Is Crossfit Dangerous?

CrossFit has become a worldwide sensation with thousands of fitness enthusiasts around the globe getting into this type of program. Indeed, it has been one of the most popular & fastest growing high-intensity programs in the world today.

However, while there are a lot of things to like about CrossFit Workouts, there are also some risks we need to be aware of.

It’s a tough form of exercise routine one should not take lightly and awareness about it can bring safety.

After reading this post, you will know what the research says about the risk and how you can avoid injuries.

What Is Crossfit:

Crossfit is an exercise system, a form of high intensity interval training, combining strength and conditioning workout that is made up of functional movement performed at a high intensity level.

These movements are actions that you perform in your day-to-day life, like squatting, pulling, pushing etc. Many workouts feature variations of squats, push-ups, and weight lifting that last for predetermined amounts of time to help build muscles. This varies from a traditional workout that may tell you how many reps to do over any period of time.

CrossFit is similar to Orange Theory in that there is a standard "workout of the day" (WOD) that all members complete on the same day. The daily workout can be found on their website (which is always free), along with a guide to all the specialized lingo that is used. There is also a substitutions section on their FAQ page that suggests places to find level appropriate workouts. “CrossFit is universally scalable and modifiable for all fitness levels, so it can be tailored to meet your goals and current fitness level,” 

High Intensity, High Risk For Injury?

Crossfit has in the past years gotten a reputation for being UNSAFE or Dangerous, but every workout has risks attached to it. 

Researchers have examined the nature of the injuries in relationship with CrossFit and found out that none has actually substantiated the notion that this training program is more “extreme” or dangerous than other training programs. They have also compared the risk of injuries during CrossFit with the traditional training among military personnel and they have suggested that CrossFit exhibited a similar or even lower potential for injuries.

Other researchers have also figured that CrossFit is actually as safe as compared with the more traditional forms of training.

They’ve found out that it’s just those within their first year of training aka the new CrossFitters, as well as those who engage in their training for less than three days a week who are at a greater risk for injuries.

These findings lead us to think, that those with less experience are the ones who are more prone to injuries.

Why Is It Hard For Beginners?

Main issue is related to the main benefit of the program, it being high intensity and constantly varied. This means that a lot of the work is  done under muscle fatigue. The reason beginners and those who train infrequently is likely a result of lack of efficiency in movement patterns, strength or flexibility issues that hinder their ability to perform the basic exercises in CrossFit under fatique.

As a matter of fact, when performing poor movements with high intensity, the risk for injuries and damage to your tissues increases. All kinds of tissue and ligament strains are common, this includes, Wrist Strain, Tennis Elbow, Achilles Tendonitis, Lower Back Pain, Rotator Cuff and more. If not all, most of these common injuries boil down to one thing: going too hard without proper technique, knowledge, equipment & instruction. 

Moreso, those who are described as “less experienced” may not necessarily be inexperienced exercisers; it may just be that they have less experience in CrossFit; they are more athletic, they push themselves to their limit and therefore, put themselves at a greater risk for injuries.

READ MORE ON HOW YOU CAN BULLETPROOF YOUR PERFORMANCE

So, let this serve as your friendly reminder to move like you care, and to acquire proper knowledge and get trained under supervision of a coach to prepare your body to take on CrossFit.