So let’s also look a little at what the popularity of such
an “extreme” form of exercise has done for the fitness industry as a whole..
(having been involved for a few years I feel I am allowed to pass some opinion.)
First let’s deal with the common gripes and then build on the positives we
entioned in Part I.
The “Cult” Vibe
People are excited about doing stuff they couldn’t do
before. People are excited about making friends. People are excited about
getting more out of their lives. People are excited about looking better naked.
Let them be excited, the novelty will wear off and they’ll be far happier
knowing they’ve changed their life. It’s like falling in love. At first it’s
all sunshine and unicorns, then you realise it’s so much better to have this new
life and you stop needing to smash it in everyone’s face.
If you have a problem with their happiness, you’re
exceptionally sad, insecure or jealous. Pick your position and leave the happy
people to be happy. Having said that, I am not an advocate of forcing my views
down anyone else’s throat...that’s a little evangelical for my liking, so live
and let live.
The Dangerous Methods
Exercise as a whole comes with a risk. That’s life, deal
with it. Modern day society with its “nanny” tendencies needs a few accidents
and injuries to remind you the world is not a fluffy and forgiving place. HTFU.
Your sessions are only as safe as your coaches are good. So, as with
everything, do your homework and pick good coaches. I have been very fortunate
in my experiences with www.reebokcrossfitdurbs.co.za
and would never have submitted myself to their methods if I did not believe in
them as coaches, and I’m a snob with who gets to teach me to lift.
Bad coaches have given CrossFit a bad rep. It sucks, but it
doesn’t mean CrossFit is bad. Choose wisely and do a few trial sessions to find
out for yourself.
The Generalisation
Problem
Most of life is not specific. So your training doesn’t need
to be either. By all means, specific goals require specific techniques. But
CrossFit never pretended or advertised producing the best powerlifters. That’s
Westside Barbell’s job. It never pretended to produce the best Kettlebell Sport
practitioners/gymnasts/Olympic Lifters...nothing. What it does say is that the
average person can learn the basics of these things, and through their natural
aptitude and commitment, they may become fairly good, even proficient at one or
more of these things.
Which brings me to one of my most important pro’s regarding
CrossFit
The Acknowledgment of
Experts
Before CrossFit, Olympic
Lifting/Powerlifting/Kettlebells/Gymnastics etc were all seen as niche sports
for a certain “type” of person.
Now that these movements are mainstream through the incorporation
of their techniques in CrossFit, people need experts! Funny that.. A sport/movement
that exemplifies generalisation needs an expert. But it’s true. Any good
CrossFit coach may have one, possibly two areas where they are very proficient.
But if they are honest with themselves and truly want the best for their
members, they will spend time consulting with experts and/or bringing an expert
in to run classes where the members can get that extra tutelage.
It’s a no-brainer, someone that is passionate enough to
dedicate their life to the pursuit of excellence in a single field will always
know more than most other people. CrossFitters and coaches (should) appreciate
and celebrate that and tap into their knowledge. I’ve already seen it in South
Africa and the sport is new here. Suddenly weightlifting coaches are “cool”.
Gymnastics coaches aren’t only teaching tumbling to 3 year olds!
CrossFit has opened up the fitness industry to both those
who pursue specific and general in a way that has not happened before. Everyone
should be happy for that one.
The Fun of Fitness
For too long exercise and getting healthy has been the
domain of “those” people that had no lives and were stupid enough to do “cardio”
at 5am and then “weights” at %pm on a diet of cauliflower and tuna all while
being bellowed at by some douche in a toit shirt.. No more! Exercise should be
fun and challenging and short. Don’t waste your time on the nonsense. Just get
in, have fun and get done. Coaches should be as focused on the fun aspect (not
to the detriment of achieving the focus and intensity of the workout) as they
are to getting people to their goals.
We’ve already mentioned a whole lot in Part I of
this instalment and I’m tired of writing now. Shout with questions and
criticism, it’s all welcome. Bye now.
No comments:
Post a Comment