CROSS OVER

THE ARGUMENT ISN’T CROSSFIT VERSUS BODY-  BUILDING. IT’S ABOUT HOW WE CAN USE THEM BOTH.
I puked my guts out the first time  I tried CrossFit. The WOD didn’t seem that challenging when explained by Brazen Athletics’ owner, Jason Schroeder, and coach, Carolyn DeMiro: just seven minutes of 10 kettlebell swings followed by 200-pound sled pushes, repeat for as many rounds as possible. I couldn’t tell you how many rounds I com pleted because I was focused on finishing without passing out, throwing up, or some terrible combo of both. Following the round, we dived right into “dessert”, a workout to end the session. Ours was five minutes of sprints, and that’s when I puked. CrossFit pushes you past your pain threshold and then asks you to push further. It was truly a humbling experience. There’s a divide between the CrossFit community and fellow fitness enthusiasts. Some non-CrossFitters consider the group a cult. Many CrossFitters follow a strict paleo diet and profess CrossFit to be the be-all and end-all of fitness. I can’t argue with the paleo diet, because it is proven to get you shredded. But I do disagree with the notion that CrossFit is the only effective way to train. To me, nothing compares to grabbing  an issue of M&F after a hard day at work and diving into a workout. Feeling the endorphin rush following a superset of bench press and barbell rows works  wonders for your psyche. That meditative zoning out to focus on your muscles and connect with them is something I can’t get from a CrossFit WOD.  But CrossFit  is great for when I’m looking to survive 20–30 minutes of pure hell as I develop the will to finish any task, regardless of how torturous it may be. There are aspects of CrossFit that should be incorporated into traditional training. Box jumps, sleds, and rowing machines have all become a part of my routine. They jack up your heart rate and torch fat while allowing you to maintain muscle. I’ve also adopted a bastardised paleo diet, eliminating processed carbs and refined grains. I say “bastardised” because I refuse to give up peanut butter or the occasional microbrew. Nonetheless, I’ve noticed myriad benefits from adopting these CrossFit staples. The bodybuilding and CrossFit communities should use exercises from each others’ workouts to improve upon their own. People who follow traditional body-part and strength-training routines can benefit by utilising high-intensity WODs to build endurance while  CrossFitters could benefit by lifting heavy weight with strict form and adequate rest to build size and strength. It’s about what works best for you  and your goals, and I think both have  an important place in fitness. M&F