thinking of switching to crossfit-would like imput from others!

[eleni611]

Like most of us here, I would love to have a hard, athletic body. I've been lifting weights for quite a while and have done many programs. Body for Life, HST, Max-OT, created my own programs, and am in the process of doing the New Rules of Lifting for Women program. I understand that you must lift heavy and eat right, but honestly....I'm just not getting to where I want to be. I know that it takes years and years of dedication, but I don't think I'm able to push myself the way I need to be pushed. I'm thinking of cancelling my 24 hour fitness membership and switching to crossfit, but I don't know if crossfit will get me the hard, athletic body I want. I mean, by looking at some of the women who do athletes, they look amazing, but I don't know if they do other things on the side that help them as well. Any thoughts on switching from traditional weightlifting at a regular gym to crossfit?

[freebirdmac]

Crossfit will not increase your muscle mass like bodybuilding. Lean and hard is about diet, not routine. So unless you want some sort of cardio thing or endurance, I'd stick to bodybuilding and recheck diet. Oh, and most of those gyms are overkill on the pale diet. It's like a freaking cult :rolleyes:

[illiniStrive]

Anything I say about Crossfit will probably sound unfair since I haven't actually gone, but I would encourage you to read this: http://www.70sbig.com/blog/2011/12/whats-the-deal-with-crossfit/ . It is NOT a rant against Crossfit, nor a promotional post endorsing it. Basically just outlines some of the realities of the program and it may or may not influence your reason for joining.

Like freebirdmac said, lean and hard is about diet. It's no secret why the women you see get to be featured as the faces (or rather bodies ;) ) of Crossfit. But don't suppose that every single person who attends a box looks like that. There's no way. No matter what someone does inside of the gym, what they do outside of it often has the biggest influence on their outward appearance.

That being said, if you go in for a trial and love it, then totally go for it. Physical activity should be fun and engaging. Putting 100% into Crossfit workouts will likely yield better results than half-ass lifting sessions in the gym.

[tina722]

A break from traditional lifting might be a good idea - even if only for a short time. You say that you don't feel you can push yourself that way you need to be pushed. Are there potential training partners? Or PL/strongman competition to help with motivation?

I do agree that crossfit won't help grow muscles and on either program diet will need to be in check. That hard lean look you want is just about having enough consistency to let them develop and mature.

[Rowyn]

Crossfit will not increase your muscle mass like bodybuilding.

^^This^^

There are alot of Crossfitters who are just a hair above skinny fat, because most of them train in a cardio-like atmosphere with a weight circuit thrown in there. What the hell are three rounds X 20 of kipping pullups, burpees, and deadlifts at warmup weights gonna do for you? Burn cals. Not gain mass. The BAD thing about CrossFit is that its popularity has led to some very very poor training out there, and you will basically be learning Olympic movements. Couple those exercises with a fast paced routine equals recipe for horrid form and injury.

If you aren't getting the body you want (hard=training, lean=diet), you are doing something wrong here in the bb'ing arena. The chicks at my gym who also train Crossfit and have good, muscular physiques also strength and bb. But the majority are the spinners who are sick of the studio;).

[swindled]

A break from traditional lifting might be a good idea - even if only for a short time. You say that you don't feel you can push yourself that way you need to be pushed. Are there potential training partners? Or PL/strongman competition to help with motivation?

I do agree that crossfit won't help grow muscles and on either program diet will need to be in check. That hard lean look you want is just about having enough consistency to let them develop and mature.

^^ I really agree with this. Honestly, why not switch it up a bit? Even just doing crossfit once a week or something, but maintaining your other workouts. Might give you a nice break from the "usual" so that you can be more focused when you hit the weights. I play rugby, soccer and football just to switch it up once a week or so from my usual weight routine.

[acrawlingchaos]

I personally have nothing against cross fit, but IMHO, Cross Fit is a sport, not a proper training method. You should TRAIN for cross fit performances.

[eleni611]

Thanks, everybody. I understand what you are all saying, and I understand that the "hard" part is about training and the "lean" part is about diet. I'm just saying that I've been doing these lifting programs for a few years now and I'm not getting the results I'm after. Obviously I'm doing something wrong, but I really don't want a personal trainer from my gym. I see the way they train others, and it's really not what I'm looking for. I guess my reasoning lies behind this quote: "If you want things you've never had, you have to do things you've never done." What I've been doing isn't getting me to my goals, so I might as well try something new. I'm just very confused because I've been reading SO many mixed reviews on CrossFit!

[freebirdmac]

Thanks, everybody. I understand what you are all saying, and I understand that the "hard" part is about training and the "lean" part is about diet. I'm just saying that I've been doing these lifting programs for a few years now and I'm not getting the results I'm after. Obviously I'm doing something wrong, but I really don't want a personal trainer from my gym. I see the way they train others, and it's really not what I'm looking for. I guess my reasoning lies behind this quote: "If you want things you've never had, you have to do things you've never done." What I've been doing isn't getting me to my goals, so I might as well try something new. I'm just very confused because I've been reading SO many mixed reviews on CrossFit!

I suggest you contact Kimm4 and see what she suggests. Be clear on what you are looking for. Sample physiques would help.

[Big_Sky_Guy]

We do Crossfit AND lift.

CFit is primarily metabolic conditioning in focus, with lifts, gymnastics, and overall strength as a part of that overarching idea of general physical preparedness. Each CFit gym has its own personality based on the owner / trainers / participants. Been to a few that are focused more on Oly lifting, some Power Lifting, and even others Strong Man, but most are focused on the overall physical preparedness. You will get stronger in many things that you would not typically do in a Std Gym, say ring dips or handstand pushups, but you are not likely to add any real muscle if you CFit 3-4 times a week as you have already been working out seriously for awhile. If you do not have a good base of muscle and you drop a bunch of BF, you will look more like a string bean than a well sculpted athlete.

I've been lifting for nearly 15 years and the wife has always been a runner that was not afraid of lifting. Gen has always loved the style of conditioning that CFit typically uses. She loves a run / lift / run / lift or some type of workout with a wide variety of movements that you move through efficiently. It's way better than a treadmill in the winter!

All that said, it has not made me skinny by any means as I still lift heavy several days a week and eat to gain strength a good portion of the year. I am using CFit for overall conditioning and to spend more time with the olympic lifts. After a year I am stronger, more flexible and generally fit, but have only dropped a couple % bodyfat (see above). My wife has found all sorts of success in strengthening her weaknesses, like pullups and pushups and is in better overall cardio condition.

If you want to increase your endurance and give your body a bunch of new challenges, CFit is a great way to do that. You have to listen to your body and keep form in check when you get exhausted in a workout or you will eventually get injured. The workouts can be catabolic and you will need to eat right and rest when your body tells you to. Abs are still made in the kitchen. Paleo....It has a place. You make the choice about what works for you nutritionally, not someone else.

I have a $20 a month gym membership and do a 10-punch card for $80 and lasts 4 weeks in the winter and 6 weeks in the summer as we hike and bike more. So, max cost is $100 a month for me in the winter when it's harder to get outside and do physical stuff during the work week.

You will only know if you are going to like it if you try it.

[eleni611]

So I'm thinking I might have a new plan. I have a membership to your average gym and I have a membership to a Muay Thai gym. Muay Thai is something I'm not willing to give up because it is a sport I really enjoy, so that stays. My "average gym" membership isn't something I want to give up either because it's so convenient and it's nice to have. I would give it up if I had to, but I don't want to....plus I'm in a contract. CrossFit is very expensive and I'm a student. I COULD afford CrossFit, but it wouldn't leave me with THAT much money left over each month. I was thinking that since I am somewhat willing to pay $120/month for CrossFit, maybe I should put that money into buying the equipment I would need and do CrossFit on my own at home. Is this something that's possible, or do you really need to go to a CrossFit gym to get a CrossFit workout?

[rockangel]

I suggest you contact Kimm4 and see what she suggests. Be clear on what you are looking for. Sample physiques would help.

I second this!! I have never seen anyone who followed her programs not acheive their goal. The proof is in the pudding they say, and time and time again, i have seen her clients come out looking amazing. If you dont go this route, then i would suggest looking into online trainers who train for the physique you want.
I am with Cathy Savage Training because they are affordable, online and have a lot of reputation and credibility in the industry. Their girls look wonderful, their diet and training is healthy, and when i follow them (the hard part of any program) I see the results i want.
But any way you go, i think a trainer who is experienced in training for the physiques you want would really help you meet your goals.

[Big_Sky_Guy]

Lots of people do CF without belonging to a CF Gym. Spend some youtube time to be sure and learn proper technique for the exercises you are not familiar with. CF has a website with their Workout of the Day so you do not have to figure out every workout. You can go back and look at past workouts to find ones that fit the equipment you have.

We have considered picking up about a $1000 worth of equipment so we are not limited to the times that the CF garage is open.

[THRIVVE]

Like most of us here, I would love to have a hard, athletic body. I've been lifting weights for quite a while and have done many programs. Body for Life, HST, Max-OT, created my own programs, and am in the process of doing the New Rules of Lifting for Women program. I understand that you must lift heavy and eat right, but honestly....I'm just not getting to where I want to be. I know that it takes years and years of dedication, but I don't think I'm able to push myself the way I need to be pushed. I'm thinking of cancelling my 24 hour fitness membership and switching to crossfit, but I don't know if crossfit will get me the hard, athletic body I want. I mean, by looking at some of the women who do athletes, they look amazing, but I don't know if they do other things on the side that help them as well. Any thoughts on switching from traditional weightlifting at a regular gym to crossfit?

So much has to do with the programming of the WODs and accessory lifts. If you find a good box near you with knowledgeable trainers, then yes you can achieve what you want.

[Mel63]

I love the idea of crossfit, however have some shoulder issues that I think would limit my abilities (and the cost is a bit prohibitive) BUT the crossfit community has a great feeling of camaradarie that I don't see in other gyms. That support and feeling of togetherness would be amazing.