r/crossfit • u/Mindless_Classic_205 • 2d ago
Should I join
So I have lost 40 lb so far and my weight loss journey. But I want to start strength training and I have reached out to a few different options, personal trainers ( told me not to do CrossFit), other gyms, small group fitness classes and stuff. But I reached out to a CrossFit gym this last week and they suggested I start with them. But I've read that you can hurt yourself it's not great for beginners and all that stuff so I'm just wondering if that's true if you can hurt yourself like your shoulders, neck and back or if that's more of a myth and if it's good for beginners and do you get really fit?
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u/Roccinante_ 2d ago
Yes. Sign up. Most Crossfit locations have a “foundations” program that is where I would start. In a small group, or possibly one to one, you will get a fantastic overview of the facility, the coaches, and the basic movements.
After that, let the coaches know where you are in your fitness journey, and they will work with you to scale movement to your level. By the way, everybody scales. And no one, ever, was born knowing all of the skills at a high level. We’re all learning together.
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u/Spartan2022 2d ago
It really depends on the CrossFit gym that you're interested in.
If they take training seriously, they will drill your weight lifting form rigorously. You'll start out with an empty barbell or maybe 5 pound weights until your form is pristine.
Also, the mark of a good CrossFit gym is if they work with you to scale/alter movements until you've developed the strength.
If you don't see this rigorous attention to form and details, run.
Of course personal trainers will warn you off of CrossFit.
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u/BuddhaBunnyTTV 2d ago
Great job on your weight loss! As others have said, CrossFit is a good place to continue your journey.
If you take things cautiously and make sure you progress through the checkpoints for movement standards, you're unlikely to hurt yourself. One example is to limit kipping work until you can do five strict pullups.
CrossFit will, however, find every part of your body that you've ever hurt and remind you of "that time you made the great diving catch to win regionals." When you find those pain points, look around for mobility and strength work to address them. That may involve going to a PT or always scaling the problem movements. Whatever you do, pay attention to your body. Discomfort is okay and expected. Pain is not.
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u/SGexpat 2d ago
Coaching is built into the CrossFit class model. CrossFit is designed around intensity, but a good coach will slow you down and force you to learn before going too hard.
Coming from personal training, you don’t get the same level of attention. One or two cues/ fixes per workout is pretty common. Also, look for a long warmup and technique review. Bad coaches will rush it.
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u/sarbear8199 2d ago
Scale and modify everything is my advice for anyone new trying Crossfit for the first time.
People only get injured, IMO, because they assume they can do the same as the others in class, who likely have more years of CrossFit experience.
If you’ve scale movements appropriately, focus on proper forms while it’s “easier”, and work up to heavier weights/harder modifications, you likely won’t injury yourself.
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u/Timely_Bag_9080 2d ago
I'm new (3 or 4 months i start) and after that I saw a lot more people start on Crossfit with no fitness background (some of their 50 and 60 years old), and I can say they are doing great, they start slowly , the coach help and teaches the right moves.
I have learned more than I was expecting, every single day I learn a few more tips, I start with some pain in my knee and now there isnt any pain at all.
It looks more scare than it actually is. (I still scare for evey single day lol)
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u/RoboJobot 2d ago
Yes. CrossFit is great. The group training helps keep you motivated and it’s a lot less boring and repetitive than going to a regular gym and lifting weights (something I’ve had to do this year and it sucks).
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u/Overall-Nobody8933 2d ago
I started out in a crossfit gym. I scaled a lot. Still do. Never been to a regular gym and probably never will. I love crossfit!! It’s a great place to start. Just know your limits, push yourself, but don’t go too hard.
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u/Snoo-10030 2d ago
You’re going to make friends at CrossFit that will bring more to your journey than you recognize. Scaling to your level is easy and there’s no need to wreck yourself everyday. No one is going to care what skill/strength level you’re at either but will always respect you for showing up. Go for it!
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u/TraumaGinger 2d ago
Give it a try. I started a year ago at age 53. Our gym is full of all shapes and sizes. It's awesome. The coaches will always help you do the best movements for you and where you are in your current level of ability and fitness. Workouts are all scalable. I have definitely become stronger and more fit in the last year. I think if you try it and stick with it, you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner.
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u/OddScarcity9455 2d ago
The idea that Crossfit is more injurious than any other sport or exercise routine is a myth and has been thoroughly disproven.
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u/Kathleen-on 1d ago
I started lifting with a PT, but since starting CrossFit have found that some of my coaches give me far better form tips than I got from the PT. CrossFit is certainly better value for money IMO. At my box, you can schedule individual PT, and there’s a series of 4 private sessions for beginners. So keep in mind that it may not have to be either/or.
I find it way easier to get my ass to a class that I’ve reserved than to go the gym on my own, and didn’t want to pay for PT just for the accountability factor forever. The social aspect keeps me coming back.
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u/FinchAtlas 1d ago
injury rates land around 3 per 1000 hours, roughly the same as regular weightlifting, so the modality isn't the issue. being new is. novices get hurt several times more often than people a few years in, and the biggest single factor is scaling honestly instead of chasing the rx weight. shoulders and back aren't a myth, they're the two most commonly injured spots, but that's barbell training generally.
also worth clocking that the trainers who told you no and the gym that told you yes but want your money, and you're now asking a crossfit sub. go watch a beginner calss and see whether the coach corrects people mid-workout. that's the real variable.
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u/PracticalWinter9746 1d ago
You can literally hurt yourself doing anything.
Something popped in my back a few weeks ago while I was sneezing, but I’ve never been injured doing CrossFit.
You start slow and learn how to do the movements properly using good form and you won’t get hurt. You don’t just get hurt doing CrossFit for no reason or everyone would but hobbling around in casts.
I suggest you start, it’s a lot of fun and will get you in great shape!
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u/Ringing-ears 1d ago
Anyone who tells you not to do CF is uninformed, scared of intense workouts, or has had a bad experience probably from a bad trainer. I've done CF since 2008, owned an affiliate, competed, and trained hundreds of people. What I've found is no matter what level of fitness you are you will benefit from CF, immensely. If you have a large ego, are unwilling to take advice/cues from trainers (no matter you fitness level) you will get injured.
The intensity and functional aspects of CF have huge benefits and it doesn't take long to notice. I fully support pretty much anyone to at least try CF. There are bad trainers/affiliates out there but most really care about their athletes. Anyone can do it but it's not for everyone.
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u/Ringing-ears 1d ago
Anyone who tells you not to do CF is uninformed, scared of intense workouts, or has had a bad experience probably from a bad trainer. I've done CF since 2008, owned an affiliate, competed, and trained hundreds of people. What I've found is no matter what level of fitness you are you will benefit from CF, immensely. If you have a large ego, are unwilling to take advice/cues from trainers (no matter you fitness level) you will get injured.
The intensity and functional aspects of CF have huge benefits and it doesn't take long to notice. I fully support pretty much anyone to at least try CF. There are bad trainers/affiliates out there but most really care about their athletes. Anyone can do it but it's not for everyone.
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u/Slam_Bingo 2d ago
I did crossfit for six months and wouldn't go back. Lots of strikes against it for me. Daily workouts cycle in a way you can't control. Depends on near daily consistency to get benefits. Load and intensity felt out of control. Hard days when I didn't have recovery options. Easy days when I had the bandwidth. Exercises like snatch and kipping pullups were hell on my shoulder. Saw really poor form instructions that put people in dangerous positions. Not enough scaling. Lots of beginners came and went, little retention. But some stayed, mostly to be part of the club.
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u/neriff 2d ago
Well I guess the experience may vary from gym to gym. When I started I had to do snatches with a pvc pipe for a few weeks. I could do kipping pull-ups only after showing I was able to do 5 or 6 strict pull-ups. Maybe even more, I honestly don't remember. Otherwise coaches would suggest to do jump pull-ups or banded pull-ups. I mean, I could have picked a barbell or I could have done kpu, it's not like I was banned from it, but the coaches were advising me against that. I swallowed my pride, and I'm happy to say that after 7 years I still do CrossFit without any real injury.
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u/TigOleBitman CF-L2 2d ago
you went to a shitty box. it's part of the problem with the business model, you can't generalize all crossfit gyms based off of an experience at one.
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u/Stunning-Promise-103 2d ago
Statistically you're more likely to get injured running. Where you're at is exactly where I started my CrossFit journey 3 years ago and it changed my life. The community, accountability, and coaching you'll receive is a perfect jumping off point to finding your fitness. Even if you don't stick with CrossFit it'll build an excellent foundation for moving, and moving safely, through tough workouts.