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Glad you added this link for discussion. I've been curious about crossfit for sometime and I'd love to see HN comments about it. I like that it kind of challeng

by huherto 17y ago

Glad you added this link for discussion. I've been curious about crossfit for sometime and I'd love to see HN comments about it. I like that it kind of challenges conventional wisdom.

jeremytliles 17y ago
I liked that as well. Although I am no expert on exercise science, I believe the science behind Crossfit is relatively solid. I've been doing it for about 2 months and it really is the most effective all-around workout I've done. The focus is on functional movements and a mix of strength and metabolic conditioning. And you really only need 30-45 minutes to do a warmup and workout. That said, there is a somewhat off-putting Crossfitter ethos of overdoing it and injuring yourself, and some of the folks give off a cultish vibe. But if you're smart about learning the movements and knowing your body, I really think it's worth trying. I was skeptical and now I'm hooked.
kingkongrevenge 17y ago
The exercises look OK, but they seem to prescribe near daily workouts? That's pretty stupid unless you're a competitive athlete. It's often stupid even in that case. One or two intense twenty minute strength workouts a week is plenty if you're doing it right. Sustainably working out hard three or more times a week and benefiting from it requires somewhat rare genetics or growth hormone and steroid injections.
- jeremytliles 17y ago
  They mix up the movements and there is a rest day every fourth day. If I do deadlifts one day, box jumps and pullups the next, and running/situps/back extensions on day 3, my body can handle it just fine. It beats running or biking every day, and I know plenty of people who do that, putting the same stresses on the same muscles day in and day out. You have to listen to your body of course. When I first started, sometimes I would take extra days off when I knew I needed recovery time. As with any activity, you have to be smart about what you're doing.
  - kingkongrevenge 17y ago
    It sounds very much like excessive training to me. I bet you could work out a lot less often and your actual performance would measure the same.

by huherto 17y ago

Glad you added this link for discussion. I've been curious about crossfit for sometime and I'd love to see HN comments about it. I like that it kind of challenges conventional wisdom.

jeremytliles 17y ago

I liked that as well. Although I am no expert on exercise science, I believe the science behind Crossfit is relatively solid. I've been doing it for about 2 months and it really is the most effective all-around workout I've done. The focus is on functional movements and a mix of strength and metabolic conditioning. And you really only need 30-45 minutes to do a warmup and workout. That said, there is a somewhat off-putting Crossfitter ethos of overdoing it and injuring yourself, and some of the folks give off a cultish vibe. But if you're smart about learning the movements and knowing your body, I really think it's worth trying. I was skeptical and now I'm hooked.

kingkongrevenge 17y ago

The exercises look OK, but they seem to prescribe near daily workouts? That's pretty stupid unless you're a competitive athlete. It's often stupid even in that case. One or two intense twenty minute strength workouts a week is plenty if you're doing it right. Sustainably working out hard three or more times a week and benefiting from it requires somewhat rare genetics or growth hormone and steroid injections.

jeremytliles 17y ago
They mix up the movements and there is a rest day every fourth day. If I do deadlifts one day, box jumps and pullups the next, and running/situps/back extensions on day 3, my body can handle it just fine. It beats running or biking every day, and I know plenty of people who do that, putting the same stresses on the same muscles day in and day out. You have to listen to your body of course. When I first started, sometimes I would take extra days off when I knew I needed recovery time. As with any activity, you have to be smart about what you're doing.
- kingkongrevenge 17y ago
  It sounds very much like excessive training to me. I bet you could work out a lot less often and your actual performance would measure the same.