorporated some CF style workouts into my routine. I loved it.

[Anonymous]

I would love it if not for the AMRAP crap. Throwing around a bunch of heavy weights as fast as possible is a recipe for injury.

Caveat: I've never tried it and I suspect it's highly dependent on the coaches at your location. Could you observe a class OP?