CrossFit
Reader Pat likes CrossFit, a dynamic combination of all kinds of things reportedly employed by various military and police units. Sounds like a great concept. I think this is what my cop brother-in-law was talking about, need to check. I enjoyed the torture session where he made me and our sons run up and down Coast Guard Hill six times, knocking out pushups and crunches between each run.
Pat says: ”My schedule isn’t great for getting to the gym but I still get decent results even when I can’t make it consistently.”
OK, so what is it?
On a quick perusal yesterday, I found the CrossFit website obtuse, without an easy entry point or clear description of what it entails.
It sounds a little like make it up as you go along; do what works for you; do a lot of everything; mix it up with a lot of variety; routine kills; short, fast intensity builds. All sounds good. Sounds a lot like what I am doing, mixing a growing repetoire of calisthentics and activities that range from short and long runs, sprits and hills, walks, biking, plus two-hour sessions on a pile of logs with a 10-pound maul, with my bad-ass razor-sharp Balkan battle axe for the finer log-splitting tasks, the early 20th century “Ben Hur” roofing hatchet for kindling, then there’s the Husqvarna … sorry, don’t get me started.
As a CrossFit starter, you get two choices. Sign up with a licensed, certified affiliate or go it alone by picking between literally dozens of videos. Kind of like a combination of tightly controlled marketing and viral anarchy. Pat, anyone else, please explain this and tell me what I’m missing. I don’t want to watch that much TV. Or hire anyone.
All input greatly appreciated. There has been some sporadic but very useful feedback from readers. Very interested in more on what works for all of you … progress, triumphs, failures and techniques. Walkers, starters, don’t be shy. We’re not stuck on any one program or at any one level here. It’s more about exploration, experimentation and motivation than anything else. The only lame workout is one that doesn’t challenge you. That, and the one you don’t do. Speaking of which, it’s pouring out. Looks like a garage day.
Previously, in the “Live Forever Or Die Trying” series:
Old? Fat? Feeling Death’s Icy Chill Down Your Neck? How To Live Forever Part 1, the Crittenden Workout for Middle-Aged Fat Bastards.
How To Live Forever Part 2 The Beer Workout. Drink and be healthy.
How to Live Forever Part 3 Israeli research finding: Advanced geezerdom no bar to exercise’s life-extending benefits.
How To Live Forever Part 4: Fit For Combat You think preparing for combat is healthy? Try combat. Hey, when’s someone going to market the Combat Weight Loss Program?
Run For Your Lives! Just got in that dirty little two-miler …
Danger Zone How to eat all you want this holiday season and not let something dumb like winter interfere with your workout program …
Hurt More You’ll feel better.
Ready to Hurt More Got pain? Learn from the pros.
Working Out On The Go! J.D. Johannes’ Iraqi Forward Operating Base workout.
RCAF Plan In which a 67-year-old makes me look lame, and offers some good, simple advice.
Fit for Combat? Hardly …
Fit Fight Short, intense workout fun.
Know Your Limitations You’re not a ninja …
Rat Happy The dirty little secrets only rats, people who work out a lot, and combat veterans know …
(Care to comment? Use the “contact” link to assure me you are a real human being interested in commenting on the topics at hand. Include your preferred screenname and temporary password. Lefty Kumbayah singers, moderate handwringers, meanspirited rightwingers all welcome. This is a free speech zone as long as you keep it clean and make an effort to be accurate.)
Topics: Live Forever Or Die Trying!
Posted by Jules Crittenden at 9:28 am Comments (2) on Friday, November 20, 2009
2 Responses to “CrossFit”
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November 20th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
“Cross fit” for me means doing leg lifts and knee bends at the kitchen counter and lifting dumbbells (hey, I can lift 25 lb weight-added dumbbells at least four times apiece) on alternate days, and 30 minutes on the elliptical at tension 6 every day. Sometimes I walk the neighborhood for 45-60 min., which is harder than it sounds because our little town is all up and down. All this is to keep my heart pumping for a few years longer, and to buy me a little more mojo for the kayaking next summer. It’s old geezer stuff, but I’m happy with it.
November 20th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
A friend turned me onto CrossFit some time ago by giving me one of their Workouts of the Day. This is where you should start if you want to understand the website. The WOD is the basics. Look at the videos that illustrate the WOD and forget the rest. Until tomorrow.
The workout was doing lunges with a 40lb barbell, held over my head, for 50 ft. Then 20 burpees; then repeat five times. For time.
After that, I had had a full leg workout, plus cardio. I never made it to 210 burpees, if you’re wondering. Ten was all I could handle.
But, I’m old. I’d take too many years to get up to speed and by that time I’ll be dead anyway. So I’ll just stick with my old weight training/cardio routine. It gets me through the night.