CrossFit
CrossFit is a strength and conditioning program defined as “constantly varied, functional movement, performed at high intensity."[1] The goal of CrossFit is to improve fitness, which it defines as "work capacity across broad time and modal domains."[2]. CrossFit claims that increases in work capacity will result in the greater general physical preparedness of CrossFit practitioners. CrossFit combines weightlifting, sprinting, gymnastics, powerlifting, and rowing.[3] CrossFit contends that a person is as fit as they are proficient in each of ten general physical skills: cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, agility, balance, coordination, and accuracy.[4] It defines fitness as "increased work capacity across broad time and modal domains."[5] Workouts are typically short--20 minutes or less--and intense, demanding all-out physical exertion. Performance, such as the time required to complete a sequence of movements, is measured and recorded, both to facilitate competition between participants and to track individual progress.
CrossFit athletes run, row, jump rope, climb rope, lift weights, and carry odd objects; they use barbells, dumbbells, gymnastics rings, pull-up bars, kettlebells, and many bodyweight exercises.[6] CrossFit has over 3,000 affiliate gyms worldwide [7] and is used by many fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and military organizations including the Canadian Forces, and the Royal Danish Life Guards.[8][9][10][11][12]
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[edit] Description
CrossFit practitioners may train at gyms affiliated with CrossFit (often referred to as "boxes") or on their own. CrossFit workouts are commonly centered around a "Workout of the Day" or "WOD". Affiliates typically create a new WOD each day, while those who follow the CrossFit methodology without attending an affiliated gym often follow WODs posted on the main CrossFit website or that of an affiliated gym.
Classes at affiliated gyms typically include a warm-up, a skill development segment, and a high-intensity workout that lasts around ten to twenty minutes. Affiliates often use scoring and ranking systems in an effort to transform workouts into sport. Some affiliates offer additional classes which are not centered around a WOD, such as Olympic weightlifting classes.[13]
CrossFit Inc. certifies CrossFit trainers and licenses the CrossFit name to gyms. Affiliates are free to develop their own programming, pricing, and instructional methods. Many CrossFit athletes and trainers see themselves as part of a contrarian, insurgent movement that questions conventional fitness wisdom.[14] CrossFit is noteworthy for its use of a virtual community Internet model.[15][16] The company says this de-centralized approach shares some common features with open source software projects and allows best practices to emerge from a variety of approaches,[17] a contention that is disputed by some subject matter experts, competitors, and even affiliates who have parted company with CrossFit.[18] CrossFit adaptations include programs for children, pregnant women, seniors, football players, military special forces candidates, and endurance athletes including triathletes, runners, swimmers and rowers.[6] CrossFit has been adopted by U.S. and Canadian high school physical education teachers, high school and college teams, and a major league baseball team.[19][20][21]
[edit] CrossFit Games
The "CrossFit Games" have been held every summer since 2007. Participation, sponsorship, and prize money have grown rapidly: early prizes were a few hundred dollars; In July 2011, Reebok, the current sponsor of the CrossFit Games, increased the total purse to $1,000,000, with $250,000 each for the male and female champions.[22] Athletes at the Games compete in workouts they learn about only hours beforehand, sometimes including surprise elements that are not part of the typical CrossFit regimen--past examples include a rough-water swim and a softball throw. The Games are styled as a venue for determining the "Fittest on Earth," where competitors should be "ready for anything."
In 2011, the Games adopted an online format for the sectional event, facilitating participation by athletes worldwide. During the so-called "CrossFit Open", a new workout is released each week. Athletes have several days to complete the workout and submit their score online, with either a video or validation by a CrossFit affiliate. The top CrossFit Open performers in each region advance to the regional events, held over the following two months. The top athletes from each region will then be eligible to compete in the CrossFit Games. There are currently 17 regional divisions: 12 in North America (North West, Canada West, Canada East, North Central, Central East, North East, Mid Atlantic, South East, South Central, South West, Socal, Norcal and Latin America); and five in the rest of the world (Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Australia).
The Games include divisions for individuals of each gender, and for a number of Masters age groups: 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, and 60+. There is also a separate division for co-ed teams comprising 3 men and 3 women.
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| Year | Male champion | Female champion | Affiliate Cup | Masters Men | Masters Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | James "OPT" Fitzgerald | Jolie Gentry | CrossFit Santa Cruz | ||
| 2008 | Jason Khalipa[23][24] | Caity Matter | CrossFit Oakland | ||
| 2009 | Mikko Salo | Tanya Wagner | Northwest CrossFit | ||
| 2010 | Graham Holmberg | Kristan Clever | CrossFit Fort Vancouver | Brian Curley | Laurie Carver |
| Year | Male champion | Female champion | Affiliate Cup | Masters Men (45-49) | Masters Women (45-49) | Masters Men (50-54) | Masters Women (50-54) | Masters Men (55-59) | Masters Women (55-59) | Masters Men (60+) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Rich Froning, Jr. | Anníe Mist Þórisdóttir | CrossFit New England | Scot DeTore | Susan Habbe | Gord Mackinnon | Mary Beth Litsheim | Steve Anderson | Shelley Noyce | Greg Walker |
[edit] History
CrossFit was founded by Greg Glassman.[21][25] The first CrossFit affiliated gym opened in Santa Cruz, California, in 1995, the same year Glassman was hired to train the Santa Cruz police department. The number of affiliated gyms grew from 13 in 2005 to around 3,400 in 2012.[26] [27] Coaches associated with CrossFit include Louie Simmons, Bill Starr, and Mike Burgener. Former NFL player John Welbourn developed the CrossFit Football program. Another CrossFit subject matter expert is Dr. Nicholas Romanov, inventor of the Pose Method of running. Fitness experts formerly associated with Crossfit include Mark Twight and Mark Rippetoe. CrossFit offers speciality certification seminars in gymnastics, Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, running and endurance, kettlebells, mobility and recovery, CrossFit Kids and CrossFit Football. In the past, Crossfit also offered a Jump rope certification.[28]
[edit] Discussion
[edit] Support
Dr. Tony Webster of the Pacific Institute for Sports Medicine at Camosun College in Victoria, British Columbia suggests CrossFit be used "safely and sensibly" and finds some support for the program in current academic research: "It’s safe to say that a CrossFit-style program performed three-to-five times per week will almost certainly provide a weekly dose of “vigorous” aerobic exercise that will easily satisfy current public-health guidelines. More and more research studies are demonstrating the efficiency of shorter high-intensity exercise bouts in improving not only fitness but also a whole range of health markers. In fact, plenty of scientific evidence suggests vigorous activity has inherently greater health benefits than moderate activity. Used safely and sensibly, I believe CrossFit has potential not just to change people’s lives, but also to change the fitness industry for the better."[29]
The editors of PureHealthMD writing for Discovery Health Channel found CrossFit "equals better fitness and stronger muscles in a more reasonable amount of time" compared to trying to "build muscle and get in shape by spending 60 minutes or more in the gym several days a week..." Their conclusion was that the program "is a different type of exercise routine ...a well-rounded and very efficient way to achieve a higher level of fitness ...that does not need a whole lot of fancy equipment, but does offer a nice variety to keep the interest level up and provide the challenge needed to keep the exercise fun."[30]
[edit] Criticism
A person who had suffered injuries while performing a CrossFit workout on Dec 11, 2005, at Manassas World Gym in Manassas, VA under the supervision of an uncertified trainer,[31] claimed that CrossFit poses an elevated risk of rhabdomyolysis. He successfully sued his trainers and was awarded $300,000 in damages.[32] According to Dr. Stuart McGill, a professor of spine biomechanics at the University of Waterloo, the risk of injury from some CrossFit exercises outweighs their benefits when they are performed with poor form in timed workouts. He added there are similar risks in other exercise programs but noted that CrossFit's online community enables athletes to follow the program without proper guidance, increasing the risk.[33] Because of the perceived risks of Crossfit, it has been difficult for many trainers and affiliates to get insurance. As a result, Crossfit has established The CrossFit risk retention group (RRG). An RRG is a form of self-insurance that is common among professionals that engage in high risk activities, such as law enforcement officers, emergency medical workers, and contractors.
Articles on many websites criticize CrossFit for lack of periodization, illogical or random exercise sequences, and lacking quality-control accreditation standards for trainers and affiliates.[34][18] Crossfit Level 2 and other specialty seminars are not yet certified.[35]
[edit] Response to criticism
CrossFit vigorously disputes the criticism of its exercise methodology. Crossfit Level 1 trainers are certified through the American National Standards Institute. Starting in May 2005,[32] CFHQ has published numerous free articles in their online, non-peer-reviewed journal, CrossFit Journal about Rhabdomyolysis,[36][37][38][39] three of which are also included in the CF Manual provided to all prospective trainers.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ Glassman, Greg. "Understanding CrossFit". The CrossFit Journaly. http://library.crossfit.com/free/pdf/56-07_Understanding_CF.pdf. Retrieved 2/18/2012.
- ^ CrossFit. "What is CrossFit?". CrossFit. http://games.crossfit.com/what-is-crossfit. Retrieved 2/18/2012.
- ^ Barker, Jill (2006-02-14). "Crossfit is fast and furious". Montreal Gazette. http://www.canada.com/topics/lifestyle/fitness/story.html?id=a5a28fa9-2973-47c3-a4cc-60ce020f309e&k=19281. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
- ^ a b CrossFit instructor manual
- ^ CrossFit. "What is CrossFit?". CrossFit. http://games.crossfit.com/what-is-crossfit. Retrieved 2/18/2012.
- ^ a b Scott, Paul (October 23, 2007). "A no-nonsense look at the often nonsensical world of fitness clubs". Best Life. http://www.ihpra.org/best%20life.pdf.
- ^ Stoddard, Grant (October 11, 2011). "Inside the Cult of CrossFit". Men’s Health. http://www.menshealth.com/fitness/cult-crossfit.
- ^ Wallack, Roy M. (2009). Run For Life: The Anti-Aging, Anti-Injury, Super Fitness Plan. Skyhorse Publishing. p. 65. ISBN 978-1-60239-344-8.
- ^ Hoffman, Michael (March 7, 2010). "More want combat element in fitness test". AirForce Times. http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/03/airforce_combat_fitness_030710w/.
- ^ Svan, Jennifer H. (January 13, 2009). "CrossFit Workouts are Rarely Routine". Military Advantage. http://www.military.com/military-fitness/air-force-fitness/crossfit-workouts-are-rarely-routine.
- ^ "Welcome to The Royal Life Guards Sports Association". Royal Danish Life Guards Sports Association. http://forsvaret.dk/lg/om%20livgarden/livgardens%20idrÆtsforening/pages/default.aspx.
- ^ Mitchell, Bryan (June 25, 2008). "CrossFit workout craze sweeps the Corps". Marine Corps Times. http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/06/marine_crossfit_062208w/.
- ^ "Prairie Crossfit". Prairie Crossfit. http://prairiecrossfit.com/.
- ^ "More financial news". The Boston Globe. August 24, 2009. http://finance.boston.com/boston/news/read?GUID=19173590.
- ^ Walsh, Bob (2007). How People Blogging Are Changing The World and How You Can Join Them. Apress. ISBN 978-1-59059-691-3.
- ^ Godin, Seth (2009). Tribes. Piatkus Books. p. 160. ISBN 0749939753.
- ^ Velazquez, Eric (May 2008). "Sweatstorm". Muscle & Fitness. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0801/is_5_69/ai_n25358358.
- ^ a b Shugart, Chris (November 4, 2008). "The Truth About CrossFit". Testosterone Muscle. http://www.tmuscle.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance_investigative/the_truth_about_crossfit.
- ^ Rodriguez, Juan C. (March 2, 2010). "Florida Marlins: Cameron Maybin’s improved swing/miss numbers encouraging". South Florida Sun Sentinel. http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_baseball_marlins/2010/03/florida-marlins-cameron-maybins-improved-swingmiss-numbers-encouraging.html.
- ^ Stewart, I.A. (December 14, 2007). "UCSC Notebook: Men's rugby getting fit for the season". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Archived from the original on 2007-12-23. http://www.scsextra.com/story.php?sid=51274.
- ^ a b Sanderlin, Rebekah. "Commando-create workout has cult following". Fayetteville Observer. http://www.dcpaleo.org/Leisure/CrossFit.html.
- ^ "Finding the Fittest on Earth". CrossFit.com. February 11, 2011. http://games.crossfit.com/about-the-games/history.
- ^ http://games2009.crossfit.com/competitors/athlete-profile-jason-kahlipa-1-in-2008.html
- ^ http://games2008.crossfit.com/crossfit-games/the-womens-results-are-in.html
- ^ Stephanie Cooperman (December 22, 2005). "Getting Fit, Even if it Kills You". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/22/fashion/thursdaystyles/22Fitness.html?_r=1.
- ^ Schwecherl, Laura. "A Look Inside the World of CrossFit". Greatist.com. http://www.greatist.com/fitness/a-look-inside-the-world-of-crossfit/. Retrieved 2/11/2012.
- ^ "CrossFit Affiliates". CrossFit.com. http://www.crossfit.com/cf-affiliates/. Retrieved 2/12/2012.
- ^ "Certifications". CrossFit. http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/certs.shtml.
- ^ How We Got Here: CrossFit vs. the Fitness Industry, CrossFit Journal, August 27, 2009
- ^ the editors of PureHealthMD (June 2010). "CrossFit". Discovery Health Channel. http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/diet-fitness/information/crossfit.htm.
- ^ Mummolo, Jonathan (October 7, 2008). "Gym's High-Intensity Workout Left Me Disabled, Man Testifies". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/06/AR2008100603032.html.
- ^ a b Mitchell, Bryan (August 16, 2006). "Lawsuit alleges CrossFit workout damaging". Marine Corps Times. http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/08/marine_crossfit_081608w/. Retrieved 2008-08-16.
- ^ Dube, Rebecca (January 11, 2008). "No puke, no pain - no gain". Globe and Mail (Toronto). http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080111.wxlcrossfit11/BNStory/lifeMain/home.
- ^ Firefighter Strength and Why Crossfit Sucks! nunnsperformancetraining.blogspot.com
- ^ ANSI "ANSI Directory Details"
- ^ Savage, Phil. "The Truth About Rhabdo by Dr. Michael Ray - CrossFit Journal". Journal.crossfit.com. http://journal.crossfit.com/2010/01/rhabdo-pdf.tpl. Retrieved 2011-06-30.
- ^ Ray, Mike. "CrossFit Induced Rhabdo by Greg Glassman - CrossFit Journal". Journal.crossfit.com. http://journal.crossfit.com/2005/10/crossfit-induced-rhabdo-by-gre.tpl. Retrieved 2011-06-30.
- ^ Glassman, Greg. "Killer Workouts by Eugene Allen - CrossFit Journal". Journal.crossfit.com. http://journal.crossfit.com/2005/05/killer-workouts-by-eugene-alle.tpl. Retrieved 2011-06-30.
- ^ Starrett, Kelly. "Rhabdomyolysis Revisited by Dr. Will Wright - CrossFit Journal". Journal.crossfit.com. http://journal.crossfit.com/2011/06/rhabdomyolysis-revisited.tpl. Retrieved 2011-06-30.
