Benefits And Dangers Of CrossFit: What You Need To Know

CrossFit is a sport that can bring great benefits when practiced properly. It is important to know what are the risks associated with a bad practice of CrossFit. We explain everything to you here!

CrossFit is a high intensity sport discipline that has managed to spread all over the world. Although, initially, its objective was to prepare top athletes for demanding physical work, nowadays this discipline is suitable for everyone. Do you know the benefits and dangers of CrossFit?

This type of workout is quite appealing to those who want to lose weight, gain muscle mass, and gain stamina, but it’s worth knowing what the downsides of CrossFit are before getting started. This is what we invite you to discover here.

What is CrossFit?

Before discovering what are the benefits and dangers of CrossFit, it is important to know what exactly this sport consists of.

It is a form of training based on constantly varied exercises that involve functional movements, which must be performed for a fixed period of time. A CrossFit workout should last no longer than fifty minutes.

The training includes cardiovascular exercises, weight lifting exercises and strength training. In addition, this training aims to explore the different physical capacities of the person. The following qualities are required: good physical condition, flexibility, balance, muscular resistance and respiratory resistance.

This training also requires correct biomechanics of movement : improper performance of the exercises can cause damage to the spine, joints and other parts of the body.

A controversial discipline

Although CrossFit has millions of followers all over the world, the practice of this discipline is very controversial. Certainly, CrossFit brings many benefits that have been verified by studies, but the multiple cases of injuries and serious consequences have generated the idea that CrossFit is a dangerous discipline.

The big problem is that many people get into this sport without good physical condition or even good health. Some even follow an intense routine without relying on the supervision of a CrossFit specialist.

Let’s see more in the rest of this article.

The benefits of CrossFit

Contrary to what most people think, CrossFit is not a type of training exclusively for top athletes. Moreover, at the present time, CrossFit puts forward the idea that it is a discipline suitable for most people.

However, it is necessary to know how to adapt training to one’s physical capacities. This means that the workout routine of a person who plays sports regularly or is used to intense sports exercises cannot be the same as that of a person in poor physical condition. It is therefore essential to consult a doctor beforehand in order to assess one’s physical performance.

If we take into account the prerequisites and if we respect the biomechanics of movement that each exercise involves, CrossFit brings interesting benefits. These benefits are as follows:

• greater cardiovascular and respiratory resistance
• better physical resistance
• improved mood and self-esteem
• better coordination and better balance
• increased muscle mass
• weight loss (CrossFit is a “fat burning” sport)
• better social relations (this sport is often played in groups)

Dangers

As already mentioned several times, CrossFit can be a dangerous discipline when one does not take precautionary measures.

If the person does not first assess their health and start with grueling routines, they are exposed to the following dangers:

• damage to muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones
• lesions in the spine
• feeling weak and tired for a long time
• changes in the cardiovascular system, such as increased blood pressure
• rhabdomyolysis, a disorder that involves the breakdown of muscle tissue (the release of the contents of muscle fibers into the bloodstream leads to health problems such as kidney failure and arrhythmia).

Some tips to consider before embarking on CrossFit

For safe practice, it is necessary to follow certain tips.

First of all, it is essential to determine your state of health and to check if you are not suffering from any disease. Keep in mind that intense physical exercise is not recommended in case of illness.

Then, once your state of health has been assessed, it is very important to be followed by a trainer specializing in CrossFit. This professional in the sports world will be able to teach you the exercises in a suitable way, thus allowing you to reduce the risk of injuries.

Also consider the following recommendations:

• Start with moderate routines adapted to your physical condition
• Increase the intensity of the exercises gradually
• Give yourself enough time to rest to recover
• Maintain good hydration
• Adopt a healthy and balanced diet
• Warm up and stretch before a workout

Are you interested in CrossFit? Keep in mind the benefits and risks listed to determine if CrossFit is an appropriate sport or not for you.

Remember to assess your physical condition before you start.