Be a CrossFit man Without Looking Like An Amateur - Is it worth taking up CrossFit?
When it comes to physical fitness each of us has a different approach. Your life is not linear. You travel the world, you are encouraged to take risks and be open to people and ideas. But if you want to give everything you’ve got, you have to be prepared to perform, not only at your job, your business, or in your personal life but you have to give everything in the gym, too.
The only catch is that you need to also integrate that into your daily routines. As you know being fit provides you with a lot of advantages and opportunities starting with your health level and the way you look, to the way you feel. But the best advantage is that it brings you the energy and commitment to follow your goals, and achieve the energy levels you need to support that commitment.
This is where CrossFit comes in. But is this relatively new training technique worth adopting? How is it different from your usual gym routine and what are the risks associated with this new workout routine?
Cross Fit is marketed as a lifestyle that suits all people, regardless of their current fitness level. The sport of functional fitness. At its core, it is a personalized daily routine characterized by safe, efficient exercises, and great nutrition. If you compare it to other traditional fitness routines, it looks more like a fitness philosophy and a way of life.
But is that the case? You can surely believe this if you take into account that CrossFit boasts to offer workouts that can be adapted for people any age, with every workout day differently customized from the last. CrossFit is what happens when you take traditional workouts and dietary habits and rearrange them by thinking outside the box.
The longer and more boring way is to say “CrossFit is a strength and conditioning program consisting mainly of a mix of aerobic exercise, calisthenics (bodyweight exercises), and Olympic weightlifting.”
It is a branded fitness program which was created, in early 2000 by Greg Glassman and Lauren Jenai. And since then, it has spread all around the world.
That doesn't mean that there are not still a lot of misconceptions about this type of workout. In a weird twist, some people associate this form of sport, with the highly trained athletes they see in professional CrossFit competitions. While others see it as the easy, age-friendly, version that is being marketed. All in all, you have to agree that it does sound very different from the traditional fitness programs you are used to hearing about.
That is a hard question to answer. From an organizational and intensity point of view, CrossFit seems to be very different from all other types of fitness regimes. To start with, it has an affiliate organization system. Each CrossFit gym is called a box and it meets the CrossFit requirements, from equipment and classes, to certified coaches that oversee the workout routines. That being said, every box has complete freedom when it comes to picking out its WOD, or Workout of the day.
Intensity wise, the training does not target muscle groups but rather concentrates on the intensity and full-body engagement, whilst also personalizing the training level according to each individual.
But part of the success of CrossFit is down to the way it influences your dietary habits. Any gym-goer knows that to get the maximum out of your workouts you must combine physical effort with a carefully balanced diet. Usual recommendations are based on the Zone Diet, which was developed over 30 years ago by Barry Sears, biochemist, and author of The Zone.
They recommend that athletes "eat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch and no sugar" and "keep intake to levels that will support exercise but not body fat."But is this very specific form of dietary change enough to tip the scales in favor of CrossFit, when it comes to comparing it to your usual gym weight training routines.
Both CrossFit and your regular workouts burn calories, but the way they do it differs in structure, goals, and philosophy.
- CrossFit addresses more generalized goals and aims at achieving overall fitness while traditional weight training focuses more on muscle groups and helps with increasing mass and building strength. The principle behind it being that building more mass burns more calories, causing weight loss.
- Cross Fit also uses weight in its workouts but the focus is on building endurance and getting more repetitions.
- Regular training comes with the added advantage that it can help grow bone mass among younger people and preserve bone mass in older participants. This is a side effect of muscle growth, that forces the bones to keep up and deal with the increased load from the activity.
- CrossFit has a better sense of community although not by much. Because it often takes place in classes it can cultivate a greater feeling of friendship amongst participants. Another big plus is that the results are easy to keep track of, and you can compare your recent performances to the ones in the past or with the people in your class. That way you can discover how good you are relative to your peers and be motivated to improve on your results.
- Often people find regular weight training easier to get accustomed to than CrossFit. The latter requires a lot of adjustments regarding terminology and basic movements. That is not to say that the differences are that big, but you must be prepared to get used to the acronyms like AMRAP = As Many Rounds As Possible, EMOM = Every Minute On the Minute. And that is not all. You will have up to 7 beginner classes to get all accustomed to the lingo and the training structure. But it could take you at least 6 months until you fully learn what you are doing, and the full meaning behind every WOD.
- Dietary restrictions are somewhat different when it comes to these two types of workout structures. Both have advantages and disadvantages that are mostly a result of the things the training was designed for. Gym workouts usually require more protein intake, depending on the intensity they have been building up to. Over time, progression on building more body mass, and focusing particular muscle groups, requires more protein than CrossFit training does. But Cross Fit has somewhat opposite needs. The diet it recommends does center around lean meat but also what your body needs after an intense full-body workout, as it may be higher than you think.
- Cross Fit is a more personal form of training, while going to the gym without a personal trainer may seem like a more impersonal method. Both require good amounts of motivation, but one could argue that a personalized program and a different social context may favor CrossFit when it comes to keeping you on track.
- Being a more aerobic focused training routine makes CrossFit better at amplifying the maximum amount of oxygen the body receives during training. With it, your body will gain better endurance and aerobic capacity in a shorter amount of time, when compared to traditional gym workouts.
Cross Fit can bring awesome health benefits but the decision is not an easy one.
There are multiple factors at play. What is your current form of fitness routine? How adaptable and dedicated are you? What are your short and long term goals?
As we have previously mentioned Cross Fit prides itself in addressing all age groups and fitness levels. But one of the main critiques behind it, is that you may end up focusing on too many things and none in particular.
If you are looking for a new life and fitness philosophy Cross Fit may very well be the right choice for you. It is a great choice for determined, active, and eager men that want to build up great mobility, lean muscle, and unrivaled endurance. But if you are already involved in another form of program, things may not be that easy. Drive alone will only help you so much with the steep learning curve and change in the workout routine. You may find yourself discouraged when going from a more muscle-building training to an aerobic-based activity. Cross Fit will push you to your endurance limits, raise your heart rate, burn more calories and more fat than weight training.
But some unexpected disadvantages come with that. Although it is yet to be scientifically proven, Cross Fit has been related to a higher than normal rate of injury. It looks like the introduction of compound movements and reps, in a set amount of time, can put a lot of strain on your joints. The fact that the WOD doesn’t target specific muscle groups, is not repetitive, and has a random nature doesn’t help either. On top of all that, pushing your body is proven to help with overall health levels and losing weight, but relying too much on irregular moves means that your muscles and tendons may fail to cope with the stress.
If there is anything that you feel is wrong with your current workout routine, or you just feel like you could use a change of pace or a reason to keep going, then CrossFit may be the answer.
Taking on a new challenge may be the thing that takes your physical fitness to the next level. All you need to do is believe in yourself and in this new path. Don't forget that the body is only as strong as the mind, so stay clear of injuries and start planning your next fitness goals.
The only catch is that you need to also integrate that into your daily routines. As you know being fit provides you with a lot of advantages and opportunities starting with your health level and the way you look, to the way you feel. But the best advantage is that it brings you the energy and commitment to follow your goals, and achieve the energy levels you need to support that commitment.
This is where CrossFit comes in. But is this relatively new training technique worth adopting? How is it different from your usual gym routine and what are the risks associated with this new workout routine?
What is Cross Fit?
Cross Fit is marketed as a lifestyle that suits all people, regardless of their current fitness level. The sport of functional fitness. At its core, it is a personalized daily routine characterized by safe, efficient exercises, and great nutrition. If you compare it to other traditional fitness routines, it looks more like a fitness philosophy and a way of life.
But is that the case? You can surely believe this if you take into account that CrossFit boasts to offer workouts that can be adapted for people any age, with every workout day differently customized from the last. CrossFit is what happens when you take traditional workouts and dietary habits and rearrange them by thinking outside the box.
The longer and more boring way is to say “CrossFit is a strength and conditioning program consisting mainly of a mix of aerobic exercise, calisthenics (bodyweight exercises), and Olympic weightlifting.”
It is a branded fitness program which was created, in early 2000 by Greg Glassman and Lauren Jenai. And since then, it has spread all around the world.
That doesn't mean that there are not still a lot of misconceptions about this type of workout. In a weird twist, some people associate this form of sport, with the highly trained athletes they see in professional CrossFit competitions. While others see it as the easy, age-friendly, version that is being marketed. All in all, you have to agree that it does sound very different from the traditional fitness programs you are used to hearing about.
How different is CrossFit?
That is a hard question to answer. From an organizational and intensity point of view, CrossFit seems to be very different from all other types of fitness regimes. To start with, it has an affiliate organization system. Each CrossFit gym is called a box and it meets the CrossFit requirements, from equipment and classes, to certified coaches that oversee the workout routines. That being said, every box has complete freedom when it comes to picking out its WOD, or Workout of the day.
Intensity wise, the training does not target muscle groups but rather concentrates on the intensity and full-body engagement, whilst also personalizing the training level according to each individual.
But part of the success of CrossFit is down to the way it influences your dietary habits. Any gym-goer knows that to get the maximum out of your workouts you must combine physical effort with a carefully balanced diet. Usual recommendations are based on the Zone Diet, which was developed over 30 years ago by Barry Sears, biochemist, and author of The Zone.
They recommend that athletes "eat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch and no sugar" and "keep intake to levels that will support exercise but not body fat."But is this very specific form of dietary change enough to tip the scales in favor of CrossFit, when it comes to comparing it to your usual gym weight training routines.
CrossFit VS Gym
Both CrossFit and your regular workouts burn calories, but the way they do it differs in structure, goals, and philosophy.
- CrossFit addresses more generalized goals and aims at achieving overall fitness while traditional weight training focuses more on muscle groups and helps with increasing mass and building strength. The principle behind it being that building more mass burns more calories, causing weight loss.
- Cross Fit also uses weight in its workouts but the focus is on building endurance and getting more repetitions.
- Regular training comes with the added advantage that it can help grow bone mass among younger people and preserve bone mass in older participants. This is a side effect of muscle growth, that forces the bones to keep up and deal with the increased load from the activity.
- CrossFit has a better sense of community although not by much. Because it often takes place in classes it can cultivate a greater feeling of friendship amongst participants. Another big plus is that the results are easy to keep track of, and you can compare your recent performances to the ones in the past or with the people in your class. That way you can discover how good you are relative to your peers and be motivated to improve on your results.
- Often people find regular weight training easier to get accustomed to than CrossFit. The latter requires a lot of adjustments regarding terminology and basic movements. That is not to say that the differences are that big, but you must be prepared to get used to the acronyms like AMRAP = As Many Rounds As Possible, EMOM = Every Minute On the Minute. And that is not all. You will have up to 7 beginner classes to get all accustomed to the lingo and the training structure. But it could take you at least 6 months until you fully learn what you are doing, and the full meaning behind every WOD.
- Dietary restrictions are somewhat different when it comes to these two types of workout structures. Both have advantages and disadvantages that are mostly a result of the things the training was designed for. Gym workouts usually require more protein intake, depending on the intensity they have been building up to. Over time, progression on building more body mass, and focusing particular muscle groups, requires more protein than CrossFit training does. But Cross Fit has somewhat opposite needs. The diet it recommends does center around lean meat but also what your body needs after an intense full-body workout, as it may be higher than you think.
- Cross Fit is a more personal form of training, while going to the gym without a personal trainer may seem like a more impersonal method. Both require good amounts of motivation, but one could argue that a personalized program and a different social context may favor CrossFit when it comes to keeping you on track.
- Being a more aerobic focused training routine makes CrossFit better at amplifying the maximum amount of oxygen the body receives during training. With it, your body will gain better endurance and aerobic capacity in a shorter amount of time, when compared to traditional gym workouts.
Is it worth taking up Cross Fit?
Cross Fit can bring awesome health benefits but the decision is not an easy one.
There are multiple factors at play. What is your current form of fitness routine? How adaptable and dedicated are you? What are your short and long term goals?
As we have previously mentioned Cross Fit prides itself in addressing all age groups and fitness levels. But one of the main critiques behind it, is that you may end up focusing on too many things and none in particular.
If you are looking for a new life and fitness philosophy Cross Fit may very well be the right choice for you. It is a great choice for determined, active, and eager men that want to build up great mobility, lean muscle, and unrivaled endurance. But if you are already involved in another form of program, things may not be that easy. Drive alone will only help you so much with the steep learning curve and change in the workout routine. You may find yourself discouraged when going from a more muscle-building training to an aerobic-based activity. Cross Fit will push you to your endurance limits, raise your heart rate, burn more calories and more fat than weight training.
But some unexpected disadvantages come with that. Although it is yet to be scientifically proven, Cross Fit has been related to a higher than normal rate of injury. It looks like the introduction of compound movements and reps, in a set amount of time, can put a lot of strain on your joints. The fact that the WOD doesn’t target specific muscle groups, is not repetitive, and has a random nature doesn’t help either. On top of all that, pushing your body is proven to help with overall health levels and losing weight, but relying too much on irregular moves means that your muscles and tendons may fail to cope with the stress.
If there is anything that you feel is wrong with your current workout routine, or you just feel like you could use a change of pace or a reason to keep going, then CrossFit may be the answer.
Taking on a new challenge may be the thing that takes your physical fitness to the next level. All you need to do is believe in yourself and in this new path. Don't forget that the body is only as strong as the mind, so stay clear of injuries and start planning your next fitness goals.
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Loves to play with new ideas, binge writing, traveling and gourmet coffee. Professional writer of non fiction with over 8 years experience in putting words to paper. Fan of iconic movies, sports, The Arctic Monkeys and city breaks. Yes, he knows how good his coffee is.