This is a subject that I have never touched on in any of my videos or blogs, for various reasons. The first reason is because I have never taken a crossfit class, so I am not the person to ask. I think it is also important to remember that every Crossfit is it’s own gym, with it’s own trainers and unique individuals that can make or break any workout depending on their passion to effect change in peoples’ lives.
Another reason I haven’t touched on the subject is that Crossfit has become somewhat controversial in the world of physical culture and I tend to stay away from controversies. So please take this opinion with the understanding that I have never taken a Crossfit class, but have a general idea of what they do through friends, colleagues, videos etc.
I think it is undeniable that Crossfit promotes a lifestyle of health and community, and that is a great thing. Providing people a sense of belonging is sometimes the best way to tackle so many of the mental hurdles that prevent us from achieving health. Most people don’t expect that to be as strong of a force as it actually becomes in their every day life and the community that they train with become like brothers and sisters.
Crossfit has also done a lot to help the proliferation of the paleo diet, consistent in nearly every way with the works of Weston A. Price, which is what we teach here at Kettlebell Movement. For most people weight loss is a huge factor and proper diet is the difference between long term success and long term failure.
I have read many critical reviews of Crossfit from various health professionals, citing that their methods were dangerous for the average person. I too have personally met many people that got hurt doing Crossfit, many of them were coming to me because of what they recognized to be a more meticulous approach to my training. Based upon my limited knowledge of their coaching, I can say that I would not teach many of the things that I see Crossfit do to my clients. Some of these methods may be ok, on a limited basis for people with an athletic goal and were already in peak condition. With that said, there are probably plenty of factors we do share in common, and it is up to the individual coach to teach proper form and hold their client to a high standard.
It is my belief that for most people, endurance weight lifting should be kept to an absolute minimum. The amount of stress on the tendons and ligaments increases exponentially as the rep count climbs. The need to focus on exact technique (requiring the ability to perform
excellent technique in the first place) becomes harder and harder as your heart rate climbs and your muscles scream in agony as the rep count soars. For strength, train in the 3-5 rep range and for size, 8-12, beyond that is endurance training which should only be practiced infrequently, after the technique is perfected and consistent. Instead, body weighted exercises are a much better way to train for endurance, remember, this advice is coming from a kettlebell trainer!
With all that said, to what degree Crossfit uses high rep weight training I am unsure. Group training must also be considered with great caution when you are a new practitioner. Only under the most ideal circumstances with the best coaches can you ensure proper lifting technique when teaching in a group atmosphere. Group training is great for people that have already developed proper motor patterns and ironed out any significant postural deviation.
The point is, when it comes to the group, the individual must become far more accountable for their own safety then in one on one training. This requires the individual to know what proper form is and has actually drilled it into their heads until they can’t get it wrong. This isn’t absolute, if you offered a beginners only class that went over the most simple movements while sacrificing intensity and demanded that everybody attend that class until their technique was at a certain level, groups can work.
Even yoga should be taken this way, individualized is almost always a necessity at first because we nearly all have postural deviations that will preclude us from doing something safely.
I have witnessed many Crossfit practitioners demonstrate variations of a pull up, kettlebell swing and turkish getup that seem to miss the point of the exercise. Perhaps another name that distinguishes them as being there for a different reason would be more appropriate. I
have heard the term “American swing” referring to the overhead kettlebell swing, a term I can’t help but object to as it seems to speak for a lot of people, without getting their permission.
Personally I would be willing to take a Crossfit class, knowing that I will be well aware of my own body and it’s limitations. I have also practiced excellent form in my exercises until it became etched in my body and mind. I also know that I trust myself to know when enough is enough, regardless of what anyone else is saying. If I were new to weight lifting and especially if I were sedentary in my daily life, I would look elsewhere. Learn how to use your body properly before you engage in any activity that demands you to work at peak performance or risk injury. Ask any high level athlete and they will tell you that is the path to greatness.
What is your take on Crossfit?
Thanks for reading,
Peter Hirsh
