Cross-Fit Exercise Program: Risks vs. Benefits Explored

Abstract

The Cross-Fit Exercise Program According to Klimek (2018), cross-fit program is a form of exercise that incorporates rapid and successive high-intensity ballistic movements. While the main goal of this exercise is to improve overall fitness and functional strength, it combines elements of weightlifting, functional movements, gymnastics and cardio to ensure a varied and intense workout pattern. Based on Hopkins et al. (2019), cross-fit exercise program focuses on functional movements that help mimic real-life activities like running, climbing, jumping and lifting. It is open that this program designs these movements to improve endurance strength and flexibility for everyday task; a hypothesis that different scholars express mixed reaction. In an article on “Are injuries more common with cross-fit training than other forms of exercise”, Klimek (2018) confirms that injuries associated with this program were comparable or even lower than rates of injuries in other exercises like Olympic weightlifting, track and field, distance running, rugby or gymnastics. Although there are certain injuries that this program exposes its participants to as compared to other exercise programs like ones associated with shoulder and spinal cord, there is no cause of alarm to associate this program with adverse effects as compared to other exercises (Klimek, 2018). Still on the extent of danger that cross-fit exposes to its participants, Hopkins et al. (2019) conducted their research on “Impacts of Cross Fit-Related Spinal Injuries”. These authors noted a significant number of these injury cases among cross-fit participants. With a huge number of 523 cross-fit related injuries identified by the end of their study, spine injuries accounted a high percentage of 20.9 of the totals. Unfortunately, to remedy these injuries, most of the patients required surgical intervention implying that to some extent engaging in this exercise might pose more evil than good on one’s health. In another article on “Cross fit and rhabdomyolysis”, Hopkins among other authors analyzed 11 patients to understand the effects of this program on its participants. These authors acknowledged that this form of exercise is a high intensity workout program geared towards...