A CrossFit Nation?

“It can kill you. I’ve always been honest about that.” This, the claim of Greg Glassman, CrossFit’s founder. We do foolish and/or dangerous activities each and every day. However, most individuals think of hitting the gym as a positive asset to their health. So why are people doing this?

CrossFit Principles

• As the self-proclaimed “sport of fitness,” CrossFit boasts that no movement is more functional than moving large loads over long distances. Quickly.
• CrossFit mixes both strength and conditioning in a constantly varied, high-intensity, and functional workout.
• Skip the stairmaster. Forget weight-stacked exercise machines. Say goodbye to group exercise classes. This workout requires little "traditional" equipment.
• The CrossFit workout is an unusually intense mix of gymnastics, track and field, and bodybuilding with minimal rest between activities.
  o Emphasis is placed on speed and weight lifted—not technique.
  o Routines are supposedly scalable by intensity for everyone--even Grandma.

While CrossFit has developed an almost cult-like following, critics argue that an untrained individual should approach this program with caution (and I agree). There is always a danger in lifting too heavy, too soon—especially when proper form has not been either monitored or developed. If, however, you thrive on pushing your body past where even common logic may say it should go, and you are one that thrives on camaraderie, competition, and the true intensity of the “sport of fitness,” this program may just be the perfect “fit.”