The Dangers of Crossfit

The fact that it only takes a weekend to be a certified CrossFit trainer is alarming, especially when some of these people haven't even curled a pair of dumbbells before. Spending two days at some CrossFit seminar is simply not enough time to teach complex lifts like the power clean. Not only is the power clean a complex lift, but it is also and an Olympic lift and Olympic lifts sometimes take years to fully master because of how technique-oriented they are. As a result, numerous people at CrossFit gyms are performing the lifts and other various exercises all wrong, and there is unfortunately no one there to correct their form because the trainers themselves do not have enough experience to perfect their form. Attempting complex movements without proper technique, due to flawed teaching progressions, is a recipe for serious injuries. Furthermore, being taught by under qualified trainers to perform complex multi-joint movements is not ideal or safe. .
             Along with the lack of proper technique, CrossFit gym goers also embrace the "no pain no gain" mentality, which is a dangerous mentality to have. I believe it is imperative that we push ourselves at the gym so that we can continue to grow, but not to the point of physical pain. Eric Roberton puts it perfectly in his article "CrossFit's Dirty Little Secret" when he says, "In a culture that drives you to go as hard and fast as possible it's difficult not to get caught up in the hype. You're supposed to push yourself to the limit, but when you hit the limit and pay the price, you're the idiot who went too far" [Robertson]. In other words, Robertson admits that he once internalized the foolish "no pain no gain," but he realized that pushing oneself past their limit is not the way to go due to the pain and injury that comes with it. Essentially, that feeling of getting your butt kicked by an intense workout is generally what brings you back to the gym the next day.