Poliquin on Cross-Fit

***iron addict*** · 10-09-2008, 12:27 PM

Cross-what?

Q: What do you think of that Crossfit stuff?

A: I have no clue what the hell that is. Is that one of those systems that's a mish-mash of everything?

Wait, I saw on article on that in Muscle & Fatness. Looked like a bunch of cachexic fitness-model wannabes searching for their souls in the weight room.

It reminds me of a Hungarian proverb: "If you only have one ass, you can't sit on two horses." If you try to do everything in your workout, you get nothing.

Another way to look at it is to think of Tim Ferris's example of wearing your underwear over your pants. It's different, and maybe even fun for some people, but it's not very effective.

No athlete has ever gotten good training like that.

**Swellin** · 10-09-2008, 12:48 PM

It certainly looks like he was right...he didn't really know what it was.

It's certainly not for body builders...even though some of the CF gurus pitch it as such. There is no way in hell it would work for those wanting to get big.

It's damn near perfect for fitness type folks though. It's a fantastic thing for fighters...specially when tweaked and handled by a trainer.

president_fad · 10-09-2008, 01:04 PM

yea, i think its a very biased opinion, i myself would never do it, but for the majority of people looking to get into shape, i think it would be a great option and probably preferred over traditional weight training and cardio.

F-Mac · 10-09-2008, 01:16 PM

The cult-like following it has is almost scary, and it's certainly not something that i would ever do myself.

BUT, anything that gets people off their asses and doing something to improve their health can't be that bad.

**Joe** · 10-09-2008, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swellin

I
It's damn near perfect for fitness type folks though. It's a fantastic thing for fighters....

BAN

Swellin' it sucks ass no matter who you are. Rippetoe is a moron and if Poliquin isn't enough to convince you Louie Simmons also thinks the guy is a stupid shit. His whole program is a gimmick, and I hope any fighter that uses his programs is a technician when it comes to fighting.

***iron addict*** · 10-09-2008, 01:56 PM

My response from "another forum" on this:

Poliquin know EXACTLY what crossfit is. Any strength coach with a bit of knowledge does. And I also believe most crossfit users realize what it is also. It IS a mish-mash of different systems that will provide SOME strength and SOME conditioning, but will never allow anyone to get to extreme levels of either. There is nothing wrong with that as long as that is your goal. To be decent at both but not great at either. And that is exactly what a lot of lifters want, and so as long as they are not delusional at what this system will do for them it is a good system.

Iron Addict

**Joe** · 10-09-2008, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iron addict

My response from "another forum" on this:

Poliquin know EXACTLY what crossfit is. Any strength coach with a bit of knowledge does. And I also believe most crossfit users realize what it is also. It IS a mish-mash of different systems that will provide SOME strength and SOME conditioning, but will never allow anyone to get to extreme levels of either. There is nothing wrong with that as long as that is your goal. To be decent at both but not great at either. And that is exactly what a lot of lifters want, and so as long as they are not delusional at what this system will do for them it is a good system.

Iron Addict

It's good for newbies but my problem is you hear stuff like "It's good for fighters, it's great for athletes, the military uses it, etc.." It's clearly not serving it's purpose as a newbie program and that's why I believe it needs to be shit on. Plus, if there's good programs out there why start the newbies on shit? Once they get some gains they'll just end up raving about Cross Shit... Let's not even mention the Mark Rippetoe quotes you copy/pasted!!! AUGH

***iron addict*** · 10-09-2008, 02:19 PM

I can see it being useful for fighters. Ii can also see better ways for fighters to train. I recall your post about what Louis has fighters do. Basically lift for 5 minutes straight. Makes good sense for guys doing 5 round fights like in MMA. Could one do that using cross-fit? Sure. Problem is cross-fit runs it's times longer than 5 minutes so you do not get the same conditioning level you could get with more intense 5 minute sessions, but both methods will work.

I see it for what it is, a system to get mediocre at both strength and conditioning, but I believe it is a lot better for conditioning than strength, and if that is what you want it is a suitable system. Again, as long as the user recognizes it's limitations and is not delusional at what can be accomplished it has it's use. I am not a person to tell someone what THEIR goals should be.

IA

**Swellin** · 10-09-2008, 02:52 PM

I don't use crossfit, but something fairly similar. The basic crossfit is okay, but like I said before...I use specialized movements and a trainer. I don't train for 15 minutes, I train balls out for an hour (over training like a son of a gun). But I can tell you from the results i have seen first hand with some of our gov't protection type people in federal employ, that the system works. I've seen their conditioning improve dramatically over their prior levels. They weren't working with a trainer, but doing their own thing. When they used crossfit, they certainly got in better shape and were by no stretch of the imagination...newbies.

I've trained with fighters who use it and it works for them...if it is modified. Regular crossfit is not the best thing for a fighter, but it will help.

**Joe** · 10-09-2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iron addict

I can see it being useful for fighters. Ii can also see better ways for fighters to train. I recall your post about what Louis has fighters do. Basically lift for 5 minutes straight. Makes good sense for guys doing 5 round fights like in MMA. Could one do that using cross-fit? Sure. Problem is cross-fit runs it's times longer than 5 minutes so you do not get the same conditioning level you could get with more intense 5 minute sessions, but both methods will work.

I see it for what it is, a system to get mediocre at both strength and conditioning, but I believe it is a lot better for conditioning than strength, and if that is what you want it is a suitable system. Again, as long as the user recognizes it's limitations and is not delusional at what can be accomplished it has it's use. I am not a person to tell someone what THEIR goals should be.

IA

That's exactly how he had guys like Randleman train when he was there, but I think Louie's biggest beef wasn't the conditioning aspect but the strength aspect.

IMO, youre dead on that it's fine if people take it for what it is. It's just a pet peeve if you ask someone why it's good and you get something like "It's good because its really good at making you explosive, or they train this way because we're not powerlifters..powerlifting makes you blocky and slow,etc..." at least know why you do what you do and to be honest I'm convince Rippetoe doesn't either. It looks like he took a few different methods and put them together and marketed it really well. You're right,it's a fine program for people who just want to be in shape but I would freak if I saw the NFL or any other pro athlete use it.