CrossFit is Stupid... 

dude your really a new kind of worlds strongest man its good to see your so athletic for the size i think peoples attitude is someone so big and strong can't move so well good for you and the sport

I'm a personal trainer and run my own practice. I also have a good background competing in "Olympic" weightlifting. About a third of my clients come from Crossfit gyms, but do 1on1's with me to learn how to do olympic lifts better, and learn the advanced gymnastics movements -> so I'm very, fully aware of the limitations of coaching in most crossfit gyms. That said.... it's *ridiculous* how dangerous the internet folk make it seem. My crossfitters tend to occasionally develop epicondylitis, and sometimes strain the lower backs.... that's IT for injuries! Meanwhile, my BJJ athletes (which constitutes about 1/3 of my client roster) tend to get: shoulder surgeries, knee surgeries, neck surgeries, lower back surgeries, and a just a disgusting slew of injuries. My crossfitters literally get injured about as much as powerlifters, rock climbers, long distance runners, etc. No more. Again, not saying it's 100% risk free, I'm saying that if you practice ANY sport, there are inherent risks, and Crossfit's is not disproportionately large, DESPITE the occasional sub-par coaching.

I agree 100% with the need for an outlet for ex-competitive athletes. I'm a few years out of school and it's astounding how out of shape some of my peers have gotten, when they used to be pretty incredible athletes.

I used to do the Crossfit websight WODs at home like 3-4 days a week. I'd modify the workouts to fit my fitness level as well as my particular goals. My equipment is relatively modest so i had to substitute some exercises too. I got in pretty dang good over-all shape from it. So i think its like ANY fitness ideology: as long as you use common sense and check your ego at the door, you're good.

I can see the appeal of CrossFit. The workouts are planned out for you and they incorporate resistance training and cardio all in a short amount of time. It's convenient for people to just enjoy casually and there's a structure in place if you want to take it very seriously too.

The only reason why people 'hate' crossfit is because of the often poor form displayed. That's really it. People don't hate crossfitters for finding alternative ways to get and stay in shape; they don't like them for the poor form their promote, especially within their competitions. It's not some hidden gripe. Many people are quite open about specifically what they don't like about crossfit, or rather the form they promote.

I think my issue with CrossFit has been that the times I've gone I've been annoyed that they don't allow you to just lift independently and I've been told I had to do their bullsh** WODs first. The vast majority of the "trainers" I've encountered have absolutely no business coaching and have had people that are completely new to lifting trying to do snatches, clean and jerks or deadlifts for fast reps with moderate weight after less than 5 minutes of instruction. It's a recipe for injuries. I totally understand your point about the crossfit games and the purpose of the competition, the problem is that the local Boxes get all their inspiration from the games and try to model everything after them, not understanding that their members have no business trying to compete like that. I've gone to CrossFit gyms all of the country when I've traveled and given them a go so that I could formulate my own opinion because I've had many friends try to get me to do it with them. But I insist that none of the trainers know how to program their wods to allow for muscle and joint recovery, they have a fetish for overworking the shoulders and back or putting them in compromising positions. I don't think someone that doesn't have a strong background in sports and a firm foundation of doing Olympic lifts should ever try CrossFit because they'll get hurt, especially if they listen to the trainers. But unfortunately the bulk of the crossfit community is made up of those people. It's just too bad because they really would benefit from the community and group fitness if they don't have the motivation to put themselves through workouts, they just shouldn't be doing CrossFit style workouts that don't provide adequate instruction for complex lifts that are setting them up for injury. Anytime I do a wod at a box I do the workout at my own pace to prioritize efficient movement and quality lifts, but most people I see don't have the stomach to tell the trainers to fu** off or they feel pressured to conform to the group and just go faster faster faster. I was an all American in track and rugby in college so I've been comfortable with all of the movements in CrossFit, but I'd still never try to do high rep snatches with heavy weight for speed after doing 4 other movements that worked the shoulders... I'm 30, I don't need another injury that will linger for the rest of my life, I have enough of those already😂

Personally, the criticism of Crossfit that I see around is mainly about lack of technical proficiency (both with beginners and some high level athletes) when doing highly technical movements and the apparent need to do these technical movements in a fatigued state, compounding that issue. If one wanted to test for cardiovascular fitness as well as strength, why not do them separately like in a decathlon? And then there's the shoddy judging at the Crossfit Games. But I've never heard anyone complain about the idea of Crossfit. As in finding the best allround fitness. The issue isn't with the principle of the thing but with how it's done.

Lmao so many people replying agreeing with the title having very clearly not started watching the video and seen what he actually says 🤡

CrossFit all depends on your coaches, the affiliate you attend, the programming. Take a Handstand push-up for instance. There’s a ton of risk to crash down on the head/neck and be in a RU-vid fail compilation. There’s also a lot of progressions to work towards it and really increase shoulder strength. People are too quick to wanna be like the athletes on ESPN but they end up on video for a different reason.

Yeah it's always been a hard pass on anything CrossFit related... Over training & genius marketing is all it is

The professionals make it look so easy. Having worked out next to one before is mind blowing how strong and fast someone can be

Thank you for your thoughtful analysis! I wasn’t aware of the difference between countries on adult-level sports. I recently visited Norway and was shocked by the responsible culture of fitness there. No matter where we went, everyday people were moving. Hiking, walking, ski skating, it was anywhere & everywhere, and it appeared that landscapes were designed to encourage/accommodate it.

I don't think people necessarily think the act of crossfit is stupid, but rather there's a lot of clique-ish communities for crossfit in North America. The same goes for any sport though. If you're new to the gym and entered a place like Westside Barbell or golds gym in the 80s, would you really be interested in powerlifting/bodybuilding? Probably not. Crossfit's barrier of entry is low, the community is welcoming to anyone that wants to join, and you can do most of the exercises (or some variant of them) at home. I think the fitness community as a whole needs to stop judging each others flavor of sport so harshly and just enjoy the fact that people are wanting to get healthier.

Strongman is also healthy, when you're not competing and using supplement S. I'd argue it's the most healthy sport for strength and endurance.

Great content i like the way you break things down pros and cons and common sense easy to follow great advice 👌

Honestly, it just seems like crossfit is waaaaay more injury prone than other strength sports. Happens way too often. Aside from the common injuries, obviously, you can do crossfit and be very healthy, it's just a lot of the sport seems goofy lol

super motivational and inspiring. thanks for the great support

Very well said, best breakdown I’ve heard. My issue was like you said when the owners/coach doesn’t care the level of the person but wants them to snatch and do all that with weight and not learning the technique. However I have got to other CrossFit gyms that the coach was phenomenal and it was one of the best workouts I’ve ever done

First time seeing your content and loving it. Well explained and easy to follow. Thanks Mitchell. Will watch more :D

This was a great little video you made. You are very well rounded. I recognized several elite Crossfiters in this video.

One of the reasons why Pudzian was so dominant was that he was the most mobile strongman.

Whatever you do, try and avoid injuries. Any exercise where you jank heavy loads are risky.

What ever your level walking is probably the most underrated form of exercise out there. It’s an easy way of checking your bio mechanics are flowing, good for cardio, relaxing before bed, good pre / post exercise after all if you’re struggling to walk properly with out some part of your anatomy aching or performing oddly, maybe something needs attention?

I think the crossfit pullups are stupid. And all the clean and jerk fail videos of crossfit people are funny. The main problem is when people do crossfit they feel the need to drop it in all conversations and beg for praise.

Blows my mind that you guys don't have amateur athletics clubs in the US!

I LOVEEEEEEE What you just said about the early success for Strongman and overweight people leading towards healthier outcomes. 5:00 this is pretty spot on with leading me from being 350lbs at 46%bmi to now 37%bmi at 350lbs and wanting too cut a 100lbs of fat simply because I experienced that success in the gym.

I think one of the main criticisms of CrossFit comes from some of the early mis-steps of CrossFit. It is a sport and fitness program that evolved in the internet era so all of the early stumbles were so well documented. Imagine if we started playing football with the old timey equipment and rules in 2008-ish. It would be insane. Now, with huge leaps in health science, programming, recovery, etc…we now know how good CrossFit can be.

The problem you mention is prevalent in a lot of places. My cousin got his back destroyed by one that had him doing deadlifts at weight he had no business doing. His form broke down and then his back. I think there are better ways for people getting started with fitness.

Thank you for this, Mitchell! I've been a fan of strongman for the past year. I'm overweight and have struggled with weight my entire life. As a woman with PCOS, I've had a trainer tell me before that I would do great with strength training but I was already afraid of getting injured or looking bulking (which I now know is ridiculous). I've been watching you, Eddie Hall, Andrea Thompson, and Rebecca Roberts for a few months now and think it's time that I just start lifting.

"Any type of movment that's not gonna get you hurt is gonna be useful" Thanks Mitch XD

Watching some CrossFit workouts reminds me of the monkey exhibit at the zoo. In other words, I’ll stick to a strength training workout, followed by maybe some treadmill time for cardio. All of the jumping around is just too much for my mind to handle.

Always loved watching Crossfit. Mitch, I know you love athletics and pushing yourself to be better, Have you ever heard or thought about the Barkley (?) Challenge? 60 hours, 100 to 130 miles of mountain hiking/running.

In the bigger cities/municipalities in Canada we've got a ton of recreational / semi-competitive leagues for a bunch of sports (floor hockey, soccer, ultimate frisbee, squash, etc.)

Cross-fit is fine when you use good form and learn how to do everything properly. Unfortunately, the majority of CrossFit gyms/boxes out there don’t do this. I can tell you from first-hand experience that most CrossFit gyms I have no idea what they’re doing.

@5:35 very true. I own Leviathan Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy and the majority of my adult students are 30yrs old and up. Some ex athletes and now them and their kids can compete for as long as their health and body allow. Some are sick of going to a gym to lift or for cardio. Bjj has been a great outlet for their fitness🤙I love Strongman and powerlifting.

I think that Crossfit has had a very positive impact on fitness. Firstly, defining fitness was huge and layed out a much needed roadmap to the many components of fitness. Crossfit also got women to come to the gym and train compund movements such as the squat, deadlift, clean, etc. Crossfit can also take credit for "muscle confusion", not knowing your workout ahead of time can help push past sticking points and ares of weakness we do not like to train. Not everyone is a crossfit games athlete however and there is a big hole which can be percieved to exclude people who cannot perform the fundamental crossfit movements such as the Kipping pullup, or other overhead movements in the case of limited upper body mobility. Also, compound movements are meant to be trained with regularity and progression to develop competency. Compound movements IMHO are not meant to be trained infrequently with high repetitions and intensity. Crossfit does not specialize in any sport and is meant to stay general and expose the weakest link, address it in training, and improve overall fitness. The reality is that in general, we like to do what we are good at, and stay away from the things we suck at.

Would be interested to see Mitchell's thoughts on kipping pull ups in particular.

Good Explanation. I always had more strength than my nervous system, tendons and muscle reflexes could handle and when I hit a growth spurt (30cm basically over night) in my teens, everything besides of my muscles couldnt really catch up, which made every exercise incredibly exhausting. and only now, 16 years and multiple serious injuries later, the rest of it is slowly catching up.

@mitchell would you say exercise is more important than diet when it comes to longevity?

I was also a Strongman athlete that hated CrossFit when it was raging in the 2010's 😅 but I'm on the same page as you now. And CrossFit has done a lot as far as making Strongman more popular through using some of the implements in their competitions.

CrossFit is stupid. Nothing epitomizes this better than the contrast of some dope walking on his hands next to the World's Strongest Man doing sit ups in a Roman chair.

As someone who was completely sedentary for over a decade since high school, I firmly belive that I would have never sought an active lifestyle or every set foot in a gym again without strongman. I'm someone that needs working out to feel like recess not pain for the sake of giant biceps or quads. A year later and I have a solid foundation where I want to try more aerobic activities like cross fit or spartan races. I even started grappling because it's incredible cardio, directly improves capabilities in strongman and to be honest way more fun than running. I agree whatever gets people moving and motivates them to want to improve.

. Thank you for all the content over the past few days

Mitchell, I think you could give Eddie Hall's '60 kg bar overhead in a minute' world record a serious go.

Thank you👏👏By the way will you try to beat Big Loz WR Dinnie Stone walk?? The Old Man done brill.

I don't think click bait titles are a good way to sustain subscribers. Keep up the great content.

I went to a CF Gym for a while. The one here was way too cliquey for me., It was like being around a bunch of 16-year-olds. They did a good job setting up alternate versions of movements to fit people's current fitness levels. I do a couple of metcons in my driveway weekly and some resistance training the other 5 days. Saves me $125 a month, and I am more content.

Highland Games is one of those communities that you can be a part of for as long as you want. Many Games have 65+ categories and can be competitive on a World stage, if that is your goal. It got me moving after I couldn't stick with anything, even as a former athlete. Great advice!

6:03 pretty sure there’s a beer league in literally every Canadian city

While your theory is sound, my experience is that CrossFit (vs other trainer based programs) are more likely to get injuries as it tells you to do these things rather than focusing on the fundamentals of technique. If you go to a mtn bike class, they teach you how to do each move... They don't just throw you at a course. If you meet a personal trainer for lifting, they'll focus on your form, your personal body, and slowly advance.

Well said and done big man. 🙏🏻

I’m a physical therapist, and in the PT world the joke is that CrossFit is really good for business. Competitive people ripping out ballistic, loaded, technical exercises is a perfect recipe for injury.

In my city it is a rich man's sport. Cross fit is Easley 120 to 200 a month depending on the time you want to go. I am interested in it but it is way too expensive. The strong man gym is 80 bucks and as low as 60 with discounts.

While emphasizing activities that will limit injury risk is optimal, the problem is most fitness enthusiasts want to constantly challenge themselves and improve their performance. I was moderately competitive at local crossfit competitions when I was 25 and have struggled for 10 years accepting a steady decline in physical performance due to injuries, family obligations, etc. I now mostly do calisthenics and rucking because I've found those activities to be "optimal" in terms of weight management and injury prevention but almost every week at the gym I see folks who are middle aged but newer to crossfit get super excited when they get their first muscle up, hit a snatch PR, etc. totally unaware that they're only going to be able to do those activities for a few more years before they're body will no longer let them. No one who is really into fitness ever wants to be told, "hey you might want to stop trying to increase your max back squat and start focusing on steady state, low impact movements".

Love the message

Crossfit and its Crossfit games (Don't look up fails) will and always have been awful, with injuries that should be completely avoidable and half-arsed exercises, anyone who does Crossfit is a failed athlete who wasn't good enough for the other sports. I had a bunch of "pro" Crossfiter influencer types (I don't know a single name) joined me at Tiger Muay Thai & MMA as I was putting some kids through classes I'd see them on multiple occasions nearly cripple themselves, they asked to come along with one of the guys who was going to take people on their run, it's usually an 8km run all in, they all gassed very early from what I was told 3 of them requiring medical support, I've never met so many people who are capable of so little, mind you there were people who'd join in who were overweight or something else perhaps not quite at the desired fitness level but they'd 9/10 either complete it or get well close enough never once an issue. I know local Thai kids who can do a lot more. You can do super sets just fine without nearly meeting death. I will never once view anyone who's a cross fitter seriously and I will never view them as the "fittest" ever, it's nice but doesn't belong in reality.

excellent balanced opinion and analysis. Nice.

Love your CrossFit crossover between the two sports.

Good message.

I never did CrossFit yet I did all round technique_training_ exercise Example: yard work at the age of twelve has fourteen hours of outdoor activities Then adding school when summer vacation is over plus finish off with yard work into the season of sports.

Crossfit have too many stupid exercises. The worst are the pull ups and that handstand walk circus.

There's tons of rugby clubs in the states

I wish I was half as athletic as Mitch and I'm only 280! His fitness and agility at his strength and weight always impresses me.

For perspective, I do strongman in a national level in Denmark. I dislike CrossFit boxes due to some of the reasons that you bring up, but I still do a "fun wod" now and again. They want to do all the games workouts, while they are novice and can't handle it. Often times they don't seem to value proper form, but value reps, example - most people that do crossfit snatch - but if you really look at it, it looks like shit and they have found a way thats easy for them, because it's often times speed is more of a value, or they do front squats for reps and their knees cave in all the time. Strict movement like a pullup or even a burpee is ruined for the sake of speed and imaginary reps. I honestly don't mind the 50 wallballs -> 100 ski cal -> 150 box jumps -> 20 doubleunders ARAM 2 hours .. it's whatever, that can be fun, I guess. But I do mind the lack of proper care for people that do it and that you far to often see injuries and careless behavior. HOWEVER - I do really appreciate that CrossFit has the ability to create a community in a box, where people go and workout and it keeps them coming back for more.

I think one of the big issues with crossfit is, regardless of ability, a lot of those exercises are going to cause injury. You're just looking to destroy your shoulders doing those pull ups. Whereas in strongman/weight lifting, you start light, you can learn proper technique, and as long as you avoid ego lifting, you can stay pretty healthy. It's safer to build up to a proper pull up than swing like a monkey. Just my opinion. Do what you enjoy more and what keeps you fit. In the great words of Red Green, "i'm pulling for ya. We're all in this together."

Once time was added and it became a "competition", form went out the window and thus the respect for it by many people.

I cosched for 7 years. I would say the only thing that needs to really change are a few things: Keep Olympic lifts light to moderate. Get rid of muscle ups

video ended at 0:13 idk why it says its 10 mins long...

I like the video format of Mitchell talking while on a walk

Would love to see you on the rugby 🏉 field

Thanks for putting such a positive mindset out there. People just need to get moving anyway they can. Movement is life.

Amazing point of view fully agree

Very well stated indeed!

Very well said!

While I can appreciate CF, can't say I ever wanted to do it. So many poor lifting techniques, way too much explosive plyometric nonsense. Don't even get me started on some of the "coaches." All I see is long term damage to the joints and connective tissue. I train for long-term sustainability, not a premature exit from training.

I ❤ CrossFit, but as a runner I need to work in more lateral and single leg exercises.

I just love how he does the whole talking session while taking a walk. Legend

Crossfit is a damn good fitness program for women who want to look damn good. This is the results I see. I'm a man and not a crossfitter. Not saying men shouldn't do crossfit. Crossfit is "bad" when doing compound lifts with bad forms because they're trying to do as many reps as possible in a short time.

CrossFit has too many different movesets to master them all for Average Joe, yet the weight is low enough to make Average Joe go like "Yea I can do that". That's why it is so dangerous. I don't think it is stupid, a CrossFit Pro actually is impressive to watch.

Old school cross fit was good. The new shit ain’t

I think crossfit training can be amazing when done correctly, the games are a hilarious joke. When they make sense, and judges are consistent and people in a race arent said to have completed their laps or what ever and infact they still needed to do two more. Strongman easily has some competition issues but no where near the lvl of horror as crossfit, I think the worst part is its all under one companies banner theres no grassroot comps on a national lvl or anything to help push the comps to be better. Espically more entertaining to watch, its sad when someone squating is clapping their knees more than the crowd.

People hate crossfit for a few reasons. Kipping, cultish tendencies and it's pretty hard if you're unfit. It has some excellent and brutal workouts though if you're bored of your old workout routines.

I don't think it's the programming of CrossFit as much as it is the pretentiousness of the CrossFitter's. But really that could just come from the over competitive culture that CrossFit holds. At least that's how they are at the gym I go to in PA. It just feels like no matter what training modality you choose to roll with, theirs is always better.

I'm curious, for you when you say your knees were not made for running marathons, genetically speaking, what was the feeling you had that made you come to that conclusion?

Very well put Mitch. Thanks. Congrats on the impending birth of your first born!

Box jump overs like a cheetah!

The problem with Crossfit is that they do workouts for time. Trying to race to get a workout done is going to force people to sacrifice form for speed. This is just a terrible practice. CF would be better off if they ditched the timed workouts and focused on proper form with slower movements. Faster does not equal better. Too much injury risk for little benefit. Slow it down, do it right.

I think crossfit is really cool, but I used to dislike it because I saw the horrible videos of both normal people and elite athletes grinding reps with terrible form and it seemed to be glorified in a way. A thing I think a lot of people dont understand is fx. kipping pullups/ butterfly pull ups, ugly as they are, are not about muscle building, but effiency. A lot people from strength and bodybuilding think the effiency is stupid because it defeats the purpose they themselves are training for.

The only reason I hate crossfit is because it is the polar opposite of fight club. First rule of crossfit "tell everyone you know that you do crossfit"

Crossfit workouts can be some of the best exercises for strength and cardio... The problem people have with it is the piss poor form, kipping/cheating on every bodyweight exercise (i mean, they even cheat burpees)... Then there is absolute mess of a way they do Olympic lifts. You could even see it in the recent video you did. Watching them go for the press after the clean and then didn't even get their feet set. If crossfit was done with strict form and judging was consistent, people wouldn't trash it at all. I mean, kipping on dips/pullups... What is even the point of doing them if you're gonna kip?

What would Mark Rippetoe say?

I don't mind cross fit for the most part but I hate those butterfly pullups.

Facts, facts and more facts + seeing WSM doing Box Jump Overs 🤣 wow, what a boy

The assertion that CrossFitters are the fittest athletes globally sparks a discussion about the essence of fitness. In CrossFit's original definition, specialization isn't the goal; instead, mastery across all fitness categories is valued. However, this perspective diverges from traditional sports where athletes are masters of specific skills, like strongmen in the world of strength sports. CrossFitters embrace an unconventional approach, striving to be proficient across a broad spectrum of exercises. Their philosophy aligns with a holistic sense of fitness, emphasizing adaptability and versatility. In contrast, strongmen focus on pushing the boundaries of strength in specific domains, often specializing in feats of power and endurance. Comparing the two, CrossFitters indeed excel in versatility, but they often fall short of achieving mastery in any single skill. Strongmen, on the other hand, epitomize specialized excellence, becoming masters of feats that are beyond most people's imagination. The "fittest" label varies in its interpretation, depending on whether it's seen through the lens of adaptability and versatility or through the lens of specialized expertise. Ultimately, the debate about who holds the title of the "fittest on earth" is nuanced and shaped by the parameters we choose to define fitness. CrossFitters challenge convention by thriving as generalists, while strongmen embody the pinnacle of specialization within their domain. The truth lies in recognizing that different paths to fitness excellence exist, each with its unique merits.

I respect the athletes, but Crossfit seems to exist to promote Crossfit above promoting health and wellness. They're trying to turn fitness into a brand name and profit off it. I believe that the competitors of the WSM really are the world's strongest men, but the world's fittest man might have nothing to do with Crossfit. Also it's silly, but Crossfit calling those kip-ups pullups and counting those weak burpees as legit makes me respect it less as a competitive sport. That said it's the same as powerlifting and the ultra-arched 2 inch ROM bench press.

Amen Mitch.

Not for me, but I understand how other people could be drawn to it. Respect for being open enough to explore that world in more depth. 💪

CrossFit an Strongman are taking over.. it's hard work. It's not hitting a ball or shooting a ball or wearing tights an chasing pigskin. It's 2 sports that require hard work an discipline

It was hip to hate on CrossFit for the longest time, there's still a few pockets of DYEL that chuckle at crossfit or even worse call olympic weightlifting crossfit. My biggest issue with Crossfit is that people try to achieve the wrong goals. It motivates people to finish their workouts faster by either sacrificing the form leading to injuries or cheating and basically diminishing the return on your exercise investment.