Saved by CrossFit (Literally)

-Miranda Oldroyd, NorCal Regionals 2012

I'm pretty sure that I've heard just about every objection to CF. Sometimes I feel like I should have a phone line where complaints can be filed or something. I can't help thinking, why all the animosity? How can people not see all the GOOD that is flooding from this community? On a daily basis I see healthier people, stronger relationships, active youth becoming passionate about caring for their bodies, tighter-knit families, and increased self-confidence. As a self-acknowledged recovering "CF Snob", (a person who believes CF is paramount to all other programs and who looks down on non-CF's with disdain... by the way, do they have some sort of support group for us?), I really should just focus on improving my MU's rather than wasting time and energy with the haters out there. But CF honestly did change my life, and I desperately want to share it with others. Which is why, nine times out of ten, I generally attempt to politely listen to the claims and try to give the world of CF half a decent defense.

The #1 objection, without a doubt, has to be that it is SO DANGEROUS. Before I rip this conclusion to shreds, or better, allow Miranda to do it for me, let me say that there is some truth to this gripe. Unfortunately, there are some under qualified coaches encouraging inexperienced clients to use inappropriate weights. And let's be honest: falling from a rope climb could surely result in some serious ramifications. It is a sport, and most sports (with the exception of maybe ping pong...hey it's in the Olympics!) involve occasional injuries. My worst CF injury to date, (knock on wood), is a hand sprain a couple months ago going for a max squat clean. Bugged me for a few months, and caused me to have to steer clear of cleans and OH movements for about half that time. More serious injuries in my past included swing sets, skate parks, and high school PE. And no one was avidly trying to keep me away from those life-threatening locales.

So how do I rationalize the sport of CF when I get horrified looks from people who hear we have a kid's program? (probably envisioning the tiny tots being forced to max dead-lift or carry heavily laden yoke bars...) Put simply, the pros outweigh the cons. The real killers are not rope climbs and handstands. They are heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc. And the tragic newcomer to the current top ten causes of death in our country? Suicide. Think teaching the youth that their body is an incredible gift, and giving them a supportive community to grow up in, might help that stat a bit??

But surely all that muscle that makes active women look "bulky", the heavy loads and high intensity, is going to wreak havoc on our bodies as we age? I'm ready to place bets against this claim any day of the week. In fact, all that muscle might actually just save you at some point. Here's an incredible story told by one of my favorite athletes to watch, Miranda. Her story is long, but reading it all the way through is a must. Share it with the next good meaning CF hater you stumble upon.

http://mirandaoldroyd.blogspot.com/2012/07/crossfit-is-dangerous-and-how-it-very.html?spref=fb

-Skill: HSPUs

-WOD #1: for total reps...
2 min wall ball, 1 min rest
2 min DU's, 1 min rest
2 min hands off pushups, 1 min rest
2 min dips, 1 min rest
2 min K2E

-WOD #2: 15 min AMRAP of...
10 KB
10 box jump
run