Cross-fit fad...Should I join the movement?

"Crossfit"...Good or bad for me?
This is a question I am asked quite often by our athletes and clients. "Is Crossfit a good program?" "Should I join a "Crossfit gym?" Many of you have watched your neighbor, you know the one that was always a little out of shape, but in 6months of "Crossfit" has completely changed his or her physique. For those of you not familiar with Crossfit it is simply cross-training, the concept of integrating resistance training with cardiovascular and muscular endurance training. What one should initially understand is Cross-training is not a new concept. In fact it has been around since the earliest days of fitness training. "Crossfit" has just simply coined the name and done a brilliant job of marketing their brand. There is nothing new or revolutionary about Crossfit itself... just the name. Now that we understand what cross-training is we can fully understand the question and reality of the training. Cross-training should absolutely, without question be built into whatever training program your coach has developed for you. If cross-training is not a part of your program, your program is not complete. This would also be true if your program does not include any other essential element of training, such as: Powerlifting, Stability/Flexibility, Functional, Cardiovascular endurance, Muscular endurance, agility, and speed. Cross training is just another element that must be present for success. Here is the problem with "Crossfit". All it covers is cross training...thats it. It is awesome training. It will get you ripped and powerful and have tremendous results. However if all you ever do is "Crossfit" you will be injured seriously. It is not a matter of if, rather when. The human body is not designed to train at that level with such tremendous amounts of violent impact and extreme loads placed on it for indefinite, extended durations. In other words you CANNOT cross-train year round-The reality is that this is true for every discipline of training. One cannot only powerlift, or just be a runner, or only take yoga classes. If you limit yourself to only one discipline you will overtrain in that specific area which will lead to overuse of specific progressions and patterns which will lead to injury and ultimately failure. So the answer to the question "Should I join a crossfit gym?" is NO-If you do, that is all you will do...Cross-train. You will be injured...you will fail in your quest for health. If your question is "should I cross-train?" The answer is absolutely YES-You need to integrate cross-training into your program just like every other discipline but you must take time off, move to a new program for an extended period of time allow your body to repair and develop strengths in other areas, then you can return to your cross-training program. "Crossfit" has single handedly lead to more injuries and misconceptions about proper, safe and effective training than any other program I have ever encountered. If your ultimate goal is be as ripped as possible in the shortest amount of time with disregard of your future health and function of your joints then "Crossfit" is for you! But if you have the patience, work ethic and commitment to train the right way you can have even better results without the trade -off of your body and sacrificing your future health.