Post: #51

I'm joing a Xfit gym soon. I can start until I do their new guy program that starts in November and runs for 3 weeks at 3x a week. Its a bit ridiculous and I told them I don't plan on paying full price for 3 weeks if I'm only allowed to workout 3x a week.

Just getting bored of the gym and want to try something new. I haven't been too fond of Xfit in the past because of the cult like elitist attitude that I have seen from the Xfitters I know.

But I'm going to check it out anyway, maybe Ill be pleasantly surprised maybe it will confirm the douchebaggery

Post: #52

Crossfit is a cult. I wanted to join years ago but was put off by the price then. Later when I again wanted to try it out it was mostly because they had oly and strength training on off days, which was really hard to find. However, then they cancelled that because it became too popular. Simply put, the crosffit freaks didn't like that the strength and oly program was more popular than the cultist WOD. After that, I don't think I can support such a stupid decision. I mistakenly thought that Crossfit was actually serious about making people achieve their fitness goals even if that included just getting stronger, but the fact is that it is mainly a money machine and a massive fad, just like Wing Chun in the late 90s or similar.

Post: #53

It seems to me Crossfit is mostly a motivational tool for people who want a more social gym experience and it is pretty successful at providing that. It clearly has done a lot to promote weightlifting among the general population as well.

Post: #54

I bet if crossfitters had to sign a non disclosure agreement before taking classes most of them wouldn't even bother.

Post: #55

I have yet to meet a "cultish" crossfitter... which means I am probably becoming one lol.

Either that OR my gym is really good.
Each workout right now consists of a "strength" and "conditioning" portion.

The "strength" portion is either 5/3/1 lifts or working on Olympic Lifts.
The "conditioning" portion is the WOD which lasts anywhere from 10-20 minutes

Yeah, its pricey, but I have never been as involved in my own health and well being as I am now, so the cost is worth it in my eyes.



but yeah guys, listen - crossfit is working for me. It may work for you, it may not. But isn't fitness about finding out what works for you and what doesn't and sticking with it?
And is it ever bad to try new things?

Post: #56

MikeCF my best fran time was 3:08

Post: #57

"Cross Training" has been around forever.

Roman gladiators used to talk about mixing up their workouts.

This stuff is just the modern version.

They are great workouts for sure.

Post: #58

I've been interested mainly because I saw this guy I've known for years.

A year ago he was a pretty big lop. Big boozer and I never would have thought in a million years he was interested in fitness.

I saw him last weekend and this motherfucker is cut. Now, I didn't get that good of a look at him and he may have just cut his BF way down. I'd actually like to go head to head on compound lifts and see who comes out ahead. But the point stands; I started lifting a year ago, he started Xfit not even a year ago and this guy definitely looks better. Whether it's his workout routine or his diet, I dunno.

If I'm really honest with myself it's a discipline thing, and I'm not sure i need to spend considerably more to have someone there keeping me in check. My ego and my wallet are getting in the way of just doing it, even though I could afford it it's about twice as much as my regular gym membership.

Post: #59

^ XFit offers what most guys' workouts are lacking - intensity.

You cannot train XFit and not have intense workouts.

In the gym lifting, most guys are no intense enough. I know this because when running a guy through a workout, he looks at me all fucked up and then finally "gets it." Oh, so this is what a training session should feel like.

Lifting weights should be a little crazy. Most guys do a few reps, feel the burn, and stop.

But the set doesn't even begin until the pain sets in.

Despite its flaws, XFit teaches you intensity.

Take that lesson from it, don't get injured, and then quit and lift on your own is my advice.

Post: #60

Thedude - Do it man. You will be happy you did.

Post: #61

(10-17-2013 06:21 PM)MikeCF Wrote:  ^ XFit offers what most guys' workouts are lacking - intensity.

Boom!

INTENSITY! That's how you break through plateaus and get greater results.

If you are not getting the results you want, improve your diet and workout with greater intensity.

I think that is the power of Crossfit. It creates an intense environment. It can be hard to do that on your own.

Post: #62

crossfit training is sort of a self fulfilling philosophy, after a while, usually after the first workout, your goals become getting better at crossfit, and whatever casual athletic goals you had become uninteresting(running a faster 5k, having a bigger bench press, etc etc). Usually all of these things get better too. Each class is a competition, and if you like that, it will feed the beast and you will want it more. Just make sure you take the time to learn the movements properly from your coaches at your gym, take their criticism of your form, become a master at that, and everything gets easier(really.. you get faster and stronger). Dial in your diet, and view it as a sport, because it is. Its not for the casual person that wants to dip into the gym and get a little burn. Go in, go all out, and eat well. As you get better you will start to do things you never thought were physically possible.

Post: #63

I did crossfit for 3 months before I went to Europe this summer. Every single time I left there I was dripping of sweat, almost vomiting, could barely breathe, etc. The people there are very Mormonish in their demeanor and attitude. Everything is so happy and roses and "you can do it" it was a little crazy, but honestly did motivate you a bit. I was easily one of the weakest guys there.

Then I injured myself and was out for about 2 weeks, so that happens. The good thing is they always walk around and try and make sure that you are doing the exercises correctly.

Most everyone there was ripped to shreds. But I think it was MikeCF that told me...what they don't tell you is a lot of these crossfit guys became that way from traditional lifting/exercise and are now doing crossfit to maintain.

I probably won't do it again, but who knows. Maybe I'll try another crossfit gym first. Aesthetically, I think I look a bit better when I just do traditional lifts from stronglifts (though I have to sub a few things because of my back, i.e. front squats for regular squats, I can't do barbell rows so I use that thing you lie down on and pull up the weight, etc.)

The one cool thing about crossfit is you don't think, you just do the routine they give you. It's different every time so you don't get bored, and it is a hell of a workout.

This is just one area of my life I can never figure out. Maybe I'm not sticking with things long enough, who knows.

Post: #64

Yeah I think for sure that there are a lot of guys in CrossFit who switched over from regular weight training because they got bored with it and wanted to try something else. In fact I know that's the case with the owner of the gym I go to. I also kind of suspect they would go out of business without the excitement of CrossFit bringing people in the door. Regular membership (which is what I do) is $40/mo. while XFit membership is $120/mo. The regular portion of the gym is empty most of the time while the CrossFit classes are pretty busy.

Post: #65

Thing is, is I'm a little torn between getting bigger and getting cut down. Yeah having a 6 pack would be nice but I've made some solid strength gains over the past year and I'd like to continue that.

There's a few milestones I'd like to hit before focusing on cutting my BF way down. I'd like to hit a 1.5x bodyweight bench (I'm at 1x) a 2.5x deadlift (I'm at 1.4x) and a 2x squat (I'm at 1.2x)

Does crossfit focus on hitting these strength milestones? Gotta keep in mind I was a 165lb skinnyfat weakling most of my life. The fact I can bench 210 (at 208) now makes me pretty happy and I want to see how much further I can take that.

Post: #66

^^ I did bench press one time in the three months I was there. You do pushups and other bodyweight type shit.

Post: #67

(10-18-2013 02:25 PM)thedude3737 Wrote:  Does crossfit focus on hitting these strength milestones?

you'll get stronger but of course not as fast as when you focus on a strength routine for several weeks. you can always add in extra strength work to your Crossfit schedule, 5/3/1 works pretty good for that, or following Crossfit Football WOD's. Recovery and nutrition also play a big role if you follow 3 on 1 off, and will aid in strength dev.

Post: #68

(10-18-2013 02:25 PM)thedude3737 Wrote:  Thing is, is I'm a little torn between getting bigger and getting cut down. Yeah having a 6 pack would be nice but I've made some solid strength gains over the past year and I'd like to continue that.

There's a few milestones I'd like to hit before focusing on cutting my BF way down. I'd like to hit a 1.5x bodyweight bench (I'm at 1x) a 2.5x deadlift (I'm at 1.4x) and a 2x squat (I'm at 1.2x)

Does crossfit focus on hitting these strength milestones? Gotta keep in mind I was a 165lb skinnyfat weakling most of my life. The fact I can bench 210 (at 208) now makes me pretty happy and I want to see how much further I can take that.

To be honest, if I were you I'd stick with weights. Hit your strength gains and get your diet sorted. If it already is, then Id keep concentrated on weights and maybe incorporate some ab work to get a six pack.

Post: #69

you will never ever get much bigger or stronger doing crossfit.

you burn too many calories and just dont do the heavy compound strength movements consistently.

i went to the best xfit in dc for years. made some progress but had to leave to really hit my goals. put 100 lbs on my deadlift in a few months after i left (500).

maybe one day i'll go back to it but for now i just want to get bigger and stronger. i dont care how many burpees i can do.

Post: #70

I picked up this book called Man 2.0 Engineering the Alpha by John Romaniello

Man, that shit is tough!!! Love the workouts and diet plan. Very intense!

Post: #71

(10-18-2013 07:50 PM)reaper23 Wrote:  i went to the best xfit in dc for years.

which one? I have done a few certs in Alexandria, solid gym.

Post: #72

I can't help but roll my eyes when someone says you won't get stronger doing CrossFit. I don't know who your coaches are but that is absolutely not true. If you have good programming you'll have days where you focus on strength building and generally even have a "power hour" class thrown in there. I'm not saying you are doing this but most people that complain about not getting stronger never go to strength building days and never actually do prescribed weight during wods and just play it safe by scaling down. I don't know anyone who didn't get a LOT stronger that went from 1 muscle up to 10 in a row without touching their feet to the ground.

Post: #73

Fisto, does that involve doing crossfit 5x a week or more, in order to get the full benefit?

Post: #74

I play hockey when I was younger and had INTENSE workouts (albeit they were mostly lower body conditioning). SS or these gym-workout don't compare.

The intensity issue is why I stopped SS. I hit a wall from increasing weights on those low volume/low rep. Squatting heavy 3x/week was killing my kness/lower back. I felt like I had way more energy in the tank, yet couldn't up the weights.

For me, I dropped the weights down a little bit, and did 2-3x the volume with little rest intervals and I am back making gains.

Post: #75

(10-19-2013 09:59 AM)Fisto Wrote:  I can't help but roll my eyes when someone says you won't get stronger doing CrossFit. I don't know who your coaches are but that is absolutely not true. If you have good programming you'll have days where you focus on strength building and generally even have a "power hour" class thrown in there. I'm not saying you are doing this but most people that complain about not getting stronger never go to strength building days and never actually do prescribed weight during wods and just play it safe by scaling down. I don't know anyone who didn't get a LOT stronger that went from 1 muscle up to 10 in a row without touching their feet to the ground.

Nutrition plays a lot into this too. You have to eat right when do regular wods to actually gain strength and not waste away. I see far too many people who eat TOO LITTLE. Without eating right, yes, you will get leaner and smaller training like that 6 days a week. They are afraid to eat enough to build muscle. Look at Jason Khalipa, look at Matt Chan. In person those guys are huge beasts. 200#+ solid muscle. Their backs are huge. They can run, lift and do anything bodyweight. They also eat extremely well. Nutrition is actually more of a focus at times than training. People say Froning just eats anything, and yes, some people can, especially younger. I had Chan do my nutrition a few years ago and it was basically the Zone diet, modified with more fat. And that diet WORKS. You just have to go all in, nutrition, sleep and training, if you expect to gain and perform at CrossFit over a long extended period of time.