Is CrossFit ‘bad’ for you?

In mainstream media, YouTube ‘Fail Compilations’, and memes on social media, CrossFit has been the centre of many jokes. People claim that it is unsafe, ego-driven, a waste of time and money, and a one-way ticket to injury. In reality, CrossFit has done a lot of good since its inception over two decades ago. Millions of people have moved their body in a different way, and found a community thanks to CrossFit. Here, we will take a quick look into CrossFit, chat about the pros and cons, and discuss whether it is truly ‘bad for you’.

What is CrossFit?

CrossFit was an exercise methodology formed by Greg Glassman in the US over two decades ago. The main aim of CrossFit? Combine resistance training, cardiovascular workouts, gymnastics, and Olympic weightlifting into one class. This new form of exercise would aim to set itself apart from the classic bodyweight HIIT classes and the classic bodybuilding gym, and reinvent ‘functional exercise’. Every CrossFit class is developed to look slightly different than the day before, and is aimed to be performed as a WOD (Workout of the Day) class, ranging form 3 or 4 people, up to 20+ people in a group.

What does a CrossFit gym look like?

One way that a CrossFit gym or ‘Box’ differs from a  standard gym is the lack of many fixed machines. Most CrossFit gyms are made to be very malleable, whereby most equipment can be very easily moved around the room or stored, meaning that there is the most amount of floor space possible for the group WOD. A CrossFit gym will have a ‘rig’ which is often 4-20 squat racks all in one single metal frame. This is often a centrepiece of the gym. The rest of the gym will comprise of barbells, dumbbells, weight plates, medicine balls, and cardio equipment like ski machines, rowers, and bikes. All of this equipment is often stored away and brought out when needed which is a great space saver.

Why do people say CrossFit is bad?

Like most things on the internet, the most sensational story or video gets the most attention. CrossFit often teaches challenging movements that can take years to get confident in like Olympic Weightlifting where you lift heavy bars over your head. CrossFit also prides itself on being an intense workout, where your heart rate is often kept high to improve fitness. When people perform exercises while fatigued, they are often more likely to make mistakes. High repetitions of exercises is common in CrossFit, which can be really tough for some people to handle, which may lead to injury. There’s a belief out there that CrossFit doesn’t care about form, just get the movement done anyway possible, despite injury risk. For 99% of CrossFit coaches this isn’t true, but the minority often give the rest a bad rep.

Importance of finding a good PT or CrossFit Coach

In a WOD, although 20 people may be doing the same exercises, the level of difficulty can be ‘scaled’ dependent on each individual’s ability. A good PT or CrossFit coach will know when to push you, and when to reduce the level of difficulty until you improve your form or technique. In a larger class, this can be a little more challenging for a coach, but gyms often offer smaller group training, or 1-2-1 training to help you master the basics so that you can become more confident to then join a class. A high quality coach  or trainer can help mitigate injury risk, so that you can train for longer, without as many injury or ‘rehab breaks’.

Who shouldn’t start going to CrossFit classes?

• Somebody who is currently suffering form an injury that is significantly affecting everyday tasks like stairs, or working

• Someone who has an injury that is very easy to flare up, and that can linger for a few days after doing the activity

• A person who has never engaged in formal weight training before (it may be best suited for this person to try small group training or 1-2-1 training first

Who would benefit from CrossFit or Functional Fitness classes?

- EVERYONE ELSE!

If you have any questions on whether physio is the best option for you, or you have any questions about MVMNT in general, feel free to contact via email.

- Jay Towolawi, Specialist Sports Physiotherapist and MVMNT Founder.