Getting into shape

[Freed Roger]

Anyone here doing Crossfit? It seems to be polarizing among reviews by amateurs and pros alike.

I've never done it, but think I've utilized pieces of it - (high intensity, anaerobic, little rest between). The dispute over Crossfit is amusing - the dispute presumes that there is "one true path" in fitness, athletic performance, weight loss.

The things that makes me apprehensive about Crossfit:
1) Seems a bit cultlike - you have to join something. Does Crossfit leave you time and recovery for other exercise pursuits or is it "all in"
2) My friend that does/did it, could not keep it going - and is a marshmellow.
3) too much anaerobic, not enough aerobic
4) recovery time for me is too much
Since I've been running mostly for exercise (at various length and intensity levels) I dropped 20 pounds. I still hit the gym once or twice a week - and notice that is enough to maintain strength.

Point is, what works is different for everyone.

[letsgocards89]

WTF is it?

I enjoyed this write-up
http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2012/03 ... -crossfit/

Here’s the definition of CrossFit from the official site:

CrossFit is the principal strength and conditioning program for many police academies and tactical operations teams, military special operations units, champion martial artists, and hundreds of other elite and professional athletes worldwide.

Our program delivers a fitness that is, by design, broad, general, and inclusive. Our specialty is not specializing. Combat, survival, many sports, and life reward this kind of fitness and, on average, punish the specialist.

CrossFit contends that a person is as fit as they are proficient in each of ten general physical skills: cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, agility, balance, coordination, and accuracy

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

I think there is one way to lose weight: Calories out>Calories in. Regardless of how you do it, that's the key.

[Freed Roger]

CrossFit is the principal strength and conditioning program for many police academies and tactical operations teams, military special operations units, champion martial artists, and hundreds of other elite and professional athletes worldwide.

Our program delivers a fitness that is, by design, broad, general, and inclusive. Our specialty is not specializing. Combat, survival, many sports, and life reward this kind of fitness and, on average, punish the specialist.

CrossFit contends that a person is as fit as they are proficient in each of ten general physical skills: cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, agility, balance, coordination, and accuracy

Oi. it doesn't seem like it is anything new or different than what's been done before. What professional athletes do they have in the fold? Any world record holders? Police academies...hmmm. good luck letsgocards. If you are young, I can see it being helpful. I have another runner friend (female) that does occassional crossfit. but its not her base. she's a spaz, so it works for her.

[letsgocards89]

I think there is one way to lose weight: Calories out>Calories in. Regardless of how you do it, that's the key.

Well yeah, I get that. I think what makes it attractive to me is

1. Broad range of activities/exercises. Less boredom
2. Camaraderie. It'd help with accountability, and to be honest, I miss organized sports.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

Yeah, that sounds pretty cool. Now that I think about it, I know a couple people that do and like it...though two of them are still very much overweight...and I still don't really know what it is.

The key to losing weight is finding something you can actually do...and somewhat enjoy. As much as swimming is good for you, and I tried to do it, I hated it....weird I know since I love the water. But, swimming laps has to be the most boring thing in the world. And, on top of that, I couldn't just do it at a leisurely pace because I'd drown and therefore die - resulting in the reverse of what my ultimate goal is...live longer.

Regardless of what people say, if you're burning calories and in some way/some how using your muscles to do that, I'd recommend you keep doing it.

[jim]

I have a friend that does it and swears by it. I think in principal cross training is the only way to go, although I don't think you necessarily need to sign up for CrossFit. I do worry about some of the weight my buddy throws around - he swears they monitor him and it's perfectly safe etc.. but at some point I think he's going to throw his back out.

I suppose there are many ways to train but I think there are a few constants - to me two are cross training and intensity. Don't do the same thing every day, and work hard to the point of where you are really pushing yourself 3-4 times week (unless there are health issues that prevent that of course). Use the other 2-3 days to do some lighter workouts to keep the metabolism going - a 30 minute jog or whatever. You need to push yourself and you need to mix it up - both for the muscles and the mind. I don't know how some people I see do it - every day on the elliptical or whatever every single solitary day.

[jim]

Yeah, that sounds pretty cool. Now that I think about it, I know a couple people that do and like it...though two of them are still very much overweight...and I still don't really know what it is.

The key to losing weight is finding something you can actually do...and somewhat enjoy. As much as swimming is good for you, and I tried to do it, I hated it....weird I know since I love the water. But, swimming laps has to be the most boring thing in the world. And, on top of that, I couldn't just do it at a leisurely pace because I'd drown and therefore die - resulting in the reverse of what my ultimate goal is...live longer.

Regardless of what people say, if you're burning calories and in some way/some how using your muscles to do that, I'd recommend you keep doing it.

Agree 100%. It's not that I love some of what I do, but I don't do the same thing more than 2x per week. For example I'll go do stairs at the local college 1x per week, and I really enjoy how hard I push myself. If I had to do that 3x or more per week - I'd hate it. I'll add 1-2 jogs of 3-4 miles where I just go out easy and listen to some music. Again, I enjoy it at that frequency but could never run more than 2-3 times per week total. Weights - same thing. I do a spin class 1x per week in the summer, 2x in the winter. I have this routine I do on the basketball court about 1x per week - I do those apple jacks (sprint to foul line, back to end line, to half court, back to end line, other foul etc...) and some burpees and then some box jumps. Do that 15 minutes and I'm toast, it's intense and I couldn't do that more than 1x per week and 15' isn't long enough to work out. But ... there are basketballs there. After having gotten my heart rate up like that I just shoot around for another 15'+, and running after the ball etc.. keeps my heart rate up. Not near that anaerobic level, but above 120. And it's fun. Throw in a stairs workout and a spin workout and that's 3 intense aerobic workouts, lift 3 times per week and that's a good week.

[jim]

Yeah, that sounds pretty cool. Now that I think about it, I know a couple people that do and like it...though two of them are still very much overweight...and I still don't really know what it is.

The key to losing weight is finding something you can actually do...and somewhat enjoy. As much as swimming is good for you, and I tried to do it, I hated it....weird I know since I love the water. But, swimming laps has to be the most boring thing in the world. And, on top of that, I couldn't just do it at a leisurely pace because I'd drown and therefore die - resulting in the reverse of what my ultimate goal is...live longer.

Regardless of what people say, if you're burning calories and in some way/some how using your muscles to do that, I'd recommend you keep doing it.

Agree 100%. It's not that I love some of what I do, but I don't do the same thing more than 2x per week. For example I'll go do stairs at the local college 1x per week, and I really enjoy how hard I push myself. If I had to do that 3x or more per week - I'd hate it. I'll add 1-2 jogs of 3-4 miles where I just go out easy and listen to some music. Again, I enjoy it at that frequency but could never run more than 2-3 times per week total. Weights - same thing. I do a spin class 1x per week in the summer, 2x in the winter. I have this routine I do on the basketball court about 1x per week - I do those apple jacks (sprint to foul line, back to end line, to half court, back to end line, other foul etc...) and some burpees and then some box jumps. Do that 15 minutes and I'm toast, it's intense and I couldn't do that more than 1x per week and 15' isn't long enough to work out. But ... there are basketballs there. After having gotten my heart rate up like that I just shoot around for another 15'+, and running after the ball etc.. keeps my heart rate up. Not near that anaerobic level, but above 120. And it's fun. Throw in a stairs workout and a spin workout and that's 3 intense aerobic workouts, lift 3 times per week and that's a good week.

[Richie Allen]

I think there is one way to lose weight: Calories out>Calories in. Regardless of how you do it, that's the key.

If you really want it to be effective and still feel well enough to exercise, etc...try and make sure those calories in are what the body needs to function. I'd hate to see what you'd feel like if your entire daily intake was consistently something like a Big Mac, fries and a milk shake (approx. 2000 cal if you get the shake at Culvers).