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A clearly very one-sided, opinion-based article written by someone who clearly feels butt-hurt by Xfit. Wonder why a lot of the military, EMS, fire, SWAT (LE) agencies started using XFit type workouts. Hmm.
I link articles by well-respected people in the industry (I assume you know who Mark Rippetoe is.) You respond with, essentially, "swat teams do it bro". Which is fine, I guess. You do you. I don't really care. And now OP has the info (both the articles and your "random internet guy" opinion and can do what he/she wants to do.
OP, if you're looking for good intros to the big compound lifts, there's pretty good descriptions and videos at stronglifts.com and the program itself isn't bad as a starting point. Good luck.
I link articles by well-respected people in the industry (I assume you know who Mark Rippetoe is.) You respond with, essentially, "swat teams do it bro". Which is fine, I guess. You do you. I don't really care. And now OP has the info (both the articles and your "random internet guy" opinion and can do what he/she wants to do.
OP, if you're looking for good intros to the big compound lifts, there's pretty good descriptions and videos at stronglifts.com and the program itself isn't bad as a starting point. Good luck.
I do know who Mark Rippetoe is. Nevertheless - his opinion. Never added a "bro" to the SWAT team comment; makes it sound in a different light. I do do what works for me and see a direct correlation of Crossfit programming to the functional strength we have use for daily; not just isolation type movements. While a straight up powerlifter, long distance runner, etc. will no doubt beat someone who is not a 100% engaged in that sport at that level, they are not as well rounded IMO as someone who is a generalist - Crossfitters. Just my point of view. The reason various members of the Armed Forces, LE/EMS, etc. train according to the high intensity/strength/endurance regimen is because it greatly increases their on the job performance. Hence my whole point. One may ask how does that relate to someone who is just a regular Joe? Same needs IMO. Be faster and stronger in your day to day movements; not just being able to curl 60+ lbs, squat 500-600, etc. but not be able to do a pull up run, etc.
As I said, you do you. I don't really care. I am curious though as to your response to my initial point re: AMRAP, or x movements for time and the increased potential for injury. Do you really not think that AMRAP deadlifts in 1 minute or whatever as part of a WOD circuit doesn't lead to ****ty form at some point towards the end of that minute? And that's not even all that complex. I can't even imagine the form at the end of 20 clean and jerks for time. Let alone the 3rd circuit of 20 clean and jerks for time after running 400m and doing 20 burpees or whatever.
As I said, you do you. I don't really care. I am curious though as to your response to my initial point re: AMRAP, or x movements for time and the increased potential for injury. Do you really not think that AMRAP deadlifts in 1 minute or whatever as part of a WOD circuit doesn't lead to ****ty form at some point towards the end of that minute? And that's not even all that complex. I can't even imagine the form at the end of 20 clean and jerks for time. Let alone the 3rd circuit of 20 clean and jerks for time after running 400m and doing 20 burpees or whatever.
Based on my personal experience I really do not see the injury potential in AMRAP style workouts, if a person performing them has enough skill/strength to perform a workout with a pre-scribed weight, scales a weight from the start or scales it as soon as he/she realizes continuing the workout with proper form is not possible. That is the key.
Based on my personal experience I really do not see the injury potential in AMRAP style workouts, if a person performing them has enough skill/strength to perform a workout with a pre-scribed weight, scales a weight from the start or scales it as soon as he/she realizes continuing the workout with proper form is not possible. That is the key.
And the group dynamic/competition style scoreboard (as I understand it) doesn't influence the average person in making these decisions?
And the group dynamic/competition style scoreboard (as I understand it) doesn't influence the average person in making these decisions?
Well, there is always competition; one within oneself as well as with others. That is what helps push us and achieve greater progress. Similar competition as in a typical gym when one looks to the left/right and say sees someone squatting/benching/shoulder pressing more than them. Doesn't mean that person would pile up a bunch of weights and try to replicate the same. The scoreboard is typically a whiteboard where members sign in at the beginning of a workout and (some) put up their results at the end of the workout. The only competition during a workout is one seeing others doing heavier weights, getting ahead in a number of rounds (hard to count if you are focusing on your own workout though), etc. Like I said before it is all boils down to one's common sense approach - lift as much weight (and as fast where applicable) as safely/with proper form as possible. Injuries are possible in all sports related activities; one has to understand his/her skillset in order to not injure themselves. No different than someone going out to play contact sports, deciding to take off and run a marathon with out training, buy a sports car and drive it too fast, etc. That is the problem I think with some not understanding that there are inherent risks in every activity. IMO machines reduce that risk at the expense of benefit to the user.
When I'm using my trainer, he primarily uses free weights, cables, and gravity. when I'm on my own I use machines. Machines I've found to do a decent job if you are using them correctly. I actually prefer machines because they're easier for me to pick up than remembering the angles/positions that the trainer does. I try to mix it up now with free weights and machines. Though I do say that such a simple thing as a wall sit really burns more than a quad extension/leg press. arthritis though sometimes gets in the way..ugh.
When I was overweight I got a personal trainer, through my gym. Looking back, I wish I went outside the gym. It was VERY expensive and in six months I had 3 different trainers as they all left due to the low pay. I think even the last one was even certified.
I now think if I get another one it will be outside the gym-certified and I prefer working out in a park in the sun...plus, during that time when I got a trainer at the gym I lost my job due to the office closing and the gym did not care-and I had to still pay as I was locked in a contract.
So my suggestion is look outside a gym-as most good trainers work outside a gym as they pay very little and NO CONTRACT
I want to start my gym membership at LA Fitness but I dont want to spend all that money and not know how to use the machines. I want to do a lot of compound workouts. But I'm afraid if I don't know what I'm doing I could injure myself. So I asked LA Fitness if they could help me with my technique for a week or two. They said they only do yearly packages at $200 per month. But I don't need a babysister. As soon as I have the proper techniques I can take it from there. And as I'm sure you guys know, I'm not allowed to bring a personal trainer to any gym to help me out.
What should I do?
What do people do when starting out?
Have you already joined LA Fitness? If not consider Anytime Fitness. My membership is $32 a month and that included almost an hour with a trainer on which machines to use and how to use and adjust them for my small frame. I would not join any gym that expected a newbie to walk in and know what to do. Like was said, it's a profit making scheme for a lot of gyms and half the time these "trainers" have no degree in fitness at all.
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