Cross fit - is it any good?

[ricknmorty28]

Hi all,

My mate is your typical cross fit type hes always on about it and trying to convince me to give it a try. Has anyone else done it? Did it help your cycling?

Im worried ill either turn into a muscle bound freak or ill be in so much pain that i cant walk, let alone jump on the bike.

 

[Dan Lotus]

We have a couple of friends, and one of their parents, who are into it in a massive way.
I forget exactly, but I think at one point they were going maybe 3 or 4 times a week, plus competitions.

It's certainly made them both very strong, but as a cyclist, I don't see the developments that they make would be useful for cycling, well unless you are a sprinter perhaps.

Just my personal opinion - and as a caveat I have never attended a session, though they have shared videos of various circuits being completed etc etc.

Potentially could be useful in the winter?

There is another one called Hyrox or something, not sure if that is in a similar vein or not.

 

[Beebo]

It is good for overall fitness.

But the competition element promotes doing things fast rather than correctly.

So there are some videos of competitors with terrible technique, just bashing through the reps. Which will end in injury.

 

[bikingdad90]

Cross fit is supposed to be functional training. E.g. squats as you need to bend to lift. The exercise is carried out at an intensity that raises your heart rate into the higher zones.


Personally, I agree with @Beebo, speed is no where near as good as slow and controlled movements with good form for building muscle as the body needs isolated contractions to stretch the fibres in order to grow the muscle.

 

[ColinJ]

But the competition element promotes doing things fast rather than correctly.

So there are some videos of competitors with terrible technique, just bashing through the reps. Which will end in injury.

I was going to suggest it to my nephew but after watching some competition videos, I changed my mind! He already has knee problems and charging about doing explosive efforts with poor form would only make those worse.

 

[Webbo2]

Cross fit will be great for getting you fit for cross fit. It will have some cross😉over benefits for cycling. However if you spend the time you would be doing cross fit doing specific cycling training it’s going to have a much better outcome.

 

[PaulSB]

I googled cross fit as I didn't know what routines it includes. I work with a PT, a part of programme is cycle specific training. The only moves my programmes have in common with cross fit are squat, deadlift and overhead press. The squat obviously targets the quads, the other two are for upper body strength. My upper body work is only 10 - 15% of my programme.

To improve one's cycling or contribute to general bike fitness and strength the basics are important:

• Core strength
• Pelvic stability
• Balance
• Quads
• Calves
• Specific stretches targeting the cycling muscle groups

 

[cyberknight]

Might help for short efforts like sprints or short steep hills