The background is that the viral video in question circulated FB and the web and was first sent to me from the west coast by Phil Snell (of myrehabexercise.com fame). Speaks volumes to tipping points that can be created with the internet when it was filmed less than a mile from one of my offices.
Below, a short clip, featuring yours truly, from our local news. I think they did a nice job presenting a balanced approach. I find it funny what they chose to use out of a 45 minute interview, but I agree with their conclusion that Crossfit should likely entered into with caution like training for a marathon rather than as a general exercise program.
A nice piece by Katherine Underwood: Crossfit Controversy
Points I wish made the video:
- We have a sedentary, obese society that needs to sit less and move more. By motivating people to get moving in some ways Crossfit has it right. They have also done well removing seated exercise machines and motivating people to perform a variety of more functional activities.
- Crossfit can be extremely fun, motivating and exciting. (This is one of their great achievements but it can also compromise judgment.)
- One of the main flaws in training is the value of quantity over quality.
- Big picture goals should be as follows: For athletes: Long Term Athletic Development. For adults: Long Term Athletic Participation.
- It is very easy to make exercise hard. Do more reps, add more weight, do it faster. It is very hard to make exercise challenging. This is where the exercise remains under control, but just on the edge of someone’s capabilities. The difference is HUGE. Challenge leads to adaptation and improvement. Exercising hard leads to injury and failure.
- Health care providers have a duty to at least “DO NO HARM”. Fitness trainers should adhere to this same concept.
- Professor Stuart McGill reminds us that, “There is no good or bad exercise” only ones that are inappropriately applied. Group exercise classes do not allow individualization which creates problems. In other forms of group training there are also problems, yoga, pilates, etc… however with these other forms of group training there is more of an environment that it is acceptable that an exercise or activity may not be for you and an encouragement to ‘listen to your body’. Crossfit adopts a mantra closer to ‘no pain, no gain’.
- Each person should be screened pre-participation. Screening should include cardiovascular assessment, but also a movement based assessment such as the FMS looking for movement limitations & common injury mechanisms. It is also essential that screening is implemented using corrective exercise and modification of the routine.
Some blog reviews: of Crossfit:
http://impact-pt.com/fitness/
http://boddickerperformance.
http://justinlevine03.
#1 injury that walks in my door is from CF. Enough already with this ballistic repetitive macho workout. The majority of the movements used in CF are very advanced and the majority of people that are taking their classes are no where near ready to jump into the major leagues – maybe start off with little league. Then the – I’m a CF trainer because I took a weekend certification course and I’ve been doing CF for 5 yrs. Where are the basics, where are the courses in anatomy and biomechanics.
I’m sure CF could be beneficial but the way it’s approached – it’s not.
Before you join CF go to a biomechanics specialist to teach you the basics of body awareness and spine neutral.
I agree with your points and would like to add this to them…
Crossfit needs to add a longer ramp up time before putting newbies in with the more experienced crossfitters. My personal opinion is 6-8 weeks. The training is intense and the pressure to keep up with the rest along with the inexperience of the newbie with training leads to injuries, many of which I see in my office.
My patients say they’ve spent 1 week learning then they’re ready to train with everyone else. Let’s not forget that ligaments and tendons take longer to strengthen than muscles.
I totally agree with your statement on quality vs quantity of exercise. This isn’t emphasized enough in their program and should be made a priority. As I always say, your last rep is when your technique breaks down. At that time, you just stop. If you are too fatigued to use proper technique, then it’s on to something else or you’re done for the day.
I love the passion crossfitters have for their new found workout regimen. But I can tell you that I get more crossfitters in my office with more injuries than any other specific sport.
I’ve also had 2 patients that have had non-displaced metatarsal fractures.
Dr. T
Http://NaturalSportsMedicine.blogspot.com
“shouldn’t we all just get a(long)…. movement screen” way to go celeb. You got some air time..nice. I do agree crossfit has good intent but when you train like a ferrari but function like a jetta bad things are going to happen eventually. SAID principles apply. Many of these injured persons deny that crossfit caused their pain but as they get more intense pushing higher and heavier they continue to use the same strategies in survivalmode which lead to activity demands exceeding functional capacity=injury. for some reason the injured person don’t get it!!! Oh well, I’m preaching to choir.