I own and run a CrossFit affiliate. Since you’re reading this blog, you probably had a pretty good idea of that. Most of you are familiar with CrossFit, while others have never heard of it. Go ahead and google it and you’ll see photos and videos of some of the most fit people you’ve ever seen. Most of the folks you’ll see compete in the sport of CrossFit and while they are an example of what is possible through CrossFit training, they are by no means a representation of well over 99% of the rest of us who train using this methodology. Regardless, CrossFit comes with certain assumptions for many of you. Some are good, and some are definitely more negative.
Nearly every day, through conversations with people, someone will raise the concern that CrossFit or training in a gym in general is dangerous. The way it’s brought to my attention usually goes like this, “I looked up your gym, and it looks really cool, but I talked with my friend, John Doe, and they said I should do something else because CrossFit is dangerous.” What a friend! Looking out for the person they care about (if you’re not catching my sarcasm here, I’m pouring it on pretty thick).
Here’s the deal. Does training in a gym using any training methodology come with inherent risks? Yes, absolutely. I would never suggest otherwise. However, that risk is quite low, based on actual scientific data, not my opinion or the opinions of others.
On any given day in our gym, there will likely be a sore shoulder or two, a cranky low back and some angry knees. That doesn’t sound great. Now let’s look at your workplace breakroom, your social circle or even your own body right now. You’re going to see a sore shoulder or two, a cranky low back and some angry knees. Odds are, these didn’t come from the gym. Are those same concerned friends warning that a sedentary lifestyle is dangerous for you and you should try something else instead??? (There’s that sarcasm again).
I spent a decade and a half working as a sports chiropractor performing endless hours of rehabilitation exercises. Almost none of those were due to training in the gym. I did see A LOT of running injuries, but far more than that, I saw injuries of all sorts from just living. Folks ending up with rotator cuffs from a dog jerking a leash. Jacked backs from pulling grocery bags out of the trunk, shoveling snow or carrying a laundry basket. Knees that were trashed from years and years of, well…nothing. So you be the judge.
Just yesterday (at the time of writing this), I had an awesome introduction visit with a gentleman who joined our gym and started today. He’s battled significant weight issues for years now. He’s made some awesome strides in taking back his health but needs help to keep it going. We’re here for it. Through our discussion, he told me he was concerned about hurting his knees. That’s a fair concern, considering it’s already challenging to get around. BUT, he also told me that his knees are a constant issue. There are even mornings when he has to soak his knees for a long time in a hot shower just to get them loose enough to walk. So, his knees hurt when he exercises. His knees hurt when he doesn’t exercise. It sounds like his knees are likely going to hurt for now. He might as well get fit as heck while his knees hurt and maybe, just maybe those knees will start to feel better when the weight continues to come off, inflammation drops and he regains his health! Is the gym dangerous for this guy??? No, but staying how he is currently is dangerous as all hell. I made sure, as his friend, that he knew that. Why? Because I actually care.
Even better are the friends concerned about diets. So many diets are all the rage right now. Keto, paleo, carnivore…oh boy, that’s a really dangerous one. Only meat? Yep! That’s gotta give someone a heart attack within weeks. I have followed a meat-heavy diet full of protein, fat, eggs, bacon, red meat galore, and even butter (gasp). People question it all the time. Folks ask all the time if I’m concerned that all that meat will give me heart disease. Butter is going to clog my arteries. We all know bacon is French for an immediate death sentence. Here’s the irony. Those folks NEVER question me if I have a donut. They never question a McDonald’s value meal, endless breadsticks at Olive Garden, or any other ultra-processed, refined Frankenfoods we’re all consuming at alarming rates driving an obesity and diabetes epidemic. Friends, where are you??? Why aren’t we raising concerns for our friends here???
You see, guys, if you’re going to be a good, concerned friend, you should take a look at the actual data. What are the actual risks involved with our everyday diets and lifestyles? They are far worse than someone eating meat and training in a gym. How about our kids today? Holy smokes…if you want to be concerned, take a look at the overall health of our children currently. It isn’t good, and it’s getting worse. That’s a topic for another day.
Friends, let’s do better. Let’s be better and let’s stop discouraging folks from taking a hold of their life and fighting to get their health back. It might come with a sore shoulder, cranky back, or angry knees occasionally, but I’ll take that tradeoff for the alternative any day of the week. Get after it!
Hold the standard, friends,
Coach Derek
