JP Fitness Forums - View Single Post

coach hale · 12-05-2008, 09:53 AM

Sure Crossfit is a form of circuit training. I can't understand why anyone would think otherwise.

Charles, my point is CF is not magic and does not live up to the extraordinary claims often pimped by it's followers. There is nothing wrong with performing CF workouts if that is what you want to do. If you are interested in learning the Olfits and maximizing the benefits of shock method training (often called plyos) CF is not the way to go. Movements that require moderate to high levels of skill should not be learned while in the fatigued state. When you say O-lifts are not difficult to learn at all what are you using for a reference point? Surely not the typical weight training movements most trainees perform. In my opinion I have not seen a weight training movement more difficult to learn or teach than the clean and jerk or snatch. Not many people can walk in off the street and perform a clean & jerk or snatch with good technique after a few minutes instruction. Now to make the situation even more difficult have the person try to do a full snatch while fatigued. Not happening. I would agree that gymnastics and Olifts have benefits when taught properly. The majority of Crossfitters that I have seen try to perfrom the O-lifts have no idea how to perform the movements. Generally, Crossfit Olifting is about as close to Olifting as Tae-Bo is to Kickboxing.

Up to this point John has made the best point in the thread. "I really haven't found that there is an absolute type of training. At least not for the clients I tend to train. And I don't think there needs to be an absolute type of training or exercise program. There is always going to be a "...but".

Excellent summary of CF by Will Brink
http://www.brinkzone.com/blog/ training-programs/excellent-crossfit-review/

Thanks,
Jamie Hale

12-05-2008, 09:53 AM	#13 (permalink)
coach hale Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 531	Sure Crossfit is a form of circuit training. I can't understand why anyone would think otherwise. Charles, my point is CF is not magic and does not live up to the extraordinary claims often pimped by it's followers. There is nothing wrong with performing CF workouts if that is what you want to do. If you are interested in learning the Olfits and maximizing the benefits of shock method training (often called plyos) CF is not the way to go. Movements that require moderate to high levels of skill should not be learned while in the fatigued state. When you say O-lifts are not difficult to learn at all what are you using for a reference point? Surely not the typical weight training movements most trainees perform. In my opinion I have not seen a weight training movement more difficult to learn or teach than the clean and jerk or snatch. Not many people can walk in off the street and perform a clean & jerk or snatch with good technique after a few minutes instruction. Now to make the situation even more difficult have the person try to do a full snatch while fatigued. Not happening. I would agree that gymnastics and Olifts have benefits when taught properly. The majority of Crossfitters that I have seen try to perfrom the O-lifts have no idea how to perform the movements. Generally, Crossfit Olifting is about as close to Olifting as Tae-Bo is to Kickboxing. Up to this point John has made the best point in the thread. "I really haven't found that there is an absolute type of training. At least not for the clients I tend to train. And I don't think there needs to be an absolute type of training or exercise program. There is always going to be a "...but". Excellent summary of CF by Will Brink http://www.brinkzone.com/blog/ training-programs/excellent-crossfit-review/ Thanks, Jamie Hale