CrossFit is a new method of training that has just surfaced within the past few decades. Greg Glassman is the founder and CEO of this new hype. With the rise of CrossFit, weightlifting became increasingly popular and the use of barbells and other gym equipment such kettlebells, ropes, etc. that were once neglected are now put in high demand. With over 3,000 CrossFit gyms nationwide and growing, it is safe to say this fad just may stick around for a while. In recent years, being fit has become more than just a lifestyle. Being strong and toned has become the ideal body type to have. With that being said, there are many healthy ways to achieve this with simple dieting and exercise routines. Major social media …show more content…
platforms such as Instagram and Facebook have shined light upon the most desirable body type to have – toned and strong. However, with new exercise routines there have been questions raised about whether or not some of these bodybuilding techniques are conventional.
All movements that CrossFit exercises circulate from are called functional movements.
These movements include those such as push, pull, rotate, walk, and other seemingly natural exercises with weight and repetitions included. CrossFit is measured in how much power is exerted in what amount of time, so the more work that is done in less time is considered the highest power produced.
With this type of exercise comes injury. As does in any sport where your body is pushed physically and your muscle groups are stressed. While injury in athletes is a very common thing, it cannot be so easily avoided in CrossFit. With such demanding levels of intensity and a lack of actual training, it is extremely common for people to push themselves too far and cause injuries. The most common injuries occur in shoulders and muscular groups of the legs like the Achilles tendon.
In April of 2014, a survey was conducted of 386 people who used CrossFit as their primary exercise method. Of these 386 people, just under 20% had sustained injuries from some type of CrossFit exercise. Of this 19.4% of the participants, 53 were male, almost double the number of females. Most of the injuries reported were shoulder related or lower back from power lifting. In a survey comparing CrossFit injuries to other sports related injuries, CrossFit came in at a rate of 3.1% per 1,000 hours. This rate was most comparable to basketball and tennis, with football undoubtedly being the …show more content…
highest.
Another very common occurrence in faithful CrossFitters is rhabdomyolysis.
This is a potentially life-threatening kidney condition that is induced by unwarranted exercise. When this occurs, myoglobin enters the bloodstream. As a result of this, the kidneys essentially become clogged up and poisoned. In the long run this can lead to kidney failure often followed by heart problems.
This type of exercise also created community type programs and establishments which brought people together because of one particular reason. This has given many people a sense of friendship that they may not have been able to have at a regular gym. This is one of the primary reasons CrossFit has continued to grow in popularity. New CrossFit gyms can be seen popping up all over in just about any
city.
It was found that with the guidance of personal trainers who taught proper form, injuries were less likely to be sustained. People who become interested in trying CrossFit should do extensive research before jumping right into it. Through social media platforms, especially Instagram, beautiful, strong people can often be seen in videos lifting obscene amounts of weights. Since this is the most desirable body type in today’s society, many people are jumping right into this new exercise routine without much knowledge.
It is very important to start with a strong foundation before starting CrossFit. Many injuries related to CrossFit are correlated to poor form. Someone who has never lifted heavy weights before may not be a good candidate for this because it leaves them more prone to injury. Finding a trainer to teach you the fundamentals is essential to making any progress. A trainer should modify the workout routine to fit the needs of each individual and not a group of people with a similar goal in mind.
While many people will always have varying opinions on the topic, there is no right or wrong one. Before you do something that could potentially affect your health or well-being, you should always do your research beforehand. It is just as easy to avoid injury as it is to cause injury. By being well informed on the subject, you may be on the road to seeing your results in no time.