Introduction
Many different connotations may come to mind when asked about CrossFit, depending on the individual asked, of course. CrossFit has become a way of life for hundreds of thousands of people all over the world, although the workout isn’t proven to be without flaws and has recently become what is considered to be an upcoming epidemic (Kuhn). CrossFit claims to be more than a
fitness regimen, a community organized
and dedicated to the life of fitness, but has the idea been taken to the
extreme? It’s not characterized as the
typical workout—it’s more so a “lifestyle that encourages participants to
strive for an ‘elite’ and ‘optimal’ state of fitness and health” (Kuhn). CrossFit has taken the idea of perfection and
molded it into a hardcore, sweat nducing, muscle straining workout that pushes
anyone brave enough to try it to their limits.
If you ask anyone who has participated in CrossFit, you may get super
positive feedback occasionally followed by an update on their progress, but
what most CrossFit athletes don’t realize is that the lifestyle may be doing
them harm, instead of good. Society
glorifies the idea of fitness and with each passing year, new ideas of beauty
in regards to the human body are established; CrossFit has harnessed this idea
and developed its marketing focus on the idea of extreme lean and health. Society has taken this absurd idea and used
CrossFit as a staircase to unrealistic ideas of what it means to be fit.
History
Greg Glassman developed CrossFit, the
fitness regimen consisting of fast, intense movements combining cardio and
weights, combatted with diet to create the ultimate health combination with
“proven results”, officially in 2000 (Kuhn).
The company’s first partner was CrossFit North located in Seattle, but
by 2005, there were a total of 13 affiliates (Origins of CrossFit). The growth made progress and became more
popular over the years. The intense
popularity of CrossFit came in great part because of the CrossFit games,
created in 2007 (1). In the initial
games, males and females competed against each other for a mere $500 (1). Throughout the years, the annual CrossFit
games swept the nation, and with the growth of the sport, major businesses such
as, Reebok and ESPN began to spread the word and sponsor the games (1). In 2011, just four years after the first
summer CrossFit games, the top prize was a whopping $250,000; today, the prize
can range around $1 million (1). These
games continue to pull together people from all over the world to compete for
CrossFit champion, but most of all, motivate the average Joes to start a
journey of fitness. By 2013, only a dozen
years after the company began, there were 7,000 gym affiliates worldwide (CrossFit
History). Today, the sky is the limit
for the thousands of CrossFit individuals across the globe. Although the sport appears to be all fun and
games, no pun intended, can this amount of strain on your body truly be
healthy—is the sport pushing the boundaries too far?
Causes
There have been cases all over the
world that show increased creatine kinase and lactate levels affecting the
amount of muscle protein broken down in the body and furthermore poisoning the blood
stream of the affected individuals (The Controversy Behind CrossFit). Many others have shown signs of muscle
decline due to the constant build up and tear down of their muscle fibers. Pushing abilities to the limit each day,
despite the signs of soreness and fatigue, and not allowing time for adequate
rest in between, can result in a reverse effect when working out than generally
anticipated. CrossFit has taken the idea
of high intensity and developed high-stakes workouts built around a community
of motivated individuals all working for the same outcome—ultimate fitness; and
what would “ultimate fitness” be without some kind of diet?
CrossFit dug back to the beginning of
society’s roots and found that the Paleo Diet ensures maximal results combined
with the intense training regimen (Kuhn).
The diet is based on a similar diet our Paleolithic ancestors would have
eaten, consisting of lean meats, vegetables, nuts and seeds, and some fruit
(1). Low carbohydrate intake and
avoiding starches and sugars is encouraged because they have been proven to
have a part in the obesity epidemic undergoing in our society today (1). Although, individuals with diabetes, for
example, may struggle with the suggested diet due to their individual nutritional
needs, along with others who need an excess or reduction of certain food groups
in order for their body to function normally (1). Many critics believe that the Paleolithic
diet is not one of health and wellness and tend to counteract the ideas of how
our ancestors lived with the notion that our species is constantly adapting and
evolving, leading the final thoughts of their argument to linger with the
concept that although the diet is beneficial to most, the extreme means taken
may not be the most recommended by those specializing in the field of health
(1).
Effects on Society
The standardized diet and workout
CrossFit has published is proven to show results in high magnitudes across the
globe, but is defiantly considered one of the more extreme diets developed. The exact science of the diet is still up for
deliberation, but combined with a regular exercise routine, the diet can result
in optimal outcomes (Steven Kuhn).
According to Dr. Val Jones, who has
participated in various workout trends over the years as both as an athlete and
a physician trained in sports medicine, CrossFit has a number of pros and cons in
its history (Jones). She labels some of
the pros as CrossFit’s difficulty, nutritional emphasis, community support and
encouragement, affordability, and overall portability, accounting for the use
of body weight training on some occasions (1).
On the other hand, the cons lead as frequent injury compared to most
other fitness programs, challenging techniques required for the exercises, peer
pressure to constantly do more, an overall “glorification of the mesomorph” and
the idea that the CrossFit way is the “best way” (1). She ends her article stating that she further
recommends a compromise called “CrossFit light”, which is characterized as a
lighter version of the parent CrossFit (1).
It’s a less extreme and more tolerable program. She elaborates, concludes, and encourages the
reader to find their workout niche and follow it because some exercise is more
than nothing (1).
Examples
Nika posted a testimonial on March
16, 2015 of her CrossFit journey and how it has “increased [her] self-esteem,
motivated [her] to push [her]self, and taught [her] how to respect [her] body”
(CrossFit Moxie Foraging Elite Fitness).
She was never one for regular exercising and would only jog occasionally
(1). Her weight caught up to her and
after persistence from her friends to join their local CrossFit gym, Moxie, she
finally gave in (1). She elaborates and
states that her first class was anything but easy—as she thought the warm-up
was the actual workout (1). She began
preparing meals and cleaning up her diet and got on a workout schedule for
three times a week at Moxie (1). She
explains that after just two months of this lifestyle change, she has never
looked or felt better and stronger (1).
Oscar Armstrong has had two total hip
replacement surgeries causing him to not be able to run, play racquetball, or
even basketball (CrossFit 858). His life
was shifting with going back to school and changing his career at the age of 54
(1). He began CrossFit after seeing an
advertisement and considered the promising results; he believed that the
lifestyle could help give him back mobility and strength in his hips to help
him function in his everyday life as normal as before (1). After a couple months, he was up to three
workouts a week and feeling better than ever (1). Now, six months after the beginning of his
journey he states that he is in the best shape of his life (1). He is more optimistic and sets goals
throughout his life that he would have thought impossible before (1).
Solution
It’s hard to not applaud CrossFit for its
outstanding motivation and evolution, but it is difficult to ignore what
doctors are saying about long term effects.
You may get mixed reviews if you talked to various CrossFit affiliates,
but ultimately, in respects to the pros and cons of the sport, you have to take
into consideration what you are willing to risk and whether or not you are
willing to dive in head first (Jones).
Your results depend on your mindset and passion for results. Both of the examples we reviewed were of
beginners with different backgrounds who took caution and moderation with their
workout and diet. Health complications don’t
come into light until extremes are taken and over intensity become the only way
one chooses to workout. CrossFit light,
as mentioned before, is a recommended version of CrossFit that is performed
without the extreme weight maneuvers; an overall slow escalated program (1). The paleo diet isn’t a must and cardio is
encouraged.
CrossFit is not considered
ineffective or bad for your body as long as it’s done correctly, but due to the
system’s popularity, the regime has been diluted (The Controversy Behind CrossFit). More and more first time CrossFit athletes
rush into exercises not completely prepared for the weight attempted or
weakened from the day before with muscles fatigued (1). Society has glorified the ideas of CrossFit
and with its popularity; the system has grown more in quantity and less with
quality. With knowledge and precaution,
listening to your body and what it is telling you at all times, CrossFit will
become less of a hazard to your health and more of a benefit, as intended, and
you will see rezults.
Camus and Absurdity
Camus, a philosopher held at high regard, believes that there is no meaning when it
comes to life—you are born and you die, the two inevitabilities in life;
everything else is filled with an “irresolvable emptiness” (Stanford
Encyclopedia of Philosophy). In his
writing The Myth of Sisyphus, he takes a more complex approach to his
ideas and outlooks on a life as he explains that a moment in between struggles
is the most important moment in one’s life (CrossFit: A Sisyphean Endeavor?). Camus saw not a “pained expression and
wearied walk”, but a face bathed in “freedom, triumph and agency” (1).
He saw a man readying himself to confront himself in the face of
struggle once again. In the moment “in
between” the character Sisyphus is conscious and willing, although Camus
doesn’t believe in a higher power or life after death, he acknowledges struggle
and prosperity in life (1). Cross Fit
thrives on prosperity through struggle and determination. Camus would of saw the seconds in between exhausting
rounds as a time to compose oneself and gather the strength to continue what
one set out to do—he would of admired the sport and the true idea that an
athlete will watch a stone fall back down a hill after an attempt, immediately turn
around to retrieve it and begin again (1).
The “awareness” of the struggle and difficulty, but persistence to
continue the fight is the true reward for Camus (1). Although there is no real overall meaning in
life according to the philosopher, there is character and a willingness to
succeed and those are what push one to live day to day (1).
Conclusion
CrossFit, is just one of many epidemics in our society today; although unlike
most epidemics,
it is controlled by the individual participating in the sport
and varies with each person. Intensity,
diet, and time put in depends on the commitment and insanity one is willing
give to the lifestyle. CrossFit
affiliates are persistent, determined, and absolutely willing to give
everything they have for their goal results and to feel good about themselves. Advise caution and access your own abilities
before attempting the sport and know your limits. CrossFit can easily overcome your boundaries
and quickly take over your life if you let it.
Just remember, the athlete is in complete control, the timer and workout
are only there as guidance, it’s better to push less today so you can work out
tomorrow, than to do too much. Although
it’s an epidemic, CrossFit isn’t completely bad—you are in control, so at the
end of the day, blame the player, not the game.
Works Cited
Aronson, Ronald. "Albert
Camus." Stanford University. Stanford University, 2011. Web. 19
Apr.
2016.
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<http://www.fitmybox.com/crossfit-history.html>.
Drexler, Jane, Dr. "CrossFit: A
Sisyphean Endeavor? by Dr. Jane Drexler." CrossFit Journal.
Web. 19 Apr. 2016.
<http://journal.crossfit.com/2013/03/crossfit-a-sisyphean-endeavor.tpl>.
Jones, Val, Dr. "The Pros And
Cons Of CrossFit: A Physician’s Perspective." Better Health
RSS2. Web. 03 Mar. 2016.
<http://getbetterhealth.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-crossfit-a-physicians-perspective/2013.09.27>.
Kuhn, Steven. "The Culture of
CrossFit: A Lifestyle Prescription for Optimal Health and
Fitness." Illinois State
University. Web. 03 Mar. 2016.
<http://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/sta/1/>.
"Origins of CrossFit." The
Box. Web. 14 Apr. 2016. <http://www.theboxmag.com/article/origins-
of-crossfit>.
Ross, Brooke. "The Controversy
Behind CrossFit." LIVESTRONG.COM. LIVESTRONG.COM,
2016. Web. 03 Mar. 2016. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/545200-the-fall-of-fitness/>.
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Moxie. Web. 12 Apr. 2016.
<http://www.crossfitmoxie.com/testimonials/>.
"Testimonials: Hear from Our
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<http://www.crossfit858.com/testimonials/>.
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