Have you seen the CrossFit Video that many pros are upset about?

Yes I saw it. My first question is Why? My second question is What's the point?

Cross Fit is NOT a fitness program in my opinion. Cross Fit is a Competition, it thinks it's a Sport and it's a huge money maker.

What I found most distasteful was they way the "trainer" stood by, I also found the chiding by other patrons really obnoxious.

I cringe when people tell me they do "crossfit"

Wow; not the type of PR I'd be going for. Shoulder or back injuries much? Just goes to show that Crossfit trainer credentials should be a supplement to an NCCA approved accreditation. I know not all Crossfit trainers would encourage this type of behavior but I hope the Crossfit creators stand up and take notice of these folks that are giving them a bad name within the industry!

I saw it a few weeks ago. I couldn't make it through the while video the form was so bad.

I feel Crossfit in general has a great program but never for beginners!! It is important that the trainer be held responsible for the ill form/technique happening in a video like this one. Yes it does hold a great money making plan but if facilitated right, it is a fabulous program. If a Crossfit is properly managed & the trainers are certified/educated with lots of experience these type of lifts can be done with great personal results for the given client. Given the control in that particular group is it simply amazing that it seems no matter what, each individual is being allowed to attempt the lift, to what...say that they were able to lift so much? I absolutely support progressive challenges in the gym but not like this & a lift of that weight should never be performed without experience & good technique (at minimum).

The lift, in theory, i suppose is actually legitimate.

However, the subjects in the video, in my opinion, have no reason to be doing this complicated lift. I see no functional benefit to this whatsoever. Not only that, this really is a display of gross negligence. If this happened in my gym, these "coaches" which I'm not entirely sure I saw anywhere in the video anyway, would be gone, and they better not ever list me as a reference! There is no way that someone didn't get injured in this "charade"

This was like some kind of a circus. The injured dog just wandering off in the background in one segment of the video speaks volumes as far as an unsafe and unsecured lifting environment. No way this particular situation would ever have any base in reality with anything that I will ever be a part of, not ever.

Whoa! That lift is not for just anybody. I got to agree with Susan here, they treat it as though there is some kind of award issued for the most intensely insane maneuvers.

I saw it a little while ago and found it disturbing on many levels. I can almost forgive the cheering onlookers, as they may be clients themselves and may not be aware of the serious risks involved in what is taking place.

The trainers or "coaches" actions are reprehensible. My personal feelings for Crossfit aside (I believe there are pros and cons), this video is a perfect reminder that "certified" does NOT necessarily mean "qualified."

Any trainer, Crossfit or other, that stands around and watches or encourages technique like in the video should seriously re-evaluate their career choice.

I just hope nobody in the video, on or off-camera, was injured.

A strongman axle press for people who dont even possess a basic mechanical foundation is foolish.

Its the equivalent of giving a first grader an engineers math.

It just wont work.

Just as an example, those people needed to learn the proper deadlift, power clean as well as shoulder press.

Having them do all three explosively with high weight is recipe for danger in the gym as well as terrible learning experiences for future gym use.

Wow that has to be the worst technique that I have ever seen.

Just saw it for the first time. It left me speechless, a rather uncommon occurence. I wonder what the qualifications are to become a 'Strongman Certified Coach'?

This is TERRIBLE. I am emailing the company and may even visit them (I am located 20 min from them). I cannot believe this is tolerated, let alone praised.

The video was appalling. However I don't assume all CrossFit locations allow such behavior. I tried the location in Bismarck, ND & in the month I was there the gentlemen who ran it made sure he was there, rather than one of the other two for no other reason than proper form. Everything was done slowly until I had proper form and only then was I allowed to attempt the WOD.

I understand not everyone agrees with Crossfit & I respect that but the problem I see with the video is people are focusing on "CrossFit" rather than the trainer who stood by and allowed it to happen.

I would assume there are plenty of CPT who don't always correct form. I guess I have been to bootcamps where form was never addressed as well as one on one sessions. I see trainers to busy texting during a session to realize their client fell off the treadmill. Trainers aren't under fire for the couple bad ones?

Just a thought - why is it CrossFit under attack? Rather than the individual?

I watched half the video and the bad form is horrific!! People are not being responsible for themselves or for those they are training.

The exercise may not be bad, but it should be done with proper weight and proper form. Someone in there probably has back problems now!

I found it apalling. I cringed and could not make it through this entire video. Whate are these people thinking (trainers and participants)?


I agree with Susan this is not a fitness program, it is more of a sport.

If this is how it is run . . . and trainers stand by. . . the program needs to be assessed if it is to continue and strict guidelines, proper education, and accountability should be implemented for trainers and its participants.

Crossfit just scares me- between the preaching of high intensity for SIX DAYS A WEEK and then, the inexperienced "strength coaches" I just say no. I get a lot flack for it too working in an Army gym, but I just keep saying it's not a safe program and I can't endorse it being done.

Crossfit has been sued before for their structure and their answer is always the same "it was someone who isn't fully accredited with their program". Yet, they only train people for a weekend to run their "program" what are they expecting?

Lastly, any program that has to preach that it DOES NOT cause Rhabdoacidosis (which they cutely nick-named "Uncle Rhabdo") needs some serious second inspections. Then, add in the overuse injuries from working out 6 days in a row or the serious consequences of not being fully recovered before doing Olympic lifts or jumping plyo boxes (seen a few broken backs here on post due to this). I will never drink this kool-aid.

Yup, was more amazed how many people in the background were shouting encouragement to these people and how the people kept attempting. A club manager in my gym puts people through these workouts, he thinks it is cool, but he just goes to the websites, mimics what he sees and puts some people through workouts. I see some guys about to pass out, no regard for their safety.

Awful video. Please learn proper Clean form -- use less weight to clean it up without resting on your stomach.

The dog wasn't injured, it was a 3 LEGGED DOG!! But agree, the poor dog added to this vid being a circus. We had 2 Crossfit people present at the ACSM Fitness Summit, and they showed clips similar to this, and the crowd went nuts. Being the chair of the Summit, everyone was coming up to me and asking "WHY DID YOU HAVE THOSE PEOPLE!?!?" Truth is they had a different title and proposed talk than the sales pitch they gave at the Summit.

I've seen this vid before, and others. What can we do? Different people are attracked to different forms of exercise. Although I agree the lifts and disregard for technique, safety, injury prevention, and getting maximum benefit from an exercise program are beyong what "most" fitness pro's would ever practice.

It comes back to exercise certification. A person has to have a gov't license to cut hair (at least in Canada) but anyone can be an trainer or in this case a Crossfit instructor without a degree or advanced certification training.

Question is, how can we change this? It's a hard question.

Hello Laura,

I saw it now, oh boy. Just like anything else, there are people who care to do things properly and others who take their chances. That video is like watching children going wild on a playground.

What a disaster! What more can I say? I just hope the dog made it out of there ok (even with 3 legs)!