Is CrossFit a Proven Program?
Written by Conquer Athlete Coach Ryan Bucciantini
If you asked a million people this question, my guess is you’d get a million different answers. If you ask CrossFitters, they’d probably argue yes to the death. If you ask the rest of the strength and conditioning community, I’m sure they have their reasons why it is or is not, along with the rest of the world. But to me that’s a bit too muddy to definitively say yes or no.
When I think about this question, endless other questions come to mind:
How do we prove anything?
What does “proven” look like? Aesthetics, Strength, Competitive success, etc?
What do we need to quantify it? Evidence, science, data?
The problem of “Proving” CrossFit
One major problem I see with “proving” if CrossFit is an effective program lies in one of its foundational principles of preparing for the unknown and unknowable. The application of it is different for everyone. Because there is no centralized delivery of workouts, it’s up to the affiliates to interpret the method and put out a product.
When we leave it up to the affiliates there’s going to be some qualitative disparity between them. Different coaches, differing levels of experience, different gym cultures, different priorities and biases don’t allow for continuity yet it’s all labeled CrossFit. So one could be better than the other and produce far superior results but they’re both considered CrossFit.
Now, to play devil's advocate you could also argue that CrossFit gives a general guideline around program design and thousands of affiliates have taken that and created programs for their members that have gotten them “fitter” depending on how you define the term and maybe that deems it “proven”?
They’re all valid points but for me I use these ”lenses” to see if it is in fact proven.
Durability
Sustainability
Transferability
Recoverability
Durability
When you think about durability I’m thinking about creating resilience.
Are you getting hurt all the time, does your body feel beat up, are you are able to express your fitness outside of the gym and do the things you love?
Sustainability
Can you stick with it for a long time?
Similar to durability sustainability comes down to will this program allow for a pursuit of life long movement? Consistency always wins and a proven program must allow for that.
Transferability
How does this carry over to the everyday?
Does practicing CrossFit enrich your everyday life? Does it carry over in your career or duties as a person?
Recoverability
Is this creating a positive physical, mental, emotional and hormonal adaptation inside the body?
Is our overall health and wellness improving?
Are our health biomarkers improving?
Conclusion
So, I’m not going to say CrossFit is or is not a proven program because I think it comes down to the application of it. Both the program design side and how you the athlete decides to complete it.
If you’re intensity-focused, haven’t built a solid foundation, don’t move well, have poor lifestyle fundamentals, and are looking for fast-track success, I would say this isn’t the program for you because the 4 pillars I outlined above are going to suffer.
If you’re ready to take a progressive approach to improving your health, and are willing to push your ego to the side and develop the fundamentals, CrossFit can offer you a lifelong program that will challenge you till the end of time.
-Coach Ryan Bucciantini
Learn more about Conquer Athlete’s Individual Design program, the best remote CrossFit coaching & programming available.
