How is CrossFit different from Circuit Training?

**ZenMMA** · Posted On: 5/07/2012 1:32am

The other thing that gets me is the Rep ranges, it looks like they just pull them out of their arse..

50 reps Press
40 reps Squat
30 reps Kettle bell swing
20 reps kipping pull ups

What is it I am achieving here, strength gains? Mass gains? or am I just burning calories for the sake of it?

The other thing that made me think was the fact that they go by WOD's (Work out of the days) which appear to be random workouts put together, the issue I have with this is these do not appear to be balanced, so for example 3 days in a row you might be doing exercises that are all predominately hitting lower body muscle groups, apart from the unbalance in any gains you make you will also be exhausting that body part, basically what I am saying is that by using this WOD philosophy it feels like you are neglecting any long term plan to achieve optimum balanced results.

**tgace** · Posted On: 5/07/2012 9:30am

Why don't you go ask on the CrossFit forum? I would think that they would have a reply from their angle.

**tgace** · Posted On: 5/07/2012 9:37am

http://library.crossfit.com/free/pdf...F_Template.pdf

Keep in mind that Im not a CrossFitter..I have just stolen a handful of their workouts and done them on occasion. But from what I've read on the net they do have a "reason" for what they do. If that is a good reason or not is up for debate I guess.

This was the core of the CrossFit philosophy back when I first took a look at them:

http://library.crossfit.com/free/pdf/CFJ-trial.pdf

What is interesting/odd is how different the workouts have become between say 2005 and today. Many of what looked to be the "core" exercises have changed. I don't know why that is..I stopped following it around 2010.

**Diesel_tke** · Posted On: 5/07/2012 9:45am

Originally Posted by Alex

more hot chicks

This! And that's enough for me.

**tgace** · Posted On: 5/07/2012 9:53am

To me the biggest turn-off of CrossFit is the friggin COST! $100 + a month is way too expensive for a workout IMO. Even with the "well you pay for personal coaching and professional instruction" excuse.

**ZenMMA** · Posted On: 5/07/2012 10:03am

Originally Posted by tgace

http://library.crossfit.com/free/pdf...F_Template.pdf

Keep in mind that Im not a CrossFitter..I have just stolen a handful of their workouts and done them on occasion. But from what I've read on the net they do have a "reason" for what they do. If that is a good reason or not is up for debate I guess.

This was the core of the CrossFit philosophy back when I first took a look at them:

http://library.crossfit.com/free/pdf/CFJ-trial.pdf

What is interesting/odd is how different the workouts have become between say 2005 and today. Many of what looked to be the "core" exercises have changed. I don't know why that is..I stopped following it around 2010.

Thanks for this, I'll have a read.

**j-squared** · Posted On: 5/07/2012 1:19pm

Originally Posted by ZenMMA

CrossFit -
Day 1 - A,B,C,D
Day 2 - A,B,C,D
Day 3- A,B,C,D
Day 4- A,B,C,D

...

Where A-D stand for different components such as Compound Lifts, HIT Cardio, Core exercises, Sprints etc...What benefits does the cross fit model hold over the alternative?

You made the crossfit model too regular. In reality you might have something like:

A
B,C
A,D
C,B
B,B,B
C
A
A,B,C
A,F (just to throw some oddball thing in)
...

**j-squared** · Posted On: 5/07/2012 1:22pm

Originally Posted by tgace

What is interesting/odd is how different the workouts have become between say 2005 and today. Many of what looked to be the "core" exercises have changed. I don't know why that is..I stopped following it around 2010.

The workouts changed a lot when Tony Budding and Dave Castro took over main page programming - I don't know the time frame though. They are a lot more metcon focused than they used to be (imo).

**tgace** · Posted On: 5/07/2012 1:27pm

I can say that no other workout gives you the same "feeling" as getting in a foot chase, jumping fences in gear and vest and wrestling with a BG after catching him as a CF workout can....

**tgace** · Posted On: 5/07/2012 1:34pm

Originally Posted by j-squared

The workouts changed a lot when Tony Budding and Dave Castro took over main page programming - I don't know the time frame though. They are a lot more metcon focused than they used to be (imo).

I havent checked the main CF page in a while, but it seemed like "named workouts" and things like overhead squats, hand-stand pushups and parallete training was almost "de rigueur". It seems like you don't see much of them at all anymore.