Crossfit for Athletes – Really?

I get Crossfit questions all the time from people.  I usually just forward them a link or two and tell them that these articles basically echo my thoughts.  For example … The Truth About Crossfit

This saves me time.

But I thought I’d make a Crossfit post right here on my site.  So, in the future I will be able to just forward this link onto those that ask me their Crossfit questions.

You could just read the above article, but in case you are not in the mood to do so, here are some of my thoughts.

-I do not think that Crossfit is all bad

-The camaraderie is great!  This can’t be overlooked as working with a group of motivated people can by HUGE in getting great results.  But this does not mean the program design is smart, safe, or optimal.

-If you are just a person that is looking to drop a few pounds and, “get in shape,” Crossfit certainly can “work.”  They use big compound movements, work hard, and each workout presents a challenge in which they try to outperform previous performances.  But again, this can be done with a program designed to meet the individuals needs  - rather than randomly doing a little this and a little that, with no regard to the individuals goals, health history, training age, etc. etc.

Crossfit For Athletes

Now this is where it can get a little ridiculous.  Eric Cressey wrote a great blogpost awhile back titled, “Crossfit For Baseball?” Even though he highlights baseball, the theme of his post holds true for all sports.  This morning I went out for breakfast (second breakfast ) and sitting right next to me was a former MLB player (I’ll keep him nameless).  I overhear him telling another guy that they just opened up an AWESOME training facility.  He tells the guy that it is over 15,000 square feet and as he starts to describe it. I’m thinking wow, this sounds pretty kick ass!  He then goes on to say, ~ “we’re going to be training softball players, baseball players, and athletes from various other sports.  We’re using Crossfit, blah, blah, blah.”  NOOOOOO!

So here’s what we have; a big name MLBer that probably contributed to putting together this beautiful facility, and they get to use his name to attract many clients/athletes… to use Crossfit to train their athletes.?.  Yeah, this MLBer had skills on the field, but this does not qualify him to make sound decisions (including the trainer(s) to hire) when it comes to program design to best meet the needs of their athletes.

Now, some Crossfitters may read this and say that they modify the program to meet the needs of their clients.  That’s all good and dandy, and here’s my response; then you are not doing Crossfit.  You are writing up an individualized program for your client.  And again, if you are doing Crossfit with your athletes, then you are doing them a disservice (go read Eric’s article from above if you haven’t already).

Once again, I want to reiterate, Crossfit is not all bad.  My advice is to take the good from Crossfit (and the good from other philosophies/methods) and use it all to give your client’s programs (or your own programs) individualization… especially if they are athlete’s that are expected to complete at a high level where improved performance and injury prevention is paramount.

Ah, done.  Now I can just forward this blogpost to all the people that ask me about Crossfit.  You feel free to do the same.

I know this is the kind of post that will probably bring the hate mail.  That’s ok, I just hope posts like this will at least make people take a step back and consider their training methods/philosophies.  If I made you think then I did my job.