Crossfit

[AndrewS]

I've said this before, and I'll say it again. Crossfit is good stuff, but its limitation is that it's a 'one size fits all program'. While they have some great ideas and get you in great shape, I think it makes more sense to figure out what you need and go get it. Are you looking for mass, agility, explosiveness, anaerobic conditioning, aerobic conditioning, strength-endurance, speed-strength endurance? Where are you weak or injured? How much time are you willing to spend, what equipment do you have available? To me, it makes sense to answer these questions first, then build your program based around them, rather than do the WOD.

Andrew

[Ford Prefect]

Not many people have the knowledge or the inclination to gain the knowledge needed to create such a specified program. If somebody is going "cookie-cutter", crossfit is one of the best things they can do.

[Chief Fox]

While they do offer the same workout for eveyone everyday, one of the things that they try to emphasize over at crossfit is scalability and modifications. They don't say or recommend that everyone should do the same amount reps or weight. Especially beginners. Most of the workouts are time based so the idea is to do what you can in a certain amount of time. The next time that specific workout rolls around you can see your progress. So it is cookie cutter but at the same time it's also personalized to your abilities.

It's pretty cool.

[FooFighter]

CrossFit is an excellent general physical preparedness program for the average American martial artists. If I was a newbie in the gym or to strength conditioning, then CrossFit would seems to be a good place to start. In my opinion, it is far better starter's choice than doing the conventional body-building methodology.

[Merryprankster]

Cross-fit rocks for combat athletes.

As people have noted, if you are advanced enough, it is "cookie cutter," but if you need an introduction into this sort of strength and conditioning program (very wierd for most people who haven't experienced it before), then it's fabulous.

This sort of high intensity exercise is really just unusual for people who haven't done it before - which is why I like the intro Crossfit gives.

[Neo]

But are you guys saying that you would lead onto more specialised programs after that, if I understood what you mean by cookie cutter program.

That would take me back to
Monday: Strength, Tuesday: Endurance etc
or Monday upper body, Tuesday lower body etc

Maybe I'm lazy/busy to do a program myself, and I suppose I like the idea of someone telling me what to do...

[Merryprankster]

No Neo, it wouldn't.

The point is that Crossfit is a one size fits all approach. As you become more in tune with your body, you may find that certain exercizes or certain intervals or certain types of training approaches work better for you than others.

Besides, as I mentioned, Crossfit is different from what most people do. They tend to think of lifting weights as strength and cardio as running for 45 minutes or something. What Crossfit does is push you to your anaerobic threshold - it leaves you gasping for breath, with your heart pounding.

That is why it's good for combat conditioning - it's fairly short and intense. Not good if you are running a marathon, but **** handy in a fight when 30 seconds into a major spurt of activity, you are ready to do more and the other guy is dying tired.