Official NMisc Crossfit Discussion Thread

[The Protagonist]

You went from Defranco's to crossfit? Oh you poor shmuck....

Hey I appreciate your sympathy man but it's misplaced and not necessary. I was recently talking to two of my friends, one used to train at the US Olympic Training center at Colorado (he was part of the national TKD team) and the other was a trainee at Poliquin's place in Canada. So at one point we all had the experience to train at "elite level" places but unless you are set on going pro in your sport or you have bags of money that doesn't last ever. We pretty much came to the conclusion that it's more about the lessons you learn while training there and an understanding of training methodology. Where I am now is like the Paretto Principle to DeFranco's, 80% of results at 20% of the cost. Results is a broad term because I had different goals in mind in 2009 vs now (back then it was pure strength for sports but now its more about explosiveness, kinesthetic awareness, endurance, and mobility). In the end I'm very happy so don't worry about me bro.

1 - As I understand it, CF is only about classes, more specifically, WODs, not being able to show up any time on any day to do anything you want.
2 - How many CF gyms are going to have true athletes as opposed to simply "CF certified coaches" (which doesn't mean jack sh*t to me)?

Right any CF gym is about classes, we have regular WOD classes everyday which I attend 3x a week and then also Intro to Olympic Lifting and Intro to Gymnastics both of which I attend fairly religiously.

I think that what many of you need to realize is that CF is rapidly evolving. It's only really been around since the early 2000s and back then everyone did the main site WOD only. Now, in 2012 only 1 out of the 5 CF gyms near me (Philadelphia) is this way. All have evolved to have strength components and periodization **** thats against some of CF's original tenants. Yet most of the core stuff still exists like Fran, rope climbs, rowing, and Fight Gone Bad because those WODs are beastly for metabolic conditioning and leanness. I think what Bruce Lee said, "Adapt what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is specifically your own" applies.

In the end you don't have to listen to me, I'm just some random dude on the internet. Joe DeFranco, Zach Even Esh (whose gym IS a CF affiliate!), and Mark Ripptoe have all spoken favorably about CF and its methodology. Hell even the Seals used it and then modified it to a more hardcore version for their own use (sealfit).

I'm not a crossfit evangelist (even though I realize based off my posts I may seem like one) I'm just a guy that is happy with my CF results and I saw a lot of vitriol and hate in this thread which I felt was not right and felt the need to defend CF. Sure there are those 'tards that deadlift more weight than they can handle for mad reps with a bent back for time. There is also the intolerable "IM H4RDC0R3" attitude that some CFers have. If you look though, you'll find this same **** everywhere else in BBing and PLing. In the end if you distill it, CF is a community of people who want to become athletic and healthy individuals. The injury factor is overplayed, that subforum contains ALL CF related injuries (bc there is only one real CF board on the internet), if I was to compile a list of people with BBing injuries or PLing injuries, I'm sure it would be far more expansive.

Personally, I respect all forms of training and don't see one as superior to the other. BBing is great for hypertrophy and aesthetics. Powerlifting is great for well...becoming a strong individual. CF is great for becoming a individual with great all around athleticism and low bodyfat. I was at a powerlifting meet a couple months back and some of the lifters were ripping on bodybuilders as "f*gs" and saying how they could never respect anyone who is purely concerned about looks. I was like 'STFU let people train how they want to train'. Hate is a wasted emotion, focus on yourselves and advancing toward your goals.

That said after this long ass post this will be my last one on the topic and in this thread. I came in the defend CF and I believe I accomplished that. I don't expect to have changed anyone's mind and that's fine (although I do challenge all of your hypertrophy focused mass monsters to a strict muscle up contest..or maybe a strict pull up one would be easier? ) . Alan gave me some reccs on reading to do in his RR on CF which I will check out.

peace
ADA

[midcoastking33]

TLDR but I'm not one that lifts for hypertrophy so take this as you will. Crossfit is just not efficient for what it sets out to accomplish. It's basically turning strength endurance weight lifting into a sport. You could take an ex football player, powerlifter, bodybuilder etc. and have them excelling in crossfit in weeks, however if you took someone who did crossfit and had them cross over into something else they'd suck at it. If your goal is to simply ace a WOD time, than yes CF is the choice. But other than that, whether it be muscle size, strength, endurance, work capacity, etc. there are better programs that you don't need to spend hundreds a month on

I've also yet to see a beginner do straight crossfit and have a good transformation, it's almost always ex athletes and lifters who gravitate towards it and thus were already in good shape to begin with

[alan aragon]

Quoted from former elite CF'er Gillian Mounsey (see attached file for full article):

"All that mattered was how fast I could do lots of them. My form was an abomination, but my fast Grace time (30 Clean and Jerks, 95lbs for women) was celebrated, and the loss of form due to exertional fatigue was equally celebrated. After all, I could move 95lbs from ground to overhead 30 times in under two minutes! That does not make me an athlete; it makes me a very fit exerciser with total disregard for the potential for injury and a lack of respect for the sport of weightlifting."

How off-base would you say Gillian is, Protagonist?

[ven33]

I like a little bit of everything in my workouts.

To be honesty, my workouts combine powerlifting, bodybuilding, crossfit, everything. Now that being said I'd say my workouts are 60% bodybuilding, 30% powerlifting, 10% crossfit. Variety is the spice of life.

[Lvisaa2]

I like a little bit of everything in my workouts.

To be honesty, my workouts combine powerlifting, bodybuilding, crossfit, everything. Now that being said I'd say my workouts are 60% bodybuilding, 30% powerlifting, 10% crossfit. Variety is the spice of life.

How does one judge whether a workout is powerlifting or bodybuilding? I don't really classify what I do. I see heavy weight and I lift it.

[ko300zx]

How does one judge whether a workout is powerlifting or bodybuilding? I don't really classify what I do. I see heavy weight and I lift it.

The guy doing 8 variations of bicep curls isn't powerlifting.

[ven33]

How does one judge whether a workout is powerlifting or bodybuilding? I don't really classify what I do. I see heavy weight and I lift it.

I associate bodybuilding with hypertrophy. Where are powerlifting I associate with heavier weight, fewer reps, and more sets.

[Lvisaa2]

I associate bodybuilding with hypertrophy. Where are powerlifting I associate with heavier weight, fewer reps, and more sets.

I associate heavier weight, fewer reps, and more sets with hypertrophy thus my point

[JasonDB]

How does one judge whether a workout is powerlifting or bodybuilding? I don't really classify what I do. I see heavy weight and I lift it.

The goals and training style... a lot of the heavy work many bodybuilders do would be considered powerlifting as they are focused on improving performance with low reps, whereas when hypertrophy/accessory work is done by powerlifters it is bodybuilding work. There are elements of both that yield large gains to the other, so neither is mutually exclusive of course and to some extent they can compliment each other.

My squat singles are clearly powerlifting but my 10 rep incline curls this weekend were bodybuilding (although not very good bodybuilding as my biceps are... again my worst muscle group).

[joelash302]

How does one judge whether a workout is powerlifting or bodybuilding? I don't really classify what I do. I see heavy weight and I lift it.

Powerlifters maximize the movement, bodybuilders maximize the muscle. Lots of similarities between the two.

[gamer123]

start @2:15

[t12jm]

I hate fad exercise cults as much as the next guy, but these guys are doing it right. I just got back from the gym, and felt like a b*tch for doing tricep extensions today after watching this.

[joelash302]

felt like a b*tch for doing tricep extensions today after watching this.

Well come on, who's the asshole here.

[spicyprice]

A guy at the gym the other day was walking around in his gas mask..... I got a long hard LOL.

Sounded like darth vader doing reverse pec decs.

[sawoobley]

A guy at the gym the other day was walking around in his gas mask..... I got a long hard LOL.
Sounded like darth vader doing reverse pec decs.

You gotta record that with your phone. Maybe ask him some questions about the benefits of such an exercise.

[Lvisaa2]

You gotta record that with your phone. Maybe ask him some questions about the benefits of such an exercise.

I know a guy who does it. It restricts the amount of oxygen so it (supposedly) makes you more efficient at using it. He does elliptical all the time with it on. Thing is he is probably 25% BF - I don't know why he doesn't just exercise like a normal person.

He's training for MMA so he picked it up from someone at his gym.

[jammyo40]

I know a guy who does it. It restricts the amount of oxygen so it (supposedly) makes you more efficient at using it. He does elliptical all the time with it on. Thing is he is probably 25% BF - I don't know why he doesn't just exercise like a normal person.

He's training for MMA so he picked it up from someone at his gym.

I've only heard of this (altitude tents/chambers, IIRC) when athletes in the Olympics are trying the break the marathon record.

[Andrew_S]

If they were really hardcore they'd just stop breathing all together. CO2 gets you swole.

[Lvisaa2]

I've only heard of this (altitude tents/chambers, IIRC) when athletes in the Olympics are trying the break the marathon record.

Yeah, I'm always afraid he's going to have a heart attack or something. I'd admire him trying to get in shape, but it makes me facepalm. I just let him be until he asks me my opinion, or I think he is doing something dangerous.

[spicyprice]

I know a guy who does it. It restricts the amount of oxygen so it (supposedly) makes you more efficient at using it. He does elliptical all the time with it on. Thing is he is probably 25% BF - I don't know why he doesn't just exercise like a normal person.

He's training for MMA so he picked it up from someone at his gym.

True altitude training increases RBC production to compensate for the lack of O2. Its like taking EPO, but without using any drugs. The difference it makes isnt really that significant unless you are among the elite where having a few extra RBCs running around will actually give you an edge. Cyclists use altitude training (aka epo, LOL) a lot as well.

This kiddo was skeeeeeny. Like, not a muscle was seen. I think he needed his Os, ya know?

I've only heard of this (altitude tents/chambers, IIRC) when athletes in the Olympics are trying the break the marathon record.

Yeah, plenty will spend some time up in Denver and other high altitude areas to train as well. My oldest brother was hardcore into Ironman Tris for a while and slept in a 17% O2 tent. I LOLd at him.

If they were really hardcore they'd just stop breathing all together. CO2 gets you swole.

So he failed at failing.

[t12jm]

True altitude training increases RBC production to compensate for the lack of O2. Its like taking EPO, but without using any drugs. The difference it makes isnt really that significant unless you are among the elite where having a few extra RBCs running around will actually give you an edge. Cyclists use altitude training (aka epo, LOL) a lot as well.

I was a subject in a military research project last year like this. We (Texans) performed the AFPT here and at altitude in Breckenridge. It was really cool, and you can see why the Olympic team trains there. My 2 mile time went up 2 minutes from Dallas -> Breckenridge.

Learned a lot from the guys designing the study as well. My HbO2sat went from 99% resting average to 85% average for the week there.

[sawoobley]

I know a guy who does it. It restricts the amount of oxygen so it (supposedly) makes you more efficient at using it. He does elliptical all the time with it on. Thing is he is probably 25% BF - I don't know why he doesn't just exercise like a normal person.

He's training for MMA so he picked it up from someone at his gym.

I've done some light work with one of these on and it put a good amount of stress on my heart and lungs. I can't imagine it being of any significant benefit for improving physical fitness levels. The levels of CO2 probably increase inside the mask or respirator the longer you have it on. It will make you light headed but that's about it IMO.



Although, if there is a terrorist attack or a huge dust storm. No one will be laughing at the guy with the mask on. , lol. But until then he'll bring the lulz.

[Andrew_S]

I've always thought/read that the above type of training is useless because it limits your workout performance. So you are trying to create a stronger adaptation by making breathing more difficult, but because of that your session isn't going to be as good as if you didn't use it. It's kinda like the live high, train low idea behind living at altitude for the blood doping like effects, while still training at sea level to give max performance. Just tossing some ideas out, I don't follow the science of gas mask cardio. Maybe it's better for "toughing up" somebody...get them used to distress...that "Ah, I can't breath!" feeling...maybe it helps mental toughness.

[jammyo40]

You're not supposed to deprive yourself of oxygen DURING your workout.

[feelsg00dmayne]

dunno if repost:

[sawoobley]

You're not supposed to deprive yourself of oxygen DURING your workout.

That guy could wear one of these. At least it will be charging his cell phone.



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencete...ile-phone.html

dunno if repost:
[youtube]NnnOWfj2TW4[youtube]

LOL

[PR1MO]

In an attempt to cash-in on this Crossfit hype I'm going to start my own Crossfit inspired clothing line. I'll call the label "Cross-dress".

[feelsg00dmayne]

wat.

[TXguy33]

I didn't read the whole thread, but AA, I would rep the sh*t out of you if I wasn't on spread for the lulz in this thread.

[BunkMoreland]