Michael Boyle's Strengthcoach.com Blog

6 Responses to “A Little Rhabdo Info”

1. Jaison Y Says:
   October 16, 2013 at 7:28 pm

   Personally, I believe that CrossFit needs to be questioned before any workouts even begin. No where in the prerequisites for being a CrossFit instructor, at either level 1 or 2, does it say anything about a degree in any branch of exercise science, physiology, etc… To get the certificate itself, you simply show up to a couple days worth of instruction to learn about form, and any type of “theory” that may back the movements up. Now I am not saying that every movement that is taught is incorrect. Surely that varies by the instructor. But until the trainees understand WHY the movement is correct, or incorrect, and WHY CrossFit instructors should teach these techniques, certifications are going to continue to be given to those who only understand the tip of the iceberg.

   That information came straight from http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/certs.shtml. There is literally a list of requirements on this page.

   One of the quotes that just about every CrossFit gym uses is “forging elite athletes”… How can anyone claim to do that when they don’t even have the knowledge of the proper rest period for a muscle group after high intensity, high repetition workouts? The science behind the madness is nowhere to be found, at least with a lot of CrossFit gyms (I’m sure there are some that understand right from wrong).

   Although I 100% disagree with the implementation of CrossFit for performance athletes who engage in organized sports, I DO NOT disagree with the idea of CrossFit for those just looking to get fit. I just disagree with the protocol of becoming an instructor of such a high intensity workout, and also the lack of program development by the instructors.

   I, myself have been to a CrossFit gym and I have done the workouts. Didn’t skip a rep, didn’t cheat out on anything. Not one single time did I see or hear anything that seemed as if the instructor had a well planned, methodical program that focused on the athletes progression to reaching their goals.. It was simply, what can we do to make this workout as hard as possible. On top of that, the workout was usually thought up that day, with no thought to what had been done the days before, or what would be done in the future. Horrible programming, especially if you want to “forge elite athletes.”

   mboyle1959, I can firmly back you up and say that I have seen and experienced CrossFit workouts, and I have seen and experienced horrible coaching. And yes, I held my tongue just to listen to every bad coaching tip that was being said. Not all were bad, but, it was tough to stay quiet.
2. mboyle1959 Says:
   September 26, 2013 at 9:02 am

   David- I would encourage you to look at some old Crossfit posts on their site about Gray Cook and I. It’s not personal but stems from some interactions at the SOMA meetings and the resulting fallout. I could go one forever about this. I just reposted Why Crossfit May Not Be Good for You on my blog today. One thing I really dislike about Crossfit is they way they treat their perceived enemies. Crossfitters joined my StrengthCoach.com site just to disrupt the website, Coach Glassman published highly inaccurate and disparaging remarks about me on the Crossfit boards. ( I can send it to you but would prefer not to publish it here). They insulted me on their podcast etc. etc. This is all because I have some fundamental disagreements that I outlined in the post referenced above.

   PS- I have never been to a Crossfit vert. Not sure I could be professional and sit through it.

   For the best in Boston area sports and personal training go to http://www.bodybyboyle.com. For the best in performance enhancement information go to http://www.strengthcoach.com MBSC was recently named one of America’s Top Gyms By Men’s Health Magazine and was voted Boston’s best personal trainers for 2011.

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3. Crossfit in the News | Michael Boyle's Strengthcoach.com Blog Says:
   September 26, 2013 at 8:56 am

   […] Crossfit’s Dirty Little Secret […]
4. David Marmon Says:
   September 26, 2013 at 8:48 am

   This is a fear article, not an educational article. Even the title itself is ridiculous. As strength & conditioning professionals, its our responsibility to educate our clients about the consequences of poor movement, improper loading, and inappropriate training volume – not hide it from them. This guy failed to do that. There was no detail to educate folks on what to avoid. He basically just shouted, “Beware CrossFit!”
   I am a huge Mike Boyle fan. I have read everything that you have published. I follow your blog. I reference your work on a daily basis. Having a basic understanding of your coaching and training philosophy, I am incredibly surprised that you discount CrossFit as a whole. Is it personal? Did you see a few things that turned you off, so you discounted it as a whole? Have you attended a CrossFit Level 1 certification? I would love to hear a Mike Boyle review of the course and the methodology as a whole.

   Thanks, coach.
5. mboyle1959 Says:
   September 24, 2013 at 8:31 am

   David- I wouldn’t say I like anything about it. I view it as a cautionary tale. Even a knowledgeable physical therapist can make poor decisions. I want people to be aware of a very real danger in any form of extreme exercise program.
6. David Marmon Says:
   September 23, 2013 at 8:56 pm

   Mike,
   As a strength & conditioning professional, what do you “like” about this article?

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