I completely understand why people hate CrossFit. CrossFitters are an incredibly annoying group of people. They talk about CrossFit non-stop, they wear CrossFit sneakers, and they display misguided pride over their disgusting hand calluses. And CrossFit workouts? They’re ridiculous. How do they expect a 41-year-old mother of two to do a handstand pushup? And am I really supposed to push a weighted sled around a parking lot?
Trust me, I get it. On paper, CrossFit looks like a scam. But despite these seemingly valid criticisms, CrossFit has become a fitness phenomenon. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that even big gyms are now offering CrossFit-style classes in an effort to capitalize on CrossFit’s popularity. People just can’t get enough of CrossFit.
So this begs the question: What is it that makes CrossFit so different from other fitness studios or gyms? My theory: CrossFit is a deliberately social community, and that makes it incredibly addictive and awesome.
Myths that makes everyone, including your doctor, hate CrossFit…
Crossfit is bad for you. You are going to get hurt. CrossFit is the number one way to get injured. Only top athletes should participate in Crossfit..It’s too extreme..You shouldn’t lift things over your head..Oh, Your shoulder hurts, probably from pull ups, here is a cortizone shot!
Over and over again I hear these comments out of the mouths of people that have never stepped into a crossfit gym. My doctor told me the other day, that I am doing more harm to my body than good. What? You kidding me doc? So you think the bicep curls and bench presses you do monday, wednesday, friday; probably cardio tuesday thursday, are maximizing your full potential doc? No because you do not know what the hell you’re talking about. Stick to curing common colds guy.
Don’t get me wrong I am 100 percent for all modes of fitness and training. As long as you are getting out there and moving and it makes you happy, thats awesome. I just know people are capable of way more than they even realize. The only thing holding them back is FEAR!
I am the owner of Skeetown Crossfit located in beautiful Muskegon Michigan. I get to help people everyday, reach for a better them. Over the years i has come to my attention we as a society have a problem. The problem is a dependency issue. Aka medications. In today’s world we are taught to cover up our ailments with prescriptions. That’s like saying deodorant eliminates body odor. No deodorant only covers up the problem. What you really need to do is take a shower because your butt stinks! I am writing this essay based on clients stories and what they have told me. Its purpose is to help CrossFit athletes sort through some of the garbage myths that are out there.
Here are some of the quotes that I have heard:
Never lift any weights over your head
You’ve probably never heard your doctor say this: “Don’t put luggage in your overhead bin. Don’t hold your child above your head. Don’t paint your ceiling.” So why do some say you should never lift weights over your head?
This is me attempting to nerd out on this answer. The issue arose because some studies on shoulder anatomy showed people with a certain curve to the acromion bone have a higher incidence of rotator-cuff tears. When someone has that shape and the arm is lifted overhead, in theory the bone can dig into the rotator cuff—but some recent studies have questioned this theory. (Read “Shoulder Bursitis and Impingement” for more details.)
First, a lot of people don’t have that bone shape and certainly can lift things overhead. Second, having your arm over your head for eight hours is different than having your arm over your head for a few seconds at a time. As with any weightlifting maneuver, weights should be easily controlled and form should be perfect. To suggest you shouldn’t lift any weight over your head is wrong in my opinion.
You shouldn’t lift anything greater than 25 pounds.
“Don’t lift your child, the groceries, or your school bag.” Again, your doctor never says any of that, so why do things change when kettlebells, dumbbells or bumper plates are involved?
I think some doctors extrapolate and are biased against weightlifters due to the stereotypical weightlifting mentality they see or hear about. Weight-bearing activity is the most important treatment for osteoporosis and has no medication side effects. No one can argue against this point or ignore the necessity of preventing osteoporosis in our elderly population.
Some doctors might say you will gain weight and raise your body mass index (BMI), a number that is calculated by height and weight measurements. Someone can be obese and have a high BMI. However, an extremely fit person can also have a high BMI due to a large amount of muscle mass.
Individuals have different capacities when it comes to lifting. A novice should certainly not start heavy but can absolutely work toward heavier numbers with practice and proper coaching.
CrossFit is too extreme
This is a another common objection to CrossFit. It’s surprising how many people think that CrossFit is for pro athletes and military people only. The fact of the matter is that the majority of CrossFitters are not pro athletes – they are regular everyday people.
Don’t do CrossFit
I give injury-prevention lectures to my clients all the time. Injury prevention is our main focus. We spend 10 to 20 mins every workout mobilizing the muscles were are going to use in the workout that day. Range of motion and form always before load; meaning if your are not able to get into the right position without weight, we are not adding weight until you have mastered that exercise.
In reality, crossfit does not get people results by hurting them. Crossfit coaches will stop members from putting excessive weight on the barbell, performing maneuvers beyond their current fitness level and so on. It is the coaches who are more cautious than members, and a cautious coach is the best kind to have, in my opinion. By telling someone not to do CrossFit, doctors are preventing patients from learning how to move properly under the supervision of a well-trained coach.
You might need surgery
As a coach I see many conditions that will improve on their own with activity modification, which is a funny way of saying, “Stop stressing the things that are hurting.” Tendinopathy, or the old name “tendinitis,” refers to microscopic tears in a tendon that will heal given the chance.
One has to recognize when things are not normal and adjust accordingly if soreness or pain develops. Sometimes surgery can be avoided with a few weeks of conservative management or rest, which is very reassuring to a patient who thinks something needs to be surgically repaired.
You need a cortisone shot
This one really grinds my gears. Doctors hands these out like they are the miniature suckers you get at the bank. Cortisone should be reserved for special situations that have not improved with physical therapy or rest. At times it is indicated and helps tremendously. However, cortisone has side effects that can weaken tendons or increase the risk of arthritis when injected in certain areas. It can be a very effective drug when it improves pain by decreasing the chemicals that cause inflammation, but it does not help things heal faster, which is why it should be used judiciously. Again, it’s like the deodorant getting rid of your body odor; you still stink!
You should never lift weights after surgery again.
I think it’s unreasonable to make a blanket statement telling someone he or she cannot lift again after surgery. Life continues, and lifting objects is part of living. Just because lifting is done in the gym with weights does not mean you cannot modify your weightlifting. If someone is hurt at work and needs surgery, the goal of that surgeon should be getting the laborer back to work. This might include lifting objects that are heavy.
The goal of any sports-medicine physician is returning the athlete to the sport he or she loves. Every shoulder is different, every knee is different, and every surgery is different. Sometimes a surgeon will give someone the green light with no restrictions whatsoever after surgery.
Life is not a sprint but a marathon of fitness that should keep you healthy after your 40s, after retirement and into the distant future. In my opinion crossfit is the best path to a happy and healthy life.