25 replies to this topic

[Chet]

A heads-up from Phil at CrossFit Wyre Forest:


Mens Fitness are printing an article about CrossFit in the next magazine, out on 28th January 09.

A guy called Drew Price went to CrossFit Wyre Forest at the end of November 08 for a workout, and took a shed load of photos. He writes for different magazines and papers like the Guardian on health and fitness.

It's a good write up, very positive about CrossFit

Got him to do 'Fran' in just under 8 minutes. Then completed 'Karen' with a 10 kg Med Ball. Worked on his kipping pull-ups and tried muscle-ups. Worked with kettlebells, did some OHS and a few other bits


Nice one - looking forward to checking this out.

[Chi]

Thought this would happen, in the last issue where it details whats coming next it has "the american fitness craze thats about to blow up here" with a picture of a guy on rings next to it.

[Franz29]

Could be good news for affiliates and raise their awareness. Shame we couldn't get them to mention this place, I am sure we would find a lot of new members because of it.

[Franz29]

Cross posted this to the main CF boards in an attempt to raise awareness of FK.UK (and the article of course).

I have noticed the number of UK CF'ers posting over there is on the increase so if we can point them here we might all find some new workout buddies

[Johny Cash]

May actually buy an issue. Will cut out the article and leave it in the staffroom.

[Shrops]

I bet Phil did not take the chap through any training, I think he just had a photo shoot and will be the bloke on the cover in the sexy topless black and white photo.

Just kidding, I am looking forward to it. It should raise the profile of CF in the UK. Nice one Phil!!

[greg]

i kinda like the fact nobody knows about CF, it means most of the equipment I use in my gym is free

i have noticed more and more people doing CF/functional fitness type stuff, including one guy doing thrusters, quitye a few people trying to do cleans and a far few front squats. Could just be me noticing it because I'm doing it though.


Would be nice to see a positive article about CF int he press though! They often seem to put a negative spin on it.

[mattyboy]

Right guys,
I've had the opportunity to have a glimpse of the article before it's put on sale. I'd say that it is quite critical of Crossfit in general, but the criticism is really based on the 'elitism' that the americans have put on it (as I've mentioned before) rather than the 'crossfitter'. The reporter (who went to The Box) suggested that Crossfit is geared towards fitness extremists rather than your joe average but did mention that the WOD's can be dampened down for lesser mortals. He seemed to imply that the concept was sound but the way it is presented is quite intimidating to someone who is used to globogym ideals (a criticism I agree with). He said that the CF idea wouldn't be for everyone and he also suggested that it was too limited in it's variety of activities (another thing I agree with; hence I have put challenges up for a half mile swim and a 2,500 metre row recently), however, he said that he thoroughly enjoyed the experience and suggested that it would be best used as 'part' of a more varied training regime rather than being an individual's solitary activity.

Your comments (maybe I read it wrong)

[Chet]

The reporter (who went to The Box)

Was with Phil at CF Wyre Forest, not at The Box


Got the article sitting in front of me.

Gotta say, IMO it's not a bad article at all.

I think the first page does a good job of summarising the basics and background of CF, the history, the WODs, the general ethos.

Sure, in the interest of a balanced article it presents some of the criticisms that people have about CrossFit, but in the most part also presents the counter arguments pretty well.

Also it does mention the Makimba Mimms case - but also states that CrossFit was not a defendant in the lawsuit, etc.

All in all, IMHO, its a good article in terms of raising awareness of CrossFit and affiliates in the UK.

Nice work Phil.

[Chet]

he also suggested that it was too limited in it's variety of activities (another thing I agree with;

TBH, I didn't really get this vibe from the article.

Anyway. Take a peek when you get a chance, its worth a read

Oh...and there is an advert for BWLA courses in the back too

[mattyboy]

Sorry Phil,
I only got a quick look at it and I saw something mentioned about Box so I presumed it was there. I don't mean to be scathing as I use a lot of CF fundamentals in my training and those that are affiliated should see some interest come their way. I was, however, going to present the article to the owner of the gym that I'm a freelance PT at so that he fully understood the CF phenomenon (as it would reinforce his investment in creating an area for me to do my functional fitness training) however, after skimming through the article I decided not to show him it due to the nature of the report. I'm only being honest and I hope those out there will appreciate my honesty. I read it as most readers will (i.e. a skim read) and my feelings on the report were somewhat unremarkable.
Again I am not anti CF...I am pro CF when incorporated with other areas of functional fitness

Yours with honesty

Matt (potential black sheep of the flock)

[Davie]

why not read it fully?

[mattyboy]

why not read it fully?

I knew I'd get sarcasm. I'm a busy chap at the mo and I had to get some supplement orders for my clients and there it was in front of me why I was waiting. As I said I read it like most would if they are sitting in a gym foyer or on the bog or something. I'm putting an opinion across. Am I not allowed an opinion on this forum. I'm not trying to create controversy for the sake of it mate. I'm just being honest. I feel like I'm being looked at like I'm in a church and have blasphemed. I'll get another look at it on Monday (a good look) and I'll come back with my feedback when I've read it word for word.

[Davie]

calm down dear...i was only asking

[mattyboy]

calm down dear...i was only asking

I'm always calm. And also open for debate.

[Andy]

He said that the CF idea wouldn't be for everyone and he also suggested that it was too limited in it's variety of activities (another thing I agree with;

Not sure how he could come to this conclusion. Agree it may not be for everyone but too limited in it's variety??? how the hell ddoes he work that out. There is no limit to the workouts you can do and a training regime that use oly lifting, power lifting, gynastics, running, rowing, swimming, jumping, skipping, kettlebells, dumbbells, barbells, med balls, sledgehammers, tyres, wheelbarrows, ropes, rocks and bodyweight can hardly be called limited in variety. The limit is only with the trainer and their programming skills.

Your 3 x 8 bicep curls with post exhaust front raises followed by swinging tricep kickbacks 3 times a week is far more limited. What planet is this guy on?

The dramitisation of Crossfit is what turns people off in this country. The majority of people in this country don't want to work hard. The majority are poorly educated on health & fitness and the government do diddley squat (no pun intended) to raise the level of quality information put across to the masses. Some one needs to do their own article outlining the real pros and cons of crossfit. The community aspect needs to be put across more. Yes my guys get hammered when they come to me but they go there because of the shared enjoyment of that suffering. No one gives it the biggun if people are taking time to get through it. The guys that finish first stay and encourage. We have get togethers, all members of my affiliate get invited to parties from other affiliates no one is excluded. Do you get that sh*t at a globo? no, you get "are you gonna be much longer on that squat rack i need to do bicep curls" or that funny pull ups sh*t you do looks weird man". "have you tried it I ask". "no they reply". "Maybe give it a go and see what it abouts" i tell them to which they turn to mr no neck doing shrugs and start laughing. Sh*t people that know me know I'm all for any type of training bb routines, isolation stuff or crossfit. It's all about what you are training for but don't be a w***er at the same time. respect people and be open minded of which this is another article where the guy hasn't seen the full crossfit methodology and has made his assumptions. Crossfit isn't kust about the training, it's about much more than that.

[mattyboy]

One thing he did state that CF wasn't sport specific. I agree that the WOD's can be seen as non specific, however, I have created some sessions for a pro boxer I am training based souly around crossfit principles and protocol and he feels that they have benefitted him immensely in the ring, increasing his strength and power. I've used Fight Gone Bad principles primarily and also integrated 1 minute rows with CF exercises such as Tabata squats, thrusters (have him punch at 45 degrees above his head however rather than directly above as I think this is more beneficial for the requirements of his sport), and explosive burpees.

[mattyboy]

Not sure how he could come to this conclusion. Agree it may not be for everyone but too limited in it's variety??? how the hell ddoes he work that out. There is no limit to the workouts you can do and a training regime that use oly lifting, power lifting, gynastics, running, rowing, swimming, jumping, skipping, kettlebells, dumbbells, barbells, med balls, sledgehammers, tyres, wheelbarrows, ropes, rocks and bodyweight can hardly be called limited in variety. The limit is only with the trainer and their programming skills.

Your 3 x 8 bicep curls with post exhaust front raises followed by swinging tricep kickbacks 3 times a week is far more limited. What planet is this guy on?

The dramitisation of Crossfit is what turns people off in this country. The majority of people in this country don't want to work hard. The majority are poorly educated on health & fitness and the government do diddley squat (no pun intended) to raise the level of quality information put across to the masses. Some one needs to do their own article outlining the real pros and cons of crossfit. The community aspect needs to be put across more. Yes my guys get hammered when they come to me but they go there because of the shared enjoyment of that suffering. No one gives it the biggun if people are taking time to get through it. The guys that finish first stay and encourage. We have get togethers, all members of my affiliate get invited to parties from other affiliates no one is excluded. Do you get that sh*t at a globo? no, you get "are you gonna be much longer on that squat rack i need to do bicep curls" or that funny pull ups sh*t you do looks weird man". "have you tried it I ask". "no they reply". "Maybe give it a go and see what it abouts" i tell them to which they turn to mr no neck doing shrugs and start laughing. Sh*t people that know me know I'm all for any type of training bb routines, isolation stuff or crossfit. It's all about what you are training for but don't be a w***er at the same time. respect people and be open minded of which this is another article where the guy hasn't seen the full crossfit methodology and has made his assumptions. Crossfit isn't kust about the training, it's about much more than that.

I fully agree with you on that point. I am about to meet up with Mark Foster the swimmer who is an ambassador for the Fit for Life Programme and he's been interested in my idea of developing a CF style idea based around families training together (e.g 4 year old and mum, 15 year old grandson and grandad). The fundamental quality I find in the CF style of training is it's social aspect. I think this is a thing that is massively overlooked and, out of all the qualities CF style training has I feel this is the most powerful and yet least emphasised. Totally with you mate.

[FK Pimp]

I m soo with Andy on this - i have not read the article yet but will. Yet I am discouraged and disapointed already - lack of variety? - you cannot be serious! show me a program with the variety of CF, please. I am not totally in agreement with the direction of the Cf "movement" but as a program I have yet to find better.

look forward to this debate continuiing

PS - I have had a drink or two this evening (sue me) - I will post more sensibly tomorrow.

[Chet]

Folks - Check out the article when you can.

There are a couple of paragraphs that emphasize the positive nature of CrossFit communities, esp when working out together - and yes, the article does of course state the tendency of some CrossFitters to take it too far, but we all knew that anyway.

Also I have just read the article again - twice - and there is nothing at all about lack of variety of exercises so no worries there.

And just to make it clear, this is not a CrossFit forum - it is a functional fitness forum.

Civilised, well-reasoned debate based on accurate information is always welcome.