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| Photo from my trip to the Crossfit Games this year |
*Since I wrote this piece in about 20 minutes on my lunch break today, I’ve gone back to make a couple of light edits. 3:45 p.m.*
— Best Box EVER: This one!Â
*My time at The 2013 Crossfit Games
I saw multiple people sharing this article — “CrossfFt’s Dirty Little Secret” — over the weekend. As soon as I saw, I clicked over to see what the latest Crossfit hater-ade was.
I keep running into articles designed to dis CrossFit — but I don’t get why there is so much more  bitterness for CrossFit over any other sport. The authors of these pieces always have some kind of personal problem with people who do CrossFit but the core of it is a mystery.
CrossFit doesn’t have a dirty little secret — what you see is what you get.
This article discusses a rare condition called “Rhabdomyolysis” — where one’s muscles basically “explode” from extreme overworking. Simply put — you push push push when you shouldn’t and cause potentially permanent damage.
The way the author frames this article, though, you’d think people were dying from CrossFit on a regular basis.
I’m not going to summarize the whole article — read it for yourself. But here’s why it makes me mad…
Rhabdomyolysis — an extreme condition thwarted upon oneself — is not the fault of CrossFit. It’s not the sport, the organization or even the coaches. It’s your own fault.
People like to talk about CrossFit like it’s literally Navy SEAL training with drill sergeants screaming in your face.
Not at all. It’s actually more like people encouraging you do to do your best and yes — push yourself — because isn’t it great to have that extra motivation? It’s a positive space for you to work hard and feel good about yourself.
But use your common sense! Don’t do something that will hurt yourself. Listen to your body. Go slowly when you start. Learn correct form. Don’t lift too heavy. Scale down if you need to. Take it seriously — weightlifting isn’t a joke.
Any good CrossFit coach will tell you these things. Of course, there are bad coaches! There are bad gyms. There are people who will tell you to do things that may be harmful. Be smart.
This is when you use your brain. Hey, maybe working out until I vomit is not a good idea! Personally, I’ve never worked out until I vomited (almost after a marathon once but hey…)
I’ve been doing CrossFit for nearly two years and have no problem stopping to take a few breaths when I need to, switching to knee push ups if real ones get too hard, going to grab a drink of water mid-workout. A couple of times, I’ve felt fatigued and sat down for a moment — and GASP! — no one told me I was weak or ridiculed me for doing what I needed to do for me.
Another part of this article that irritated me, he talks about women peeing during double unders and says, “No, peeing during a workout is not alright. Ever.”
First of all, marathoners and triathletes do this regularly. Secondly, if you know anything about double unders, you DO have to empty your bladder out completely before you do them! Â Bouncing up and down like that does somethin’ to ya and guess what? It’s not “extreme exercise.” The author calls it “stress-induced urinary incontinence.” Nope, definitely not stressful to do double unders. I love double unders — I just make sure I pee before I do them. Ain’t no thang.
**UPDATE: A ton of people have responded to this “peeing issue.” I get that “stress-induced” doesn’t not mean actual stress in the traditional sense. I get that urinary incontinence is a real thing. This piece is not a scientific study and some things are some in sarcasm as well. And to clarify, I do NOT pee on myself as some have accused. I do make sure to pee before I workout in case I feel uncomfortable. Part of blogging is honesty and that’s what you get with me.
CrossFit haters like to blame CrossFit as a whole — call it a cult, label people are “weird,” or “obsessed.” Folks will say CrossFit causes injury and is irresponsible. Newsflash: CrossFit does not cause injury — individuals do things that cause themselves injury.
This is what it comes down to: personal responsibility. I don’t expect my CrossFit coaches to do everything for me. I have to take the responsibility to learn moves correctly and take things slowly. I have to listen to my body and not cave to some kind of “zombie pressure” to keep going when I shouldn’t.
My back is hurt right now and why? Because I did something incorrectly and that’s my fault. I went too big on a weight and that’s my fault. I wasn’t careful — that’s MY fault. That could have happened to me working out in Gold’s Gym by myself.
Anyway, haters, stop blaming CrossFit for your problems and take some responsibility for your bad decisions.
**UPDATE: CrossFit is with me 🙂
Oh thank you for writing this. I love crossfit and I think I've been injured less while involved with crossfit than before. Crossfit is an amazing community of individuals who share a common love of the sport and work outs. It's not for everyone but everyone is different. It's the haters afraid of getting off the couch and participating in something bigger than themselves. They can have their couch and I'll take my deadlifts and pull ups.
Oh thank you for writing this. I love crossfit and I think I've been injured less while involved with crossfit than before. Crossfit is an amazing community of individuals who share a common love of the sport and work outs. It's not for everyone but everyone is different. It's the haters afraid of getting off the couch and participating in something bigger than themselves. They can have their couch and I'll take my deadlifts and pull ups.
Oh thank you for writing this. I love crossfit and I think I've been injured less while involved with crossfit than before. Crossfit is an amazing community of individuals who share a common love of the sport and work outs. It's not for everyone but everyone is different. It's the haters afraid of getting off the couch and participating in something bigger than themselves. They can have their couch and I'll take my deadlifts and pull ups.
Oh thank you for writing this. I love crossfit and I think I've been injured less while involved with crossfit than before. Crossfit is an amazing community of individuals who share a common love of the sport and work outs. It's not for everyone but everyone is different. It's the haters afraid of getting off the couch and participating in something bigger than themselves. They can have their couch and I'll take my deadlifts and pull ups.
Just have you know. Not everyone who disagrees with Crossfit, are lazy and sit on the couch. I happen to be training for a marathon. Have run 3 1/2 marathons and several other races in between. A long with working out during the week. So just as you say don't make that assumption, you should practice what you preach.
And your reason for hating crossfit is?
I think you're wrong for lumping everyone who disagrees with some of the methods of CrossFit as haters or lazy. I'm active, train hard and i disagree with some of the culture & methods used in CrossFit…I don't hate CrossFit. Telling people who lack knowledge of the human body, what is normal discomfort & soreness as opposed to abnormal pain, don't even know how to properly listen to their bodies…if they did they would've stopped eating crappy food when they noticed they were 200lbs over weight. They need guidance not pressure & not everyone is strong enough in their mind to step away from the pressure to keep going when their body is screaming stop. One of the points of CrossFit I strongly disagree with is blaming the untrained individual for injuries endured while the trained coaches refuse accountability. I am a trainer & it is our job to keep our clients safe & healthy…because we know more about exercise & fitness than the lay person. Injuries happen but the trainer bears some responsibility. I also feel the CrossFit culture basically replaces unhealthy addictions with healthier addictions, never fixing the root problem for a lot of people. However, I agree that peeing is not uncommon in women, hell, jumping on a trampoline with your kids can cause that. I don't hate Cross Fit, I think it needs to evolve into a better program, a more responsible program…not because of injury, because they don't deal with the mind properly & wholly, which is a major part of fitness-you can get strong but maybe not fit….
I think you're wrong for lumping everyone who disagrees with some of the methods of CrossFit as haters or lazy. I'm active, train hard and i disagree with some of the culture & methods used in CrossFit…I don't hate CrossFit. Telling people who lack knowledge of the human body, what is normal discomfort & soreness as opposed to abnormal pain, don't even know how to properly listen to their bodies…if they did they would've stopped eating crappy food when they noticed they were 200lbs over weight. They need guidance not pressure & not everyone is strong enough in their mind to step away from the pressure to keep going when their body is screaming stop. One of the points of CrossFit I strongly disagree with is blaming the untrained individual for injuries endured while the trained coaches refuse accountability. I am a trainer & it is our job to keep our clients safe & healthy…because we know more about exercise & fitness than the lay person. Injuries happen but the trainer bears some responsibility. I also feel the CrossFit culture basically replaces unhealthy addictions with healthier addictions, never fixing the root problem for a lot of people. However, I agree that peeing is not uncommon in women, hell, jumping on a trampoline with your kids can cause that. I don't hate Cross Fit, I think it needs to evolve into a better program, a more responsible program…not because of injury, because they don't deal with the mind properly & wholly, which is a major part of fitness-you can get strong but maybe not fit….
Your contempt of overweight and inactive people is appalling as a trainer.
Oh thank you for writing this. I love crossfit and I think I've been injured less while involved with crossfit than before. Crossfit is an amazing community of individuals who share a common love of the sport and work outs. It's not for everyone but everyone is different. It's the haters afraid of getting off the couch and participating in something bigger than themselves. They can have their couch and I'll take my deadlifts and pull ups.
Oh thank you for writing this. I love crossfit and I think I've been injured less while involved with crossfit than before. Crossfit is an amazing community of individuals who share a common love of the sport and work outs. It's not for everyone but everyone is different. It's the haters afraid of getting off the couch and participating in something bigger than themselves. They can have their couch and I'll take my deadlifts and pull ups.
I am a therapist in this industry ( I am located out of CrossFit Calgary) I see this HATE every day. Hate that is maybe misdirected, definitely misunderstood, and I just wish every one who is quick to call it extreme, and ridiculous would just TRY IT! Give it a chance from a reputable Box, great coaching (who are trained for YEARS). See the good that comes out of it. The stories of those in wheelchairs directed by our surgeons, doctors, PT's, Chiro, AT's and some RMT's who don't understand CrossFit who manage to just come in and try, push and soon are walking, strengthening and not just rolling over and dying. I think this another great example of making an INFORMED decision. I should get that tattoo'd on my forehead. MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION TODAY!
I am a therapist in this industry ( I am located out of CrossFit Calgary) I see this HATE every day. Hate that is maybe misdirected, definitely misunderstood, and I just wish every one who is quick to call it extreme, and ridiculous would just TRY IT! Give it a chance from a reputable Box, great coaching (who are trained for YEARS). See the good that comes out of it. The stories of those in wheelchairs directed by our surgeons, doctors, PT's, Chiro, AT's and some RMT's who don't understand CrossFit who manage to just come in and try, push and soon are walking, strengthening and not just rolling over and dying. I think this another great example of making an INFORMED decision. I should get that tattoo'd on my forehead. MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION TODAY!
I just have to say that I'm excited to see someone who knows what an AT is 🙂 I'm one and sometimes I feel like I'm one of the only ones who doesn't think crossfit is the devil!
dumb
👍😊 thanks!!! i shared it!
The problem with Cross-fit is that it's completely devoid of any logic. No serious athlete would ever use a routine like this in the long term, so why do average joes think it is good for them? It makes no sense, and is nothing more than a fad. It will disappear soon enough, and we will all be thankful for it because we don't have to hear people blabbing about how great it is. Cross-fit is for people who don't know how to work out for real.
I'm a neutral 3rd party. I haven't done "official CrossFit", but I've done some extreme exercise programs. The thing that I've observed with CrossFit people is that they brag a LOT….like "I lifted 5000lbs tonight, what did you do?" …as if anyone, doing any other form of exercise is sub-par. (disclaimer: maybe i just have arrogant friends. LOL!) Also, it seems like they hang out with their "box" friends now and don't hang out with their "loser, non-exercising friends as much (see above observation)" b/c the old friends just "don't understand"…I don't get that mentality. What's to understand…you go to a gym ("box") and you have a group of people encouraging you to exercise. Pretty simple to me. So does Zumba class or Pilates class or any other class at any other gym where there is peer pressure to hold you accountable. Sure, some of the exercises seem a little crazy, but to each his own. My husband was flipping tires before it was "cool" (yes, we have a 200lb tractor tire IN our backyard…not exactly Zen for me) =). I started reading a book on Kindle called the Rules of Life….one of the first things the author says is don't brag about what you are going to do with the concepts in this book, let your life show the change, not your mouth. Maybe that is some good advise for CrossFit folks…go to your "box" do your 5000lbs worth of dead lifts or whatever that's all about and let the results speak for themselves, when your friends say "Dang! You are lookin' GOOD! What are you doing" …THEN you can brag, b/c it's being solicated ….just my 2 cents. Go forth and get healthy! =)
dumb
The original article isn't about hate — it's criticism, like a film critic would do. Your first paragraph already mentioned your confirmation bias: "…as soon as I saw, I clicked over to see what the latest Crossfit hater-ade was," which established your position in the author's article. Tweaking his words is an ad hominem fallacy, a tendency to misinterpret an opponent's position to suit your own perception. http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/ad-hominem.htmlYou brought up some good points about personal responsibility and that there are "good" CF coaches as "bad" CF coaches, like anything in life. Both sides of the debate has its own terms and support. Then again, both sides could have a tendency to develop an "availability heuristic," which is a tendency to believe something to be common if you could find one or a few examples of it (for better or for worse), and you're far less likely to believe in something you've never seen or heard before. Keep your position objectively, support it with evidence — not anecdotes — and like someone here said, "Let your life show the change, not your mouth". Or blog or Instagrams, in most cases.
You think something that is growing in leaps and bounds over the last EIGHT years is a fad? Go back to your hole, troll.
👍😊 thanks!!! i shared it!
Totally agree! The article makes it sound like it is a regular occurrence. Honestly I had only heard of it from an online article a few months ago. The thing that got me about the article was the quote about peeing – clearly it was taken out of context – the peeing is an issue with bladder control/bouncing around as you mentioned – zero to do with rhabdo.
I am a 50 year old woman who has had three VERY heavy babies late in life. Pee happens when I laugh, when I sneeze, heck when I hug someone too hard. Since Crossfit came into my life a year ago it has been resolving but if I have ANY pee in my bladder double unders and (since I still don't have consistent DU) single unders make pee happen.It is hard. This is the hardest thing I have physically done on a consistent basis. I am much better at doing things now than I was a year ago. Coach and I scaled things way back for my crass newby status/fitness level and have slowly ratcheted it up as I have developed correct form, strength, and endurance. I have a good coach. He listens to me. He coaches me in ways to be safe. I listen to him because I do NOT want to get hurt.There are some bad coaches out there. The first coach I went to pushed me so hard on my one and only ramp up class I was in bed for three days, barely able to function for the better part of two weeks, caused some long term injury/pain that took several months to recover from.Anyone who does something they are intensely proud of does talk about it – a lot. Your friends celebrate with you and when they have had enough gently remind you there *is* more to the world than your intense pride and remain your friends for other adventures. These are the real friends.
Wow, that is just pure ignorance!
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I am fairly new to crossfit (four months). Its a sport, as with any other sport or hobby there are going to be lovers and haters, progressions and injuries. Every sport is not for everyone and each one comes with risk. The gym I'm at has great trainers and athletes. Safety is a primary focus then comes encouragement and progression. Upon signing up at my gym each athlete must sign a release of liability, which discusses many things one of which is rhabdomyolysis. It's not like the trainers are turning a blind eye to the risk of injury. Also when signing up the trainers ask each athlete if they have any preexisting injuries?Some athletes choose to take this to the competing level while others use it as a form of strength training for other sports. Four months later I feel fitter then I have ever felt in my life. I've always considered myself to be very active but not as fit and healthy. Not only do I feel more fit but I am now eating more healthy then I ever have because a good diet is encouraged by the athletes and trainers in crossfit. I believe this is because I want to be the best I can be in crossfit and other sports. Following healthy and fit it also mentally helps me. It allows me to focus on the WOD. No matter what mood I am in when I walk into the gym I leave feeling refreshed and happy. Crossfit has surrounded me with such an awesome and encouraging group of individuals, I consider them to be my second family. Therefore simply said for me there has been nothing but positive advancements in my life from crossfit. There are always new WODs, great athletes and knowledgeable trainers.
Being one that has had Rhabdo, not from CF your muscles are not "exploding" and it really isn't about your irresponsibility. It is a combination of many things put together. I am not a pusher and I know my limits but it still happened. I am a nurse and have seen this many times some occasions not even from people working out.
Sometimes I'm just proud of myself and want to share. I'm not full of myself, I've just made some significant improvements. As someone who's never been good at anything athletic, it's kind of cool to be successful at things not many of my friends do. And they seem to love that I'm doing so well, and are happy for me. Good friends are happy for you, they don't try to drag you down…..
Stars n wipes is a dumbass
Wow.. athletes all over are doing crossfit… nfl players.. baseball players…. actors and so on…. lol.. let me guess u lift weights at gym????
Amen!
Well put, and same here. I'm just proud of my progress after having spent the first 20yrs of my life too afraid to get out there & get physical. I'm definitely not trying to brag. Just being passionate 🙂
Excellent insights.
I jhatehow people try to claim the gym is better then a box. At the gym ill do 30 reps mx and at my box ill do as many as the wod tells me too. Ill push my hardest at my box to get a good time or even wnough rounds that git my goal for myself. At the gym you dont have a goal you go to some chest shit on machine and call it a day. At lease at my box ive achieved something great and everyone at my box will notice it too and congratulate me for my success then push me to do better next time. The gym is where no one pushes you and no one is there by your side while you succeed
The problem with Cross-fit is that it's completely devoid of any logic. No serious athlete would ever use a routine like this in the long term, so why do average joes think it is good for them? It makes no sense, and is nothing more than a fad. It will disappear soon enough, and we will all be thankful for it because we don't have to hear people blabbing about how great it is. Cross-fit is for people who don't know how to work out for real.
You think something that is growing in leaps and bounds over the last EIGHT years is a fad? Go back to your hole, troll.
Wow, that is just pure ignorance!
Stars n wipes is a dumbass
Wow.. athletes all over are doing crossfit… nfl players.. baseball players…. actors and so on…. lol.. let me guess u lift weights at gym????
I jhatehow people try to claim the gym is better then a box. At the gym ill do 30 reps mx and at my box ill do as many as the wod tells me too. Ill push my hardest at my box to get a good time or even wnough rounds that git my goal for myself. At the gym you dont have a goal you go to some chest shit on machine and call it a day. At lease at my box ive achieved something great and everyone at my box will notice it too and congratulate me for my success then push me to do better next time. The gym is where no one pushes you and no one is there by your side while you succeed
Such ignorance – "use a routine like this" ??? What routine is there in CrossFit? Routine is the enemy. And calling it a fad… well Mr this "fad" is booming all the way here in South Africa and it's here to stay
New Orlean Saints along with their head coach Sean Peyton incorporate Crossfit into their workouts. Guess they are not serious athletes though since they are currently 3-0.
I would just like to point out that not everyone who uses a standard gym is a cupcake who goes and farts around on machines for 20 minutes then leaves. Every time I go to lift weights I know exactly what I'm doing beforehand: which exercises, how many warm-up and work sets per exercise, and number of reps per each set. This allows me to not only have short, efficient workouts but the freedom to adjust and work on lagging muscle groups or areas of weakness. If I set the bar too high, I can do some accessory workouts to improve for next workout. I also get to choose whether I workout for strength, hypertrophy, or endurance. I would say that freedom and customization are the largest pros of not doing crossfit. I will admit that I've seen more than my share of pretenders in the gym, but when you generalize everyone who uses a standard gym you're putting yourself on the same level as those who generalize crossfit people. If you don't have the capacity or willpower to stick to your goals (and if you're not setting goals, why bother?) at a regular gym then I'm super glad that crossfit works for you because fitness, however accomplished, is extremely important.
Regarding incorporating Crossfit into their program…. Most elite athletes already do this….it's called 'conditioning training'. Nothing new here, been around long before the commercial 'Crossfit '.
no serious athlete does crossfit? what about the most important athletes we have? the men and women who protect our freedom have had a crossfit style fitness regiment way before it blew up. I'd like to think those guys know what they are doing.
I'm a neutral 3rd party. I haven't done "official CrossFit", but I've done some extreme exercise programs. The thing that I've observed with CrossFit people is that they brag a LOT….like "I lifted 5000lbs tonight, what did you do?" …as if anyone, doing any other form of exercise is sub-par. (disclaimer: maybe i just have arrogant friends. LOL!) Also, it seems like they hang out with their "box" friends now and don't hang out with their "loser, non-exercising friends as much (see above observation)" b/c the old friends just "don't understand"…I don't get that mentality. What's to understand…you go to a gym ("box") and you have a group of people encouraging you to exercise. Pretty simple to me. So does Zumba class or Pilates class or any other class at any other gym where there is peer pressure to hold you accountable. Sure, some of the exercises seem a little crazy, but to each his own. My husband was flipping tires before it was "cool" (yes, we have a 200lb tractor tire IN our backyard…not exactly Zen for me) =). I started reading a book on Kindle called the Rules of Life….one of the first things the author says is don't brag about what you are going to do with the concepts in this book, let your life show the change, not your mouth. Maybe that is some good advise for CrossFit folks…go to your "box" do your 5000lbs worth of dead lifts or whatever that's all about and let the results speak for themselves, when your friends say "Dang! You are lookin' GOOD! What are you doing" …THEN you can brag, b/c it's being solicated ….just my 2 cents. Go forth and get healthy! =)
Sometimes I'm just proud of myself and want to share. I'm not full of myself, I've just made some significant improvements. As someone who's never been good at anything athletic, it's kind of cool to be successful at things not many of my friends do. And they seem to love that I'm doing so well, and are happy for me. Good friends are happy for you, they don't try to drag you down…..
Well put, and same here. I'm just proud of my progress after having spent the first 20yrs of my life too afraid to get out there & get physical. I'm definitely not trying to brag. Just being passionate 🙂