CrossFit or Conventional Weight Training?

CrossFit is a relatively new global phenomenon. It is growing at a rate faster than most people realize. There are over 12,000 locations and millions of diehard CrossFit athletes around the world. CrossFit combines high intensity interval training and regular strength training into a shorter more exhausting work out, seemingly fit for most younger and eagerly energetic people. Conventional weight training is more mellow and mostly seen with traditional body building, but you can incorporate high intensity intervals into conventional training which makes for a great work out as well. Choosing to go the CrossFit route or the conventional weight training route is completely dependent on your own personal goals. Both equally have benefits, and both will likely make you stronger. I believe the biggest differences between the two modalities is that CrossFit focuses more on aerobic capacity and body composition, and conventional weight training is more focused on relative strength and body building.

There is a stigma attached to CrossFit that portrays the sport in a negative light. Many people say that it is dangerous and risky because of the volume and intensity of some of the work outs, others say it is like joining a cult.

So, let’s break it down:

Going back a few years, I always looked at CrossFit as being slightly intimidating, something I probably would not put my body through. I came from division 1 college soccer, so we incorporated both conventional weight training and Olympic lifting (power cleans, snatches, front squats) into our daily strength training, which is part of the core CrossFit movements. But to do a muscle up or some of the different explosive exercises CrossFit entails, seemed like form was out of the picture and an injury was waiting to happen.

Flash forward to now, I haul myself down an ice track face first on a sled going 80mph for fun…that is an injury waiting to happen. CrossFit is no longer intimidating. I submerged myself into this “cult” and although I still do not do muscle ups (yet) I realized very fast that if you have the right coaches CrossFit is not all that dangerous, and is completely safe if form is a focus point. The CrossFit community is like no other. Everyone supports each other, struggles together, fails together and becomes part of your family.

I have done both conventional weight training and CrossFit style work outs, and I can honestly say that starting my journey in a CrossFit gym was one of the best decisions I have made as an athlete. It aligns with my personal goals of becoming faster and stronger. I am in the best shape of my life.

Some takeaways:

• Do not let the social stigma of CrossFit steer you away.
• Do not be scared to start any program.
• Figure out personal fitness goals.
• Start now, don’t wait.
• Have fun!