This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Wake Forest chapter.

CrossFit is a popular fitness trend that consists of sets and repetitions of high intensity movements. These movements may be familiar because they are taken from moves found in gymnastics, weightlifting, running and rowing. CrossFit classes, known as “boxes,” consist of a warm-up, a skill development segment, the high-intensity workout of the day (WOD), and individual or group stretching. CrossFit can be very good for your health, but it can also be hazardous, so if you’re thinking of trying CrossFit, here are some things to consider beforehand.

The Pros:

CrossFit has many health benefits.

CrossFit enhances: cardiovascular endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy. It will also help build muscle, burn fat, and strengthen your heart.

Competition.

CrossFit is a great way to push yourself as when you’re working out with other people, you tend to work harder. There is a competitive aspect in CrossFit classes that inspire people to work hard and achieve amazing results.

A Sense of Community.

There is a huge sense of community in these classes. Everyone cheers one another on and this contributes to a feeling of teamwork and camaraderie during the workouts. It feels good to know you are in it together.

The Cons:

Risk of Injury.

Although CrossFit is a great way to get in shape, there is a risk of injury associated with it. People have claimed that CrossFit uses dangerous movements and levels of intensity that can be too high to be safe; it can sometimes push people too hard.

It’s Easy to Become a CrossFit Instructor.

It’s very easy to become a CrossFit instructor, in fact almost anyone could do it. Therefore, some CrossFit instructors aren’t very qualified, and you could end up doing the exercise incorrectly without the instructor even noticing.

Associated with Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (ER).

CrossFit is associated with something called Exertional Rhabdomyolysis, also known as ER. ER is a breakdown of muscle that happens when you participate in extreme physical exertion. A lot of medical professionals claim the CrossFit technique and environment can cause athletes to develop ER.

In Conclusion…

CrossFit can be a great way to get a good workout, but you should do it in moderation. Mix in running, biking, or yoga. You should also make sure to stretch enough before and after CrossFit to make sure your muscles are warm. If done right, CrossFit can improve your overall fitness and strength, but make sure you mix in other kinds of exercises to prevent overuse and injury.

Resources:

https://www.crossfit.com/what-is-crossfit

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CrossFit

https://www.theboxmag.com/crossfit-training/origins-of-crossfit-9629

https://rallyfitness.com/blogs/news/the-business-of-crossfit-an-update-on-new-market-research-2017

http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/sc-health-0917-fitness-crossfit-20140919-story.html