Darth Pooh

Can I get an explanation of what Crossfit really is?

I live in Philadelphia, and I was recently at the Phillies World Series game and met a guy who was Crossfit certified (I think maybe he girlfriend was too, not sure), and I think I got the gist of it but not really. Where basically one day of exercise is like only two exercises but repetitively? I dunno, I am lost, and the website for Crossfit has a lot of fluff to it.

sdb

Crossfit is good for nearly anyone of any weight. The overall goal is "Elite Fitness" which is basicly to be the best you can be. The workouts range from ones for testing strength to ones focused on endurance. Every day is a new workout. This way you're not just doing 12 reps of X exercise for so many sets. Going to the gyn doing that can be so monotinous.

The workouts are posted at Welcome to CrossFit: Forging Elite Fitness and you can go to the Start Here>BrandXScaled workouts to get a scaled down version if you're unable to do the one posted. You don't have to do the one posted for that day, you can go to the FAQ section and just pick a "Hero" or a "Lady" workout (they're just names of workouts, not anything to do with sexes.)

You can look through the Workout of the Day (WOD) section here and see some of the past prescribed workout to get an idea of how they're done. If you have any question about the execution, youtube has a ton of Crossfit videos, but be sure to get form down before you try adding the weight or doing quick reps for time.

The guy said he's crossfit certified? that means he's been to seminars and knows how to teach and do the workouts effectively. I'd love to get a cert. for it as well, but unfortunately they've got no seminars in my area coming up, plus the ones in surrounding states for Level 1's are all sold out.

Good luck! Crossfit is awesome!! Once you start, you'll think your old gym routines are boring. Even if you don't do it for a long duration, Crossfit is definintely a change to help mix up your current routine.

Darth Pooh

Thanks for that explanation, I've used the Crossfit website for things like Mark Ripptoe's instructional videos on deads and other stuff. Just never looked that deeply into the Crossfit routines. They seem like they can range from mild to hardcore depending on the effort you put into it.

I might look at that routine sometime down the line (after my next cut, UD2 is being planned). Is there a beginner's guide on there as well?

Yeah, he said he was level 1 I believe. He was also trying to get a Crossfit center set up out here (Philadelphia area).

sdb

There's really no "guide", you just kinda jump right into it. You can look at the Start Here>What is Crossfit area to see the basis of it, but you're not going to get a manual or anything. Crossfit is really good for people with time constraints. Most workouts take 10-20 minutes to do.

Just a warning tho, most will make you feel like you're going to vomit for at least an hour afterward. Most exercises have substitutions that you can do if you don't have the equipment.

I'm about to go do my workout:
max rounds for 15 minutes of:
15 pull ups (I need a sub for this)
15 pushups
15 back extensions (subbing Romanian Dealifts for this)
15 sit ups.

Darth Pooh

Ewww Sick man...

Something I def need to look into for the future. Does this work for gains/cuts or just for overall health?

sdb

It could work for either. For gains, I'd stay away from some of the more cardio based stuff, like the 5K's. For cutting, definitely do all of it. It'll preserve lean muscle mass and help with the intensity of overall workouts. Just keep a count on your calories.

Exact science: calorie expenditure > calorie intake = weight loss.

It's really good for overall health as well. It's a great upper body shaping program.

Darth Pooh

Yeah, but set point theory comes into play with your exact science. Limits to everything...

Still, I'm going to give this thing a huge consideration.

Malley

I honestly cannot say that Crossfits are for everyone. Take a guy who is 55 years old and has had 2 shoulder surgeries, an ACL injury and who is a heavy smoker. Those are the types of people I deal with everyday and the majority of people who I train cannot nor will ever be able to do a Crossfit. However, for most of the people on this board they should definitly be able to do it!

Malley

And my legs have blown up crossfitting.