Introducing CrossFit
Monthly pay as you go training. No contracts. No penalties. No gimmicks.
CrossFit can equally be described as modern, state of the art training at the cutting edge of human performance. Yet, its also old school emphasising old core values such as hard core training using retro kit. Unfashionable but highly effective training tools re emerged such as gymnastic rings, olympic lifting techniques, pull up bars and kettlebells. Old concepts such as learning how to use your body to run, jump throw, pull and move heavy objects. Tools that until CrossFit, were deemed old fashioned and retro in the light of shiny leg presses, treadmills and pec decks.
CrossFit has a refreshingly simple message. Eat right, train really hard and we will make you fitter and stronger than you have ever thought possible. And guess what – you’ll even look and feel good to.
CrossFit offers better training, better fun, better sessions and better results. What’s more every session is different – you’ll NEVER know what you’ll be doing in a session. No boring work outs – no pec decks or curls we are talking old school here and great fun too.
CrossFit is quite simply the best conditioning and training system available today.
If you want to look good, feel good or perform a physical task like no one else – there is nothing on par with CrossFit.
What is it ?
CrossFit has a unique approach to Fitness training. In fact, its so good that its used by Professional Fighters, The U.S Marine Corps, Navy S.E.A.L s, Athletes, Law Enforcement Agencies and Elite Military Units across the world. Just about anyone placing human beings in an environment where life its self depends on human physical performance wants CrossFit or an imitation of it. CrossFit works for people of all abilities and allows ordinary people to develop seemingly impossible physical abilities.
Where did it come from ?
Crossfit was founded by Greg Glassman who ‘tells it how it is’. Glassman challenged the existing fitness orthodoxy by asking ackward questions about training and subsequently offending a range of ‘experts’ in the process. The Fitness establishment tried to ignore or undermine Glassman and CrossFit as a minority activity. Eventually they branded CrossFit dangerous, and even a cult – at one stage, none of which proved to be true. To compound the issue, Glassman and his theories were proved to work consistently who then shared them freely with anyone that was interested.
The CrossFit method proved so successful, it expanded from a specialist interest for a minority to the proven tool used by elite athletes, fighters and the armed forces. CrossFit’s appeal has not been missed by the military. Particularly the special forces community who embraced it with open arms. CrossFit has taken off so dramatically here that there are even separate sections for military based CrossFit Affiliates.
The U.S marines were so impressed by the CrossFit method that they adopted a CrossFit based fitness selection process. More recently, the Navy S.E.A.L s adopted CrossFit to prepare recruits for their world famous B.U.D.s course and I believe its being used across the board by military and Law Enforcement staff. Coupled with its use by big name fighters such as B.J Penn .
The evidence for doing Crossfit is now so compelling the real question is simply this. Why aren’t you doing it ?
How does Crossfit work?
Crossfit is delivers a programme of exercise and nutrition. It uses large multi joint movements and no machines (well apart from a Concept 2 Rower). Workouts, (called W.O.D. s) are short, intense, highly varied. They are also scaleable for different fitness levels or abilities. In recognition of their sheer intensity some work outs are even named.
Thats right – just like Hurricanes! Some of these work outs are tests or benchmarks against which you can measure yourself. CrossFit strives to use large ‘functional’ multi joint movements because trainees use their bodies as they were meant to be used – as a whole – a unit – a functioning system of muscles, bones and organs. There are no isolation movements – (such a bicep curls – tricep presses) as they have no functional use in the real world and are detrimental to overall performance. Your body simply does not work as a series of unrelated muscles – as a Krav Maga instructor I see this with Body builders and poor power – co ordination again and again.
But I thought you needed Isolation exercises to develop strength ?
Isolation exercises originated in Bodybuilding where the main focus is in developing bulk for aesthetic reasons. Strength is a by-product of this process rather than its goal. This is why powerlifters and body builders train differently. Bodybuilding regimes invest in a model that does not work well in Humans. Reductionism.
That is reducing your body to distinct and separate components. Your body is designed to be a finely balanced system of levers (bones), gears (muscles) and engine (heart and lungs). This is all co-ordinated by your brain, which is designed to co-ordinate physical activity using muscular effort through co-ordinated use of the body.
In fact the brain is not wired up to co-ordinate individual muscles with each other – but rather as large groups to move the body efficiently. Body builders and alike may want to develop the head of their bicep or shape their Pecs but this is about aesthetics not function. In short they get heavy – often slow and little stronger than a crossfitter – who is also fast, powerful and agile. The Crossfitter will be nearly as strong, or in many cases stronger at real world tasks , fitter, faster, healthier and have better flexibility and endurance.
In fact the CrossFitter would perform better at just about any physical challenge you could select.
Interested then contact us and come and try CrossFit.
CrossFit Bristol runs classes in the Bristol Area
To give the impression that bodybuilders exclusively utilise isolation exercises only is simply not true. The squat, deadlift, bench press, rowing, chin-ups and other compound type movements compromise many a bodybuilders workout routine. These movements give them a very practical and impressive strength basis. To give the impression that bodybuilders are generally slow, stiff and weak is also not true. By the very nature of their explosive type workouts and extreme ranges of motion often combined with cardiovascular training, a bodybuilder is far from the feeble cripple portrayed above. I totally agree that a ‘Crosfitter’ will generally have greater endurance, flexibility and a more practical strength, but as is stated bodybuilding is about aesthetics and is therefore a completely different discipline. It appears as though the author of the above has an issue with bodybuilders, why not tennis players or footballers?
hi Matt.
No, I don’t have an issue with bodybuilders at all. The training approach developed by bodybuilders is highly effective for those wanting to gain muscle through the process of hypertrophy, specifically sarcoplasmic hypertrophy. This is great for bodybuilders, not so good for athletes or those with an interest in combat sports.
A bodybuilding approach became a staple of most gyms through the 70s 80s and 90s and even to this day in most gyms across the UK.
Its part of the default program that gyms prescribe to everyone – along with a bit of cardio. It’s inappropriate for most people unless they have a specific bodybuilding goal. As a professional Krav Maga instructor, strength and conditioning coach and crossfit trainer I work with a lot of bodybuilders. From experience, crossfitters are often almost as strong, fitter faster and better adapted to real-life tasks.
I certainly would not describe bodybuilders as ‘feeble cripples but the training methodologies tend to discourage agility, quickness and power. In fact for any competitive athlete a bodybuilding regime is a complete and absolute disadvantage. This is the reason why bodybuilding regimes are not used at a competitive level for combat or professional athletes. Crossfit however is.
Like wise marathon running, tennis or football specific training would be inappropriate as a conditioning regieme for most people – gyms dont default to this. In fact many gyms default to a poor bodybuilding regieme – not even a good one.
So to clarify, it is not my intention to criticise bodybuilders per se, more the application of a highly specific bodybuilding type training methodology to the general public as is used in most gyms in the UK. The average punter would get more from a highly varied programme – but that requires planning – input and skill. Most gyms wont do that.
On a last thought Mat – if you body build and stopped for 3 months doing exclusively CrossFit for that time , I would bet you could sustain at least 90% of your dead lift – whilst becoming faster, more powerful (strength x speed) and have more stamina and agility.
Theres a thought
sorry I just read your comment at the bottom, why not tennis players or footballers?
These are also highly specific training regimes and not necessarily appropriate for the general population. However programs based around tennis or football tend not to be the norm as prescribed in a gym to the general public. The average gym will prescribe a combination of isolation movements based on machines with a little cardio.
It’s poor and frankly lazy training on the part of the gyms .
Hi ‘crossfitbristol’
Thanks for your measured and intelligent response. Many people seem to enjoy ‘bodybuilder bashing’ and I initially assumed you may have been one of them. I completely agree that most gymnasiums give incorrect and often dangerous advice to customers, and have often overheard personal trainers giving suspect advice such as ‘You can turn fat into muscle’ or ‘Biceps account for 90% of upper body strength’.
Its correct to state that ‘for any competitive athlete a bodybuilding regime is a complete and absolute disadvantage’, however I would suggest that a bodybuilding background would put a novice Crossfitter at a distinct advantage when compared to your average couch potato joe.
I agree that forms of highly specialised training such as bodybuilding, marathon running, competitive swimming, etc, do exactly what they state on the tin. That is to specialise the body for a specific activity that is not necessarily conducive to real-life practical tasks. This is why as a previously competitive natural bodybuilder I am now possibly looking to take a new direction and adopt a more general approach to training (such a crossfit).
As for the deadlifting max, lets not forget that bodybuilding isn’t powerlifting
Quote
‘You can turn fat into muscle’ or ‘Biceps account for 90% of upper body strength’.
Priceless – but highly unsurprisingly.
Good luck with your training and maybe, just may be you’ll get tempted to the dark side one day LOL
P.S Why deadlift rather than bench press etc – its easily tested and most cf gyms wont have a bench.
Paul