Is CrossFit safe?
Yes. I have just a little experience with CrossFit. I did a free workout at a local CrossFit location. It was obvious that the CrossFit certification was not created by a physical therapist or someone with a sound understanding of biomechanics, but it is great for burning calories. People enjoy it so they normally stick with it as well. It helps people raise their intensity which is what people often have trouble doing. I use CrossFit type workouts for that purpose. It focuses more on the anterior chain of the body so it should be supplemented with posterior chain exercises.
This is a loaded question.
Are they safe for who??
If we are talking about a couch potatoe then no! one work Rhabdomyolosis.
If you are in decent shape with no musculoskeletal ailments or compensations then sure it will be fine…as long as the trainer is decent.
The bottom line is, if you personally can handle it and the trainer is good then go for it. If you are injury prone and the trainer is mediocre at best then avoid it like the plague.
As far as the anterior chain post, I don’t know abou that, then do a lot of deadlifts, cleans, snatches, squats, the rower, and pullups so I think the posterior chain is covered. Again it all depends on how good the trainer is or isn’t.
I wrote a blog about this a while ago.
It comes down to the individual and their fitness goals. If their goals are general health and fitness, then potentially yes. If you have very specific goals (sports, rehab, pre/natal….etc) then no.
I would question whether or not a Crossfit workout is “safe” based on the fact that the “trainer” is given a WOD from Cross Fit )workout of the day) and impelments it.
To me that would be like preparing a workout for a fit 33 year old athlete who cancels their appointment so you use the same workout on your next client who is a 62 year old sedentary male with bad knees…
According to Crossfit I guess a WOD is a workout not matter who or what comes in through the door.