The benefits of CrossFit, such as muscle definition, increased resistance and strength, and the release of hormones for well-being, are consequences of the intense and short-duration training established for this modality.
CrossFit also offers a list of other advantages for practitioners, such as increased concentration and weight loss, which is why the number of practitioners of the sport has increased significantly in recent years.
Straying a little from traditional gym exercises, it has a list of challenging and non-monotonous activities, following a clear order of warm-up, with technique and Workout of the Day (WOD) , which, in literal translation, means “workout of the day”.
To help you understand better, the exercises are based on a mix of rowing, cycling, running, gymnastics and weightlifting activities. See a little more!
What does crossfit do to the body?
In short, CrossFit provides greater muscle definition, increasing lean mass, strengthening muscles and improving the athlete’s physical endurance .
However, be aware that these bodily changes must be followed by quality training and the help of a professional trained in the sport, in addition to nutritional monitoring .
The reason is very simple: the professional can identify the practitioner’s limitations, avoiding serious injuries commonly caused by incorrect execution of movements.
From the moment the athlete has undergone a physical assessment to be able to start and is being observed by a professional, the body changes will be visible as the training progresses.
Even though there are more intense exercises, the activities need to be performed for a certain period of time for the results to appear. Remember that no exercise brings immediate results to the body and, therefore, patience and perseverance are also part of CrossFit training .
In addition to changes in muscle toning, the exercise sequences applied in this modality also help with weight loss , as the intensity increases metabolic capacity, leading the body to consume as much oxygen as possible and resulting in greater energy expenditure during practice.
How long does the training last?
Training sessions last, on average, one hour and some trainers alternate exercises with rest time, while others simply reduce the intensity of the activities being performed.
For this reason, carrying out physical assessments and routine exams are so important before starting training, avoiding any risk of accidents or more serious injuries, as we have already mentioned.
What are the health benefits of crossfit?
Check out other benefits that can improve the practitioner’s physical, mental and emotional state:
- reduces the risk of injury, due to increased muscle mass ;
- increases muscle endurance and strengthens it;
- improves physical fitness;
- improves cardiorespiratory capacity ;
- encourages teamwork, as everyone needs to perform the same exercises;
- helps with flexibility;
- reduces stress;
- helps control anxiety attacks ;
- improves sleep quality;
- promotes great calorie loss during and after training;
- encourages healthy eating ;
- helps prevent heart disease;
- increases concentration; and
- develops discipline.
With so many benefits, you must be wondering which muscles are worked during this type of training, right? Keep reading and find out this and much more!
What muscles does crossfit work?
Unlike the gym and particular specific exercise physical activities that great art work positive muscle groups at a time, this modality works the entire body in a balanced manner, this is, with out specializing in a unmarried unique muscle at a time.
Intense sports activities artwork all of the body’s muscle companies and respiratory machine on the equal time. Therefore, the athlete desires to perform all the sporting activities stipulated with the aid of the teacher on the way to gain the favored physical effects.
This does no longer arise, for example, inside the gym, wherein the athlete can determine which sports he desires to do to increase the muscle businesses in a positive region of the body.
During training, you must complete all the activities suggested by the coach. In addition, it is common for “buddy training” to occur, in which everyone must maintain the same pace, otherwise you will have to pay the “punishments” stipulated by the professional.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of crossfit?
We have already presented the main physical and mental advantages of the modality, but, like any other type of exercise, there are disadvantages, which can even harm the health of the practitioner.
Athletes who start CrossFit without respecting their physical limits or with the help of untrained professionals may be subject to serious injuries, including rhabdomyolysis, a muscle injury that takes pieces of muscle cells into the bloodstream, resulting in acute renal failure among other kidney problems.
The increase in cardiovascular accidents must also be taken into consideration, as these are accidents that are more likely to occur in CrossFit practitioners, due to the high intensity of the exercises, which can overload the cardiac system.
To avoid this, simply carry out routine tests, such as heart, respiratory and muscle tests, before starting the sport, as well as maintaining the monitoring of a qualified and trustworthy professional.
What is better: crossfit or bodybuilding?
Both are beneficial to the physical , mental and emotional health of those who practice them, but they have major differences between them, the biggest of which is the way in which the movements are practiced.
While bodybuilding consists of training and equipment, CrossFit innovates in each class with different exercises, few repetitions and different equipment from traditional ones.
For the ones searching out a physical pastime this is out of doors the norm and traditional, CrossFit gives the threat to exercise with out following monotonous workouts and workout routines. However, it is not appropriate for every body, as it calls for a variety of muscle energy if you want to perform weight sports, jumps and rhythmic gymnastics moves.
This is not the case with bodybuilding, as training can be personalized according to the practitioner’s physical limitations and may include low-intensity and low-frequency exercises.
Furthermore, CrossFit is a team sport, so athletes share the same schedule and exercise circuit, while in a weight training gym, training is carried out individually, generally without any partnership or interaction with other practitioners.
The simplest way to choose between the modalities is to practice both and consider the one that brought the most results in the same period of time and, of course, the one with which the practitioner identifies most.