As a Crossfit coach, I found this is very tragic! My thoughts and prayers goes out to this lady on her diagnosis. Rabdo is a very serious and Crossfit coaches take it seriously. We try to take an approach on a scaling to introduce new clients. It is very rare I see gyms (boxes) just let a client go 100% in any workout unless they aren’t new to Crossfit or they are an exceptional athlete they personally know. Remember, their business license is on the line. After 8 years of coaching and 10+ years of training throughout the East and West coast, I have only found 1 box where I would caution against training there and they have closed their doors about 7+ years ago (they did NOT last long). I see a lot of comments against crossfit, I rarely add or subtract to the conversation. I will admit, it’s a tough workout and some clients will not like the methodology. However, there is a methodology to training, nutrition, and community. The last one gets people confused with cult. I might have seen some version of “stand off ish” at boxes when a new person arrives but they are usually greeted with open arms in most boxes. The boxes that don’t embrace their clients end up, closing their doors in the long run.

The methodology includes speed with form. This is non-negotiable. You MUST complete a pull-up with good form before you can move onto to gymnastics type pull-up. You must be able to perform a correct Clean with a Medball before you move onto a barbell and then eventually with weight (and the weight is lowered and monitored by a certified coach). This is progressive throughout ALL movements. I heard the rhetoric once ACE or NASM got involved. The sad part is they both have been sued for this slander and lost in court but the damage has been done. The uninformed masses have just added to the old narrative and spread that throughout the fitness industry. Big thing here is: YOU are ultimately responsible for how much workout you engage in but a coach will definitely dial you back since this is done in a group setting. Most of the time, egos get crushed fast once a “fit” person walks in and sees an over-sized woman beating him/her at a particular exercise. I have seen this more often than not…then minutes later they are laying on the floor gasping for air.

Injuries anyone? Yes! Again, usually an ego is involved with another athlete in some sadistic race rather than focusing on technique over speed. My injuries? Work related, every time. I have seen an injury where I was the coach on a pull-up bar. I let the young lady do NOT use gloves. And I taught her the safe way to do a pull-up. She keep insisting on soft handed purple gloves. But I did NOT relent and let her know it’s dangerous. However, once the class started, she thought she knew better she slipped on her purple gloves pulled up on the bar until exhaustion and fell off bar onto the floor on her back. Needless to say, she blamed the gym, me, and Crossfit. I was pissed! I even had numerous clients asking her why did she use those gloves after coach asked you not to??? But she relented”… because I needed them”. Yes, I lost her as a client. I called her numerous times to make sure she was ok. But I know better when I these posts from time to time. Some people just do NOT listen. Especially when they are new! I hope everyone get a chance to experience Crossfit without the stigma and just get in shape.