To learn about "Crossfit"

[Merrida]

I'm sorry to ask this because I'm sure it's already been answered,....I searchd through the past links and all I saw were examples of crossfit workouts, and responses, and results, people doing crossfit, etc.....

But in my little search so far, I don't know where the BEST and most optimal place is for me to START my research on crossfit, and learning what the exercises are, the theory, and so on and so on. Everything I've read, all the posts I looked up, it seems everyone gets awesome results with it, so I'm eager to learn it and do it, but don't know anything about it or how to start it or learn it,....especially if there isn't, for example, a "crossfit" workout class in the club or, like myself, any other trainer who knows the correct most beneficial way to introduce crossfit and explain it.

Can you guys help me out,...? In the meantime, I'll keep on searching.

Thanks all.

PS: I wouldn't doubt if it's in the most obvious place and I'm looking too hard trying to find something that's right out there. That'd match my M.O.

.

Go to www.crossfit.com and start there.

[tim_mcf]

Originally Posted by Merrida

PS: I wouldn't doubt if it's in the most obvious place and I'm looking too hard trying to find something that's right out there. That'd match my M.O.

Originally Posted by pierini

Go to www.crossfit.com and start there.

[maverick]

OK, while we are talking about crossfit, I have a devil's advocate-type question: What's the point, for the average fitness-minded person, of all the GPP/endurance work with crossfit? I understand that for athletes and those with physically demanding jobs that this is critical, but for people just wanting to look and feel better and stronger, is there truely an advantage to AMRAP's for 20 minutes? I also understand is a good thing to test your limits, but the endurance focus is overwhelming.

I'm all for intense weight training and cardio, but I think they take it a little too far sometimes, perhaps just for the sake of being extreme. Thoughts?

[tim_mcf]

From my perspective, all the GPP stuff is better than running at burning fat. It just works better. Plus it's a lot more fun, which holds my attention. I also find that it translates better into real-world fitness - I am much more able to move rocks and logs now, which is something that I actually have to do since I live on 10 extremely overgrown acres of forest.

[Hulkeye]

Hey Merrida - I actually stoped traditional weightlifting about 6 months ago now and have been doing crossfit ever since. This is actually the first time i have been back to this site in months, and this was the first post i saw so i couldnt resist.
As far as learning about Crossfit, definately visit the site. Click on "What is Crossfit" and "Start Here" and check them out. The other super-helpful section for me was the exercises and demos section. Also, under each WOD (work-out of the day), there is a comments section where you can ask questions and get good responses. There is also a forum for Crossfit with a seperate WOD section just for asking questions about lifts and how to interpret the work out. Once you get the hang of it, the exercises come easy, at least understanding them does. Doing them is a whole other story.
When i started, one of the first things i read about crossfit was that there is a 92% drop out rate because of the intensity of the work outs. If you are looking to start, do what i did, and what crossfit recommends, and start the WOD's by just trying to complete them. If you find yourself loosing motivation, check out BrandXmartialarts.com. Click on Forum, then Crossfit WOD, then any workout, and they take the crossfit workouts and adjust them based on levels, like buttercups, puppies, and big dogs. This was helpful for a freind of mine who wanted to do crossfit, but had never done any kind of sport, or weight training before. Once you can consistently do the buttercup workout, move on to the puppies, and so on, until you are getting your WOD's from the Crossfit.com website. You can also check out Crossfit affiliate websites, like crossfit san diego, or baltimore. These will not only have the Crossfit WOD's but also some they made on there own, so you have tons of variety.
As far as the work outs, most of the heavy weight stuff is centered around olympic lifts like the Clean, Snatch, Push Press, Split Jerk, etc. I learned most of these by watching, and re-watching the exercises and demos listed, and by starting my lifts with light weight so i could focus on form. Oly lifts are alot different then the ISO weight training lifts you may be used to. Another main focus of Crossfit is the endurance factor. Alot of these workouts are designed to be done as fast as possible, while maintaining good form. I agree'd with MAV when i first started this, i didnt really see the point, but then again, i work in IT, so i have never had to dead lift or bench press anything over 50 lbs for any reason, but i still love doing it. i didnt see the benefit at first of rushing my lifts and sacrificing weight gains and good form, until my body began to respond to crossfit, and i couldnt believe it. I feel healthier and stronger now than i ever have. Strength wise, the OLY lifts have really changed the way i look at weight lifting. Dont get me wrong, i still do the occasional butterflys on a flat bench, or iso curls, or rows, but that because i am at a point now where i can not only finish the WOD, but now i can challenge others for time. I also like the 3 days on, one day off approach, and the fact that the WOD's are listed on the website every day.
Last note about Crossfit and me - Yesterday, was the first time i have ever done "Angie" (100 pull ups, 100 push ups, 100 sit ups, 100 squats for time) and not thrown up. I had never puked after a work out in my life until my first round with angie, and i couldnt even finish her. Took me over an hour, and afterwards i was hugging porcelin. About a month later i tried it again, this time i finished, took me again over an hour, and again, i wound up throwing up. To this day, those are the only 2 times that working out has ever been so intense that i got sick. Yesterday, i finished angie in about 40 minutes without throwing up. I loved it!

I agree with you MAV, while alot of this does seem a little extreme, i got to the point where i love to challenge myself now that i can compete for times, so for me, the pain is worth it. Tonight is an easier one for me, i have thrusters 1-1-1-1-1-1-1. I will work up to my PR with as many reps and sets as i need, and once i am there, i will do 7 individual reps of it. If i can do more, great, if not, i can go lower. I record my weight (this one is not for time), and try to do better next time. Tomorrow night for me is Murph, go to crossfit.com to check it out and wish me luck, this one looks really hard!

[westside24]

Originally Posted by Hulkeye

Tomorrow night for me is Murph, go to crossfit.com to check it out and wish me luck, this one looks really hard!

Good luck homie! "you can do it"

[westside24]

Originally Posted by Merrida

PS: I wouldn't doubt if it's in the most obvious place and I'm looking too hard trying to find something that's right out there. That'd match my M.O.
.

Originally Posted by pierini

Go to www.crossfit.com and start there.

Classic! haha I love you guys!

[CF-OC_gal]

Nice progress report Hulkeye! Good to here that you were just gone and not lost from fitness pursuits. Crossfit is a very efficient conditioning program in my opinion. It's the best return on your time invested in the gym IMHO.

Merrida I can't believe that you haven't figured out Crossfit yet! You were asking this self-same question last year with the same references given! You are in Boston aren't ya? Why don't you go down to one of the oldest and most reputable Crossfit affiliates right in your back yard and do a drop in WOD! Then get back to us on your feelings about it. They can probably show you on their PC, how to get to the information you crave on www.crossfit.com .

OK, while we are talking about crossfit, I have a devil's advocate-type question: What's the point, for the average fitness-minded person, of all the GPP/endurance work with crossfit? I understand that for athletes and those with physically demanding jobs that this is critical, but for people just wanting to look and feel better and stronger, is there truely an advantage to AMRAP's for 20 minutes? I also understand is a good thing to test your limits, but the endurance focus is overwhelming.

I'm all for intense weight training and cardio, but I think they take it a little too far sometimes, perhaps just for the sake of being extreme. Thoughts?

I can see your point maverick, but CF is, like I said, a really efficient way to build conditioning in this aspect of fitness. The whole idea of "work output" is very functional . Checkout this power output calculator. Time is a very important input value.

I find that on the longer workouts there is the necessity to develop "strategies" on how to complete it as best as possible. Work rest intervals become important as does body awareness in when form and action is breaking down to the point of uselessness or injury. These are good skills to develop while under time or performance pressures. You are training your brain while develping technique in a more complex fashion than just blasting out a collection 3- 5 sets of 8-10 reps at 80% max.

We all have are strengths and weaknesses in fitness modes. If you don't cherry pick with Crossfit, you will hit both your S & W and develop in a "whole" way.

Mav, I believe the average-minded fitness person can get by with brisk walking for 30 minutes 3 times a week along with a reasonable volume workout of pushups, pullups, bodweight squats and some type of core workout.