Another Crossfit RANT.....Functional Fitness? WTF is that?

**swingslammer** · 03-14-2012, 03:25 AM

So far, thank you for your opinions....

**Barrett** · 03-14-2012, 04:10 AM

Crossfitters aren't "athletes". Working out isn't a sport.

**Friendly Milkshake** · 03-14-2012, 05:42 AM

I used to do this routine alot back in the day....it's sorta crossfit like.

if anyone wants to do crossfit shit...i say try rosstraining.com ...not so much barbell and wiggly jiggle pullups.

**D_T** · 03-14-2012, 06:56 AM

Originally Posted by Barrett

Crossfitters aren't "athletes". Working out isn't a sport.

But pulling trucks and carrying rocks is?

**swingslammer** · 03-14-2012, 04:32 PM

OK, I will rant a bit here.....I am a Bodybuilder, my contention has always been this. I could train someone with my movements and make them BETTER at crossfit.....but crossfit would not make me a better Bodybuilder.

How you ask?? If your WOD involves air squats like alot do , usually 100 air squats, if I can train you to squat 315 for 20 reps don't you think 100 air squats should be a breeze? They are, I have made most Army guys I know who do Crossfit for PT look silly when we do air squats for time.

Overhead pressing......If I can military 225 for 20 reps strict and I can train you to do it don't you think the 135 over head lifts alot of WODs incorporate would be easier? Handstand pushups....please, I can use 110 DBs for military press, I only weigh 185....you do the math?

I watch my diet and do cardio to get rripped for a contest......crossfit might "Rip you up" but it would be at the expense of the workouts that maintain my muscle mass. There fore crossfit will not make me a better Bodybuilder but MOST of what I do would make you a better crossfitter.....of course I have been doing this for 33 years now?

Does any of that make sense?

**mrmister** · 03-14-2012, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by swingslammer

OK, I will rant a bit here.....I am a Bodybuilder, my contention has always been this. I could train someone with my movements and make them BETTER at crossfit.....but crossfit would not make me a better Bodybuilder.

How you ask?? If your WOD involves air squats like alot do , usually 100 air squats, if I can train you to squat 315 for 20 reps don't you think 100 air squats should be a breeze? They are, I have made most Army guys I know who do Crossfit for PT look silly when we do air squats for time.

Overhead pressing......If I can military 225 for 20 reps strict and I can train you to do it don't you think the 135 over head lifts alot of WODs incorporate would be easier? Handstand pushups....please, I can use 110 DBs for military press, I only weigh 185....you do the math?

I watch my diet and do cardio to get rripped for a contest......crossfit might "Rip you up" but it would be at the expense of the workouts that maintain my muscle mass. There fore crossfit will not make me a better Bodybuilder but MOST of what I do would make you a better crossfitter.....of course I have been doing this for 33 years now?

Does any of that make sense?

BB sole purpose is hypertrophy, CF is supposedly strength and conditioning numbers in BB are irrelevant

i dont think CF has ever had interest in BB

**mrmister** · 03-14-2012, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by Barrett

Crossfitters aren't "athletes". Working out isn't a sport.

they why are BBr portrayed as athletes

**mrmister** · 03-14-2012, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by retwa

Yep, that's one example of a bodybuilder doing shitty 'chins'.

dont many BBr claim that rom is relative?

**swingslammer** · 03-14-2012, 05:31 PM

I am just saying I could TRAIN someone to be better at crossfit.....agree or disagree?

I am not even SAYING that Bodybuilding is better than Crossfit........but I have had more than a few tell me "Crossfit would be better for me"?

This question is for Mr Mister by the way.

**Big Sky Guy** · 03-14-2012, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by swingslammer

OK, I will rant a bit here.....I am a Bodybuilder, my contention has always been this. I could train someone with my movements and make them BETTER at crossfit.....but crossfit would not make me a better Bodybuilder.

How you ask?? If your WOD involves air squats like alot do , usually 100 air squats, if I can train you to squat 315 for 20 reps don't you think 100 air squats should be a breeze? They are, I have made most Army guys I know who do Crossfit for PT look silly when we do air squats for time.

Overhead pressing......If I can military 225 for 20 reps strict and I can train you to do it don't you think the 135 over head lifts alot of WODs incorporate would be easier? Handstand pushups....please, I can use 110 DBs for military press, I only weigh 185....you do the math?

I watch my diet and do cardio to get rripped for a contest......crossfit might "Rip you up" but it would be at the expense of the workouts that maintain my muscle mass. There fore crossfit will not make me a better Bodybuilder but MOST of what I do would make you a better crossfitter.....of course I have been doing this for 33 years now?

Does any of that make sense?

The majority of BB can't do 315 for 20 or 225 for 20 as they are not currently trained for it. It would not take us but 4-6 weeks to get conditioned for it, while the average CFer would take months. 225 for 20 is stout numbers for strict OHP.

I agree with training for those type of numbers as they are a hell of a lot more functional than 100 at BW or even 3 at 450 in many circumstances. The better CFit boxes do get the idea that improved strength will correlate to improved functional movements in their WOD. Ours runs 5, 3, 1 for the main lifts at least 1/2 the year. It really depends on the owner of the box as to the character. Some are more running oriented, some Oly, some strength, some gymnastics...

Their are certainly WODs out there that are strength related, such as the Bear Complex, but those are almost never posted on BB forums as people want to watch the sillyness of butterfly pullups.

My experience has been that CFit is a better match for the runner, triathlete, skiier, mountain biker type. I would still put an intensive strongman program as maybe a bit more in the realm of BB

**Friendly Milkshake** · 03-14-2012, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by swingslammer

I am just saying I could TRAIN someone to be better at crossfit.....agree or disagree?

I am not even SAYING that Bodybuilding is better than Crossfit........but I have had more than a few tell me "Crossfit would be better for me"?

This question is for Mr Mister by the way.

I slightly agree and disagree..do barbell squats help with bodyweight squats? yes
Does that mean some barbell junkie who squats 8 reps with 3 or 4 plates can reach a 100 perfect bw squats with ease? nooo...but it's possible.

Will make crossfit make you a better bodybuilder? I think doing a couple crossfit orientated sessions for 6-8 weeks, along with your regular weight routine (lower volume perhaps) could help you break through plateau. Like the endurance aspect and digging deep down inside yourself to get that last rep. For an IFBB pro though, they need to maintain size. Natural Bodybuilders could benefit more i think.

You could always do what jay has done with Pilates and Boxing. It could give you the same benefit i mentioned above.

basically get your ass moving your heart pounding and lots more stretching....

**mrmister** · 03-14-2012, 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by swingslammer

I am just saying I could TRAIN someone to be better at crossfit.....agree or disagree?

i agree to an extent

**KTTraining** · 03-14-2012, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by swingslammer

Overhead pressing......If I can military 225 for 20 reps strict

If these are full range reps with no push that's very impressive . Can you post a quick video of this ? Thanks .

In wrestling Hindu squats ( no weight, just quick level change all the way down n up ) are used for conditioning . I typically just do 500 along with hindu pushups . I m not a powerlifter but was squatting 500 for sets of 10 reps and the 500 non stop hindu squats were and are very very challenging to me @ 240 to lb . I also was using 175 lb dumbells for inclines for good full reps and 250 indian hindu pushups are extremely challenging for me and still are today . Of course weight has a lot to do with it..if under 200 it's not as hard but I don't think too many strongmen can bang out 100 hindu pushups...or even 50 for that matter . Everything has a purpose...or should at least . In wrestling , or sports in general movement is KEY, because nothing is fixed.. the opponent or body is always moving. The athletes body will twist , bend and shift all over during sports ( specifically combat grappling or wrestling) . If I just maintained by Bodybuilding training without incoorporating anything else I would've been injured fairly quickly and I definitely wouldn't be as capable.

I support bodybuilding, powerlifting, strongman like most here, but I also realize there are many ways to a finish line. The best thing one can do is try something...if it works great, if not leave it behind or modify it and try again.

Regardless, That Military Press is very impressive . f you can get a vid that would be great to see.

**Friendly Milkshake** · 03-14-2012, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by KTTraining

If these are full range reps with no push that's very impressive . Can you post a quick video of this ? Thanks .

In wrestling Hindu squats ( no weight, just quick level change all the way down n up ) are used for conditioning . I typically just do 500 along with hindu pushups . I m not a powerlifter but was squatting 500 for sets of 10 reps and the 500 non stop hindu squats were and are very very challenging to me @ 240 to lb . I also was using 175 lb dumbells for inclines for good full reps and 250 indian hindu pushups are extremely challenging for me and still are today . Of course weight has a lot to do with it..if under 200 it's not as hard but I don't think too many strongmen can bang out 100 hindu pushups...or even 50 for that matter . Everything has a purpose...or should at least . In wrestling , or sports in general movement is KEY, because nothing is fixed.. the opponent or body is always moving. The athletes body will twist , bend and shift all over during sports ( specifically combat grappling or wrestling) . If I just maintained by Bodybuilding training without incoorporating anything else I would've been injured fairly quickly and I definitely wouldn't be as capable.

I support bodybuilding, powerlifting, strongman like most here, but I also realize there are many ways to a finish line. The best thing one can do is try something...if it works great, if not leave it behind or modify it and try again.

Regardless, That Military Press is very impressive . f you can get a vid that would be great to see.

hindu squats for life! hindu pushups are good for improving your fuck game! get balls deep with every rep!

**KTTraining** · 03-14-2012, 10:49 PM

haha, looks funny no doubt but great for many reasons. Do you do Them ? I do another version that's a combination of the two,.. Great muscular n cardiovascular endurance .

**swingslammer** · 03-14-2012, 11:29 PM

I am just 4 months past having my right triceps reattached, I will see what I can do in another month or so? Thanks for contributing.

As for the numbers I consider myself an average Bodybuilder and I have a SLEW of 2nd place trophies to prove it but I am still very strong at the age of 47....but I have now been working out for 33 years without stopping so you would figure you would get stronger than the average guy or a beginner.

**KTTraining** · 03-15-2012, 12:07 AM

Wow, that's a tough injury .. Good luck with it .

I've also been training over 30 years and competed for 20 so I completely understand the way it works : )

**Friendly Milkshake** · 03-15-2012, 12:59 AM

Originally Posted by KTTraining

haha, looks funny no doubt but great for many reasons. Do you do Them ? I do another version that's a combination of the two,.. Great muscular n cardiovascular endurance .

i haven't done hindu pushups in a couple of years. not since martial arts day. they are really hard to pull off at the gym without the whole freakin place staring at you.sometimes ill occasionally go all out on the tread or elipitical for a min and get off and do hindu squats or burpees and so on. or at the running track...each lap i might go into 20 pushups 20 squats 20 burpees for 4 laps to a equal an mile. I did this last week for first time in 3 years! i can still do it....but i sure breath alot damn harder!

**Mr.Dedication** · 03-18-2012, 03:55 PM

Oh so check this shit out! We recently bought a house and we are in the process of moving everything and I go to college in another city but I have to see my parents because they need my help BUT from 5 gyms around me 3 of them are for fucking cross training and the other two are over priced as shit! The only golds close to me is 30 minutes away :/ so am a fournier that is surrounded by a bunch of white people, like Dave Chappelle show kind of white people, that are all into cross training. Why are everybody into this stupid shit?!!!! Like even when I went to buy some shoes yesterday 90% of the shoes on the floor was for cross fit training. WTF is wrong with the world :\

**sassy69** · 03-18-2012, 07:31 PM

Well, difference between "Crossfit training" shoes & cross -training shoes. I think the unofficial "crossfit training" shoes are the toe shoes.

**swingslammer** · 03-18-2012, 08:19 PM

**swingslammer** · 03-18-2012, 08:23 PM

Ok, Ok....I must admit...HERE is a Crossfit gym I MIGHT.....consider joining??

**sassy69** · 03-19-2012, 12:27 AM

^^ That's the largest number of natural boobs I've seen in any single gym setting since the mid-80s!

**bigchamp89** · 03-19-2012, 02:23 AM

Originally Posted by sassy69

^^ That's the largest number of natural boobs I've seen in any single gym setting since the mid-80s!

lmao!!

**swingslammer** · 03-19-2012, 03:04 PM

Damn this Crossfit is the BOMB!! Check this chick out!!

**sassy69** · 03-19-2012, 06:52 PM

That's crossFIT or crossDRUNK?

**The Ultimate Warrior** · 03-23-2012, 04:25 PM

Over-under on when this shit hits is crest and dies hard in the surf?

**swingslammer** · 03-24-2012, 04:26 AM

Chick to guy at party..."Nice keg handstand pushups.....do you Crossfit?"....Ha Ha

**swingslammer** · 03-24-2012, 04:34 AM

**data** · 03-24-2012, 12:36 PM

For every crappy crossfit video I could probably dig up a crappy bodybuilder doing the same stupid shit.

I think the whole argument is stupid.

Its like powerlifters arguing they are the strongest. Basketball players arguing they are the best athletes.

I think its great to see housewives doing oly squats and deadlifts ... a few years ago you wouldn't see a woman doing a push press .... Its great to see people trading in their running shoes for a bumper plates.

**swingslammer** · 03-24-2012, 03:02 PM

Bumper plates...Ha Ha, I love to see Dudes at my gym doing cleans with 10 pound bumper plates on!

Seriously though, I am all about Physical changes..... I think the average person starting to workout will be more inclined to stay with it if they ACTUALLY see their body change.

You have heard the adage "If you run you will just have a skinnier version of the body you have now"?

If a chick wants to balance out her big lower body she needs to concentrate and put more effort in to her shoulders and back.

How does a random WOD adress what YOU SPECIFICALLY need to improve on your body?

I am training a Girl who always disliked that her legs went straight down from her butt to her knees.....Stiff legged deadlifts and lying leg curls and BOOM she is getting a leg bicep!

How could the WOD of the day adress that? This chick is sticking with it because she sees the part she is training specifically CHANGE!

Not just some random crap.

P.S. She is up to 3 real pullups....not that kipping crap.

**mrmister** · 03-24-2012, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by swingslammer

I am all about Physical changes..... I think the average person starting to workout will be more inclined to stay with it if they ACTUALLY see their body change.

thats not the case for everyone, CF is under strength & conditioning banner which is also appealing to the average joe just consider the following CF has garnered

**swingslammer** · 03-24-2012, 04:29 PM

Wait..........Wait.........WAIT FOR IT............BAM!!

**swingslammer** · 03-24-2012, 04:51 PM

In the interest of presenting a balanced arguement.....this I could get used to looking at!!

**swingslammer** · 03-24-2012, 05:00 PM

Crossfit before and afters....Hmmmm.

**swingslammer** · 03-24-2012, 05:06 PM

RX Muscle has PLENTY of examples of people who completely and dramatically changed their bodies.

Here is one of the best...

**swingslammer** · 03-24-2012, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by mrmister

thats not the case for everyone, CF is under strength & conditioning banner which is also appealing to the average joe just consider the following CF has garnered

I do think you are right on this point....I will give you that.

**data** · 03-25-2012, 12:14 AM

Originally Posted by swingslammer

Bumper plates...Ha Ha, I love to see Dudes at my gym doing cleans with 10 pound bumper plates on!

Seriously though, I am all about Physical changes..... I think the average person starting to workout will be more inclined to stay with it if they ACTUALLY see their body change.

You have heard the adage "If you run you will just have a skinnier version of the body you have now"?

If a chick wants to balance out her big lower body she needs to concentrate and put more effort in to her shoulders and back.

How does a random WOD adress what YOU SPECIFICALLY need to improve on your body?

I am training a Girl who always disliked that her legs went straight down from her butt to her knees.....Stiff legged deadlifts and lying leg curls and BOOM she is getting a leg bicep!

How could the WOD of the day adress that? This chick is sticking with it because she sees the part she is training specifically CHANGE!

Not just some random crap.

P.S. She is up to 3 real pullups....not that kipping crap.

I think you are missing the point. I'm agreeing. I think a barbell is the best form of exercise as well. Just not everyones interested in developing more of a peak in their biceps and not every woman wants a big back. Some people just want to be fit. The barbell can also do that.

The point of the random WOD is just that. To provide a random WOD for someone who doesn't know how to "program" a workout. Its like getting a workout from FLEX. Obviously competitive xfit-ers are tailoring their workouts to their needs.

**KTTraining** · 03-25-2012, 02:21 AM

Swing, They deleted your birthday post and my reply ? Do you know why ?

**swingslammer** · 03-25-2012, 05:16 AM

I think it was a computer glitch? Several of my posts just disappeared? This place was messed up for a few days.

**mrmister** · 04-05-2012, 12:15 PM

On Wed, Apr 4, 2012 at 8:51 AM, Matt wrote:
I have several.*

What is the purpose of kipping "pull-ups"? *The pull-up is an upper body exercise, and by using your legs for momentum, you significantly reduce the benefits of the exercise, in addition to the strain it puts on the rotator cuffs.*

Why do you encourage clients to throw weights around/down, and advertise it on television? * I saw a YouTube video of two men throwing a loaded barbell to each other at head-level. *How is this safe?

How do you justify the $150-200 monthly membership fee, when a full-service health club membership can be had for $50?

Why do all the girls wear ridiculous socks? *It all seems very pretentious and cult-like.*

On Apr 4, 2012, at 9:24 AM, Madeline Letchford wrote:

Matthew,

Pretty easily. Do you have more questions?

Best,

Madeline Letchford
CrossFit |FORGING ELITE FITNESS

On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 4:36 PM, Matthew > wrote:
How do you take yourselves seriously?

Matt,

We don't focus on working particular muscle groups in CrossFit. In life and sport you'll be forced to use, say, your legs multiple days in a row. If you haven't trained for that, you'll never be able to perform when necessary. Our program is based on high intensity, functional movements, not conventional gym exercises that don't really train your body to do much athletically.*Kipping allows more work to be done in less time, thus increasing power output. It is also a full-body coordination movement when performed correctly, which applies more functionally to real-life application of pulling skills. Last, but not least, the hip motion of an effective kip mirrors the motion of the olympic lifts/kettlebell swings, adding to it's function as a posterior-chain developer.*Strict pull-ups are rarely necessary outside of a gym*environment.*

We hardly "encourage" people to throw around weights. If you get out of the globo gym*environment*you'll be exposed to bumper plates. You can't perform Olympic lifts or heavy overhead movements without the possibility of bailing out of the move for safety. The*bouncing*ability of the bumper plate saves the*equipment, gear, and is less likely to injure an athlete than metal plates. If you don't have the ability to go heavier safely, you'll never increase your potential for a better fitness level. Olympic lifts are critical to any type of athlete, which is why any quality strength/conditioning coach uses them*regularly.*

The girls, and many guys, wear the socks to avoid scraping the skin off their shins during deadlifts, and to avoid burns during rope climbs. It's also just part of our gym culture. Sort of comparable to the people walking around, looking at themselves in the mirrors while pretending they have a clue, and*desperately*trying to figure out what to do next in your local health club. Only the socks are much cuter on our girls.

Honestly Matt, it sounds like you've been*working out in a LA Fitness style for most of your life and you're*missing*out on a real opportunity to be a better in every aspect of your life. We're not a cult. We're effective, and that intimidates the hell out of a lot of people. You also have to check your ego at the door and be willing to do things you've never done before and that you're currently lousy at to get better. It sounds like you're scared of that part too. It's all good, we see it a lot in our haters. It's great when people give it a go and know what they're talking about before sending over an email stating "How do you take yourselves seriously?" We don't just open our doors for meat-head grazers to jump on the next piece of gear the last guy is used. We train in groups that focus on individuals. We train together in an encouraging*environment*full of competitive*camaraderie. It's why we're crushing the '$40 per month, and please don't show up' model of the mainstream gyms. It's why our trainers are better than the '$45 per hour and I'll make sure your pin is in the right hole' trainers at those same gyms. There is nothing full-service about that. We're a large community*defined*by unique and different communities in our 4,000+ gyms globally.

I really encourage you to do your due*diligence about legitimate fitness vs. globo gyms, check out the CrossFit community first hand not via You Tube, and give it a go. You have nothing to lose except your own version of a pretentious attitude.

Good luck.
*
Madeline Letchford
CrossFit |FORGING ELITE FITNESS

good read

**swingslammer** · 04-05-2012, 11:28 PM

"Honestly Matt, it sounds like you've been*working out in a LA Fitness style for most of your life and you're*missing*out on a real opportunity to be a better in every aspect of your life. We're not a cult. We're effective, and that intimidates the hell out of a lot of people. You also have to check your ego at the door and be willing to do things you've never done before and that you're currently lousy at to get better. It sounds like you're scared of that part too. It's all good, we see it a lot in our haters. It's great when people give it a go and know what they're talking about before sending over an email stating "How do you take yourselves seriously?" We don't just open our doors for meat-head grazers to jump on the next piece of gear the last guy is used. "

Sounds a little "Cultish" to me.....Better in every aspect of your life?? P.S. My 7 even year old Daughter can Deadlift more than this..........This is Madiline Lecthford below.

**swingslammer** · 04-05-2012, 11:35 PM

P.S. Any real trainers work is effective if done correctly? I am training two chicks right now that are getting stronger and stronger and noticing changes in their bodies because no one has ever shown them the correct way to workout.

Also one of them dropped their 2 mile run time from 19:55 to 17:30 yesterday...in about 6 weeks of JUST working out....she says her body FEELS lighter when she runs? The other dropped about 30 seconds off her time.....but she was already a trained runner when we started training....she ran cross country in college....but yet SMART Bodybuilding training made her running faster. I attribute it to the stronger core squats and deadlifts have given her?