Lately there seems to be a lot of buzz in regards to the so called cross fit style sprint repeats, ever so often I see yet another thread about them here on Letsrun.
So my question is: is this really a new training methodology? Isn't Daniels prescribing R-Repeats in his base phase. Is the rest shorter in the cross fit style repeats? What's the deal?
There is nothing systematic about Crossfit sprint repeats. In many ways they are less intense because they are in the middle of a circuit. They would probably be more closely applicable to a benchmark workout that you use as a fitness test, not as something that produces a training effect.
Example 1: Helen
Three rounds
* 400 meter run
* 12 kettlebell swings (54 pounds)
* 12 pull-ups
Complete in as short a time as possible.
Example 2: Murph
* Run 1 mile
* 100 pull-ups
* 200 push-ups
* 300 squats
* 1 mile run
Complete in as short a time as possible.
Running Man 1984 wrote:
Lately there seems to be a lot of buzz in regards to the so called cross fit style sprint repeats, ever so often I see yet another thread about them here on Letsrun.
So my question is: is this really a new training methodology? Isn't Daniels prescribing R-Repeats in his base phase. Is the rest shorter in the cross fit style repeats? What's the deal?
Crossfit sprint repeats are far superior in terms of fat loss and overall fitness and because of the reduced rest period, they also have a greater ROI in terms of running improvement.
Another point about Crossfit-style sprint repeats is that they are very slow. You are looking at 10k pace or slower. (That is less true in a short metcon like Helen).
Couldn't give you any specific, but since it's crossfit you can safely say they've taken some established method, made it at least 25% worthless by adding some douchebag baloneyness to it to make it easier to do more reps faster for time, took out the harder parts like proper form to make it more appealing by giving Target moms a shortcut, and then wrapped it up in a patriotic little package by naming it after a dead soldier or some firemen that died saving babies guaranteeing no one dares say anythig bad about it without looking like they wear a towel on their head in secret, or wishing we wouldn't waste tax dollars rescuing kittens from trees.
It really is a proven fact that running really short distances really fast really makes running really long distances really slow really easy.
Trust me. I really know what I'm talking about.
Justin91 wrote:
Another point about Crossfit-style sprint repeats is that they are very slow. You are looking at 10k pace or slower. (That is less true in a short metcon like Helen).
Thanks for contributing, but it's worth to point out that 10k race pace is for the active/very short recovery between the sprints. The sprints itself are at max speed. VERY FAST.
Xfitguy_the_real_one_1 wrote:
Thanks for contributing, but it's worth to point out that 10k race pace is for the active/very short recovery between the sprints. The sprints itself are at max speed. VERY FAST.
You must be talking about Crossfit Endurance, not regular Crossfit.
Superior to what, exactly?
Superior to the work outs that every coach I've ever had has run me through since before Crossfit existed? Because, news flash, every good middle distance runner has been doing exactly what you just described as a "Crossfit" workout, forever.
Couple that with the fact that "fat loss" is an irrelevant goal for the competitive athlete and you're just telling us that the workouts we've been doing aren't as good as the workouts we've been doing if you call them something else.
wrote:
Couldn't give you any specific, but since it's crossfit you can safely say they've taken some established method, made it at least 25% worthless by adding some douchebag baloneyness to it to make it easier to do more reps faster for time, took out the harder parts like proper form to make it more appealing by giving Target moms a shortcut, and then wrapped it up in a patriotic little package by naming it after a dead soldier or some firemen that died saving babies guaranteeing no one dares say anythig bad about it without looking like they wear a towel on their head in secret, or wishing we wouldn't waste tax dollars rescuing kittens from trees.
Best
Crossfit
Post
Ever
Nailed it in a paragraph.
Why do so many runners on here care about crossfit? It's just people doing a different kind of workout that they like. What's the big deal?
ataglance wrote:
Why do so many runners on here care about crossfit? It's just people doing a different kind of workout that they like. What's the big deal?
The reason I was asking is because I noticed, just like you, the many cross fit posts on this site. I don't see as many posts for bodybuilding or working out on the elliptical for example. It seems to be that they are having tremendous success, at least financially. I wonder if the reason for their success is the superiority of their workouts (like, is this really some breakthrough in training methodology) or ...
... or is this just a scam?
But then - why are so many people buying it? Maybe it works for some people?
It does work for some people. I have some friends that do it and really like it.
It's not drudgery like distance running. And contrary to popular belief, not everyone is made to be a distance runner.
Everyone does not have a goal to run a marathon nor do they care about their time for X distance.
It's better than the traditional body building type lifting people have tried for years because it's not about posing, it's about overall functional strength.
It's more fun than going to the gym and going through the typical motions.
I just dont see how runners (people that seem to enjoy the simple aspect of the sport) could disagree with workouts that have been around for years. Heck I did a lot of this stuff in the off season. How can you argue against:
push ups
pull ups
squat thrusts
box jumps
Olympic lifts
sprints with some form of resistance
Crossfit doesnt threaten distance running in slightest!
That murph workout seems like something everyone could benefit from once every 1-2 weeks...especially if you really hammered those miles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UU79lEylHI&feature=player_embeddedXfitguy_the_real_one_1 wrote:
Thanks for contributing, but it's worth to point out that 10k race pace is for the active/very short recovery between the sprints. The sprints itself are at max speed. VERY FAST.
Is this what you call running very fast, the first rep they do isn't fast let alone the last two.
ataglance wrote:
Why do so many runners on here care about crossfit? It's just people doing a different kind of workout that they like. What's the big deal?
There has been a ton of stuff coming out of crossfit "gyms" the past few years slamming running in order to try to poach off participants in marathon training groups to crossfit programs. Running has never tried to promote itself by putting down crossfit. But, crossfitters just cannot resist making all kinds of stupid claims about running being bad for you and how crossfit is better for running than the training plans that have been developed by elite coaches over many years of trial and error and scientific analysis. So, when crossfitters start spewing stupid stuff about how crossfit is the ultimate exercise routine, runners get fed up and shoot back.
Precious Roy wrote:
But, crossfitters just cannot resist making all kinds of stupid claims about running being bad for you
You can argue all you want, scientific evidence backs me up. Slogging makes you weak and your knees are getting destroyed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UU79lEylHI&feature=player_embeddedIs this what you call running very fast, the first rep they do isn't fast let alone the last two.
Why would anyone put this video on YouTube?
Precious Roy wrote:
ataglance wrote:Why do so many runners on here care about crossfit? It's just people doing a different kind of workout that they like. What's the big deal?
There has been a ton of stuff coming out of crossfit "gyms" the past few years slamming running in order to try to poach off participants in marathon training groups to crossfit programs. Running has never tried to promote itself by putting down crossfit. But, crossfitters just cannot resist making all kinds of stupid claims about running being bad for you and how crossfit is better for running than the training plans that have been developed by elite coaches over many years of trial and error and scientific analysis. So, when crossfitters start spewing stupid stuff about how crossfit is the ultimate exercise routine, runners get fed up and shoot back.
Sounds like a perceived slight at best AND.. anyone that is "poached" wasn't really much of a runner any way. You guys just need to get over it. Some times people stop spending their time running and start golfing, or doing any number of other activities.