DeadliestWarrior34;1248929 wrote:^^ Crossfit is a scam by having people pay large amounts of money for stupid workouts that would get you laughed out of most gyms. I'm not at a computer, but later I'll post a vid of people trying to lift at a crossfit gym.

That dude looks misproportioned.

Azubuike24;1249162 wrote:CrossFit kicks ass. Anyone dissing it has never done it. It's not a substitute for other things, to each his own, but for the guy who said it would "get you laughed out of most gyms" is probably one of those at those "gyms" who wouldn't be able to handle most aspects of CrossFit.

The best thing about it? It's variability. Anyone can incorporate the concept on their own, tailor it to their preferences and see benefit. It can be done outside. At home. At a gym. Anywhere there is some space. Outside of some standard equipment and time, you don't have to pay a dime.

CrossFit has it's good things and it's bad things. Probably the worst thing is that large amount of the instructors are just downright awful and not knowledgeable. This comes from Cross Fit's licensing/certification process wherein you basically just pay for the cert. Needs to be much more difficult to get one so that they cultivate better and more qualified trainers.

As for the exercises it's also sort of hit or miss and a lot of that is because of the trainers. There's great things about it but at the same time always doing like 50 reps of an exercise or some other high volume number is not going to be the most effective way to build strength or fitness. Sometimes that's the appropriate exercise but not always and many Cross Fit gyms and Cross Fit-ers seem to thing higher reps= always better.

That said, it's certainly not going to be bad for someone like Justin who's just trying to up his fitness level. Especially at the beginning. Sure he'd see gains with just about any program because his level is much lower to begin with but if he's going to stick with this one because he likes it or feels invested in it then that's a reasonable course of action.

IIRC that dude's biceps popped. Literally, they burst.

Sonofanump;1249212 wrote:That dude looks misproportioned.

It looks like he injected synthol into his arms.

I'm assuming most crossfit gyms don't look like this but this video always brings the lulz.


[video=youtube;M8up6A4QesU][/video]

I Wear Pants;1249284 wrote:CrossFit has it's good things and it's bad things. Probably the worst thing is that large amount of the instructors are just downright awful and not knowledgeable. This comes from Cross Fit's licensing/certification process wherein you basically just pay for the cert. Needs to be much more difficult to get one so that they cultivate better and more qualified trainers.

As for the exercises it's also sort of hit or miss and a lot of that is because of the trainers. There's great things about it but at the same time always doing like 50 reps of an exercise or some other high volume number is not going to be the most effective way to build strength or fitness. Sometimes that's the appropriate exercise but not always and many Cross Fit gyms and Cross Fit-ers seem to thing higher reps= always better.

That said, it's certainly not going to be bad for someone like Justin who's just trying to up his fitness level. Especially at the beginning. Sure he'd see gains with just about any program because his level is much lower to begin with but if he's going to stick with this one because he likes it or feels invested in it then that's a reasonable course of action.

The certification and licensing is hit or miss. You can pay to use the name CrossFit and draw people in with that alone. Doesn't mean the programming is any good or the instructors know what the hell they are doing. Many of them are there because they like doing CrossFit themselves and are clueless on how to coach someone. As others have said, proceed with caution before just signing up at a local CrossFit affiliate.

On the positive though, I've found that the trainers/coaches in this scene are far more educated on lifestyle and nutritional aspects. Most conventional gyms do more harm than good in these areas. This is one trend that is a GOOD thing. Fitness, health, lifestyle and nutrition go together. Often times, they all crumble if one of the aspects fails. You're much more likely to find a certified counselor or coach in these areas at a CrossFit gym than other places. Instead of one "expert" trying to do it all, they often refer to other resources instead of pretending to have all the answers. It's sort of like a Doctor referring out to another specialist, even if that means losing some business, instead of pretending to have all the solutions at his office.

Going further, as I said earlier, CrossFit can be incorporated by each person, at least the mechanism/idea, in-home or as a solo venture. You don't need a gym. You don't need a membership. Many of the benefits can be seen with some basic equipment and a home gym.

Lol holy shit does that video look unsafe as hell. I'm surprised none of those chicks dropped that shit on their head.

DeadliestWarrior34;1249309 wrote:I'm assuming most crossfit gyms don't look like this but this video always brings the lulz.


[video=youtube;M8up6A4QesU][/video]

Good lord. That's hilarious.

Doing split jerks my elbows were just a tad bit off and one of the guys that helps out the instructor stopped me and made sure my form was perfect before continuing.

Azubuike24;1249312 wrote:The certification and licensing is hit or miss. You can pay to use the name CrossFit and draw people in with that alone. Doesn't mean the programming is any good or the instructors know what the hell they are doing. Many of them are there because they like doing CrossFit themselves and are clueless on how to coach someone. As others have said, proceed with caution before just signing up at a local CrossFit affiliate.

On the positive though, I've found that the trainers/coaches in this scene are far more educated on lifestyle and nutritional aspects. Most conventional gyms do more harm than good in these areas. This is one trend that is a GOOD thing. Fitness, health, lifestyle and nutrition go together. Often times, they all crumble if one of the aspects fails. You're much more likely to find a certified counselor or coach in these areas at a CrossFit gym than other places. Instead of one "expert" trying to do it all, they often refer to other resources instead of pretending to have all the answers. It's sort of like a Doctor referring out to another specialist, even if that means losing some business, instead of pretending to have all the solutions at his office.

Going further, as I said earlier, CrossFit can be incorporated by each person, at least the mechanism/idea, in-home or as a solo venture. You don't need a gym. You don't need a membership. Many of the benefits can be seen with some basic equipment and a home gym.

Hasn't really been my experience. Though you're right that many personal trainers at other gyms are also terrible. But that's likely because they have a certification which is too easily attained. That's why if I'm looking for a personal trainer they're going to at least have an ACSM cert.

I watched the first 17 seconds of that video and stopped. This isn't what my gym is like. You wouldn't even be allowed to workout there if you looked like that. We stress form as much as anything.

But, go ahead and presume to know wtf you're talking about. It's cool.

DeadliestWarrior34;1249309 wrote:I'm assuming most crossfit gyms don't look like this but this video always brings the lulz.


[video=youtube;M8up6A4QesU][/video]

Oh wow, that's awful.

Do spotters exist? Is there anything in those plastic weights? Is that a chip clip holding the weights on? Is that click off to the right (our left) in charge? Yikes.

derek bomar;1249317 wrote:I watched the first 17 seconds of that video and stopped. This isn't what my gym is like. You wouldn't even be allowed to workout there if you looked like that. We stress form as much as anything.

But, go ahead and presume to know wtf you're talking about. It's cool.

I said before I posted that that I was assuming thats not what most gyms look like. Herpa derpa derp. But please do explain to me how paying $200 a month for a circuit training workout and shoulder problems is worth it.

Running, working on your core and doing pushups is for dumb people.

I am not into those group workouts at all. I prefer working out by myself or with one other guy.

But really, as far as costs go, if you can I would look into joining a Univeristy gym (I think youve said you live near UC). At Akron, if you aren't a student I believe it's like 2-300 a year for a gym membership, and it is open from like 6am-10pm. I would choose this because it is 1) cheaper than $100 or so a month and 2) there is a lot more you are exposed to than just a specialized gym. We offer boot camps, crossfits, power abs, etc, etc. tons of classes are offered and all it requires is a membership.

I Wear Pants;1249284 wrote:That said, it's certainly not going to be bad for someone like Justin who's just trying to up his fitness level. Especially at the beginning. Sure he'd see gains with just about any program because his level is much lower to begin with but if he's going to stick with this one because he likes it or feels invested in it then that's a reasonable course of action.

You saying justin is weak?!

DeadliestWarrior34;1249309 wrote:I'm assuming most crossfit gyms don't look like this but this video always brings the lulz.


[video=youtube;M8up6A4QesU][/video]

i felt bad for the 3 legged dog, not just for having 3 legs, but for having to witness that.

DeadliestWarrior34;1249356 wrote:


I said before I posted that that I was assuming thats not what most gyms look like. Herpa derpa derp. But please do explain to me how paying $200 a month for a circuit training workout and shoulder problems is worth it.

First, I don't pay $200 a month. Not even close. 2nd, my shoulders are fine, tyvm. Actually getting a lot stronger, thanks in part to crossfit. 3rd, you're an idiot.

DeadliestWarrior34;1248929 wrote:^^ Crossfit is a scam by having people pay large amounts of money for stupid workouts that would get you laughed out of most gyms. I'm not at a computer, but later I'll post a vid of people trying to lift at a crossfit gym.

I'm just re-quoting this for fun. You say that the workouts would get you laughed out of most gyms? So, doing lunges, squats, deadlifts, pullups, cleans and running will get you laughed out of most gyms? Ok. And it's a scam? Usually how scams work is that you pay for something you thought you were getting, but it turns out you don't get the service/good... the workouts (if done properly and you put effort into them, like all workouts) deliver. You're just throwing out bullshit and claiming it as fact, which is annoying.

derek bomar;1250112 wrote:I'm just re-quoting this for fun. You say that the workouts would get you laughed out of most gyms? So, doing lunges, squats, deadlifts, pullups, cleans and running will get you laughed out of most gyms? Ok. And it's a scam? Usually how scams work is that you pay for something you thought you were getting, but it turns out you don't get the service/good... the workouts (if done properly and you put effort into them, like all workouts) deliver. You're just throwing out bullshit and claiming it as fact, which is annoying.

derek bomar;1250112 wrote:I'm just re-quoting this for fun. You say that the workouts would get you laughed out of most gyms? So, doing lunges, squats, deadlifts, pullups, cleans and running will get you laughed out of most gyms? Ok. And it's a scam? Usually how scams work is that you pay for something you thought you were getting, but it turns out you don't get the service/good... the workouts (if done properly and you put effort into them, like all workouts) deliver. You're just throwing out bullshit and claiming it as fact, which is annoying.

Not a scam but a lot of the gyms are just shit (same can be said for "normal" gyms as well). The thing is a lot of Cross Fit people I see talk about doing like 5 x 30 reps of things and that's really not a good way to build strength. Sure you'll get stronger and fitter, especially if you're just starting out or if you haven't been training a lot, but you might not be maximizing your gains or potential. Which is fine if you're okay with it, but there's just a lot of silliness that goes along with Cross Fit because of their shitty licensing program.

like_that;1250118 wrote:

I hope that's a real bench. If so, that's awesome.

I Wear Pants;1250139 wrote:Not a scam but a lot of the gyms are just shit (same can be said for "normal" gyms as well). The thing is a lot of Cross Fit people I see talk about doing like 5 x 30 reps of things and that's really not a good way to build strength. Sure you'll get stronger and fitter, especially if you're just starting out or if you haven't been training a lot, but you might not be maximizing your gains or potential. Which is fine if you're okay with it, but there's just a lot of silliness that goes along with Cross Fit because of their shitty licensing program.

In the end, isn't that what counts? There is no perfect diet/exercise regimen. It's all about what you put into it. The workouts are tough. I'm going to assume you've never done them, but if you went to my gym I guarantee you you'd 1) see that form is stressed 2) sweat your ass off and 3) walk around sore as fuck the next day, as I currently am

derek bomar;1250150 wrote:In the end, isn't that what counts? There is no perfect diet/exercise regimen. It's all about what you put into it. The workouts are tough. I'm going to assume you've never done them, but if you went to my gym I guarantee you you'd 1) see that form is stressed 2) sweat your ass off and 3) walk around sore as fuck the next day, as I currently am

Not exactly an indicator that a workout was well designed/effective.

I have done the workouts and they are tough. But not everything that's hard makes sense scientifically.

And your gym may stress form (we'll assume correctly for the sake of the discussion) and that's wonderful but you can't deny that there's a bunch of Cross Fit places that don't. Cross Fit is massively inconsistent and has a lot of terrible trainers/instructors. If you've found a gym with good ones who are knowledgeable on form in regards to lifts (particularly Olympic) then you've definitely found something that's likely very worthwhile to continue going to.

When you see people "attack" Cross Fit they probably aren't talking about your gym or places like your gym if it is how you say it is. Because no one who knows anything would attack a place that properly teaches lifting form and does excellent high intensity circuit workouts (something Cross Fit definitely can do when taught well).