Has anyone tried Crossfit?

[Haz]

If you have....

Is it worth the money to join a crossfit gym or can it be done alone?
Do people actually follow the ridiculous diet that seems to go with it?
Is it any good for fitness for cycling?
General opinions?

Thinking of doing it in addition to cycling.
Thanks in advance for any insight

 

[Garz]

My buddy from the US who comes to stay every year's wife does it although when they mentioned the subscription I almost fell off the chair.

She did however goto some world event and as she is a pro photographer generated some work through it. As for fitness well I went to their wedding last year and she was in great shape so I guess it must work if you put in the effort.

 

[Hicky]

One of the guys in the gym(he's the strength and conditioning "goto" for the fighters) is crossfit cert, the parts I see him utilizing the most is burst power exercises, some of it seems a little too far for the sake of it....ie handstand pushups!
Not for me, it seems to be a sport of exercising....?!?!
Why not either do a sport or exercise(be it circuits/weights/cardio.....whatever), it has a place i suppose and any level of compatition(if you find competing with yourself or your personal bests hard) helps improvement/gains.
But when a program starts pushing its own food regime or suppliments then to quote a "dragon"....Im out!
Health rounded diet, quality workouts and rest should be all most people need.

 

[Haz]

One of the guys in the gym(he's the strength and conditioning "goto" for the fighters) is crossfit cert, the parts I see him utilizing the most is burst power exercises, some of it seems a little too far for the sake of it....ie handstand pushups!
Not for me, it seems to be a sport of exercising....?!?!
Why not either do a sport or exercise(be it circuits/weights/cardio.....whatever), it has a place i suppose and any level of compatition(if you find competing with yourself or your personal bests hard) helps improvement/gains.
But when a program starts pushing its own food regime or suppliments then to quote a "dragon"....Im out!
Health rounded diet, quality workouts and rest should be all most people need.

This is sort of what I was thinking. I've done most of the more normal exercises they do before when I was in a (not cycling, different sport) club, which was sufficient for base fitness, burst power and toning, just it took up so much time! I loved the squad training element of it and feeling a good kind of tired after circuits/weights etc., but it just sucked up all my time and energy.
Totally agree with you on the food and diet side of crossfit. It seems to be almost like a cult? I'm not sold on it, anyway - thanks so much for your input Garz and Hicky

 

[Garz]

...anyway - thanks so much for your input Garz and Hicky

Your welcome pal, let us know if you give it a whirl. I am inclined to incorporate some kettlebell training in with core exercises on non-cycling days when I reach a sensible level of bike fitness.

 

[cyberknight]

If you know the routines then there is no reason why cant replicate it on your own , the only plus i guess is the communal culture motivating those to train.I have never been one for doing exercise for its own sake, sure i will do weights a couple of times a week now but i have trimmed down what i do to get the most benefit for my personal aims .
When i trained for martial arts i targeted the needs for that sport, the same went for the time i was training for a tri .

 

[dom4658]

Pretty damn expensive for what you get IMO. If you've got the space all you need is an olympic barbell and weight plates, a power rack, a bench, a box to jump on, a pull up bar, and you could probably do most of the workouts with that (head to crossfit.com for a different one daily)

However this could initially be expensive - power rack alone maybe £1000+. The benefit of the gym would be the monthly payment which is much easier then forking out £1000 in one go.
Also the benefit of going to the gym would be being in one group. With everyone doing the same workout and you can really learn and be inspired by other people, also have someone shout at you to not quit can be handy.
Another benefit would be the specialist coaching. i.e. a lot of people have no idea what a Power clean is, let alone how to do it. Part of the crossfit session involves practice at movements such as these

 

[Haz]

Pretty damn expensive for what you get IMO. If you've got the space all you need is an olympic barbell and weight plates, a power rack, a bench, a box to jump on, a pull up bar, and you could probably do most of the workouts with that (head to crossfit.com for a different one daily)

However this could initially be expensive - power rack alone maybe £1000+. The benefit of the gym would be the monthly payment which is much easier then forking out £1000 in one go.
Also the benefit of going to the gym would be being in one group. With everyone doing the same workout and you can really learn and be inspired by other people, also have someone shout at you to not quit can be handy.
Another benefit would be the specialist coaching. i.e. a lot of people have no idea what a Power clean is, let alone how to do it. Part of the crossfit session involves practice at movements such as these

Hmm yes I agree. I already have access to a free weights gym with all these things for free. I think I'll stick to cycling, core and stretching then weights when I feel like it - crossfit seems rather pricey for me!