Crossfit, a new miracle sport? Its advantages and disadvantages

On the social networks, they are proud to post the images of their metamorphosis physical. Their “before and after”, saddlebags, buoys as an abdominal belt and other flabby pecs replaced by a refined silhouette and protruding muscles. The miracle would have a name: Crossfit.

Appeared in French sports halls barely five years ago, landed from the United States, mainly under the impetus of the Reebok brand, the phenomenon continues to seduce with now more than 200,000 followers. A new practice that has become even for its followers a real way of life with its own codes. The classic sports Hall is now called a “box” where rowers, exercise bikes and other tools fitness are to rank in prehistoric times, replaced by dumbbells, weights, pull-up bars and other tools of enjoyment … (or torture, depending on affinities). The “training session” should also be stored in the souvenir department, renamed “WOD” (workout of the day). French-English dictionary recommended with the traditional pumps now transformed into push up or the pull-ups in pull-up.

Crossfit: over 52 exercises to burn calories

The range of the 52 exercises of the concept is wide. Blend of bodybuilding, weightlifting and movements gymnastics, hence its name – Crossfit translates as “cross training” -, it presents ten areas of work: cardiovascular and muscular endurance, balance, agility, precision, power, speed, flexibility, coordination and strength set themselves up as a guideline. One thing they all have in common: very high intensity work and shortened recovery times. Under these conditions, the burnt calories counter panics. That of potential injuries also with sometimes rushed repetitions where the gesture can be imprecise and therefore dangerous for the muscular and articular structures.

The atmosphere of the “boxes” with sessions based on the collective in order to encourage emulation and surpassing, can also lead to excesses. Always faster, always heavier, always more intense. If the short-term effect on the physical is quickly visible and therefore particularly motivating, the long term can quickly reveal damage.

The explosion of the Crossfit phenomenon has hinted at the possibility ofmoney. The fteacher training, in theory framed with the need for a diploma guaranteeing knowledge in physiology, nutrition and other aspects essential to safe practice, is not necessarily respected by structures more motivated by significant and almost immediate gains.

In a universe from healthy sport where new concepts are also quickly born, diets in that of dietetics, Crossfit has experienced an extraordinary boom. Just like the efforts it requires. It remains to be seen whether the excesses it generates will not quickly cause its downfall.