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Article: CrossFit and Functional Training - The Fundamenta

kisaj said:
Nice read.
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It's the same mantra all strength and conditioning coaches complain about when speaking about Crossfit. I'm no crossfiter but it seems to have people more interested in weightlifting than before and there is something to that. Not everyone has to be interested in the same type of fitness. Unfortunately the old school such as Mark don't seem to want to accept that and continue to write about what they don't like about it. Crossfit is evolving faster than any other type of fitness program seen before and it's here to stay weather people like it or not. The author is a legend but no one wants to the hear about the problems with Crossfit over and over. He even goes to explain some gyms have fixed the issues he is speaking about...I would imagine since the program is so new this is going to continue to happen. I'm guessing Burgener's gym is one of these. If it's getting people off their asses and into a gym while motivating them to obtain a higher level of fitness let it be. I will never do a one legged over head squat but if you are more power to you.
 
He's not arguing against Crossfit ' s ability to attract people to weights. He's arguing that, for many people, it's their first exposure to weight lifting. And in doing so they should develop a base of strength first by following an established program that is safe and effective. Many of the barbell complexes are very challenging to master and can take months, if not years to nail down. Performing these lifts, especially any of the Olympic lifts for time is a recipe for disaster as form quickly breaks down with fatigue. And he's specifically addressing the efficacy of the WODs which make no practical sense to a strength coach. I hope crossfit does stay and encourage people to lift, but only if it's done responsibly. Which he apparently is still not seeing. Years ago we used to call crossfit something different; circuit training. It worked back then and is no different to day for results. But it's not the only or best way to train and eventually you'll wear your parts out. If CF wants to be taken seriously by the established scientific based fitness community it should start listening to his advice if it wants continued success. Now if he was making personal attacks against its cult - like mentality (I kid) then that's different but I've never picked up on that I his articles. Remember, AnabolicMinds, T Nation and the like are geared towards what works BEST, not what looks cool or is different, exciting, etc. Peace and happy lifting.
 
Those are viewpoints Ripp shares. His actual argument is that crossfit makes you a jack of all trades and master of none. It's like trying to become an elite baseball player by only playing baseball games. You need to spend time developing your skill sets (hitting, throwing, defense) to make progress. Too much specific training can fall into the category considered "non-functional" from crossfit's perspective. He says you need to train specifically (strength and skill- relating to gymnastic moves or Olympic lifts) not predominantly in the form of a WOD (aka game) He hits the nail on the head and I crossfit.
 
Drock1234 said:
Those are viewpoints Ripp shares. His actual argument is that crossfit makes you a jack of all trades and master of none. It's like trying to become an elite baseball player by only playing baseball games. You need to spend time developing your skill sets (hitting, throwing, defense) to make progress. Too much specific training can fall into the category considered "non-functional" from crossfit's perspective. He says you need to train specifically (strength and skill- relating to gymnastic moves or Olympic lifts) not predominantly in the form of a WOD (aka game) He hits the nail on the head and I crossfit.
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Well phrased. Agreed
 
Broso said:
It's the same mantra all strength and conditioning coaches complain about when speaking about Crossfit. I'm no crossfiter but it seems to have people more interested in weightlifting than before and there is something to that. Not everyone has to be interested in the same type of fitness. Unfortunately the old school such as Mark don't seem to want to accept that and continue to write about what they don't like about it. Crossfit is evolving faster than any other type of fitness program seen before and it's here to stay weather people like it or not. The author is a legend but no one wants to the hear about the problems with Crossfit over and over. He even goes to explain some gyms have fixed the issues he is speaking about...I would imagine since the program is so new this is going to continue to happen. I'm guessing Burgener's gym is one of these. If it's getting people off their asses and into a gym while motivating them to obtain a higher level of fitness let it be. I will never do a one legged over head squat but if you are more power to you.
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I didn't read it as an argument, but rather a discussion. He states what is essentially true about crossfit from a pros and cons side. That is why I felt it was a good read since I do not do crossfit, but my wife and others I know that do and it works for their purposes. My wife also strength trains and does martial arts with me to balance it out.
 
kisaj said:
I didn't read it as an argument, but rather a discussion. He states what is essentially true about crossfit from a pros and cons side. That is why I felt it was a good read since I do not do crossfit, but my wife and others I know that do and it works for their purposes. My wife also strength trains and does martial arts with me to balance it out.
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I didn't see it as an argument either and I pretty much agree with what he's saying how can you argue with Ripp, but I believe most crossfit workouts begin with a weightlifting skill and many if not all crossfit gyms have supplemented weightlifting courses. From my understanding the "WOD" is not the only training being done on a given day. This is more training than your average joe who buys a 24 hour fitness pass could ever be exposed to. In my humble opinion that is a million times better than some kid picking up flex and thinking he's gong to look like Jay Cutler after buying some no-explode.

Not everyone finds starting strength or gets involved in athletics at a young age.

It doesn't seem like crossfit itself is the problem. It's the popularity and everyone opening up a crossfit gym on every corner that is the problem. Instead of having people invested in teaching the proper skills to their clients they are churning out 6-8 classes a day. Crossfit has over saturated the market and the quality of the product has suffered.

I by no means am arguing Ripp is wrong, I just think crossfit is something to be embraced in the lifting world not shunned and made fun of and trust me I made fun of it before I had the knowledge of what it was doing. Maybe his article will help change what is wrong who knows.
 
Yes and no, IMO. It is great to be exposing people to full body, oly style movement and to create excitement in a group setting so that people stay more committed to fitness. On the other hand, it is taking technical movements and exposing them to people getting off the couch or with little experience, being taught by generally under qualified "coaches" in a timed environment. So the idea is good, but the execution is where I stop thinking it is a good thing. If you have ever been in a place and watched the classes yelling for people to finish in a motivating way, but we have someone doing snatches or cleans that is getting tired, well, it is cringe worthy.

Now, there are some good places that also teach and focus on the fundamentals of these moves and have real trainers, but it seems they are a rare thing based on what little it takes to open a "box".

User beware.
 
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