Cross Fit Article in Triathlete (Page 4)

Very interesting insight coming from both camps.  I guess my question and analysis thus far would be A: Why do non crossfitters have such a problem with crossfit as a tool for reaching athletic goals?  It's the fastest growing fitness program (from 15 affiliates to over 1,700 in five years) in the world.  It's the antithesis of the juiced out meat head at the local 24 hour fitness who screams while doing triceps rope pushdowns, wearing zebra striped MC Hammer pants, weight belt, gloves and a wife beater.  Crossfitters wear board shorts and chuck taylor's......they only need chalk, a 24 inch box and a pull up bar!  At it's core, crossfit is the most simplistic form of training, along with a paleo diet (lean meat, seeds, nuts, veggies, fruit etc.) the appeal is in its simplicity.

And B: Why (I'm guilty of this as well) do crossfitters care about what the naysayers and contrarians think? If it's not for them, then so be it.......it only adds to the appeal in that some people just don't get what it's all about and that's perfectly okay.  I don't need to read studies or online rhetoric about the benefits when I have seen and experienced them first hand. 

It all comes down to goals. I don't have a problem with CF at all. If it helps you meet your goals, then great.

What I do have a problem with is people selling the idea that less is more. I think it's disingenuous at best. Which is also why I dislike things like FIRST.

The simple fact is that there are no shortcuts, no magic training plans that somehow let you train less and see better results. Life just doesn't work that way. If there were a formula that worked, I guarantee we'd be seeing it used by champion distance athletes the world over, or a coach that was sitting on piles of money from his tremendous successes. Since I don't see that, I have to think that less is not actually more, and I look at the past couple decades of American distance running to see that statement played out.

I don't have a dog in this fight, to be honest. I'm gonna do what I've always done, and I'm sure most other people here are as well. I've seen success enough to know the general principles of how I need to train, and have seen enough success from other people to know that those principles are sound.

Bingo.  I don't see anybody attacking Crossfit as a method of gaining general fitness (although there's a clear attack on "meathead gymgoers" above making the post quite ironic).  The problem we're seeing here is that there are some SPECIFIC claims being made regarding endurance racing and Crossfit/Crossfit Endurance that aren't backed up by studies, results, or much of anything other than Max's claims.  For those unfamiliar with the brief history of CFE, Max has claimed in interviews that the IM world champion would be better if he trained more like CFE.   Hubris at its finest particularly when that's not backed up by much of anything.

There's no need to be defensive if you do and like Crossfit.  I have friends that do and love it, and I would never tell them to not do it.  It's just not optimal training for endurance sports.  That doesn't make it good or bad.  I also wouldn't have triathletes climb rock walls daily or do martial arts daily as a means to be a better triathlete.  That doesn't make those activities bad either. 

This user's post has been ignored.

This user's post has been ignored.

I don't subscribe to the "less is more" training model in the slightest. When I'm on the floor after doing 100 pullups, nothing could be further from the truth.  I have a two year training timeline for the  IMAZ and I am training 4-5 days a week including 2-3 days of CF so I'm 100% committed.  I have read so many training books, articles, online forums that recommend interval weight or "circuit" training as an integral part of triathlon training and that's exactly what CF offers me.  Is there anyone in here who isn't a proponent of weight training and core strengthening and doesn't think it has a place in triathlon training?

-cheers!

I wasn't trying to imply that your approach is less is more, but rather the way that CF/CFE is being marketed to people (even if that's not the intention, that's the way it is coming across).

Personally, I don't think weight training has to be part of triathlon training, nor does circuit or interval training. I know plenty of runners and triathletes who have never stepped foot in a gym, other than the pool or treadmill. I am one of those people (shocker, I know).

Now, that's not to say that I haven't done strength training; running hills is a pretty good way to build strength. And I've done intervals. In fact, I did them once before my last marathon. Don't think they did much for my success, but I did them.

I'm not saying you should or should not lift weights or do core workouts; you should do what you feel is right for you. Personally, I find weight lifting to be as boring as swimming, so I don't do either of them. I don't do ab workouts, I don't do yoga. I just run. And that's enough for me. My goal isn't to develop overall health, I don't have to pass physical fitness tests anymore. So I stick to running. It has worked in the past, so I can't complain.

That depends on what you mean by weight training and core strengthening.

Shane

There are many people here who feel that, given a choice, that time spent SBR is infinitely better than time spent in the gym strength training, if your goal is to get better at triathlon. With that, I'll go get the popcorn.

At the end of the day and with the simplest of definitions........you want to get better at swimming, biking and running, you need to swim, bike and run!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgH_ZoMOht8


Edited by thecatch83 2011-01-19 9:11 AM

So then why would you consider weight training to be "an integral part of triathlon training"?

because it works for me............why do you have 220,000 posts and still consider yourself a beginner triathlete?  Why do you put in your .02 but only get a penny for your thoughts?


Edited by thecatch83 2011-01-19 9:15 AM

Now I'm getting some popcorn.

Can you just discuss the topic and not get personal?  That's not how we do things on BT. 

Why do we park in driveways and drive on parkways?

are you carb loading.........?

Go ahead, change the subject, make it personal. To answer your question, I haven't considered myself a beginner in years. There are plenty of experienced knowledgeable triathletes on here to give guidance to beginners, particularly as they fall for some of the fallacies out there.

This thread has gone so far off topic I can't remember what we were discussing to begin with.  All I know is that CF is not snake oil, and triathlon magazines that feature articles about said CF don't do so for financial gain..........maybe there is an Intermediatetriathlete.com site that would be better suited for guys like me who drink snake oil........just sayin

They are called slowtwtich.com and letsrun.com.

slowtwitch has a thread in this also.  Thank you all for helping me to understand this better.  dont get personal.  not worth it over whether CF can prep you for a IM. 

BTW, fresh popped popcorn made with snake oil is delicious.

I would suggest that instead of making fun of people, especially those who have been around here for a long time and add significant value to the community, that you share your thoughts and ideas and listen to what others have to say.

In your short time here, you have called out several different members of the community for being closed minded and ill informed simply because they disagree with your point of view.

Best of luck in your journey to IMAz

Shane

don't forget performancetriathlete.com!

Thanks Shane, I can't wait for that race!  Just to clarify if I may; Calling someone out for disagreeing is something I have not done nor tried to do, so don't make incredulous accusations.........calling someone out for attempting to discuss something they know absolutely nothing about for the sake of playing devils advocate or creating drama is another (see snake oil image in this thread).  I claim to have a "beginner" experience base when it comes to triathletes, thus I'm here on this site trying to connect with fellow enthusiasts.  And let's not confuse being disrespectful with the act of being passionate.....they often get convoluted in forums such as this!

-cheers

I don't think it has a place in specifically training for triathlon for the purposes of getting faster.