Pros and Cons of CrossFit

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CrossFit, a fitness routine that involves performing varied movements at high-intensity intervals, has changed the way people work out. When Greg Glassman designed the routine in his garage almost 20 years ago, he had no idea that one day, nearly every gym in the world would have a separate section dedicated to it.

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This immense popularity of CrossFit can primarily be attributed to one simple fact: CrossFit moves beyond the generic and monotonous exercises that eventually get incredibly boring. Instead, this fitness routine is all about, including barbells and weights, in such a way that the workouts become fun and exciting. Other than barbells and weights, CrossFit also involves using simple exercises, such as running, that fitness enthusiasts find refreshing and light. It is this unique blend of familiar and unfamiliar that makes CrossFit such a rage. Unlike other fitness routines, CrossFit is all about using innovative and exciting ways to yield quick and better results than the regular workouts.

There is no denying that CrossFit is powerful and effective, as well as delivers quick results. However, CrossFit’s WOD or workout of the day involves performing a fixed set of exercises within a specified time interval, which makes WODs extremely competitive and supremely demanding. Any lack of skill and strength can lead to injuries. It is, thus, incredibly essential to weigh out both the pros and cons of CrossFit.

Pros of CrossFit

In this honest review of CrossFit, we will first focus on all that is good about it.

There’s Always a CrossFit Gym Round the Corner

One of the best things about CrossFit is that it gives you no chance to make excuses. In whatever corner of the world you are in, chances are you will find a CrossFit gym within a half-mile. It is so because the community of CrossFitters has grown by leaps and bounds in the last few years, and gyms around the world are catering to the growing demand for CrossFit by dedicating separate sections to it in gyms. Moreover, if you do not have the time or money to go to the gym, all you have to do is go to CrossFit.com and attempt the workout of the day.

The CrossFit Community Is Strong and Supportive

It’s hard to hit the gym every day. On days you are feeling down and out, you need someone to give you that much-needed push. The CrossFit community does precisely that — people from your support group will inspire you to return to the gym and not give up. The CrossFit community has a strong camaraderie. This culture of supportive groups promoted intentionally by CrossFit pioneers has played a pivotal role in enhancing the popularity of this fitness routine.

It’s a Great Workout That Also Promotes Healthy Nutrition

CrossFit is not just about competing with everyone else; it is also about competing with yourself. There is a different workout routine to be accomplished each day, and you race against time to finish it. Thus, CrossFit inspires people to compete with themselves and do better each day. Moreover, the atmosphere within a CrossFit gym is so energizing that you will automatically find yourself wanting to push yourself to your limits. CrossFit also promotes healthy nutrition. Your trainer will guide you about what you must eat to see the best results. In general, CrossFit trainers recommend people to include lean meats, healthy fats, fish, and veggies. If you have joined a CrossFit community, you can completely forget about processed food and sugar.

Cons of CrossFit

CrossFit is fun, competitive, and energizing. However, it is not without its flaws. It is, thus, that we also decided to highlight the cons associated with CrossFit.

Customization Isn’t an Option

Sometimes, when you are training, it becomes crucial to personalize or customize a fitness routine to align with your requirements and personal goals. Unfortunately, customization is one of the areas where CrossFit fails miserably. It is because CrossFit routines are designed for groups and not individuals. True it is that working out in groups keeps one motivated. However, not everyone in a group has some fitness goals. Further, creating a program that’s the same for beginners as well as advanced trainees is not always a good idea. Most CrossFit trainers do not understand the value of programming or tweaking a routine to suit a batch. These trainers go to CrossFit.com and repeat whatever WOD is on it, which is not a good idea every time. Also you will be sticking to a specific list of equipment, which usually includes kettlebells, battle ropes, medicine balls, pull-up bars, plyometric boxes and a few others. If you plan on switching for a machine, well you are out of luck.

Risk of Injuries Is High

CrossFit requires skill, strength, and stamina, and thus, a lack of any of these increases one’s chances of developing an injury. The risk of injury is unusually high in the case of those new to CrossFit and those with pre-existing injuries. Rhabdomyolysis is a severe condition that can ail CrossFitters. It is, thus, imperative to work in close coordination with your CrossFit trainer. Understand your limits and stick to them. Do not push yourself too much.

CrossFit Might Lighten Your Wallet

Well, this isn’t exactly a con. The truth is most fitness routines that deliver quick results are way more expensive than CrossFit. However, we wanted to highlight the fact that the membership of a CrossFit gym can be costly. It is especially so in the case of stand-alone CrossFit gyms dedicated only to CrossFit classes.

The Final Word

CrossFit is a great workout. You will begin to see visible transformations within only a few weeks. However, after weighing the pros and cons of CrossFit, it can be said that this fitness routine should be approached with some amount of caution. If you are a fitness expert and have developed the stamina and strength that CrossFit demands, go ahead and become a proud member of the CrossFit community today. However, if you are still exploring the fitness world and consider yourself a newbie, we recommend you start slow and with a workout routine that can be customized to suit your requirements. Beginners who wish to attempt CrossFit should work in close coordination with their trainers and should focus on learning the proper form and correct movements first.

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