Some of the basic ideas of cross fit are great. Like others have said it's the bad form exercises, newbies doing Olympic style lifts, running around other people doing lifts and the cult like mentality. I've been to several boxes but still keep to my limits and know what works and doesn't for myself. If I'm traveling I try to do a modified cross fit type routine, like body squats, walking lunges, burpees, pushups etc.
Its like motorcycle racing. Put inexperienced people in a situation they aren't prepared for and they get hurt. I have been doing it for about a year and enjoy the training at my home box as well as the friendly competition that is involved. That being said I have been to a few other boxes while traveling and they are all different. Some are more cultish than others. Like a regular gym try a couple different ones and see if you like it and their atmosphere. At the end of the day if it gets you active and helps you improve in the areas you are looking to improve then I would call it beneficial.
So if it's a crossfit gym it's not a gym. It's a box. Can you still call it a gym if you want to or is this a rule?
Brohammer, I do not wear socks, I wear my low-cut Vibram Five Fingers shoes so I don't cover up my Ironman and Ragnar tattoos I have on my calves!!!!
If your name is Brad, Brett, Chet, or Chad and you wear Axe body spray, that's like a royal flush. Edit: shit, I see I was late for playing this game... LOL
Bru, my training mask has a hook for a kettlebell. I'm a shirtless, short shorts, wrist wrap, wide headband, kinesio tape, and Nano wearing beast! I've perfected the "waist wider than my shoulders" look so prevalent in CrossFit.
Just saw this thread and really have to correct you on the spelling. Every time I've heard it pronounced it seems to be spelled like this Crossfit-brah As in "Do you crossfit-brah?"
Broscience, I don't gender identify, I don't believe gender is a binary concept. The Locker Room police seem to strongly disagree.
I just got into a crossfit place myself. Pretty fun, hard work. It definetly beats my lame workouts at the Y... lol
I've seen those yahoo's wearing "elevation masks". I wonder if they all realize those things basically do nothing. You can accomplish the same thing by working out whilst breathing through a straw. The thought that wearing one for an hour is going to somehow replicate living at altitude to increase your red blood cell count is flawed.
There is not one elite athlete on the planet that uses crossfit as a training methodology. If you're over 40, you would probably benefit from some type of metabolic workout the most- some type of intervals followed by circuit training, higher reps with smaller weights. If you eat properly you can't help but get results. Orange Theory comes to mind. But I've heard that can be a bit cultish too. Not crapping all over crossfit, I tried a few places and it wasn't for me. Plus I know too many people that have gotten hurt from it. But I also know people that have gotten very fit from it. I actually think the best workouts for racers are cycling, MMA, and Yoga. YMMV.