More, more, more.
That's the general idea most people have of crossfit.
It's a workout that's an easy target because there are so many trying it and injuring themselves, and there most definitely is an addiction that can ensue.
Crossfit can be a ton of fun.
It can also be the quickest way to hurt yourself and spend a very long time recovering.
I've been to a few crossfit gyms,and I've found the one that fits me.
Everyone's fitness journey is no more than finding out what works for them, and crossfit is something that has helped me make PRs in my running and has also helped me to rehabilitate an old injury.
Having said that, I do NOT suggest that everyone should try crossfit.
It is an intense workout where sometimes speed and strength can be valued more than good form, which inevitably leads to injury, and worse, discouragement from exercising.
The gym I go to allows any and all modifications...if you already know what mods you need to make.
This, I know, can be a problem.
If you're not familiar with how to do a move properly, and then how to do that same move properly and with a modification to make it easier, then, likely, no one is going to tell you this at a crossfit gym.
I would go so far as to say that it is an advanced workout, for lack of a better descriptive word, and because, it's not for everyone.
Many of the athletes I train with go 4,5,6 or even 7 times a week. Some even go more than once a day.
In my opinion, that's too much of any single form of exercise and I believe rest days are hugely important for mind and for body.
I go twice a week. I go simply to supplement my running training to avoid injury.
I go because we do many explosive movements like sprints, box jumps and power cleans, and where running is very aerobic and repetitive, crossfit gives me an anaerobic workout with tons of variety and strength training.
We also do agility training - like hopping on one foot. Simple, and yet I feel as though my ankle strength benefits tremendously from this movement.
Crossfit works for me because I know my body very well and because I'm confident enough to say, if ever questioned, that the reason I'm not lifting 4 plates is because 2 is what I'm comfortable lifting, with good form. People often get hurt because there is a fear, or intimidation, of the people who are running the sport - and this doesn't apply only to crossfit. If you are afraid, then you may try to push yourself to an unsafe place. A good coach can be the difference between a good experience and a bad one, but being confident in ones abilities is more valuable than any coach.
It doesn't offend me when I'm shown a video of some group exploiting crossfit, because I can understand why these vids are made.
Crossfit is kind of crazy and so are the folks who do it!
In my limited experience, the gym I go to accommodates many runners, which is why we do loads of sprints and running mechanics, but I can't speak with a whole lot of expertise because I've only been going for a few years.
I think I would only like for every person who wants to criticize, to come out and do a workout (unless you're not ready- and I don't mean that in a condescending way!).
Know that you can modify, and know that you can lift much, much lighter than the "prescribed" weights, and know that there are people who are immersed in crossfit - but not everyone is.
I'd also like to see everyone lifting each other up.
"Oh, you are a ballet dancer? Awesome! I bet you get a great workout from that!"
"You like to cross country ski? I'm sure you get tons of cardio out of that!"
"I can't believe you do yoga for 90 minutes!? That's incredible!"
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