“CultFit”
Over the last several years I have witnessed a disturbing trend in the realm of physical fitness. The movement known as CrossFit touting its “functional fitness” has spread like genital herpes in a frat house. Ordinarily I would embrace any tendencies by the general public towards physical fitness, being that I decry the horrors of obesity and its prevalence in our culture today. Unfortunately, CrossFit, more aptly named “CultFit”, embodies all the tenets of training hypocrisy and mindless exercise zealotries that would make any halfway intelligent person want to gouge his eyes out with protein bars. CrossFit is America’s self-styled fitness elite which orders its followers to cultivate a distinctly martial, if not totally paranoid, ideal of “physical preparedness.” In a nutshell, CrossFit is total garbage.
“Your workout is our warm-up”, the cultists chant. A cacophony of clanking kettle bells and the exaggerated thumps of bumper weighted bar bells abandoned midair at the apex of their extension by mindless followers are the reinvented sounds of battle in a fitness war being waged against common sense. Every day devotees consult the CultFit website like a Book of Common Prayer, receiving instructions for their workout rites and periods of rest.
The CultFit website forum is the foundation of the CultFit ministry. On a typical day, some 200 people post responses to the workout in a feverish fitness ‘facebook’. It’s an exercise phenomenon uniquely dependent upon modern connectivity. That is to say, CultFit couldn’t exist without lots of viral video, social networking, and an expansive platform for international, demographically varied community interaction. It’s not just an exercise routine, it’s a lifestyle. Like Chairman Mao dictating the orders of the day to all his peoples, the main CultFit website dictates its daily WOD to all the affiliates who in turn merely parrot the parent command to their worshippers. Want to simply go to the CultFit gym, use the equipment and do your own thing? Well you’re in for a surprise, membership precludes individuation. That’s right, group sessions only, the official WOD only.
I want to stuff a dollar in your waist strap!
Many of the official demo videos feature women, generally attractive women, conducting grueling workout routines. And you know I have to hand it to them, the women are hot (if not somewhat mannish). There are literally hundreds of pictures and videos swirling around the internet of ripped CultFit chicks working out. There is nothing that fires me up quicker than a badass fitness chick getting after it in the gym, but I have to tell you that I’ve never been a fan of bitches that cake on make-up just to go work out. More than anything I am irritated by watching chicks cry after finishing their routines. They act like it was the emotional pinnacle of their existence, some bizarre epiphany caught magically on video. What the fuck is wrong with you!? You merely finished your workout – get over yourself!
"Mr. CrossFit" (oh my bad)
Now these CultFit girls are not your garden variety bored housewives trying to spark a gym fling or turn a few heads, it’s actually something much more selfish. I suppose in their viral video they don’t want to look like a total sea-hag, but motivation by ego and not results is hardly an argument for the program regardless of physique. Maybe there is an ego piece that all athletes and exercisers possess, and yes, there are mirrors in every gym. I’m just not going to debase my sense of self and adulterate my personal gains by videotaping myself working out and posting it all over the internet. This is truly modern fitness masturbation, tantamount to ‘girls gone wild’ in a gym.
There is another element at work here, albeit a subtle one. CultFit flaunts intensity, as do many exercise programs. CultFit also seems very focused on form and ‘proper movement’, but there is a difference between form and technique. Proper form can be expressed in any venue of exercise, as a particular condition, character, or method in which something is done. Correct form is objective, based upon science and physiology, concepts outside the individual and the program as well. Technique is subjective, it is the manner and ability with which an artist, writer, dancer, athlete, or the like employs the technical skills of a particular art or field of endeavor. Two athletes of equal fitness levels could both perform the “Fran” workout and get vastly different times simply because one is using a quicker technique. A perfect example of this is the distinction between the pull-up and the “butterfly pull-up”. How then can this be in any way a measure of fitness or performance? What about intensity? How can a subjective existential quality be measured? In someone’s Fran time, I don’t think so. Perhaps intensity is measured in devotion to CultFit.
Although this guy is a total toolbag with faggy shorts, the demo is a simple, yet effective, illustration of the muscles affected as well as the basic movements of the pull up.
Now observe the bizarre CultFit complexity that has adapted from the pull up. No comment on the potential risks to joins and tendons inherent with this technique. How is this “functional fitness”.
A CultFit routine including pull-ups would allow either type (butterfly or regular), although the two can hardly even be called the same exercise.
CultFit is the epitome of successful marketing on a foundation of dogshit philosophy. How exactly they were able to convince people that everyone should be doing the exact same workouts regardless of age, abilities, specific needs, or goals is completely beyond the scope of reason. The foundation of the entire program flies in the face of everything that has been learned about human performance and stress physiology over the last 50 years.
Perhaps a testament to CultFit success is in the general malaise that has set upon the American people. When everyone is desperately struggling for attention and acceptance it is not difficult to convince them that doing 5 minute exercise routines picked randomly out of a hat is a smart way to train. Since the workouts are very short and following a WOD requires no thought process or planning from participants it becomes mindlessly easy for the braindead zombie followers of this backwards fitness religion. If you train for any specific purpose at all I would highly recommend learning the basics of programming rather than just following some claptrap program that has no scientific basis behind it or rational planning involved in it whatsoever. CultFit is the Scientology fast food of the exercise world.
Admittedly, CultFit is better than much of what I see going on in the gym. The problem is this, weights plus momentum equals a potential for injury. It’s just that simple. Now add competition into the mix, in addition to the subjective nature of CultFitters technique and intensity. Performing heavy explosive lifts and training completely randomly without being physically prepared to do these things is a recipe for disaster in the long run. I know many CultFitters who have suffered injuries to joints and tendons as well as more serious and debilitating physical damage. The amount of training injuries alone is expressive of the hazards of the CultFit ‘curriculum’. There is no training progression, no periodization, or methodical approach whatsoever. Maybe most people in a regular gym don’t get peak results, but at least most of them aren’t getting injured either.
It is fundamentally flawed to believe that having no structure in a program means it will produce general results and that this is somehow better than specific training. There is no such thing as a jack of all trades physiologically speaking, a marathon runner will never be a powerlifter and vice versa. Even somewhere in the middle specific adaptations will always apply. Throwing a bunch of methods together at random doesn’t mean the body gets better at everything. Additionally, there are much better ways of progressively developing “general” fitness that will improve health than CultFit’s haphazard approach. Just watch the CultFit games and witness for yourself the total physical devastation of CultFitters simply attempting to run seven miles. Seven miles!? Some trainers, Gym Jones for example, even use what you might call the CultFit style of intensity in their daily routines but without claiming that they invented the push-up or demanding adherance to a cult ideology. On top of that, Gym Jones actually identifies a tangible goal or endstate for the individual that they will then craft their routines towards accomplishing.
“We do your stuff almost as good as you, you can’t do our stuff at all and we do stuff neither of us does way better than you can,” the cultists will scream. This is a very confrontational statement with no testable results to back it up. To that I simply say that I have done your workouts better than even some of your most devoted followers. I have walked into your gyms and crushed some of your best times. You have a great Fran time (ostensibly the benchmark CultFit workout) well that’s great, but the truth is this; doing CultFit only makes you good at CultFit. Getting faster times on your CultFit routines is a measure of skill at CultFit and not of fitness or performance. With no goals there can be no plan, with no plan there can be no attack, and with no attack there can be no victory.
Throwing the potential for injury to the wind, abandoning reason in place of popularity, and embracing an unquestioning lifestyle of fitness communism must be liberating. I truly enjoy working out with likeminded and motivated individuals. Individuals being the operant word. God knows I love exercise and constantly hunger for competition, but I am not so devoid as to physically and intellectually consign myself to martyrdom like the rank and file CultFit disciples. This is exercise for vanity not for longevity; this is an ideological struggle for an imagined moment of heroism that will never come.
Bitch tits, a fat gut, and he knows the proper form of how to gently caress a nutsack!
With every cult there is a cult leader, and CultFit is no different. Enter one of the biggest fuck-tards in the known universe Greg Glassman. CultFit’s founder, Greg Glassman, is referred to by his disciples simply as “Coach”. A former gymnast who put his program online in 2001, Glassman is known for his impatience with exercisers who fear injury: “There’s nothing about crashing that makes you drive faster, right? But you’re not going to learn to drive real fast unless you’ve wrecked once or twice.” What the fuck is this inscrutable bullshit!? In brazen, inventive, hortatory speeches and prose, he leans on the concept of “forging,” blacksmith style. His Web site is “forging elite fitness,” and his message board is “forging elite community.” CultFit represents a ministry for Glassman, who is intent on drafting and redrafting his program — so intent, in fact, that he has said he works out inconsistently. Physically Glassman is nothing to speak of, fat and out of shape even, hardly what one would expect from the leader of a supposed fitness revolution.
Glassman fancies himself the grand vizier of his burgeoning fitness ministry. With bellowing and dogmatic seminars and psych-up speeches that make you sit like a sheep and think that you finally understand the secret of existence. “If you say, ‘I will not take my intensity past where the form goes bad,’ the intensity will never develop!” Coach cries into the vacuous crowd. The CultFitters unquestioningly eating his shit like soft-serve ice cream without even realizing that this statement is a contradiction of the entire religion.
Of all the things I hate about exercise culture, the thing I hate most is pontificating about ethos. Exercise should be kind of primitive and stupid and mostly physical; it should not require flourishes and perfect sneakers and 10 sessions of learning minutiae before you even break a sweat. Demo videos for exercises should show you what the body can do, how strong a body can be. It should not exist to worry you that you’ll never do anything right, sell fear, be a showcase for vanity, or foster derision. Maybe that’s all just part of the marketing gimmick. You are fundamentally flawed, but come to CultFit and we can fix you, almost like original sin for athletes.
Some would argue that CultFit has outgrown its creator, but not Glassman. He equates his program to the Second Coming. Well that is if the Second Coming cost $1000 for a level one certification and $150/month gym fees. That’s right, CultFit is mega expensive.
It takes two days of training and a thousand dollars cold hard cash to receive your Level 1 Certification from CultFit. You heard me correctly, $1000 and two days to learn 9 basic movements. The Certifications are run at one of the many CultFit Affiliates over the weekend usually, and CultFit conducts 2-3 per weekend. There are 60 people in each class. Simple math, $60,000 for one weekend of CultFit Level 1 Certification at one location. So after opening up their doors and permitting use of their facility and equipment, how much money does each Affiliate gym get out of each of these certifications? Nothing. Not one penny. All the cash goes back to the company with not one penny ending up in the hands of the gym owners. Well what about Affiliate fees you say? Ok, shit, you got me – Affiliates have to pay $2000 to apply for Affiliation and $1000 a year after that. Cha-ching!?
I can think of a lot of things I learned in two days, but mastery over physical fitness was not one of them. I don’t think there’s a professional coach of any athletic program in the country that was merely certified in two days and then took charge of that program. But these educated, intelligent, and experienced professionals are exactly the people that CultFit is in a theoretical dispute with. CultFit ardently attacks these myopic “specialists”, or athletes who they say neglect versatility in order to refine one or two skills. The CultFitters’ critique has chastened more than one specialist. “Specialization is for insects,” the CultFitters chant, yet specialists from other arenas show up and perform highly, even outperforming most CultFitters. Meanwhile, CultFitters don’t notice that they’re all busy ‘specializing’ in their little WODs and demanding everyone use their brand of measuring stick.
Additionally, there are a myriad other certifications out there to become a personal trainer. Some are generally valued and others are pure crap, but none runs over roughly $500 bucks. On the other hand, some personal trainers go to college for years to earn degrees and learn the nuances and intricacies of anatomy, kinesiology, and human performance. CultFit will advertise that form is always adhered to because all the guided workouts are at the behest of one of their certified coaches. Well aside from a giant wad of greenbacks and a spare weekend it doesn’t take a whole hell of a lot to receive that certification. This is yet another arrow pointing towards the movement’s cultish aura, unfortunately this also has underpinnings of multi-level marketing and unscrupulous financial dealings if not outright dishonesty. Don’t worry about merchandising either – you can get everything you need to fuel your cultish devotion at their online store from t-shirts to pregnancy tests. “What about the next generation?” you desperately cry… Never fear, there’s CultFit for Kids too.
Uncle Rhabdo: I just farted blood ;-P lol!
Now it is widely known that some professional athletes have used illegal substances to enhance performance. Some have been injured and even died because of it. Professional athletics generally refrain from celebrating these actions. CultFit on the other hand takes a different approach. Not to illegal performance enhancing drugs, to my knowledge, but to personal safety. Take a look at “Uncle Rhabdo” one of the network’s mascots. Rhabdo is a clown-headed figure often shown vomiting; who suffers from rhabdomyolysis, a dangerous condition in which damaged muscle tissue enters the bloodstream. Many a CultFitter has suffered from this condition. The clown is worshiped only half in jest by the CultFit crowd, which see exercise-induced injury as ritual suicide for the cause. In a 2005 interview, Glassman said of CultFit: “It can kill you… I’ve always been completely honest about that.”
Ok. Relax. Let’s take a minute to breathe here. I want to make sure that this next point is made abundantly clear. Studies of the psychological aspects of cults focus on the individual person, and factors relating to the choice to become involved as well as the subsequent effects on individuals. Under one view, an important factor is coercive persuasion which suppresses the ability of people to reason, think critically, and make choices in their own best interest.
Studies of religious, political, and other cults have identified a number of key steps in this type of coercive persuasion:
- People are put in physically or emotionally distressing situations;
- Their problems are reduced to one simple explanation, which is repeatedly emphasized;
- They receive unconditional love, acceptance, and attention from a charismatic leader;
- They get a new identity based on the group;
- They are subject to entrapment (isolation from friends, relatives, and the mainstream culture) and their access to information is severely controlled.
CrossFit is a cult.
CultFitters are put in physically and emotionally distressing situations.
CultFitters fitness problems are reduced to one simple explanation… “Functional fitness”.
CultFit advertizes themselves as a tight-knit community with “Coach” as their charismatic leader.
CultFit itself creates a general identity. CultFit gyms around the country, all with various names and monikers, create the localized group identity. Handles, callsigns, and screen names posted on the online forums express the adherents’ new internet CultFit identity. Even real names take on new meaning in the subculture as the cultists are reborn into their CultFit identity.
The CultFit philosophy is faith-based and exclusive. Look on the CultFit message board itself. Articles are created, deleted – criticisms posted, rebuked, then evaporate into thin air. There is an ominous totalitarian element in the information control that is exercised by CultFit online.
CrossFit is a cult.
Ask yourself just a couple simple questions:
Which martial art is best?
Which ice cream is best?
Are sunrises or sunsets better?
Everything has strengths and weaknesses. Everything is good and bad. CrossFit does have its merits. Believe it or not I have enjoyed doing some of the routines and I have incorporated some of the exercises into my own personal fitness regimen, but listen to me very carefully all you would-be CultFitters; Beware any person that says that they have the answer. The only answer is that there is no answer. No single answer that is, there are many, and in a democracy sometimes the opinion you hate most and makes the least sense is screaming the loudest. CultFit is entitled to their opinion, something that they do not permit of outsiders, but that opinion is only valid if it can be sustained and substantiated by the worth of its own merits, the value of its argument. A philosophy of any kind must stand on its own and endure criticism regardless of how loudly its worshippers preach it or how fervently they believe in it. Even a drug dealer will sell you crack while arguing that it is harmless. You know I fully expect this very article to be misquoted, flamed, spammed, and generally denegrated by the CultFit crowd, and you know what – bring it, me no care. But make up your own goddamn mind, that’s part of being a fucking human. Just hear this; beware an exclusive and dangerous ideology that is prone to injury and isolation. CrossFit is not a fitness regimen, it is an unhealthy lifestyle. CrossFit is not an exercise ideology, it is a cult. Good luck.
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Wow! What a great article. I feel like I just watched a PBS documentary on CultFit culture. Who are these people??? Strangely enough, I kinda wanna try it… if it was free… and safe for my body… and you know… not a fuckin cult…hehe
Lawsuit alleges CrossFit workout damaging
By Bryan Mitchell – Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Aug 19, 2008 7:23:51 EDT
MANASSAS, Va. — A lawsuit filed by a former sailor has raised concerns about the dangers of a workout regimen that is rapidly growing in popularity across the military.
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/08/marine_crossfit_081608w/
You should also note that the lawsuit was against someone who never was certified and had no clue what they were doing. Which can be attributed similarly to the worthless PT regimen in any armed force that sends 30% home due to injury from Drill Instructors who go by their own perception…very much like this biased blog…your own perception.
I suggest that anyone reading this blog, actually go to the [crossfit] site and do some investigating for themselves.
1) First clue as to the authors qualifications for writing this article are all the explicatives and ad-hominem attacks.
2) CrossFit is meant to be scaled to suit the fitness level, skills and motivation of the athlete. I don’t know where the author got his information. BTW – The typical CrossFit workout is 20-40 minutes not counting a warm-up time. (A warm-up should always be done.)
3) For the lay person CrossFit is FREE if you own some basic equipment. I agree $1,000 is a bit high for a certification program, but you try to see what it will cost you to open a Gold’s Gym, World’s Gym, etc. franchise. I can guarantee you it will be A LOT more. Also, CrossFit gym fees are not too expensive given the fact that you are paying for classes/group sessions. Try going to any local gym and pay $100 or $150 per month were all your workouts are with a personal trainer or group trainer. Sorry, can’t do it! BTW – There are quite a few local CrossFit gyms in my area that do it for $75 per month!
4) Regarding injuries – This is where personal responsibility comes in. You need to know what you are capable of. Yes, CrossFit is designed to push you harder and beyond, but not at some ridiculous level that will hurt you. CrossFit is very clear on your needing to learn all the movements, techniques, be somewhat in shape, etc. prior to you going even half speed. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard of guys and gals going to play on a church or corporate softball league and getting hurt. Why? Because they hadn’t done anything for months and all of a sudden are doing something competitive that they were not prepared for. I know way more people that have blown out knees, pulled hamstrings, and hurt their rotator cuff from playing in a softball league, than from participating in CrossFit. Basically you can be stupid at anything. Yes, you will find people doing CrossFit the stupid way and getting hurt. But, the large majority are seeing great results… yours truly included.
5) Cult – Please! What a joke. It is a community and that’s all – period – the end. In fact, more than anything [crossfit] is a FREE resource on the web. I personally have my own home gym, and a few friends and I at work have setup some equipment at work in the warehouse. I have yet to pay a single cent to CrossFit. Crossfit workouts are the core of my exercise program, but not exclusive by any means. So, please do yourself a favor and do some of your own research to figure out if this is for you or not. No stress, no pressure, just one more way to workout.
Very well-said. I had heard a lot about this article and finally just got around to reading it, and I concur with all of your points, Andxs.
To each his own with to what degree he follows the Crossfit community, but I’ll be that I, as just the average Crossfit gym-attendee, agree whole-heartedly with your calm, sensible, and sane responses to this WAY to impassioned accusations by the author of this article.
Andxs,
I wondered how long it would take before I started getting spammed.
1) First of all, you are a fuck-tard. The reasoning, facts, and arguments in the article speak for themselves. Simply because I called some mannish cunt “Mr. CrossFit”, said that Glassman has bitch-tits, and like to say “fuck” in no was invalidates the arguments.
2) If it is meant to be scaled then why is it timed?
“We’ve used our same routines for elderly individuals with heart disease and cage fighters one month out from televised bouts.” -CrossFit Website
This is a completely retarded statement. This isn’t scaling a workout. If it were scalable then different people would do different routines individually – thereby scaling it to their fitness/performance level. There isn’t even a graded workout with different levels of work, simply the WOD. On top of that, intensity is a purely subjective unit of measure and in no way expressive of a scalable program. Oh wait, did you mean everyone’s body weight is different…? ok, got it, my bad.
3) Good argument shithead. Seriously!? If you own all the equipment its free? And even though I already explained this in the article, a CultFit Level 1 Cert doesn’t mean shit. Its two days of fucking off, print out the lesson guide yourself and the cert too while you’re at it (they already emailed it to you when you first signed up), then claim to be a ‘personal trainer’ or even worse a ‘certified coach’.
4) The whole “you can get hurt just walking down the street” argument is so bullshit. Look retard, Glassman himself states that injury is an expectation for CrossFit training. An expectation! He doesn’t avoid it, he embraces it, and that guy is the fucking founder. Yeah sure, there is potential for injury in everything, but CultFit amplifies that potential without mitigation. Just because you can get in great shape using it doesn’t mean the ends justify the means.
5) You’re in denial. Pull your head out of your ass. If you were truly the renegade CultFit iconoclast living in a warehouse and not buying into the bullshit then why are you the one arguing with me here? What do you care if I trash CultFit? Its just another way to get in shape, right? If you read the conclusion of the article it states exactly what you are trying to parrot back at me you fucking cultist. Oh, and free on the web? The goddamn CultFit Journal costs $25 bucks a year.
Being that this whole methodology has been endorsed and reduced injury and increased results in PD, FD and just about all Special Operations units DoD wide should speak something. Very much like these aggressive professions, CrossFit’s mentality of “Like us, leave us or Fuck Off” goes pretty well IMHO with the mantra of what it takes to grind through some of the most grueling environments and predicaments in the world today.
In regards to this pussy who sued…he’s a fucking desk jockey, pencil pusher who was trained by someone who didn’t know what the hell they were doing. There was also a case of rhabdo in my area, Tacoma, WA where a PD almost died from it. What did he do? Went back and kicked Crossfit in the ass and learned from his mistakes…he is also a fellow former Ranger who enjoys pushing himself to the limit. Why? Because we’re use to it. Pushing ourselves to the limit while whiney little bitches like you quit and go down the road and drive for some pouge. And you know what? that’s cool too. The world needs a “kinder gentler” approach for people that don’t take the time to understand the mentality.
Either way, its not going anywhere and if people don’t like it, such as yourself, keep it moving, pack sand and join the ranks of the rest of the girls…I shouldn’t say that because most of the Crossfit girls would probably out perform you.
Have a great day and good luck with your sorry attempt at a “Cultfit” mutiny. We like that shit.
To everyone else reading this…check it out for yourself. Do your research. Navy Seals, Rangers, USMC, Fire Dept, Police and many others who simply want to challenge themselves beyond what they think they can handle should jump right in…carefully though. This shit can kill you if not done right. Otherwise shut up and sit in the sauna with the rest of the fat asses talking about how good you use to be.
Mike Caviston doens’t seem to think CrossFit is particularly useful for preparing for BUD/S.
http://www.navyseals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163255
http://www.sealfit.com/
It’s timed so you have something to push yourself with. You try to beat your previous times, or others times. You note whether you did the workout as prescribed or scaled up or down, or if you subbed any exercises. You note how long or how many rounds you were able to keep good form. Did you sacrafice form for time? or did you slow down to keep good form? It’s all stuff you record and compare to previous workouts.
Meatgrinder is a little bit of a shit head. I get the cult references and following the fearless leader stuff. G G knows how to lead a heard. Some people get on board because cultfit is a cash cow and all their years of hard work have never paid out like this
( Rip, Berg, Martone etc) and most just quote coach to anyone who will listen. But your main point on scaling just sucks. If you click “start here” and go to the brandx site they have detailed scaling for every wod covering all fitness levels. If you can’t handle buttercup you aren’t interested in fitness. If you are going to do a hit piece at least do the fucking smallest amount of research. I have a lot of problems with cultfit but probably more with you. As much of an ass as couch is I’m sure he would wipe the floor with you during any kind of one on one debate. You fucking suck and are an embarrassment to cultfit opposistion. Fuck You.
\
haha.. Fucking hilarious. You are so painfully obvious.. I’m not asking permission or begging forgiveness. I am laughing at all of you. You can take the article and do whatever you want with it. I will say this, you’d never get this level of debate on the cultfit website. hahaha!
Why I Resigned my Affiliation with CrossFit
John Sheaffer- Greyskull Barbell Club
Recently I’ve received a lot of emails asking me why I resigned my affiliation with CrossFit with plenty of paid time left in my agreement. I decided that to set the record straight and/or dispel some of the rumors, I would share some of my reasoning behind that decision.
First and foremost, my resignation was fueled by my observation of the precipitous decline in the quality of the average CrossFit affiliate. When I got involved in the organization, most affiliates were garage gyms, some were operating out of parks, or backyards like mine, and most were relatively legit. The people were those who abhorred what was the norm, the Bally’s, Gold’s, 24Hour Fitness crowd selling long term gym memberships to facilities staffed by individuals deemed incompetent to teach one about fitness and promoting near useless exercise regimens. Over the next few years I watched the CrossFit community in general become more and more like the very people and chains that they set out despising at the onset. Now, hundreds of people get certified every weekend in a course that lasts two days and has no testing or requirements to pass. This certification then entitles them the right to affiliate with CrossFit after paying a fee, and filling out the necessary paperwork (I know, I did it). So now we have a flood of these people taking out business loans, buying all sorts of rowers, kettlebells, cheap bars, bumper plates and the like, and opening up shop in a strip mall or warehouse space. There, they dish out a one size fits all exercise prescription for all who come through the door, and prescribe a starvation diet for them to subside on. They pack classes with 20 people and turn them loose, with some Will Smith pumping, to go to town on the twenty minute “met-con” “chipper” “WOD” nonsense that someone pulled out of their skinny, zone eating ass as a one size fits all prescription for all who enter that morning. The people love the community aspect, the camaraderie and the atmosphere. They bring more people in, charge them $150 a month, and build a nice little business. Their people make progress as any human will when taken out of their normal habitat for a while. The fat people lose a few pounds and inches, the weak males that can’t press 75lb become weak males that can’t press 100lb. The women lose their dreaded tits and asses that they all despise. They get “progress” out of these individuals on a short term basis not because of their phenomenal coaching prowess, but because a chimpanzee could elicit positive adaptation out of an untrained couch potato for a few weeks (and would undoubtedly be stronger). Meanwhile, down the street is a serious facility where serious training occurs, and where people pay good money for help and guidance towards reaching their personal fitness or athletic goals. This place addresses the needs of each individual client, the ones who need to lose fat are put on programs to help them lose fat, the small, weak males are put on programs to make them big, strong males, and everyone is put on a program to make them physically stronger in the absence of adequate strength before getting crazy complicated with anything else. Problem is that both facilities share “CrossFit” as a part of their business name, and as such become universally interchangeable to the layperson. This results in the business owner hearing things like “my cousin does CrossFit”, or “I did CrossFit for a while in _____ so I know what I’m doing”. Between this and things being said like “CrossFit makes girls into men and men into girls” it doesn’t take long for anyone with any integrity, or concern whatsoever for the legitimacy of their name being damaged to realize that they are not benefiting in any way by being associated with that organization.
I’d like to add that my comments regarding the programming, if you would like to call it that, that these shit affiliates dish out are based on the idea that these individuals know next to nothing about programming for conditioning, let alone strength training, and that it is their erroneous application of misinterpreted ideas that causes this problem. While I don’t whole-heartedly agree with everything that Greg Glassman teaches in terms of exercise prescription and design, I do respect the man. He has always been nice to me, and he is very knowledgeable and well meaning in his own right. I like many others was impressed with the performance of some of his Santa Cruz athletes in the early videos that I watched years ago. That served as the major catalyst for my involvement with the organization. Interestingly enough, I’ve scolded many an affiliate that I have met who proudly spoke about showing prospective clients those videos to entice them to join, and yet would not have the faintest idea as to how one would train an individual to get to the level of the athletes featured in the video. This crap that we see today was not supposed to be the norm; it wasn’t supposed to turn out this way. “CrossFit” and “HorseShit” were not supposed to become synonymous at any point. If a person meets ten people from France in their lifetime, and eight of them smell like shit, then one can make a generalization about people from France, and they aren’t an asshole for doing so. Likewise, if people are bombarded by shit smelling CrossFit, then what are they to do but make a generalization about that name? It is unfortunate because there are many in the community that are good people doing good things. (a decent litmus would be if you are offended by this, you probably suck, and if you are nodding your head and/or laughing then you probably don’t. That or you’re delusional and think you don’t suck when you really do in which case weigh yourself for step two. If you weigh 160 and you aren’t 5’2” and your name isn’t Dutch Lowy, go eat and then come to terms with the fact that you suck). Ok so a bit of humor there, but there really are good people out there in this thing, and I really do feel bad for them.
I am not sure of the current count on worldwide affiliates, nor do I care. Over a year ago I spoke with a very well respected member of the CrossFit community who is near and dear to the HQ staff (no it’s not Rip I’m referring to in this one) he told me at that point that he estimated that one in thirty affiliates was actually decent, and wasn’t actively damaging the reputations of everyone who shared the common name but was doing good things with their little piece of the world. That was over a year ago. The count on affiliates at that time hadn’t broken 1000 yet. I spoke with him again a few months later and he said that it was probably one in fifty at that point. Wow, I wonder what his figures would be today. Now, of course that is a representation of one man’s opinion, but given the person’s status in that community, I think that it speaks volumes.
So what then to the person who says that some people just want to go and work out and meet people and have fun, or it’s better than them going to Bally’s or being fat. First of all, no, it’s not necessarily better than going to Bally’s by default. There are many, many strong, capable athletes training in chain, commercial gyms, and many people have transformed their bodies and lives in such establishments, some while even under the tutelage of a not yet so qualified “pin setter” who would grow to be a good coach. Second, I don’t have a problem with those people who want to go have fun and don’t care about actually progressing or being serious about their time and monetary investments. Those types get fired by me as clients quickly and I therefore don’t have to worry about dealing with them. I say let them have their fun. What I have a problem with is their use of the term “elite” fitness in all of their advertising and promotional materials. If you want to go to a fitness themed nightclub during the day to model your expensive yoga wear, do it, but for the love of God don’t pretend or claim to be elite. This goes for the guys as well. The emaciated, pussified, faux hawked nerds who I see at my platform while working certs with Rip who can’t press 105lb for a set of five (true story here, I have had the biggest guys in the group at three consecutive Barbell certs, and not one of them could press 125 for 5. You better believe though that they critiqued Andy Bolton’s bodyweight and appearance, and Vasily Alexiev’s press technique during the video portion of the seminar, and of course they were all wearing cool affiliate shirts with cute tough guy catch phrases like “CrossFit_______ : I’ll fuck your mother” or I’ll beat you to death like I caught you fucking my mother”, elite athletes can talk that talk you know.) Bottom line, I don’t mind that those people exist per se; they just shouldn’t be lumped into the same category as those who aren’t like them. Hence since that type is now the majority, the real people become the minority by default and need to exit promptly.
Since I brought it up, and since they don’t like me by now anyway, I’d like to add that the HQ staff’s reluctance to effectively give a shit about the information brought to the community by their SME (subject matter expert) crew is another reason for my departure. I have listened to numerous lectures on nutrition given by the level one and two staff that tout the Zone as the end all and be all of nutrition. Meanwhile, their resident nutrition guru whom they entrust to teach the Nutrition Certification, Robb Wolf (a great guy, and good friend) has always taught quality first, and focuses on improving the quality of the food people are eating before concerning them with zone blocks or other variables, an approach that myself and others have had tremendous success implementing on clients (unlike the jackasses that tell a recovering anorexic to weigh and measure her food, or tell a binge eater who subsides on french fries to eat 8 “blocks” of foods that Michael Jackson would think were weird, I know a bit insensitive to the now deceased MJ, but hey, he was a homosexual pedophile people). Likewise, and even more apparent to me, working for both the level one staff at one point, and my good friend and mentor Mark Rippetoe currently, is the lack of concern for the fact that you can’t effectively teach the barbell lifts with a piece of pvc pipe. There are significant differences between the way that the CF staff and the way that Rip (their former expert) teaches the lifts which he and others attempted to rectify numerous times in the level one and two curriculum but were met with the old “this is the way we’ve done it” routine. On the subject of Rip for those that are curious as to why he left, the reasons are many, but not unlike mine. Additionally, in his case, was the horrendously shitty communication, or lack thereof at the HQ level which had gotten so bad as to become personally offensive to him.
So now I’ve ranted, made some new friends, pissed some more people off, and filled in the reader on my observations for whatever they are worth. I again would like to say that there are many good people still involved in CrossFit, and that there are probably even some that suck currently that will develop into people that don’t suck. For many (Like several in my immediate geographical area, including one in particular that just keeps ra-ra cheerleading their way into a bigger and bigger business) I don’t see that ever happening, they will go on to suck forever. I would also like to add that I don’t claim to be the smartest, nor the best at what I do. I don’t have all of the answers, and I am a perpetual student of my discipline. I have contradicted things that I have said before, and I am sure that I will years from now as well. What I do have is passion, and integrity, and a commitment and desire to deliver to the best of my ability a valuable service to those who employ me. My door is always open to anyone seeking to discuss these matters or any others.
Crossfit is a sad fucking joke. I bet 95% Crossfitters would struggle with a 225 bench.
Not this one…33/M/165/5’6…275# Do I get the top 5% prize?
Gotta remember some people don’t need the bench depending on what their goals and performance needs are there hero. Some fat ass that can bench 350+ but can’t run down the block isn’t very impressive.
Before CrossFit I used to try and try to bench more… no luck. Now with doing CrossFit, I have a 300# bench press. Did I also mention that I am 40 years old and I only weigh 155#. One other thing I might only bench once a month and I am making more progress then when I did it 3 times a week. It is called intensity and good programming.
The notion that crossfit has good programming is laughable. Perhaps your previous programming was just more abysmal.
@fit thinks they are hardcore. Let’s contrast @fit with something typically not thought of hardcore, and that is jogging. Some points:
Women weren’t allowed to enter races back in the day. Joggers typically jog on the road near deadly cars. Millions of people do it. Races raise more money than @fit ever has. People have died in races. The story of the marathon has the messenger dying at the end. Running is in the Olympics and has been for ages. Running is an essential part of just about every military training. Running/jogging/walking got our ancestors around and practically helps define, via bipedalism, what makes humans human. And there is a sign at my work from the 70′s in a roadway near the main building that says “No jogging allowed”, ie. it is banned. And you can jog for free.
Go stuff your fake hardcore-ism where the sun don’t shine, @fitters.
JOGGING? Are you fucking serious? Do your homework Billy badass, running is an integral part of Xfit and endorsed by the most elite military units not only in the US, but the world. Oh yeah and Crossfit is free dumbass just log on to the site.
But if you want to run (or JOG in your case) for free and see something that works, try a 20 year old Crossfiter who was the youngest to EVER complete the Vermont 100miler…guess what? He didn’t die…and he didn’t run more than 5k per day. http://www.crossfitendurance.com
Yes, @F is “free”, that is why it cost how much for membership, certs, a freaking 45$ shirt, etc.
Many people have done 100 milers before @Fit. Cry me a river.
In addition, Small O, you’re misrepresenting the facts here.
The guy is
a) 20-21, a young dude
b) training to become a Navy Seal
c) did a lot of stuff before @fit
But, like a typical lying sack of kool-aid, you ignore a-c, trying to make it look like @fit itself was responsible for his performance.
Now be a good cult member and find a record of Couch Assman’s gymnastic performances for us to marvel over…
Billy, couldn’t agree more. CrossFitters mindlessly follow a deferential belief in their own intensity.
Phil, dead on. I’d be willing to gamble that 95% of CrossFit gyms don’t even have a bench press in them.
and I don’t know if John Sheaffer put that post up there or somebody else, but a lot of his arguments strike to the core of the CrossFit ethos. Very interesting. Good to see that not everybody is mindlessly adhering to the dribble.
Isn’t there cultists or extremists in every good idea or things of the new?
Doesn’t anyone stoked on something take picture or videos whether it be surfing, biking, or even fighting even though they are horrible at it. Does that make it wrong. Doesn’t a child mimic its mentor or idle figure. Good or bad these things come from progression and the ever stoke of things. Like when skateboarding came out and every Dbag out there bagged on it because of its fast growth saying it wouldn’t last. It has lasted and it Is it any less fun now that its mainstream. I would say no cause I love the sport of it even though there is everyone trying it. Sometimes mainstream is not a bad thing my friend even though there are the many you feel should take up something else cause they give it a bad name. turds slip thru every crack in every system and the end statement is that all people whether they admit it or not just want to be a part of something.
Not all CF boxes do just the group workouts. Most of them do that cause they are in a room the size of a closet and it would interfere with the average guy/gal who needs the coaching to keep their intensity and form. Come to my gym and bring your pessimism and cynicism. I’m all about a challenge. I’d love to have ya. I’d also like to know what you think or what you would change. I’m all ears good and bad. Just know that if the derogatory attitude is aimed at my clients or myself you might get punched in the chicklets. Just saying.
Many of the official demo videos feature women, generally attractive women, conducting grueling workout routines. And you know I have to hand it to them, the women are hot (if not somewhat mannish). There are literally hundreds of pictures and videos swirling around the internet of ripped CultFit chicks working out. There is nothing that fires me up quicker than a badass fitness chick getting after it in the gym, but I have to tell you that I’ve never been a fan of bitches that cake on make-up just to go work out. More than anything I am irritated by watching chicks cry after finishing their routines. They act like it was the emotional pinnacle of their existence, some bizarre epiphany caught magically on video. What the fuck is wrong with you!? You merely finished your workout – get over yourself!
Bro speak of women as if you understand them. Women fucking cry during movies, weddings, if things aren’t going there way. They cry if the hair salon cuts and extra ¼ inch. Crying after a strenuous workout is no stretch of the imagination. I’m sure your talking about Nicole Carroll who is the hottest angry hippie / pottery teacher in the fitness industry. I’ll take a fit as fuck georgeous women that may cry after a hard workout any day over a skinny fat soft chick who just talks a tough game and never cries. I’ve seen guys who get their kill on on the regular and get teary eyed during a movie. No difference there homey. You wouldn’t be so fired up if the hot ass female in the gym put make up on to hook up with you. They’ve been doing it for years and it will never change as most as much as most of us mans man would like.
We all know that form and technique are a subjective thing in all walks of life. But we’ve still got to teach from the very basic first. When I’m teaching oly lifts no matter whether its to a beginner or advanced, it comes out the same way to each individual the basics, although if the advanced person say an Olympian doesn’t have the exact form I’m teaching and is crushing everyone else whose got the proper form. I will not change him. Some people can see greatness with out the proper form or maybe theres is better. The key is keeping people from injury through grossly bad form. Isn’t technique everything when it comes down to the wire in a timed event. Is the person any less fit for using a better technique. I’ve got guys that beat me in workouts out of shear strength and I can take them on certain workouts through better technique. I don’t see them as any more fit than me but I do know they have more strength and at the end of the day were still bro’s who got a sick workout in because of the competition.
Intensity is measured by the amount of weight being moved in a particular amount of time thru a desired range such as chest touching the bar or chin over the bar in Fran. The standard strict pull, kipping pull, and butterfly kip are all different forms of the pull up. One is biased on Solely strength, one on technique and assistance and one on technique and speed. All of which are the same movement by definition of a pull up (A pull-up is an upper body compound pulling exercise where the body is suspended by extended arms, then pulled up until the elbows are bent and the head is higher than the hands, utilizing an overhand (pronated) grip. The exercise targets mainly the Latissimus Dorsi muscle in the back along with many other assisting muscles. Pull-ups are similar to chin-ups, which are distinct due to the underhand (supinated) grip. Pull-ups or chin-ups are required to complete the physical fitness test for the United States Marine Corps.). All of which are hard at high repetitions and all build on each other and are accomplishing the same goal of getting your chin above your hands or the bar. If your just doing butterfly kips your wrong as goes with the previous types of pull ups. But I’m pretty sure when your doing a strength day on pull ups with a heavy load your not gonna be doing a butterfly kip and I keep my clients from even kipping on the bar with any amount of weight.
You take the crossfit philosophy out of context. Yes people of all ages should be doing the same lifts and movements just at varying degrees based on their fitness ability and whether their range of motion or pre existing injury allows it. But all is scalable and if they are a good box, they are doing just that. When you say everything that has been learned about human performance over the last 50 years. Well the fact is people can be wrong or new finding can prove it so. The fact is I would believe a muscle and fitness add with a jacked up streriod guy telling me his work is the shit just because he’s big although the lemmings will always follow. The vast majority in the bodybuilding world/community got that large by streroids and lifting and not just lifting. Even a lot of world class power lifters don’t deny it. Crossfit isn’t trying to put their foot in that door. Were putting it in toward overall health thru fitness.
The average time in a workout is 20-40 minutes not counting the warm up and although the movements are random the programming isn’t. There are metabolic condition days, strength days, and single modality long and short days working all phases in muscle function. Can’t be said for most programs out there and the fact that most people don’t know how to program their own workouts. Most of which get from some magazine or a friend who got it from a magazine.
You say that lots of crossfitters get injuries but I’ve been doing crossfit and teaching since 2003 and I used for rehab on myself from a helicopter accident and I’m not seeing any more injuries than thru any sport or exercise program. Who are you to say people are physically prepared. Is it thru your own experience or thru what you seen. Or is it what your just regurgitating from what you’ve heard by other who also disagree with crossfit. Do you bag on running that causes more injury and death than any sport or training in the world. Have you looked into it. You should. There are multiple cases of rhabdo and death in tons of events around the world and they are documented and lots of them were physically prepared or so they thought. There is lots of progression in the CF programming I just don’t think your understanding in the aspect that you might be just looking for something different in your training program. Nothing wrong with that. But to say that crossfitters get injury thru bad programming, the curriculum, or being ill prepared is naïve. I have tons of non-crossfitter friends who are into being bigger and stronger and have had many injuries and I believe there are many different reasons that cause it and not just their workout program.
I think you don’t see structure in the crossfit programming cause you don’t understand the goal. Jack of all trades is very attainable and it’s a subjective matter as you would say. Weighing in at a light 165 I’ve run many a marathons and a few ultramarathons, and have qualified for the the boston marathon which some in the running community say is a major feat. But I also deadlift over 2X my bodyweight, benchpress 11/2 my bodyweight for reps and can snatch over my bodyweight which I know most runners can’t do and most lifters can’t do. Is it from crossfit? Fuck, I don’t really know. I just know that before I started doing crossfit I couldn’t lift that fucking much and I was running way more miles than I am now but I’m just as competitive now logging in less miles and doing more lifting in my programming and I’m coming up on 35. Not to mention its brings back the competitiveness that a lot of men are looking for especially if they played anything at a competitive level anywhere in their life.
Crossfit doesn’t claim they are better at everything than everyone else and your gonna be a champion by doing it. They do state that you will be fitter and can be competitive in your own personal sport or hobby. I do believe that crossfit have notched themselves in their own specialty and people have focused on just that and its because people are seeing it as a sport in some capacity because of the competition. Is it bad? I think it goes both ways on an individual basis.
As for the Cultists screams and the monikers spilled by each gym. Doesn’t every organization do that whether it be to build their aura, making a statement, to gather specific people and so for. Doesn’t every military unit have their tough as nail I’m the shit patches and flags knowing damn well half of them have never been in a fight, firefight, let alone a food fight. Don’t most gyms have their tough as shit logos. Golds has a big bodybuilder that all jacked up, yet you go in there and it’s a ¾ full of people who are out of shape or don’t fit the bodybuilding profile. Power Lifting gyms that have shirts that show the oversized Adonis on the shirt when most powerlifters have a lot of fat on them. Everyone does it. Your just noticing what you want. When crossfit say forging elite fitness, its just that . A catchy moniker.
As for the Coach or fuck tard or whatever you want to call him. I don’t know the guy nor have chatted with him. Speak as you will. He as brought forth a community of people into fitness and taking care of themselves. Does he say some things that are outlandish, cocky, or just things that you fucking totally disagree with. I’m sure he does. Has he contradicted himself? Thanks to the Internet, videos and what not. I’m sure he has. But what person hasn’t. Has there been a president that has said and done all the write things on your agenda. Fuck no. Do they fuck up speeches? Oh yessss. We’re all humans. Thats what we do is fuck things up. Cause everyone has got ya under a microscope. Like everything in life you take what’s applicable to you and shit can the rest. Each person has different tools in their box based on their needs.
This is the one part of your article that I can come into an agreeance with you, whether you care or not. Yes the crossfit level one is a two-day course and they do go over more than the 9 fundamental movements. They also go over nutrition, wellness, and programming. The course is also a lecture and hands on which most certifications are just book test which isn’t the greatest either. I do believe it should all be pass or fail though which crossfit has failed the community in. Because now you got all walks of life and all levels of fitness and borderline retards opening gyms and faking the funk. Like I’ve said before though. Turds slip through the cracks everywhere. I also believe the community has notched themselves into a specialty in a way also which I try to avoid at my box. I also cater to sport specific needs for clients if they ask for it. I believe you need to crosstrain also and not just specialize to keep your body progressing. Train your body at things it sucks at and the thing your good at will improve.
Being a former military medic, I’ve been around NSCA and all the other acronyms that have college degrees with ton A&P , kinesiology and they are fucking horrible with training not to mention what they are talking about. Data dump as I call it with no personal or hands on experience. And that costed them upwards of 60k. Anyway you look at it, it could be bad in any arena. Which is why you keep looking around till you find that needle in the haystack coach who truly loves what he/she does and is always furthering their knowledge. I tell my clients that want to learn more but don’t want to open a CF gym to go to specialty courses cause they are cheaper and teach a lot more in depth. I think its just overall knowledge. Do I think you need a degree or get five years of training under your belt to own or teach crossfit or anything else? No! But I do feel crossfit needs to run you through the gauntlet if you want to open a box and represent. That’s just my take on it though. Hate me if you want crossfitters.
As for your comment on Rhabdo which is to inform people. You can either laugh and take offense. Either way, I think its funny. I do tell my clients about it and what it can do to you. Check the running/endurance community though. They have a very high rate of Rhabdo and they do no teaching at all nor do they have funny informative shirts. I’m pretty sure isn’t gonna buy a shirt and not understand what it says. Your cult shit is still funny as fuck though so I can’t fault ya on that.
Overall, I thought the article was interesting and entertaining and I wish I could see the faces on a lot of crossfitters who probably failed to read your ending summary. I do think you should have added the other likes in the fitness realm into the fire also, cause there are many other communities that are fucked and teaching the wrong things and that cheating is a must to get strong and be competitive to the young impressionable and dumb. Keep on rocking the boat!
Cheers,
Vi
ps. I do have benches in my gym although I don’t use them on the daily. Our gym can hold our own on some bench though
Vi,
Great response. I enjoyed reading all your points and can tell that you, in the simplest terms possible, ‘get it’. In response I have this..
Aside from not reading the conclusion, most Cultfitters are also failing to see the humor. Just like most Christians would not be amused with vulgar depictions or derogatory jokes about “The Lord”. I get it, some shit pisses people off, and when somebody takes things personally it makes it even more funny.
Just for the record, nobody has the right not to be offended.
Check out the About section http://slavenation.com/index.php/about/ I’m not professing to know everything about everything. I wholeheartedly encourage people to use the only weapon that they have against reality (their brain) and question/challenge everything, even my own shit. But in converse when I see an individual or belief structure that is non-questioning I will give them both barrels without remorse.
In conclusion, don’t expect me to be waving any crossfit flags in the near future, but its damn refreshing to hear a conscious repsonse.
Thanks for chiming in bro. I’ll keep rocking the boat, you just keep rocking.
-M
Hilarious. You have CF nailed. Judging by your other posts, though, you seem like a bit of an Ayn Rand enthusiast. So was Alan Greenspan. That didnt work out too well. I liked her stuff too, but she had her own “cult” going on. Just sayin. Otherwise, awesome piece. You should consider expanding on this–I’m sure lots of people harbor these suspicions and share your views, they just don’t get to voice their opinions. I know speaking about Greg Glassman’s lack of fitness is a huge no-no. There is plenty to write about. I wonder how many crossfiters have the guts to read this whole thing and have an honest look at their own behavior. I’d expecially like to hear what someone at corporate has to say.
Duane,
Have been reading a fair bit of Rand lately, can’t deny that those ideas are highly infectious and have colored the site to a degree. Agree that there is a cult-like following of her ideas as well. Check out some more stuff though, it’s not all just anti-@fit and Randist propaganda..
Oh yeah, I would be very curious to see the reaction of CrossFit Corporate. God knows the giant stack of mindless “fuck you” emails I’ve received since posting the article is entertaining enough already.
-M
CrossFit is dangerous.
Learning to deadlift properly is certainly safer than not, assuming you will have to lift something heavy from the ground at some point in your life. Learning this at intensity will certainly make the task easier when such intensity is not present.
CrossFit is free. It does not cost $150/mo to do “Cindy” in your garage, nor do you need equipment other than something to do pull-ups on.
Most coaches of collegiate and professional sports teams cannot adequately compete in the sport they are teaching. They are not required to be “fit.” They are required to teach, motivate, and guide their team, preferably to victory. Greg Glassman does not need to maintain his body composition.
Who cares if it is similar to a cult? It is an answer many have been looking for. Who cares if a better one comes along?
You’re all about putting knowledge out there, right? I don’t see the New York Marathon disclosing statistics and warning about Rhabdo attributed to its participants every year; CrossFit has brought all of its Rhabdo-related criticism on itself, and a lot of people are better-informed because of it.
I’m all for critical thinking, but it doesn’t help when you get facts wrong.
You haven’t done enough research, nor are you competent enough as a writer, for anyone but mindless lunatics to read this and take it as any kind of fact. This isn’t even conjecture; it’s garbage.
The only garbage I see here is your response. How about offering some counterarguments?
I’ve always found the “Pro Sports Coach” comparison to Glassman very weak. I go back to this:
“I do have to say that I’ve found it ironic how out of shape Glassman is despite harping on others and talking about elite fitness at every second. Kinda like the doctor who walks in smoking a cigar.
And I think it’s a little different for glassman (or any other health professional) than it is for Phil Jackson Mike Ditka or other sport coaches. They’re not promoting health and fitness as much as they are teaching sport specific skills and strategies.”
And Sarah’s post made me laugh. You can always spot an angry CF’er because they try to bully people by using scientific parlance (conjecture).
If any CF’ers do comment, I have read some of his other posts and he appears to have served in the military and gone to Afghanistan, so that may explain his disdain for zombies and his embittered tone. I know how much CF loves it’s troops.
Uhhh, Phil Jackson and Mike Ditka are some of the most revered coaches in their sport. You think that was really a good analogy? Not making any excuses for Glassman, albeit he has a bum knee and self admits he could lose a few pounds, but the shit works. People should still find what works best for them and use Crossfit as a major weapon in their arsenal.
Beat your face Bickels, you’re a SlaveNation private and didn’t even know it.
P.S. great job stroganoff Meatgrinder,
Meatgrinder, thanks for your service your definitely using the Freedom of Speech and all in all I find it amusing…especially how the mindless jump in on the bandwagon just because. Chihuahua in a Microwave was hilarious though.
CrossFit is a fitness program (forging elite fitness) not a sport. Yes it was a good comparison because those are the coaches I have heard compared by CF’ers themselves to Greg Glassman, who by the way is a trainer not a coach. Coaches are for sports, trainers are for fitness programs.
Depends on who you ask. Have you looked at some of the major events that are held in which athletes from all over the world attend CrossFit Games? Not too mention have raised 100′s of thousands of dollars for charity? It’s quickly becoming a sport and wouldn’t be surprised if you catch a CrossFit Games episode on ESPN in the next 3-5 years.
Either way, I’ve seen many trainers not in the best of shape but still have loads of knowledge. There is nothing wrong with using the knowledge someone has so long as you can get past your own ego and see how it can benefit you; then apply it and disregard what doesn’t work.
In Glassman’s case, he could be a purple elephant but if the results are there from trainees and troops all over the world boasting PR’s past what they have ever done in life, you would be ignorant not to at least try it for yourself and make your own assumptions.
Charity!? Who gives a shit!?
TV? Tv is the measure of what exactly? Popularity? Advertising potential? C’mon dude!?
Big O, you’ve commented here more than I have and you love to stir the pot – both kickass qualities (ever think about starting a blog yourself?). You are clearly not an idiot, but those arguments are trash. I kind of expected better after reading some of your other shit.
If Glassman is a disgusting pontificating fat fuck, which he is, then how can you defend that – especially when he touts himself as Crossfit personified? Seriously, he may be a great personal trainer but he looks like Grimace after being dipped in bleach.
Duane has you on the trainer vs coach argument. I think the problem is that Crossfitters see @fit as both training and a competitive sport. Traditional athletics would say that one trains in preparation to compete where the competition (regardless of how physically grueling) is seen as the test alone. Additionally, Glassman calls himself “coach” further muddying the issue for the Cultfitters. Its all part of the big mind fuck.
I have to agree with most of what you say.
There was a link to this article on the crossfit main page comments board today. It only lasted a few hours before it was deleted.
At least Rippetoe has seen the light and will no longer be doing their barbell certs. He has his own Starting Strength cert now. Ha.
Has he really, Alan? Perhaps he shouldn’t be promoting Crossfit on his website then right? Why don’t you shoot him an email and tell him to stop contradicting himself…I mean hell, he’s best friends with Schaeffer right? Did you not see that his gym is the HOME OF CROSSFIT WICHITA FALLS? http://www.wfac-gym.com/
Do your research people.
http://www.crossfit.com/mt-archive2/CharlotteL2WestPointFairfaxSD091025.jpg
Alan,
This article has been quoted, posted, referred to and then removed without a trace from the crossfit message board a number of times. I personally find this extremely comical because it is a validation of some of the arguments proposed in the article itself. When is censorship ok? Is this the type of behavior expected from a fact based and open minded program? You be the judge.
“Belief systems are actually injurious to thinking and learning. In a belief system information is processed deferentially. This means that information that supports the schema is taken in while information that rejects the schema is rejected. This sets a course that is detrimental to actual understanding. In this way, ironically, a belief system actually makes you dumber. This eventually leads to a complete failure to see things as they really are and the ability to take in new information.”
- Follow The Leader, slavenation.com
http://slavenation.com/index.php/2009/10/18/follow-the-leader/
I’m relatively indifferent to Crossfit but I know a bit about it and as a CSCS I would say that I’m a good judge of strength and conditioning programs. I checked this page out because I had noticed certain cultish tendencies among some of my athletes who do Crossfit. All I can say is I believe you have absolutely no clue what you’re talking about. I would attempt a rebuttal to your many glaring inaccuracies and contradictions but I’m quite sure it would be a waste of time. I regret wasting my time reading your idiotic horse shit and I would urge any person who like myself is looking for an honest and objective critique of Crossfit to ignore everything you have to say. You have earned no points, every person who reads you is dumber for having done so and may god have mercy on your soul.
Seems to me this is just another veiled attempt by a cultist to anonymously refute the article. Grab your balls and act decisively or just go fuck yourself, douchbag. I recommend the latter.
lol, at first i thought Jesse would make a sensible comment, but it ends in bitterness and no refutation of the points made in the article is offered. fail.
Rebuttal to what?
This article is full of shit. Why waste the time arguing with it?
Man, this guy is a real sociopath or something! It’s wild how anyone can publish material online these days. I mean, this guy sounds like a complete lunatic! I don’t want to be a jerk though, I really am just in awe at the pathology exhibited in the writing on this site. The premise of the site is great but giving all this attention to a psychotic person can be harmful. He seems like a very intellectual person with a personality disorder. It’s funny he’s turning his paranoia towards Crossfit.
See someone sir, there is help out there for you, you do not have to live with such paranoia.
Meatgrinder, it’s too bad you don’t believe in taping workouts. I guess we’ll never see you beating Crossfitters’ “best times.”
You erroneously assume that Fran is a worthwhile metric of a person’s physical ability.
Clearly, there are some glaring inaccuracies in this article but at the same time some “spot on” valid points.
If “Meatgrinder” had more direct contact with Glassman and his organization, there would be a fuller description of the significant issues that are present within CrossFit. Namely, a serious lack of respect for the individuals who initially afforded so much fame to CrossFit to begin with. (The original and truly “elite” athletes highlighted in the oldest videos. These people were trained directly by Glassman and are amazing. Thing is, you don’t see much of them anymore, do you?)
Any organization that takes it’s show on the road and utilizes other facilities to promote itself without financial compensation has an obligation to, in some way, give back to those businesses that assist them. That doesn’t happen in CrossFit. In fact, the gym’s that open their doors for a cert to be conducted within their walls generally pays to promote the organization. It’s seen as a privilege to be chosen to do so.
Initially, that doesn’t burn so much as you have people come to your gym from all over the place, so you get a little advertising for your efforts. Over time it can be draining as your facility is unavailable to your paying clients for an entire weekend, which can be the only time some people have time to work out. This is just one of the problems inherent in this. There’s the expense of getting shitters, water, beer and pizzas for the participants, not to mention the use and abuse of your equipment.
This is all seen as a gift, much like lords of middle England were expected to welcome the King on his yearly Progress with balls and hunts provided at the land owners expense.
Also the people who are tagged to be “trainers” for every cert are generally not paid well and must remain understanding about this if they want to continue being tagged as experts. The idea is they are fortunate to be in the position of trainer and get to wear a cool t-shirt (that says that they are). They also benefit from the repetition and learn the movements well, making them better trainers overall (there is value in that). Their travel expenses are covered and in a month they are sent a couple hundred dollars for their time.
These people leave their families and head out to spend time with a bunch of people who have little else to discuss but their Fran time, or the latest PR they achieved. They are put up in shoddy hotels (but those are paid for, so suck it up), while the “leaders” have plush rooms to sink into at the end of the long days of training.
Crossfit takes precedence even in the evenings when the chosen few are invited to share in luscious meals with the “in crowd” which, if you are invited to partake and choose to miss for some reason, will get you “uninvited” fairly quickly from future certs.
Marriages are broken regularly due to the CrossFit mentality that promotes a lack of integrity when it comes to personal relationships, but an intense amount of pressure to make sure you are honest about your time or reps. Again, the certs promote mixing it up, just like the workouts…
If you’re male and want to fool around with a willing Barbie, by all means… go for it. You’ll only be seen as “rad” for your conquests and your secrets will be safe.
If you’re female, watch out. Your sexual fidelity is closely watched and you will be crucified for following through with an attraction to someone. Probably easier to just put a large red “A” on your chest on Sunday and get it over with.
Further, if you’re a woman and want some air time on the main site, you must be “hot”. There are lots of incredible athletes within CrossFit who are female but not so hot. They tend to be ignored.
The women involved in CrossFit are as strong as the men and work as hard at their fitness goals, but only given air time for their sexual appeal instead of their athletic ability (take what’s her name, Alison NYC for instance. She has great boobs and is fairly pretty… she’s even sweet in a syrupy sort of way, but there are much better female athletes involved in CrossFit than Alison. They just don’t look as good without a shirt on as she does).
As with all things human, there are areas of great value that CrossFit offers. This article is not written by someone who has followed or performed the workouts for enough time. The WOD’s are all scaled to meet individual needs and abilities, you just have to know how to do that. Many people have become much better athletes or have discovered the value of being personally responsible for their health, due to CrossFit’s methodology. The problem is it’s not holistic.
Being a better athlete does not necessarily mean that you are a better person. Does it?
Is it a cult? That may be a stretch, but there’s some truth even in that perspective. Any organization is only as powerful as it’s leader. That’s where CrossFit goes south.
Glassman is actually inspired with his methodology, but sorely lacking as a leader. In fact, he’s anything but a leader. The style of “leadership” he seems to offer includes a lot of bad mouthing and criticizing of others after the initial “wooing”. Due to that, what occurs is a high turn over of who the “top” trainers are.
Thing is, we all have free will. Instead of bashing CrossFit completely, sift through it all. You will find some truly valuable aspects that can work for you, leaving the details to the ego trip monkeys in the world.
Persephone,
Thanks for lifting your skirt in regards to the depth of strange that goes on inside the CrossFit community as well as the explanation of how the CrossFit organization manipulates and controls its affiliates/members.
As far as the culture goes, I know about the active targeting that takes place when fresh meat walks into a crossfit gym. I’ve completely understand how the vultures descend on a hapless victim of emotional/relationship troubles as well.
Obviously, with each crossfit gym, box, or terror cell (take your pick) I’m sure there are all kinds of strange variations in the culture. That being said, although the things you describe are completely new to me, they are not surprising.
Thanks for the education. Great comment.
-M
I read this article due to it being referenced on Crossfit’s blogs. It is there for any crossfitter to read.
I try to follow crossfit as a way to stay fit, and in no way would claim to be elite, or naturally gifted physically, or really a “crossfitter” even if it is my main conditioning program. I have worked out sporadically since high school, trying many of the typical bodybuilding type regiments prescribed. I can say I’ve never seen bigger improvements in all aspects of my athletic abilities than since beginning to follow crossfit. My main goal is simply to become a better rock climber as this has been my number one passion and hobby for the last 6 years or so. It’s hard to stay in shape for this type of activity throughout the week, especially through typical workout routines, and crossfit has simply provided me a way to do that. There is much rock climbing literature written by the best in the sport who tout aneroebic types of work (same as crossfit emphasizes) as the necessary avenue to climb harder. It simply fits my goals perfectly to be able to follow a regiment that focuses on increasing athletic power. It is no new concept that higher power also yields better endurance, and that this concept does not work in reverse. For me this translates to an ability to pull stronger/harder moves on the rock and pull easier moves much longer and consistently without pumping out. This combination of endurance and strength improvement is key (for me). It is meant to be a supplement to your regular athletic activities, and not replace them.
Perhaps most of you people are the types that lift weights just cuz…nothing wrong with that i guess and no need to use the typical names associated with you, but there are many of us who lift weights to actually become better at some sort of activity. It’s obvious the author of this article is angry, and it would be interesting to know what motivates him to talk with such fury. Everyone is motivated by something negative when they speak in such a way, be it envy, greed, jealousy, or possibly having been hurt by one of the people he is trying to now hurt. I will simply say that many of your ideas about what crossfit is are flat wrong. Judging by the way you have responded to criticism levied at you thus far, it’s a waste of everyone’s time to try and convince you of anything. You’ll simply respond immaturely and attack that person and not their points. In fact it’s oddly hypocritical since you accuse crossfit of having this same “stamp out the opposition cult mentality”. It’s natural for us all to defend our opionions, but it’s the methods we use to do so that matter more. I’d recommend that you know full well what you are talking about is true first, because even one slip-up is a big drain on the credibility of the rest of your ideas.
If anything, this has made me reflect on the fitness movement that I consider myself to be a part of. I can bring an important perspective to the debate- I had the great misfortune of experiencing first hand what a religious cult can do to your psyche and your immediate family. Google “Jane Whaley” for some insight.
Do I think CrossFit is as destructive as my experience was with a religious cult? I can assure you it is not. Not by a long shot. Do I see elements of it in CrossFit? I have to answer “yes”.
The preacher is Coach Glassman and the baptism is your first muscle up. There are plenty of correlations if you want to look for them.
Hmm…I dunno, this seems a bit extreme. I do Crossfit regularly and don’t feel that extreme about it either way. However, there are a few qualifications here:
1) I don’t know anything about the affiliate stuff you mentioned, I can’t speak to that. The organization could very well be crap when it comes to how it treats its affiliates, as you suggest.
2) I’ve never gone to an official Crossfit gym, just done it alone and with other local practitioners.
I take what I need from the site, scale many of the workouts to fit my current level, and I’m extremely cautious about how hard I work myself and how I do the exercises. I’ve never hurt myself yet doing Crossfit, and I’ve been doing it for about two years. I find it to be fun and challenging, and I’m in great shape. I can’t comment on how it compares to specialization or whatnot, but I know it works for me. I take all the bravado with a generous handful of salt and it pays off: there is a lot of good stuff on the site and in the community.
You have to approach it like (hopefully) one approaches everything: with a critical mind. Maybe if you spend more time at the affiliates or in the presence of the people running the program, you will feel the cultishness you are talking about–but I don’t get that vibe so much from the amount I interact with the program.
Meatgrinder,
You should be commended on such a verbose diatribe on Crossfit. Please thank the next service member that you see for protecting your freedom of speech.
I Crossfit and I enjoy the program. Do I feel like I am in a cult? Sure, why not. I don’t mind a cult that has allowed this almost 40 year old guy improve his fitness drastically within the past year. I am stronger, quicker and able to deal with much more than I could a year ago. Could I have done the same thing with some other program? Perhaps, but it didn’t happen with some other program. I found a Crossfit box where I lived, got some good coaching on aspects of fitness that I was weak in, improved areas that I was decent at and worked my tail off with the workouts. I could have done that all on my own, but sometimes a bit of coaching is what is required. Did I have to pay for those experiences? Yes. Was it more expensive than gym X or much more than the free gym on the base that I am stationed. Yes. Did I get coaching in a group setting with like minded individuals that helped, encouraged, yelled and sweated through the same workout. Yes, I did.
Do a bit more research in your diatribe. Go the the crossfit website and look on the left side where it says “Start Here!”. There will be information on how to ramp up the program, links to FAQs and demo videos and a location for scaled versions of the workouts.
If a WOD takes someone five minutes to complete, it is most likely a workout that will leave them in a sweaty mess afterwards. Not all workouts are this short or can possibly be this short. Some look deceptively simple when you look at them online. Tell me how easy it was after the workout.
Good form, proper range of motion and appropriate intensity. Anything performed with an intensity level that negates proper form or range of motion is wrong. However, 100% perfect form/range of motion performed at minimal intensity is just as wrong. Push your limits to see what you can do.
Now that you totally denigrated this form of fitness, please clue the rest of in to what works for you?
BK
All I can say is “WOW”! I was just looking around at Crossfit websites and found a link here and it was not what I was expecting at all considering all the negative things being said.
I guess first of all there are exaggerations and inaccuracies in the article, yes, but it is totally hilarious!!! I think you guys are missing the point and are being made fun of when you respond angrily.
Even in the responses there are Crossfitters as well as the author making concessions and agreeing on what I believe is the intent of the whole thing, which is that Crossfit has some insanity to it and that people should question stuff. Personally I kind of like the insanity of Crossfit in some ways, but I’m not above laughing (and damn hard) when somebody points it out.
I am a Crossfitter, and I totally love it and work out every day, but this article hits the nail directly on the head as far as the cult aspects and the strange gibberish that comes out of GG. The language is funny and the whole thing is very well done. I think you guys are falling right into the trap being set over and over again. Honestly, the F/U responses only make this guy look like he was right all along (which he is and isn’t).
Exaggeration and juxtaposition are the core elements in humor. I think this article is funny and great. I also think that it hits a little too close to home for some of you guys to see objectively and actually enjoy. I am going to continue to Crossfit, this article had absolutely no bearing on my workout choice, but I also really enjoyed this article, funny as hell!! G/J!
BINGO
I started doing CrossFit workouts a few months ago and really like them. I have tried just about every other method of exercise, and am pretty sure I like this one the most. As such, I’m more than willing to defend the workouts on their merits. I could be wrong, but I don’t really think I need to, because I don’t think that’s what you’re really talking about.
I actually agree with just about everything you said. I think people calling Glassman “Coach” is fucking stupid. Calling anyone who does CrossFit an “athlete” is fucking stupid too. All of the fees associated with CrossFit from the top down smack undeniably of the kind of shallowly-motivated profiteering perfected by the chain gyms practitioners of CrossFit love to denigrate.
The most important and best critique you put forward is about scaling. Scaling is fucking stupid. If you can’t do it then don’t. I think this primarily speaks to the reasons John put forward for resigning his affiliation. The vast majority of CrossFit out there (judging primarily from the main page comments) has become so watered down that calling it CrossFit only serves to bastardize the spirit of the original product, the one that impressed guys like John enough to buy in.
The shit CrossFit advocates is fucking hard. Muscle ups, ring dips, handstand push ups. Scaling it, subbing lifts, it all defeats the purpose. Not everyone can do CrossFit. It sucks to say that, and I don’t like saying it, but someone needs do, because that’s the fucking point of CrossFit, at least in my opinion. Virtually all old people should not be doing muscle ups or snatches. Anyone seriously committed to fitness (i.e. anyone who claims to adhere to CrossFit) should admit as much.
I liked your article because you just let it rip. However, there are a few things wrong with it, the first and most germane of which is presupposing that anyone who follows the spirit of CrossFit (e.g. me) follows everything it says to the T — calls Glassman “coach,” wears Affliction shirts with CrossFit sayings tribally tattooed all over them, and so on.
Basically, I like CrossFit. While its expansion, fee structure, and all of their attendant maladies have diluted a lot about the product, if you can find a good affiliate and are personally capable of getting the work done, then it’s a good place to be. I joined mine after moving to a new area, and, as gay as this sounds, have gotten just as much from the social aspect (making new friends horray!) as I have from the gym aspect. I guess it boils down to this: I think you’re overreacting a little bit. But who cares, it’s your website.
Well put Dave. The only thing I don’t agree with is not scaling. A Tacoma PD (former Army Ranger) got rhabdo from jumping right in the shit. He finished the workout (his first Xfit WOD) but was hospitalized in ICU for a week. He jumped right back into CrossFit after recovering and kicked that same WOD in the ass but dam…that would suck. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/22/fashion/thursdaystyles/22Fitness.html
The shit CrossFit advocates is fucking hard. Muscle ups, ring dips, handstand push ups. Scaling it, subbing lifts, it all defeats the purpose.
I have to say I disagree pretty strongly with this attitude. There are workouts that I couldn’t do six months ago as RX’ed and now I can, and I got there because I scaled them until I could go all out.
But, to each his own, I guess…I just don’t think everyone has to have this attitude about CrossFit. You can get a lot out of it while scaling the workouts without it being “watered down,” and frankly, some of the workouts are impossible for the majority of people at first (30 muscle-ups, for example, which I still can’t do…but I will some day).
And I hate to say it, but this attitude is exactly the one that gives people outside of CrossFit such a poor perception of it. I don’t believe the founders and people practicing at high levels feel this way–everyone has to start somewhere.
Be nice? Keep it clean? Didn’t see much of that, “meatgrinder”, in your rather excited, angry, motivated by who knows what, personal and sexually sneaky attack on individuals and how they look to you. Why is CrossFit so important to you anyway? No one exerts that much delirious energy on a topic that is not personally important to them. You make me sad because you may very well be reflecting the downfall of our country.
Meatgrinder:
Go to crossfit.com and read the comments from Tuesday 091027. Look at all the posts made by me, Parker, and the responses. This whole thing started by my referencing your article, which got deleted, and it has kind of snowballed. I dont want to go through it all, but please read my posts. My primary question was why my post got deleted, and no one will answer it, but my questions grew. Now, the new WOD Wednesday 091028, crossfit.com is blocking my name’s ability to make posts. I had to enter my name as Parker1. I think I’m being blocked! And for asking questions that were recognized as civil and intelligent by all.
This isn’t even a cross fit bashing website. This website has been around for years but somehow you think this site was made especially for you. By what I have read over the previous years it seems to me that this man is a highly trained mercenary who has seen more countries than all of you combined. The kind of physical shape and mental toughness it takes for him to have gone through what he has warrants respect of his personal opinions.
Now I am not speaking out of ignorance as some who have posted. I myself coming on 24 yrs as a professional athelete knows the kind of meddle it takes to be a true ATHELETE. I myself have tried cross fit and thought it a complete cop out for the people who don’t have the drive and self motivation to get their ass to a gym and actually work out the body the way it should be. Instead you want to take the easy way out, listening and following a totalitarian/dictatorship organization i.e.: the guy who actually wanted to form dialogue about this article but was 86′ d by the cross fit administrators. The people who are getting so personally offended by this blog needs to take a intimate look at themselves. It wouldn’t be striking a nerve unless you knew it holds merit. You are now coming to the realization that you’re not human beings with your own mind but conforming to what is the new fad. You guys are sheep and its up to you to change or get the fuck over it.
A highly trained mercenary? What the fucktard? That word went out in the 90′s along with high top fades. You mean perhaps a contractor? Perhaps you should do some more research and find that SEALS, Rangers, SF, AF, USMC and many others have extremely benefited from CrossFit that allow us to function in our perspective roles at a much higher rate of physical efficiency. You don’t think we know what we are talking about? We don’t warrant respect for what we’ve done?
Get in where you fit in…I’m sure your fellow Taibo and Jane Fonda folks felt the same way. You my dear Angie are a sheep yourself to assume that everyone in Crossfit holds that same attitude, very much like you have individually done yourself.
Your position: If you don’t self motivate, your a piece of shit so fuck off. Fine, so be it your in it for yourself, nothing wrong with that.
CrossFit: Come try it, if you have something to offer that improves the program, they’ll listen, assess and implement or disregard.
As far as Parker’s comments, there is a forum for everything. Posting it in an area where everyone is posting their WOD results of the day is the wrong medium to begin that dialogue. There are other forums to take and hold that court.
In the meanwhile, take an Ambien and find a Sybian and relieve some stress.
I know some 2 PTI’s from the Australian SAS, 1 from the Australian Commando Regiment and another officer from the Navy Demolition Divers. They assure me that most of the special forces operators they have met (globally) do not do Crossfit workouts.
In fairness, they do like certain elements of Crossfit but the overall verdict was that it is not ideal for training athletes or warriors/soldiers. The main reason being is the lack of periodisation. They also thought the programming was mindless. WOD = Without Obvious Direction.
What they do like is the free content on the website, focus on Olympic lifting and that it is getting more people active. They are big fans of Gym Jones.
Should have stated that some SF operators obviously are into CF. But when people imply that the majority devotees, it is a misleading statement.
Angie –
The word is athlete, not athelete………
No one said athletes were smart anjee. I mean angie.
As with any fitness program things should be looked at objectively across the board. While I don’t agree with all of Meatgrinder’s comments, I do find it a bit comical and see his point and the humor in it, hence the name of the site. He’s making a parody of all the “sheep” out there who can’t think for themselves.
I do believe Crossfit is a bit fanatical, but I understand it. Perhaps its the many years in SpecOps and the whole “Fuck you if you don’t like it” mentality. I come from the school of “This sucks, let’s make it suck harder” simply because that mentality has saved lives including my own.
Some of the brightest people I’ve ever met have come from the ranks I once served, and the most elite IMHO were the ones who looked at things in questions and for the betterment of themselves and the troops.
I personally love Crossfit, especially Crossfit Endurance. As an aspiring Triathlete (even before finding Crossfit) I’ve found many resources and practices outside of Crossfit that my performance has benefited from. Even though I use Crossfit as the core workout, I still bench, TacFit, CST, Hot Yoga (Yes bitches, Yoga), run, swim, bike and jump in the sauna daily.
All in all, find what works for you. Crossfit is a great workout, does improve performance but its not for everyone. However, just because it’s tagged Crossfit and you have Meatgrinder here bashing the shit out of it, you should still check into it and find your own opinion. ANYONE WHO POSTED ON THIS SITE and has not even tried a WOD for a few weeks (Brand X scaled of course) and just jumped on the “Culfit” bandwagon is just as worthless as the very people Meatgrinder is making fun and you have been unknowingly and sheepishly herded into the Slavenation.
Pull your head out of your ass and view it for what it is. Or go put on your best dress and go JOGGING with Billy…what a douche bag.
Big O…
You from 2nd Batt??
there’s an easy way to test whether your assertions are true…
go to the crossfit site [which is totally 100% free]
find a post about the wod.
post a comment along the lines of, “i’m a 60 man who hasn’t worked out in years”, “i’ve never done this exercise before”, “i recently had surgery on the muscle that this exercise works.”
if what you say is true, the answers you’ll get will likely be, “no deviation, you must perform the wod as listed with the full weight. also, pay us all your money,” delivered in monotone.
[hint: you won't get a response anything like that.]
@ PARKER: Your comments were most likely deleted because the venue you posted them on is meant for WOD related comments only. They were not deleted because of some socialist regime like you guys are making it sound like. I have noticed this happen routinely on the WOD comments links when guys try to start conversations there that are completely irrelevant to the WOD. If anybody could post whatever they wanted on there, it would become a complete mess and a useless resource. PROOF: go to the forums where you will find this exact topic being discussed openly and freely by competent individuals. Also I hear a crossfit journal article was written recently addressing this topic by these commies who are supposedly afraid to discuss this.
This absolutely the most frustrating thing about this whole experience. THERE ARE NO MESSAGE BOARD THREADS ABOUT THESE TOPICS. If there are, post a link. I’ll wait. Also, as I said over 5 TIMES in my crossfit.com posts (which no doubt nobody actually read entirely), I tried to create new threads, but they never showed up. JUST READ THE POSTS PLEASE!!!! I keep getting the same silly responses. Also, the message board requires an account and the journal requires a paid subscription. That isnt exactly conducive to open minded discussion. Check my comment on “we’re not a cult?? are we…” to find out why the comments section is absolutely the most appropriate place for these kinds of questions.
Great article… perhaps a little bit over the top on the negativity but I thought it was pretty funny and besides the “Cultfit” followers are so strong in there beliefs that it seems very appropriate to write against them with the same fervor.
Honestly, I don’t know what I think about “Cultfit”… I think the cultishness is definitely part of the business model and a big key to the programs success. I do like certain aspects of the general philosophy. I like the idea of hitting the gym “hardcore” and the “metcon” aspects of the workouts… seems much better than the people who just go to the gym to sit around and chat it up on the machines (or even worse, sit around naked and watch tv in the locker room, which unfortunately happens at my gym). I even like the idea of a workout of the day (WOD) since it brings some internet community competition.
On the other-hand I don’t like the idea of following the WOD everyday since as the article states it lacks periodization or any fundamentals of a good physical fitness program for that matter… maybe as an occasional supplementation to a program but not as the sole workout.
I also wouldn’t pay 1000 dollars to learn how to do “kipping” style pull-ups (I don’t have anything against them really, but they seem kind of silly at best and cheating at pull-ups at worst). I wouldn’t pay money to join a crossfit gym when I can join a gym for less then half the price and have the freedom to do my own workouts.
Anyway, this comment is getting entire to long so I’m going to wrap it up…
Mr. Meatgrinder,
Thanks for agitating this. I got some shit I got to say here. To start, I don’t agree with everything you said – think you missed the point on a few pieces, but that’s ok. I should admit that I follow CF closely and practice my own version (my own, free, at home version) and I like what this has achieved for me. I can play ball without my old ass getting hurt, I can run, ride, almost anything I want and repeat it again the next day. I could never do that when I was powerlifting all those years. And I’m having fun.
The cultishness of crossfit comes up a lot, and I’ve been considering it for a while. Here is what I have to say: much of the trouble you have identified is just the result of an internet-based business organizational model, the rest of it is organizational life cycle stuff and human nature.
The internet-based organizational model: Matt Furey’s thing was a cult, Sonnon’s club is a cult, Pavel’s Dragondoor was a cult – all in the same way and it’s an organizational structure thing that is hard to avoid for internet-based businesses.
Lifecycle: CF is successful and it is changing – it can’t grow and stay the same. To grow and survive, it needs to adhere to some principles and boundaries that are bound to be somewhat false. It’s going to get watered down, too. Folks are going to defect when it loses its original “cutting edge” appeal. Again, can’t change that.
And finally human nature: around here (DC) people ARE stressed, generally lost and looking for a home where they fit in. CF gives them that and as I read today “bro, we defend what we love.” Also, CF workout are hard and they all go through it together – bonding is going to happen (see fraternity hazing rituals.) Another thing – that level of intensity gets an endorphin response. Remember spinning from the 90’s? People were religious about that shit. I always insisted that they just hadn’t ever really worked out before. And finally, people want to be the ones who are right – about anything, so CF is often defended as the one truth. CF is probably a better cult than Scientology, but that’s not really saying much.
What really pisses me off is that there is no middle ground, no place for me to go and do what I’d like to do, should be able to do, and could do without bothering anyonoe. On one hand we’ve got the mainstream bodybuilding gyms complain if you do anything overhead or move the bar at a speed that improves athleticism. And CF gyms make you follow their wad and try coach you on movements and principles they just don’t understand (yeah, I’ve got stories). The worst part is the catchphrases and mantras they spout mantras at you “observable-measureable-repeatable” and “blah-blah over broad time and modal domains” without even understanding what it all means.
And the worst: “Fittest man on the Planet” Are you kidding? The fittest man on the planet is going to get paid buckets of cash for doing something, and not just for working out. Why is the fittest man on the planet not getting paid real money doing – anything, something, whatever? Because it is bullshit. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got respect for those guys and what they can do, but the hyperbole is wrong and a disservice. Just say it for it is, a useful and often fun way of keeping balance, competition and intensity in your exercise routine. I don’t admit to doing CF because of things like this – I don’t want people to think I’m an idiot. Or in a cult.
As for Glassman, you’ve got to admit it, he has been really successful growing something that started out as a personal training gig with a website. To me, it’s clear that he’s on to something and his approach has grown his organization really well. I also see flaws in some of his approach to athletic development. Add to that, he’s full of himself and a demagogue of sorts, which contributes to the douchey-ness of his acolytes.
I’m hoping that his success will be his undoing – that he changes the fitness industry and gyms start offering more options on approach. And that in this change, he becomes irrelevant. Someone will come up with a better model to replace him. Someone who isn’t so smug, maybe.
That’s my rant.
Dear Meatgrinder,
Let’s boycott France while we’re at it. Also, Obama is a dirty, Nazi-Muslim, African Communist.
Really? How are we to take any of ill-founded criticisms of Crossfit seriously when enveloped in chauvinistic, inflammatory, Rush Limbaughesque rhetoric?
However, your devolved thinking is MOST evident in your complete deficiency of knowledge about Crossfit, and fitness in general. Most of your assumption are simply inaccurate…and moronic.
“How is [the kipping pull-up] ‘functional fitness’”
The kipping pullup elicits a metabolic response that the strict pullup simply can’t. In it, one moves a load (their body) a distance in relatively short amount of time. What we mean by “fitness” is the increase in capacity to do just that: move mass, over distances, in time.
“they were able to convince people that everyone should be doing the exact same workouts regardless of age, abilities, specific needs, or goals is completely beyond the scope of reason”
Yea. Let’s have grandma perform as many 95lbs thrusters, CnJs, and muscle-ups as she can in under 10 minutes.
Really? Do you honestly suspect that ANYONE would condone such a Rx to any individual without scaling? Scaling and computation based on the individual’s work capacity are essential to Crossfit programming. Either you’re an idiot or you’re just lying.
Point in matter: There is little substance (if any) to your argument, however cleverly you seemed to package it in articulate demagoguery. You have either completely misunderstood Crossfit or you’re just lying about it. Either way, you’re masquerading about as if you have decoded some brilliant truth.
You clearly have an agenda here. You’ve nastily attacked others who have disagreed with you and praised the morons who have ate this shit right up. To me, you seem a spiteful little person who is somehow threatened by a community or “cult” of people far fitter and happier than you. And women, you creepy skeeze.
I also suspect your nastiness is fueled by your inability to do the kipping pull up. =)
Sadly, any real, sound criticisms and examinations of Crossfit are overshadowed by this pitiful work in which you angrily wax moronic for way too long.
Your Friend,
Wes
Meatgrinder,
I totally agree with you that people should actually question and think about everything they do rather than just blindly follow something. There is nothing wrong with actively thinking and drawing your own conclusions which, most people posting against you have not done. They just regurgitate things that they have heard others say and have done no research or learning for themselves (very ironic as most of them accuse you of the same). I’d love to see you post some of the F/U emails that you received, I can always use a good laugh.
I actually went to a Level 1 cert and was hugely disappointed…there was no pass/fail or testing of any kind. I already knew how to squat, deadlift, clean, etc and I have some guy “teaching” me when he doesn’t have half the education and experience that I do (BS & MS in Exercise Science, 10 years training)! One guy who got “certified” didn’t even show up the second day! As long as your check clears…you can be a trainer. I have a big problem with this as it contributes to the retardification of the fitness field in general. Anyone with a pulse and $1000 can get a certificate.
Good point Ben, but if you go on the Internet you can get a “Personal Trainer” certificate for $45 bucks and start training the same day.
Not all Level 1′s will be instructors, majority do it for self familiarization and if you notice on the affiliates, a lot have many other certifications and have been in the field nearly as long, or longer than you also. Taking nothing away from your hard work and education.
In addition the level 2 cert is much more challenging with 50-80% fail rate until they get it right.
With that said, at least CrossFit has boo-koo information to reference, which is more than I can say 90% of the schools or “personal trainer packages” that are out there. You can take 10 minutes on YouTube and be horrified at 99% of these guys trying to teach the masses crap routines with crap form.
I hear ya though, but just sayin…
Ben,
As explained in the article, the Level 1 cert is a complete farce, a money making scheme at best. If I go to a shooting range for two days, regardless of how much and with how many guns I shoot, am I an expert soldier? Fuck no… to even think that it would even be possible is pure madness.
As far as the ‘go fuck yourself’ emails.. well I’m putting together a collection of the best, possibly going to post a whole section of people describing in excruciating detail exactly how they hate me… completely fucking hilarious!
-M
This article is pretty hilarious….
Flagrantly inaccurate critiques and flames aside your article does have a shred of truth. I will try to point of the merits of CrossFit. I am a CrossFit soloist and I use the CrossFit/CrossFit Endurance workouts as a Triathlete to improve my fitness. I have a tendency to avoid the CrossFit gyms since there tends to be somewhat of a umpa lumpba weird culty vibe at some of them, but not all. Additionally as you point out it is crazy expensive and not really worth it, you can do it on your own after a little base instruction. Based on my experience I think the level of cultishness of ones approach to CrossFit is a function of the individual practioners and not a function of CrossFit itself. I should point out that my experience with CrossFit is just that my experience therefore it is totally anecdotal.
CrossFit and the methodology is incredibly efficient/effective and as with most things that “work-well” the practioners do have a tendency to develop an unnatural reverance for the method and the inventors. I really think it is that simple…
All the culty bullshit aside CrossFit is an efficient and effective means of getting superfit. Following the CrossFit/CrossFit endurance perscription I have achieved an incredible level of fitness and as a consequence I spend about 1/2 the time working out as a number of people that I know and compete with in Triathalons. Additionally I am able to compete in triathlons and I have a crazy demanding job, 2 kids who I am very involved with, a house, wife, dog…. I commute 2 hours/day and do side work. As a measure of time/benefit I do not think you could find a more effective means of getting generally fit than CrossFit
On top of that as a generalist I perform much better now at 37 than I did when I was 23 and a college athlete. Actually I am in a biking and a running club and most people in the club can’t believe I am as fast as I am for my size and muscularity. The interesting thing is my times only really got faster after I started doing crossfit. Following other programs never really improved my times and generally led to overuse injuries.
At 5’10″ 180 I blow dudes away in my running club on a 10 mile run who are the same height as me, yet younger, train way more and 30 lbs lighter. Not to mention I can deadlift 450 so I am way stronger. Again, as a measure of cost(in terms of time) benefit I do not think you could find a more effective means of getting generally fit than CrossFit
You wrote: “Admittedly, CultFit is better than much of what I see going on in the gym. ”
Amen brother…. Having tried a variety of training structure and programs in my life the CrossFit methodology works incredibly well, period. Most people in the Gym are essentially either jerking off with a barbell or taking a nap on the eliptical. The whole “tons of isolation work” thing for somebody who is overweight is a friggin joke. Example… You walk into the gym and see some obese bride to be standing on a bosu ball doing superslow curls with 8 lb dumbells standing next to a trainer… She would be way better off doing so high-rep high-intensity full body lifts (with appropriate weight).
You wrote:”The amount of training injuries alone is expressive of the hazards of the CultFit ‘curriculum’. ”
Like anything if you are stupid about it and push yourself too much you are going to get hurt. Actually since starting CrossFit I have had an incredibly low incidence of injuries comparatively. It it all about being smart. I believe this is a functioning of being well rounded physically and as a result of doing CrossFit.
You wrote:”Getting faster times on your CultFit routines is a measure of skill at CultFit and not of fitness or performance.”
Actually your wrong. I am a triathlete as an avid biker I can now maintain an average of 24 mph for 26 miles (Olympic Triathlon distance) and I train about 7 hours/week total including my CrossFit workouts. I placed in the top 1% in the bike portion in the Chicago Triathlon (largest triathlon in the world) this year training about 1/2 the time I usually do, what was the difference? The CrossFit/CrossFit Endurance perscription, high intensity, low volume, work at the precipice of the capability. Boo yah!
You wrote: “CrossFit does have its merits. Believe it or not I have enjoyed doing some of the routines and I have incorporated some of the exercises into my own personal fitness regimen, but listen to me very carefully all you would-be CultFitters; Beware any person that says that they have the answer. ”
The is the best thing you posted in the whole article. The workouts and general guidelines are incredibly effective, it all really depends on your individual goals and resources. From my perspective the CrossFit methodology is just another tool in the toolbox it is only dangerously when used stupidly, but then again the same could be said for knitting needles.
Rob writes “The is the best thing you posted in the whole article. The workouts and general guidelines are incredibly effective, it all really depends on your individual goals and resources. From my perspective the CrossFit methodology is just another tool in the toolbox it is only dangerously when used stupidly, but then again the same could be said for knitting needles.”
Rob… this is the whole point of the article!!! That people can use Crossfit methodology as a tool but shouldn’t follow it blindly…
The problem is that not everyone understands fitness enough to not use it stupidly… and I’m sure there are certified Crossfit trainers who spent their 1000 bucks and took the weekend course who are now out there giving bad advice to their students…
The whole message of Crossfit is that if you follow this routine you’re not going to get injured, you’re going to be in great shape, and you’re going to be better than everyone else in the gym… I get why they project this message… it’s a marketing thing!
but if you expect everyone who follows crossfit to not use it stupidly then you’re being naive… and this is when the program could get dangerous!
I’ve been crossfitting for about 8 months. religiously, cultishly, with my partner, and 100% for free!
After 15 years martial arts training, with weights, cardio, etc. I can say that in the last 8 months I have progressed more that ever in my training and capacity.
crossfit produces good results for people seeking improved fitness. who cares about everything else? After 8 months corssfitting, I have the basic tools to continue to design my own programmes even if the internet were to crash tomorrow, although I hope it dosent because I continue to learn every day I log on.
So you can keep doing your controlled bicep curls and I will keep corssfitting. If we ever meet in the ring we can see who’se fitness is more functional.
p.s: the best martial art is obviously the one that is tested to work in realistic situations. You can call it what you like, but its all MMA at the end of the day. Just like crossfit is a whole bunch of things that are only there because they work.
Nuff said.
Ian, Rob, Mike, Wes, others…etc
I think a lot of you commenters are missing the point of the article. Meatgrinder’s musings might be a little bit over the top but if you bother to read to the bottom of the article you will realize that a lot of what he’s saying is not intended to be taken completely seriously… In fact by taking it to seriously you’re basically proving his points.
I also highly suggest that you read VI’s response in the comments and Meatgrinder’s response to VI… it’s pretty much the only rational human though that takes place on this whole page instead of just rhetoric…
Meatgrinder even states in his own article that: “CrossFit does have its merits. Believe it or not I have enjoyed doing some of the routines and I have incorporated some of the exercises into my own personal fitness regimen…”
I agree with this… Crossfit does have its merits. Working your core is great… mixing aerobic and anaerobic exercise is great…
But crossfit is also cultish…
I’ve met members who take it as a badge of honor that their palms are covered in cracked bloody calluses…
Ian states “So you can keep doing your controlled bicep curls and I will keep corssfitting. If we ever meet in the ring we can see who’se fitness is more functional.”… more functional at what??? If you’re a bodybuilder than you’d be better off with the isolated curls… if your a MMA fighter maybe crossfit is better… When you make inflammatory comments like this you are proving Meatgrinder’s point!!! Maybe Crossfit might be good for you but it’s not necessarily “the answer” for everyone… everybody is different and everyone has their own goals in fitness and in life! What’s important is that you use your mind to make the rational decisions of what is best for you personally, instead of blindly following any workout plan.
EZEthan,
Couldn’t have said it better myself… But tell me, isn’t watching this unfold, regardless of the humor in the article itself, just completely hilarious? Your comments were dead on, good reasoning, clearly explained – but I feel like I’m watching someone try and teach calculus to a downs baby. Regardless, keep rockin.
-M
Are you kidding me? I fuckin’ love it!!! I guess I’m just a pyro and I can’t stop feeding the fire… but shhhh, don’t tell the zealots.
Mr. EZEthan,
Ummm. Did I come across as a cult-member here? I was just saying, you know, I got my own opinion on some of this. And I’m cool too, you know?
I wasn’t saying “you’re wrong and here’s why.” As an example of my differences: kipping pull-ups aren’t cheating, they’re just kipping pull-ups. Not to be confused with pull-ups. You can call regular pull-ups “dead-hang” if it helps keep them separate. I realize that orthodoxy says there is only one way, but I disagree.
I’d argue this idea fits with what Mr. Grinder had to say in the article here: folks have different objectives and they should do whatever gets them there. As with anything, learn it right and do it well. (Don’t maim yourself with it and then wear the injury around like a freaking One-fit badge of honor.)
Also, Mr. Wes, on the kipping pull-ups retort – nice use of cut and paste from the One-fit website. Or did you have that memorized?
In closing, I’m going to have to admit that I didn’t read the whole article the first time. I feel shame. It was more of a quick skim and I missed some of what I thought he had missed. But I have to say on the second look: nicely done Mr. Grinder. A carefully thought out piece there.
One last thought: a lot of people out there want to be in a cult. I smell a business opportunity!
sorry Mike… didn’t mean anything personal by calling you out, just trying to spark dialog… it seems like we pretty much share the same opinion…
Good call on spotting the “kipping pull-ups retort”… reading these comments are cracking me up!!! It’s like:
Tyler Durdun: “Why isn’t Crossfit a cult?”
Minions: “Because Crossfit tells us it’s not a cult, sir!”
I can’t say this enough, but great article Meatgrinder…
Loved the article, Meatgrinder.
I consider myself a Crossfitter. I’ve been doing it since March of 2008. I enjoy the full body, compound, all around movements. It’s put me in the best shape of my life, and I’ve been exercising regularly for over 20 years.
On the other hand, I think Crossfit’s push for intensity is insane. Bullshit that the WODs are scaled/scalable. The pervasive attitude is: If you’re not running with the big dogs, stay on the porch.
I will say this: Crossfit is trying to cater to elite Spec. Ops. guys as well as soccer moms. It can’t be both–and it needs to spend way, way more time convincing people to SCALE, and telling people that a 40 year old man will never match up with a 23 year old Recon Marine.
Come, on: Should people with NO training, NO real coaching be throwing themselves into Olympic lifts?? What’s my 1RM for snatches? I have no idea. I’m not crazy/stupid enough to try it, given that I have no way to learn it except from an online video and trial & error.
Functional fitness? Yeah, but for what? How fit does a 42 year old suburban dad have to be? I can walk into a PTA meeting and know I can deadlift more than the other dads. Boo ya! I can do more walking lunges! Alrighty! Do you think any of those other dads care? Should I care?
I like Crossfit because it gives me ideas for exercises that I enjoy. But as for the rest of it—
The worst part is the mainsite forum: A few regular posters dominate conversations. Don’t dare disagree with Crossfit, or you’ll have your opinion handed to you on a spike. They’ve turned gluttony into a virtue. They’ve turned honest questioning into treason. A woman will get droves of replies to her posts if she’s hot. There are more than a few women who have disappeared from the boards after they get showered with all sorts of pick-ups.
And for what reason, Crossfit? Because people don’t have anything else going in their lives, probably.
In short, I’ve found Crossfit to be personally physically beneficial, but for everything outside of ideas for daily exercise so completely disagreeable that I rarely admit to doing it.
Buck,
Great points, thanks for chiming in. Other commenters who would probably agree with your comment are Persephone and Parker. I recently threw up the We’re not in a cult!!! … are we? post to address to a degree the bullying taking place on the crossfit.com message board – Parker replied with a thought out explanation of frustrations. I don’t see why the message board would be any different than the gyms to an extent – Persephone explained with clear detail the hook-up scene and all its boorish banalities. As others have agreed there in no scaling and no middle ground, hence many of the points made in the article itself. Regardless, keep rocking.
-M
meatgrinder,
I really would like to know your credentials. Because I find it hard to believe that anybody who is halfway intelligent on health and fitness can not see the health benefits of crossfit. I would like to point out a few to you right now.
1.) The use of Olympic lifts is crucial to your skeletal structure. Doing squats has been proven to help reduce knee injuries/ future joint problems.
2.) Olympic lifts also develop core strength. Many gym rats just do 1,000 sit ups for a 6 pack but neglect their shoulders, upper back, and more importantly their lower back. Neglecting the rest of your core muscles means less muscle support of your spine and puts you at greater risk for back injuires.
3.) Crossfit does an exceptional job at designing workouts that tap your slow AND fast twitch muscles. What this means is more muscle density, which yet again means more skeletal support.
4.)The cardio aspect of crossfit is different than running. running 3 miles in 18 minutes and doing fran in 3 minutes is two very separate forms of cardio. many people do not work on the latter. Crossfit again touches both sides preserving the claim of “all-round funtional fitness.” From the health aspect, it helps increase a person’s VO2 max which directly relates to blood pressure and heart rate.
Just wanted to let you know it’s not about getting 24 inch biceps (even though that is a common side effect). Crossfit has all around benefits
“The use of Olympic lifts is crucial to your skeletal structure.”
Idiot.
Strength training. Yes. Squats. Yes. Specifically using high-rep Olympic lifts done for time? Stupid.
Why is it stupid to do high-rep, full body, core exercises like Olympic lifts for time? Please, enlighten me.
Idiot.
Well I can think of one reason…
If you’re doing high rep, full body, core exercises like Olympic lifts for time then you’re undoubtedly going to get tired near the end of your work-out at which point you’re going to start sacrificing your form at which point you’re going to increase you’re risk of injury…
Heavy olympic lifts should be performed with a smooth, steady, controlled, and efficient motion… not as part of a race.
Also, Meatgrinder didn’t say that crossfit didn’t have health benefits… he just said that you shouldn’t be a drooling idiot about it.
From @Fit by Overload:
8/21/09
“Livi…the future of CrossFit.”
10/22/09
“Poor Livi broke her foot doing monkey bars for time yesterday. The future of CrossFit looks bright.”
The future indeed. Poor girl.
MeatGrinder:
When proven wrong, will you film yourself shoving your own foot in your mouth and post it on this blog?
I have to admit I stopped reading somewhere around the girls digression, but one thing caught my attention -”there are mirrors in every gym”. Well, there are no mirrors in a Crossfit gym. Everybody is there to work hard and to get better. That’s it.
Question regarding CF main site programming. Why are the maximum effort days programmed more or less randomly? To me it doesn’t make sense to go for a 1 RM deadlift the day after doing a leg intensive metcon. Most likely you’re not going to reach your max weight, and no adaptation will occur.
It’s a real question, I’m not trying to bash on their programming. There probably is an answer that I just didn’t think about. If anyone knows, please let me know. After following the main site schedule for a number of months, I switched to my own programming, where I keep the 3+1 structure, but the first day is always maximum effort, and the following are metcons. I’ve seen big gains in both 1 RM lifts and metcon times since I switched.
For those of you who think most of the military Spec Ops community is doing Crossfit, I’ve got sad news…they’re not. Many have begun using Military Athlete as their programming with better results. Kipping pull-ups are a joke and they aren’t even “functional” (a term I hate but Crossfit professes). If you don’t believe so, go climb a fixed object like a rock wall or a building face and try to kip (even better, try the butterfly version) your way up it and see how far you get. No one is impressed by ripped hands caused by dumb pull-up versions. Why is that considered a “badge of honor”? I don’t workout with mirrors but some of the videos posted by Crossfit clearly illustrate that a mirror could be used to correct poor form. If core work is what you want, why waste time doing Olympic lifts? Why not just do turkish get ups or sandbag get ups? Less likelihood of injury. I know, it’s not as cool to talk with your friends about. Can someone please point me to where Crossfit invented exercise?
I think a main purpose of the kip (other than to allow practitioners to claim high numbers of reps) is that you condition an explosive opening of the hips, which would be useful for a lot of lifts.
I sorta made that up, but it sorta makes sense to me.
Speaking of… I can do 1000 push-ups!!!
Now I have to put my knees of the floor to do this (some haters call these “girl push-ups”) but the real reason I put down my knees is to strengthen my ITB and get a more functional spinal position… I just have to laugh when I see all those weakling doing “regular” push-ups trying to complete the measly 100 push-up challenge…
Not functional??? What if you found yourself on a weird Japanese gameshow (I suppose that’s redundant) and to win the game you have to lift yourself over a pull-up bar more times then your opponent in 60 seconds otherwise you get dropped into a vat of slippery eels???