Posted on Jun 29, 2014
What program is more appropriate for Army Physical Readiness Training, Cross Fit or P90X?
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I'm a P90X junkie.
Lots of military folks prefer CrossFit, as suggested by the vast number of CrossFit military affiliates (http://www.crossfit.com/).
It appears that the P90 series of programs (Power 90, P90X, P90X2, P90X3, along with other programs from BeachBody) mirror the comprehensive approach to fitness, nutrition, and health described in FM 7-22 and the Army Performance Triad (http://hprc-online.org/total-force-fitness/performance-triad).
While I would not go as far as the satirists at The Duffel Blog who have jokingly suggested the Pentagon is looking to ban CrossFit (http://www.duffelblog.com/2014/04/crossfit-ban-dod/#!5RDEq), more serious journalism (http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness/strength-and-power-training/Growing-Pains-CrossFit-Injuries-On-the-Rise.html; http://www.armytimes.com/article/20100930/OFFDUTY03/9300301/The-hidden-danger-extreme-workouts) suggests that CrossFit may create more health problems than it solves. (Other studies suggest CrossFit may be good, afterall: http://www.25idl.army.mil/PT/U.S.%20Army%20CrossFit%20Study.pdf)
This is an old conversation, with plenty of Army guidance (http://phc.amedd.army.mil/PHC%20Resource%20Library/PHN_No_0312-01_Extreme_Conditioning_Programs_and_the_Army_2012.pdf) based on government-funded research (http://www.researchgate.net/publication/51788315_Consortium_for_Health_and_Military_Performance_and_American_College_of_Sports_Medicine_consensus_paper_on_extreme_conditioning_programs_in_military_personnel)
Which do you prefer? Or are there better programs out there?
Lots of military folks prefer CrossFit, as suggested by the vast number of CrossFit military affiliates (http://www.crossfit.com/).
It appears that the P90 series of programs (Power 90, P90X, P90X2, P90X3, along with other programs from BeachBody) mirror the comprehensive approach to fitness, nutrition, and health described in FM 7-22 and the Army Performance Triad (http://hprc-online.org/total-force-fitness/performance-triad).
While I would not go as far as the satirists at The Duffel Blog who have jokingly suggested the Pentagon is looking to ban CrossFit (http://www.duffelblog.com/2014/04/crossfit-ban-dod/#!5RDEq), more serious journalism (http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness/strength-and-power-training/Growing-Pains-CrossFit-Injuries-On-the-Rise.html; http://www.armytimes.com/article/20100930/OFFDUTY03/9300301/The-hidden-danger-extreme-workouts) suggests that CrossFit may create more health problems than it solves. (Other studies suggest CrossFit may be good, afterall: http://www.25idl.army.mil/PT/U.S.%20Army%20CrossFit%20Study.pdf)
This is an old conversation, with plenty of Army guidance (http://phc.amedd.army.mil/PHC%20Resource%20Library/PHN_No_0312-01_Extreme_Conditioning_Programs_and_the_Army_2012.pdf) based on government-funded research (http://www.researchgate.net/publication/51788315_Consortium_for_Health_and_Military_Performance_and_American_College_of_Sports_Medicine_consensus_paper_on_extreme_conditioning_programs_in_military_personnel)
Which do you prefer? Or are there better programs out there?
Fitness
P90x
CrossFit
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 18
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Why not Hip Hop Abs?
In all seriousness we need something that gets the base level up first! We need to enforce the standards starting at basic where they should only graduate if they ACTUALLY pass with at least 60 in each event and do the same in AIT. Do not give us a dud. Then we can go into crossfit then crazier workouts.
In all seriousness we need something that gets the base level up first! We need to enforce the standards starting at basic where they should only graduate if they ACTUALLY pass with at least 60 in each event and do the same in AIT. Do not give us a dud. Then we can go into crossfit then crazier workouts.
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1SG Michael Blount
LTC (Join to see) - I agree we need to increase the base level. I believe the Army's in that in-between position of having a bunch of slack, marginally pass the APFT on the one hand and P90X/CrossFit/T-25 maniacs on the other. My experience has been - rather than bring the top performers down, bring the bottom feeders up
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1SG Michael Blount
Speaking of physicall un-fitness. Try 10 pushups with your hands point out, then straight ahead, then inward. Wanna talk about screaming pain!
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As a physical fitness enthusiast, I think CrossFit performed correctly with properly trained coaches is the best organized methodology for military fitness.
I agree that CrossFit is intense (and thus can be dangerous). But intensity is the single most important factor in promoting fitness. As humans we are designed to adapt to a stimulus. If our physical training isn't stressful enough to prompt the body to adapt (i.e. get fitter, faster, stronger) then it won't be effective. Be smart, listen to your body, and seek out coaching for movements that you are unfamiliar with (just like with any other workout regimen).
One thing however that CrossFit does well that other regimens don't replicate is Community. CrossFit training is typically done in group settings or within a larger community of members. We are generally more likely to adhere to a physical training regimen (especially an intense regimen) if we have a community of supporters holding us accountable.
And finally, CrossFit incorporates ideals of holistic training. It has done a lot to educate our community on nutrition, mobility, and many other factors that effect human performance. Training in my opinion is only 15%-25% of the challenge. Sleep, diet, and hydration are collectively far more important to performance.
I agree that CrossFit is intense (and thus can be dangerous). But intensity is the single most important factor in promoting fitness. As humans we are designed to adapt to a stimulus. If our physical training isn't stressful enough to prompt the body to adapt (i.e. get fitter, faster, stronger) then it won't be effective. Be smart, listen to your body, and seek out coaching for movements that you are unfamiliar with (just like with any other workout regimen).
One thing however that CrossFit does well that other regimens don't replicate is Community. CrossFit training is typically done in group settings or within a larger community of members. We are generally more likely to adhere to a physical training regimen (especially an intense regimen) if we have a community of supporters holding us accountable.
And finally, CrossFit incorporates ideals of holistic training. It has done a lot to educate our community on nutrition, mobility, and many other factors that effect human performance. Training in my opinion is only 15%-25% of the challenge. Sleep, diet, and hydration are collectively far more important to performance.
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How about FM 7-22? Once the Army as a whole (no APFT failures) can adhere to that then we could venture into more rigorous workout routines.
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MAJ (Join to see)
SFC Gilley, are you saying that those who are already past the basic standards of FM 7-22 should have to wait for many who will never get there? It seems that you think we should all be at one level before moving on, why is that?
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