Is CrossFit Right For You?

If You Practice CrossFit…Kudos To You

CrossFit has certainly made a name for itself in the fitness community; especially with the advent of CrossFit’s National Games getting air time on ESPN. For those who practice CrossFit as professional athletes, or for those who practice it as a way to get in shape, kudos to you. But what needs to be brought to the forefront is the higher risk of injury that comes along with it.

It is one thing to be a professional athlete, like the one who competes in the CrossFit Games, and it is another to be the recreational athlete who does CrossFit once or twice a week to get in better shape and lose weight. The athletes you see on t.v. make a living training for their sport, and their form during these exercises is better than that of the weekend warriors who are trying to beat the times seen on t.v.

The main issue that is repeatedly brought forward about CrossFit is the disregard of ones form in the attempt at increasing a weight used and reps performed on a specific exercise. An elite personal trainer should ensure that before there are any modifications to a specific exercise, the client can perform the movement flawlessly to ensure the utmost safety of the client. I am not saying CrossFit trainers ignore the safety of their clients, but when you have a room full of 10-15 participants in a class who are performing near maximal lifts repeatedly, it is not possible to watch everyone all the time.

Difference Between a Professional CrossFit Athlete And Those Who Practice CrossFit Once to Twice Per Week?

Those who are professional athletes practice the specific CrossFit exercises to master the form, such as the case with the overhead squat. To ensure they can compete at their highest level, they prepare their bodies by doing plenty of core work to help stabilize their spine, and strengthen their legs with traditional exercises such as the back squat.   Where as, recreational athletes who show up for their weekly CrossFit class, do the warm up that everyone else performs, and then do the workout of the day that may consist of these higher risk exercises, at weights that are intended to push them beyond their limits.

“It Can Kill You, I’ve Always Been Completely Honest About That.”

The culture of CrossFit preaches a push-it-to-the-limit view on their workout of the day, and it is this mentality that can cause injury, especially in those new to the sport. Keep in mind, Greg Glassman, the founder of the sport was quoted as saying “It can kill you, I’ve always been completely honest about that.”

Should CrossFit Be Avoided? Is It Right For You?

If you are aware of the risks, and this is a sport you enjoy, then it is right for you. If you prefer a workout that has your best interest in mind, and a trainer that watches your form and makes corrections when necessary, then CrossFit may not for you. My advice to you is to do your research, make an informed decision and participate in what works best for you.