Gym vs. Cross fit advice

[Chris_]

Your partner is (unfortunately) correct too. I've cringed at the poor form and ego weights I've seen.

 

It just takes a good coach to apply some sense to stem this, sadly there don't seem to be enough of those around.

[Dexter-morgan]

As many of you would know, I have been into Crossfit for a while and my climbing ability on a MTB did improve quite a bit, the explosive power you learn while doing box jumps when you are very tired help to build and yes I did pick up some weight, doing squats and deadlifts with good form actually prevents everyday injuries, Bulgarian split squats works the correct muscles for cycling - try it and thank me later(No need for a Crossfit box for this.

[HdB]

We used to go twice a week, typically Monday and Wednesday, and spinning Tue and Thu. No intention of competing, just trying to be a bit stronger and healthier.

Combining it with my cycling didn't seem to be detrimental at all.

 

Unfortunately we haven't been in about three months, so starting again will be terrible (in an amusing walk-like-a-penguin-for-a-week way). Wifey's workload got insane, and she dislikes the one coach (doesn't seem to understand nightblindness or not always being a ball of energy).

[OneLove]

How stupid is Reebok claiming their champion as the fittest man on earth... Really? Best crossfitter yes, but fittest on Earth? 

 

They haven't been to a SA construction site yet, there the reps go into the 1000s. Powered by a full loaf of bread and one chicken wing.

 

Hy sal K@k op die site.

[gogo@]

Interesting thread.  I used to be pretty suspicious of CrossFit...

but have recently switched from years of doing weights on my own, which was definitely beneficial.  I have/had my reservations but need to do something for my back which weights wasn't solving.  It was actually the doc who suggested CrossFit but I went to a physio instead, but although that did help, it was not enough (at times I could not walk, stand, or sit, running wasn't even on the menu).

I'm into my third week now - doing 2 classes a week and some time on my own. The benefits are real.  I also found in some ways my core strength is good, but it does not translate into functional strength, even though with weights I tried to have programmed focused on balancing muscle groups.

I'm being careful and trying to put good form ahead of speed and competitiveness.  Since I'm totally new to this I'm hardly in a position to be competitive anyway.

Let's see where this goes, but so far, so good!

[Popit]

I have seen the benefits of Crossfit .

My Son was diagnosed with a back problem at 18 years old .

The Doctors advised him to stop Rugby , Cricket and hurdles , due to the impact of running .

He was advised to keep his core strong to assist with his back issue .

He joined Crossfit and 18 months later has NO back problems .

He is now a qualified coach and helps others train correctly .

He has had no back issues as Crossfit has strenghtened his core .

 

I do believe that Matt Fraser must be one of the fittest people on earth , but as already mentioned , horses for courses . Can't see him taking on Louis Maincheese up Mont Vontou , but conversely , can't see Maincheese doing a 14 minute WOD at anywhere near the intensity of Fraser .

 

I think Crossfit gives a well rounded fitness level , especially to people who are not 1 sport specific , like cycling only or running .

 

You know how I found out my Son was doing Crossfit ??,,,,,,,  he told me 

[HdB]

Ultimately the key is being smart about it, whatever it is you are doing.

 

You don't enter a 100km cycling event if you've only just bought your first bike.

Nor should you try to deadlift 100kg in your first crossfit class because the girl over there can.

If you are not careful and in control, you can injure yourself with pretty much anything.

 

My wife also has a back issue. At the worst point, I had to help her lift her legs in and out of the car. Along with some stretches, the crossfit certainly helped it improve massively. She spoke to the specialist about it, and he had no concerns with her doing crossfit.

[OneLove]

What about Calisthenics? I've heard they do have classes somewhere in Cape Town.  I'm always very impressed when I see videos of people like Frank Medrano and Chris Heria. That must help you on the bicycle and it seems like it will pass the health and safety police.

[Fat Boab]

I have seen the benefits of Crossfit .

My Son was diagnosed with a back problem at 18 years old .

The Doctors advised him to stop Rugby , Cricket and hurdles , due to the impact of running .

He was advised to keep his core strong to assist with his back issue .

He joined Crossfit and 18 months later has NO back problems .

He is now a qualified coach and helps others train correctly .

He has had no back issues as Crossfit has strenghtened his core .

 

I do believe that Matt Fraser must be one of the fittest people on earth , but as already mentioned , horses for courses . Can't see him taking on Louis Maincheese up Mont Vontou , but conversely , can't see Maincheese doing a 14 minute WOD at anywhere near the intensity of Fraser .

 

I think Crossfit gives a well rounded fitness level , especially to people who are not 1 sport specific , like cycling only or running .

 

You know how I found out my Son was doing Crossfit ??,,,,,,,  he told me 

 

.....clearly he's not doing an MBA yet.....

[Chris_]

 

My wife also has a back issue. At the worst point, I had to help her lift her legs in and out of the car. Along with some stretches, the crossfit certainly helped it improve massively. She spoke to the specialist about it, and he had no concerns with her doing crossfit.

 

Yoh, this gave me chills man! Glad she found some way to help heal.

[gogo@]

My wife also has a back issue. At the worst point, I had to help her lift her legs in and out of the car. Along with some stretches, the crossfit certainly helped it improve massively. She spoke to the specialist about it, and he had no concerns with her doing crossfit.

Good to hear! At the end of January, this is about where I was.  I could not lift my left leg due to pinched nerves.  To get into the car, I would have to use my hand to pick it up.  I could cycle, so I left it far longer than I should have to find out what the underlying cause is.

Physio exercises helped, to a point, but after two months I still could not walk properly or run.

Over time you compensate for the back issue so other problems creep in, muscles that have nothing to to with the original problem take the load or get weak.

I think this is why the varied CrossFit approach is helping me - to correct a number of imbalances.

There is a physio who works out of the box (I still find the terminology a bit weird!) and the instructors are always asking about injuries.  BUT you do still have to take responsibility for yourself.  At the moment this is a fine line for me, working out what I can and can't do, and how much to challenge myself.

Burpies... these people LOVE F244i57 burpies.  Not wanting to be a wuss, I jumped right in, but they definitely don't do it for my back.  However, you can break them down into a series of movements and work on those.  The idea is to gain the strength and flexibility to be able to do them properly.  But, in your own time.

When I started doing weights, I wished I'd started earlier.  Now I regret having been so skeptical of CrossFit.

Ironically it was being smashed by a "senior" gentleman at our local MTB race that got me asking how he had improved so much. Similar story: he had a knee op and started CrossFit for rehab.

Mmmm...not only have I now started telling people I'm doing CrossFit, after just a few classes I fear I'm beginning to sound like an evangelist 

[porqui]

 

Mmmm...not only have I now started telling people I'm doing CrossFit, after just a few classes I fear I'm beginning to sound like an evangelist 

 

How do you know someone is doing crossfit - they will tell you.

It's part of it - like being vegan.

[gogo@]

How do you know someone is doing crossfit - they will tell you.

It's part of it - like being vegan.

I need an exorcist 

[HdB]

Over time you compensate for the back issue so other problems creep in, muscles that have nothing to to with the original problem take the load or get weak.

I think this is why the varied CrossFit approach is helping me - to correct a number of imbalances.

There is a physio who works out of the box

 

I think having a physio at the box, or if the coach was a physio him/herself, would be a brilliant addition.

It is amazing how much pain we accept before we get to the point of seeing someone about it.

 

As for burpees, yeah, I can imagine. Planks too, initially my wife couldn't hold 5 counts because it hurt.

[lechatnoir]

How do you know someone is doing crossfit - they will tell you.

It's part of it - like being vegan.

 

well, it could be worse... they could drive a Land Rover and trade Bitcoin as well

[dave303e]

or come from cape town