Posted on Jan 8, 2016
Which would you prefer for Physical Fitness in the Army: CrossFit vs. PRT?
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If the Army revamped the PT program, would you like to see the incorporation of CrossFit or "Functional Fitness" ?
I am of the opinion that CrossFit is the way ahead for physical fitness in the Army. I have been a part of a unit that strictly adhered to PRT and the overall level of physical fitness within that unit was underwhelming.
I began CrossFit when I PCS'd to my current unit, as it is the primary fitness program. Using myself as the guinea pig, in the past year, I found enormous improvements in various areas to include strength, speed and endurance. I attribute it entirely to the CrossFit PT program that we adhere to.
Assuming the Army went about it correctly (training/certifying leaders through CrossFit Inc., providing proper equipment, incorporating a dietary program) I think the Army as a whole would see great improvements in Soldier wellness and fitness. Thoughts?
Attached is the study produced by the Army in 2010.
http://library.crossfit.com/free/pdf/CFJ_USArmy_Study.pdf
I am of the opinion that CrossFit is the way ahead for physical fitness in the Army. I have been a part of a unit that strictly adhered to PRT and the overall level of physical fitness within that unit was underwhelming.
I began CrossFit when I PCS'd to my current unit, as it is the primary fitness program. Using myself as the guinea pig, in the past year, I found enormous improvements in various areas to include strength, speed and endurance. I attribute it entirely to the CrossFit PT program that we adhere to.
Assuming the Army went about it correctly (training/certifying leaders through CrossFit Inc., providing proper equipment, incorporating a dietary program) I think the Army as a whole would see great improvements in Soldier wellness and fitness. Thoughts?
Attached is the study produced by the Army in 2010.
http://library.crossfit.com/free/pdf/CFJ_USArmy_Study.pdf
Physical Training
PRT (Army)
Fitness
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 19
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I will retire before I allow the Army to make me do CrossFit. One word: Rhabdomylosis... Look here: https://medium.com/@ericrobertson/crossfits-dirty-little-secret-97bcce70356d#.e61o14s2l
CrossFit’s Dirty Little Secret
Everyone has an uncle they’d rather you not meet.
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LTC (Join to see)
Rhabdo comes from overdoing in any fitness activities or sports. Crossfit is not alone in rhabdo cases, as much as sports medicine and other trainers want you to think so.
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CW3 (Join to see)
Maybe not, but no one's saying that. CrossFit, however, does have rabid advocates. One of my WOAC classmates is one. He, however, is a CW3 and a grown adult and knows when to stop. If his muscles are shaking and he needs to stop, he is free to ignore some senior NCO yelling at him to keep going. Some PFC, not so much.
and you KNOW that should CrossFit be adopted by the Army, it will become the new sexy, and money will be thrown at it, and anyone who doesn't get with the program will be looked at as a dirtbag.
and you KNOW that should CrossFit be adopted by the Army, it will become the new sexy, and money will be thrown at it, and anyone who doesn't get with the program will be looked at as a dirtbag.
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Suspended Profile
I know it's late in the discussion, but the good thing about an electronic forum is it never goes away! CW3 (Join to see) don't look now but the largest producer of rhabdo is the US military... We lead the way.
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Yeah PRT was designed for the NEW generation of soldiers. My body does not respond to PRT. I'm old school as are many of us here on Rallypoint. I like Crossfit but I wouldn't want to do it with people who don't like it, I can hear them whining right now. I think PT back in the day was fine the way it was.
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SSG Carlos Madden
I was worried you'd say that, now I feel old. I came in early 2002 so I guess I'm also "old school."
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SFC (Join to see)
You could get REALLY creative with 21-20. It took some actual planning. PRT is set and all you have to do is conduct it. Back in 2008 at WLC we were still doing 21-20 PT and I came up with a crossfit type workout (this was before crossfit was mainstream). It was push ups, sit ups and sprints. Very high intensity, we did like 6 rounds of it. One guy puked. Good times.
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I agree that is has to implemented the correct way. I've been doing CrossFit for some time now, Level 1 certified, and volunteer coach at the local box a few days a week. I'm a strong believer in the CrossFit methodology, as you are constantly shocking the body, you are never isolating one muscle group. You consistently get stronger, faster, more endurance. Because through CrossFit you never let your body get comfortable. After all it is constantly varied, functional movements, executed at a high intensity.
I do believe that Serious CrossFit athletes are the fittest people in the world. I also agree that there are a ton of alpha male/female types in the military, that will hurt themselves quickly, if not performing the exercises correctly. Olympic lifting is very technical.
Training by certified instructors is paramount to ensure that all Soldiers can benefit from these types of work outs.
Last thing, I also like that CrossFit is universally scalable, meaning everyone can do the same workout, some soldiers will use different weights than others.
I like your post LT, I wish the army would take a hard look at this.
I do believe that Serious CrossFit athletes are the fittest people in the world. I also agree that there are a ton of alpha male/female types in the military, that will hurt themselves quickly, if not performing the exercises correctly. Olympic lifting is very technical.
Training by certified instructors is paramount to ensure that all Soldiers can benefit from these types of work outs.
Last thing, I also like that CrossFit is universally scalable, meaning everyone can do the same workout, some soldiers will use different weights than others.
I like your post LT, I wish the army would take a hard look at this.
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