For me it was such big freedom to stop trying to become a CFer where you "have to" practice HSPU, Ring Dips, Pistols, Muscle Ups, Butterfly Pull Ups... which you do not need if you want to be fit. High Intensity Workouts are great but CF in general is not my thing anymore.
@ actually, that’s precisely what it means. Functional doesn’t just mean analogous to life, it also means mechanically sound, compound, powerful exercises with a strong neuroendocrine response. Both ring dips and muscle-ups can be trained in a way that is safe and productive for everyone.
@@spencergsmith compound movements are superior to isolated exercises. true. they have higher transfer into life. But you probably do not train turning cartwheels despite the fact that it is functional.
@ if I could do a cartwheel, I absolutely would. I do practice tumbling and spinning out of handstands though. Much of the gymnastics movements mentioned by Glassman in “World-Class Fitness in 100 Words” are neglected by those who would benefit from them.
Hi Josh, thanks for this video. I think it's important for people to see that everyone - even Games athletes - can have certain movements where they decide, "Nope, that one just isn't for me anymore."
Spot on. I ruptured both quad tendons attempting a 1 RM squat clean just over a year ago. I'm 43 and my days of maxing out on any lift are over. I had been saying that prior to my injury but my ego got the best of me that day.
Good conversation! Think CrossFit community needs to better understand competition versus training for life. Definitely not the same. Even competition is changing to acknowledge some of the risk versus reward concepts discussed here. 1) people will definitely have their individualized list, which is what I love about CrossFit training is we encourage modifying to fit individual needs and focusing on desired stimuli. 2) agree on pistols 1000%. Cool party trick but much better ways to train this, and any functional scenarios I come up with can be trained for by the other exercises mentioned. 3) sumo deadlift high pulls: I feel CrossFit has moved away from these, and I know many CrossFit trainer and Physical Therapist (that’s part of what I do for a living) also discourage this BUT I don’t see the risk. (Disclaimer: doesn’t mean that some individuals may have issues but that’s true of any movement. Some people have issues with different things.) It’s very functional. The close grip actually avoid extreme internal rotation. Having hands out wider would require more internal rotation. Some Physical Therapist make the claim a high pull is the same position used to assess for impingement but this just isn’t true. Very different positions. 4) HSPUs. Agree. Fun but I don’t see much of the point. 5) if someone enjoys a movement and does it safely - go for it! If you have a movement you enjoy and gives you issues - find a Physical Therapist who’s also a CrossFit coach and get your stuff fixed. Oh, and I might add high volume bounding box jumps to the mix of things most should avoid.
Appreciate you being honest about training and staying fit as you move through a different season of your life. I've got two boys now, im pushing 40, and my training has had to change. I've had a little bit of knee issues as well, and its been mentally hard to adjust my expectations of myself and my fitness. So long story long, thanks for being relatable! Always enjoy your attitude and approach.
I'm in the same boat. I enjoy crossfit but after 35ish you need to adjust your workout if you want to stay injury free. I spend way more time now warming up and working on mobility. My whole warmup is like 30 minutes XD
Thank you for putting this video out. I’m in the process of returning to CF training after a knee injury, that occurred outside of CF. I’ve been worried about returning as I’ve felt this unspoken pressure that I will ‘have to’ return to these movements. Hearing from you, as an ex games athlete, that we can enjoy CF, in a way that suits our bodies as they age/deal with ongoing injuries, has been so helpful. Thank you!
Pistols Sumo deadlift high pull Dumbbell box step overs Muscle ups in general Love your list brother , Like you I’ll crank movements out whenever I get a wild hair but look good and move well is my goal now haha. Love your videos as always Sir , always pay the man! Boom!!!💥
I'm an above the knee amputee all squat movements i do to a box, so my thought is that if you love a movements it's ok to adapt and sometimes necessary.
Guessed that list!!! I was low key expecting some butterfly pull-ups to make the list too. I hate doing those. My lats and biceps are sore for days now when I do them.
I’m totally with you on this. I’ve also stopped doing a bunch of movements because they’ve jacked up my joints. Pistols, HSPU, Muscle ups, butterfly pull ups or chest to bars. If it’s not strict with low volume, I won’t do them.
I stopped doing/programming Sumo Deadlift High Pull as soon as I was made aware of the Hawkins test and the shoulder position in SDHP being similar to the impinged position in the test. So around 2010/2011. When I was coaching I changed Fight Gone Bad to use a power clean instead of SDHP.
My list Looks little different.... 1. Ghd sit ups (full range) after doing them over ten years my lower Discs are damaged Bad... 2. Butterfly chest to bar Pull ups....i Tore my bicep (labrum Tear) on both shoulders because of them 3. Pistols ( doing Box Pistol squats instead) leg straight down 4. Kipping hspu ( with the strict Version i do Not See a big Problem ) 5. Box jumps without step down ( they Just should only be done with a step down each rep)
Really appreciate hearing this from such a high level CF athlete. I have long argued that Pistols were the least valuable exercise for general physical preparedness. They always seemed more like a carnival act than a measure of fitness. (My opinion), to be generally fit as an regular human being you'll be just fine by eliminating all those movements that you highlighted. I have the same argument about the snatch, in any variant, when it comes to actual real-world utility for the average everyday human trying to be fit. There are not many, if any, empirical or anecdotal examples of "Bob" needing to take an object that is heavy off the floor and hoist it all the way up over his head in one singularly fluid motion. Basic movements like the pushup, situp, burpee, deadlift, squat, overhead press, etc. are the cornerstones of being "prepared" for everyday life, and they cam all be easily incorporated into a CF or HIIT style training program.
I soured on the gym I went to when I decided there were some movements I wasn’t going to do: box jumps, burpees, kipping pull ups; and the coach would be upset.
HSPU and handstand walks… hurt my lower back a few years ago doing HS walk, my spine bent awkwardly and immediately both my legs started to get numb… it scared the sh..t out me and had to take a few weeks of rest… MRI showed no significant injury but since then I’ve never done it again By the way I’m loving every single day of operation LFG !!! 39yo and in the best shape of my life!!
Your list mirrors my own. I also gave up on anything upside down during the 2019 open when I broke my hand on wall walks. I have also given up 1 Rep Max. I just don’t care anymore I would rather do volume.
Hey Man! Nice post! Totally Agree w/ U on the HSPU 💥😮💨 the neck suffers a ton! Pistols + All the Rotator Cuff Movements are the chosen to make a Danger sign on them. FUN AND ALL for sure, but CF shouldn't measure fitness with dangerous movements anyways 💪😌 we wanna keep training for all the eternity 🤘❤️🔥 regards!
This was a great list - I am 59, and have been doing xfit since 40. I agree on every one except the squat clean. Not that I do them a lot, but I don’t have an issue that I’d point out. The one I don’t do is rebounding box jumps; that would have been my fifth, but every other one for me was spot on.
My gym offers a master's class with a coach that is also physical therapist and she's done a wonderful job of helping me overcome mobility issues. I'm thankful that she's helped me make movement medicine.
My question is should i assume squat snatches is also on your list along with squat cleans? A little surprised to not see that, but maybe I'm an idiot and should just assume it is. Thanks for the list Josh - very insightful and coming from you especially as I've followed your crossfit career since about 2015. I found crossfit after a C6-C7 herniation injury, for which i did not do surgery but did PT and chiro for about 4 months and then had to find someting to strengthen my core and muscles around my spine. Many years later and I'm still at it in my 40s and still modifying movements, so this is helpful to hear as I had 3/5 already on my list i avoid. Thanks for being awesome!
Thanks for this. Fully agree about pistols. At very low volume, they feel great. 5-10 reps per leg, done as singles and doubles, once a week is plenty to get the benefit. But if volume is higher, they expose all my old back, hip and knee issues. Generally not doing any maximal deep squats of any kind. Front squats seem the most friendly to my aging frame. Also focusing on low volume and quality. High volume tends to lead to burnout super quickly.
All the movements that involve a loading of the Achilles tendon to rebound fast. Hearing an Achilles tendon snap still gives me nightmares, even it was not mine. And prefer to do strict pullups and muscle ups...
Thanks for sharing. I tried guessing your list before watching. I definitely was surprised. I would’ve thought snatches/OHS was in there for sure. As a retired low level competitor I no longer do Pistols Snatches Kipping pull-ups Kipping HSPU Split Jerks I also don’t do much assault bike but that’s just cuz I don’t enjoy it 😂 I’d also like to add Movements I probably do more of now for overall fitness that I didn’t do as much when I competed. Sandbag cleans and carry Heavy KBSwings Strict HSPU Step ups/step overs I’ve always done strict pull ups now I just try to increase the weight and volume.
Kettlebell swings done in Viking Conditioning style (7 in 15 secs, 15 secs rest, 7 in 15 secs on other side, 15 secs rest) for up to 40 mins have damaged my finger tendons. I’ve had 7 trigger finger surgeries at the tendon pulley where the KB handle rests. Avoid!
I am a PT and sometimes I use the exercices you said to avoid in Rehab cases. To my experience, the issue is never the exercise itself but the wrong combination of skills and volume. If you can provide an adeguate stimulus with any of the exercices you mentioned (i.e. right level and right number of reps) rewards outcome risks in any scenario. The issue you have is not with the movement, is with the competition. And I agree with you that competition is insanely risky.
I'm 54 and can do all these movements but have had two medial meniscus surgeries and some bad IT band stuff lately (plus an ACL 26 years ago). At this point they're not worth doing anymore unless I have to in a competition but I don't do those much anymore either. Trying to prepare for 55s next year though. Let's go!!! 1. Squat Snatches 2. Bar/Ring Muscle Ups 3. Pistols 4. Squat Cleans 5. Butterfly Pull-ups
My list is almost identical; but for different reasons. At age 58, I have an unfortunate amount of arthritis in my right wrist. (Not from CrossFit injury, I might add.) My home gym is extremely limited, so I add pistols once in a while (maybe once per month), just to change the load for my squat movements. SDHP - I don't have a bar at home, so I have to do them with dumbbells. I agree, the movement is more comfortable. HSPU - These absolutely kill my wrist. On the occasion that I'm having a "good wrist day", I'll mix a few in--strict at home, kipping with a pad under my head at the gym. DUs - I still enjoy them, but can't do them at home on carpet. I usually "simulate" DUs by holding 3-lb dumbbells in each hand, and "imagine" a rope passing under my feet twice while I rotate my hands. It's surprisingly effective. When I do DUs at the gym, I don't see much drop off. Squat Cleans - The front-rack position is not wrist friendly--especially if I squat clean and end up catching a little forward! Like HSPU, if I'm having a "good wrist day", I might throw in a few power cleans and/or front squats, but rarely the combo... Thanks, Josh, for reminding me that CrossFitters are actually human. 🙂
Thank you for this! For me it’s practicing handstand walking drills. I have spondylolisthesis, and the risk/reward for me just doesn’t make sense. I’m a menopausal woman, and I can live a full life w/o walking on my hands, lolz. Handstands on the wall are fine-no real risk for me there. And I feel very stable in a headstand away from the wall. But trying to walk on my hands these days just seems not worth it, lolz.
As I strengthen my glutes, My quads don't flare up as much and as a result the knee pain isn't there. That's one of the things I've learned about my body. I also wear knee pads for anything squatting or lunging because it really helps.
I’m fine with box jumps being a marker for Explositivity training of course done at low volume. With that being said the risk versus reward is too high for doing box jumps in a WOD when someone is gassed.
Some of my list is different because I'm not doing CrossFit for competition (haven't mastered gymnastic movements yet) and I'm a master's athlete. I was going to say double unders because of left knee pain thinking that nobody else would say that!!!! So cool to relate! Jump rope can sometimes cause my quads to flare up which then causes knee pain and makes it harder for me to squat. If I have high volume singles, I split them up into sets and overall I perform better on my workout and my body feels better and my knees recover and my quads don't flare up I love power cleans But do not like squat cleans. I avoid the overhead squat or snatch because my body doesn't have the best shoulder mobility for that with my scoliosis. Sciliosis with rods in my back makes it hard to do a Kip's swing Now I have had some training with a split snatch and I'm going to see if that helps and be very careful and work that in gradually when we get to an Olympic lifting strength cycle. Power snatches seem to be okay for me. Sumo dead lift high pull has been one of my favorite movements and hasn't given me much issue. I'm currently doing step ups and want to get my strength back on those before attempting box jumps again. I'm doing CrossFit for fitness and not competition. Doing CrossFit off and on for quite a few years, I have learned what my body can handle and learn when to push and when to rest and when to hold back. It's been hard that my body's been aging and I can't do what I used to and I've had to dial back and embrace where I'm currently at. But it's cool that with holding back, starting to see some areas where I'm moving forward and even creeping up towards some lifetime PRs at my age!!! I turn 49 this week. I still have a goal of getting my first strict pull up. I still have a goal of getting my first wall hold. I'm not good at gymnastics and I have mobility limitations but I've found ways to overcome it and get great fitness. I have long legs and long arms and I'm thankful for coaches that have helped me to figure out how to make squats work better for me. I need my toes pointed out a little bit more with a wider stance and really wished I found a coaches earlier in my journey that found that out for me.
Te banco en los pistols, SDHP y HSPU (con kipping), pero los DU no los veo riesgosos, los squat clean son mucho más seguros que un power clean o incluso cualquier Snatch y por ultimo los SHspu son una buena opción y segura para laa cervicales en lugar del kipping HSPU
Nothing hits my VMOs (a weak spot) like deep pistol squats. Interesting about the missing ligaments in your left knee. I hear that Hines Ward played his NFL career with no ACLs. But are you considering getting them reconstructed to protect your joint as you age?
Yep, number one movement i avoid is also Pistol Squats. I have two bad knees by playing soccer in my early years. And don’t see the benefit in daily life of them 🤷🏼♂️😆
Same when I lost interest in CrossFit was all the gyms focus on getting you to do the fancy movements over the work capacity and intensity. Yes you can scale and change numbers but then why am I with the class for 250 a month if I’m in my own world
Getting older and having achilleas issues for years now, DU's are out, can't walk right for a day or two after and split jerks are out. No pistols either. With age comes a little wisdom. It happens to all of us. I LOVE DU's but I have grown fond or walking properly up and down the stairs so they are gone. I can't run right either because of my achilleas. I will run for Murph but that's it. It is more of a fast walk but that's what I can do. Lots of machine work now and my body isn't as beat up. HSPU I will do strict. Pullups are mostly strict now. I always am telling the younger crowd, mind your impact. It adds up over time. I see allot of workouts programmed with DU, running and cleans in them in the same workout. That is allot of impact on the body. Break them up. Unless you are going to a higher level of competition this amount isn't necessary in my opinion.
1. HSPU are dangerous. I never do them. 2. Kb swings. I do them but very cautious as form suffers w fatigue. 3. Deadlift. Risk to reward is questionable. I do moderate load and no mixed grip.
For me, big advantage training on my own at home, I almost never do burpees. I know they are functional, nice skill. But they are a pain in the lower back, literaly. Other than that I avoid Headstand-pushups (yes, that‘s the correct name) because it‘s a limited range of motion compaired to any shoulder pressing. I bought some paralletes and plan on going full HSPU (here Handstand-Pushup), but with full ROM, you wouln‘t do more and more half pull ups, would you.
Hi, why doesn't Josh fix his ACL ? How can you lose your lateral ligaments ? Normally they can be stitched together or heal on their own. I mean, there are skiers who break all their knee ligaments and still come back to competitive racing. I see no issues with strict HSPU and no head bang, it's the kipping HSPU that got many under the knife.
100 agreed with all, except double unders (just cause I can still do them) but like you as I get older there’s hurt the day after is not worth the reward.
Never understood handstand push-ups, so many things can go wrong with them. Exposing my neck with my 250 pounds body never sounded like a good idea to me...🙃
Upright row and some hig pull movements are just bad for the shoulders! Bodyweight pistols low reps with tight and controlled movement are still good if knees can handle it. Handstand pushups with normal form absolutely perfect for upper body push days.
Agree with those, altho i'd say these are way more dangerous (esp to anyone over 35 who is not really trained with perfect form): - overhead squats - barbell snatches (single db snatch is fine) - heavy deadlifts - muscle ups (esp ring ones!)
I agree with you on all of them except the pistols. From a mobility standpoint, pistols will help your knees, quads and ankles. But done right. I have a deeper squat so doing 10 is manageable, but after then I start questioning my form.
It's the dynamic nature of some of these movements that causes trouble. Some are simply feats of strength and balance (pistols, strict HSPU) that aren't better than other much simpler movements. SDHP in competition tends to be fast and light, far too dynamic. Slow and controlled would be fine, but that defeats the point. Kipping HSPU are a complete abomination and should never be done by anybody anywhere at any time. Double unders, if you train them often, will definitely wear on your feet, ankles, and calves, and manifest in various ways (plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, heel bursitis, and so on). The general idea of mixing strength, calisthenics, gymnastics, and cardio is a good one, but the implementation in practice can be the problem.
One-legged squats are an injury risk for a medial meniscus/ligament tear. Do two-legged squats instead, and only go down to what's considered legit powerlifting depth; any further, and I've found out that it's too hard on my medial knee structures. Personally, explosive cleans (e.g., sumo high pulls, Olympic cleans (i.e., squat cleans), etc.) and snatches are too hard on my cervical spine and brachial plexii. Explosive handstand pushups are dumb, and so are kipping pullups. My cardiac rehab therapist told us not to do overhead movements of any sort.
*Pistols *HSPU (enjoy them but also pick some niggle up *OH single arm DB squat *Muscle ups (again enjoy them but not good enough to not get a niggle) *PVC box jumps
I also imagine you aren't squat snatching anymore. Instead of HSPUs, i try isometric holds upside down for max time, or do half reps where your head doesn't get anywhere near the floor. Gotta protect the spine in old age 😂
Personally pistols are great. It always gives me a great challenge as long as I perform them correctly. The form I see CFs have for pistol squats is awful. They purely go for speed no matter how sloppy the form is.
Common sense my friends. Do classic weight lifting for strength, speed training and aerobic like running plus some basic plyometrics and youll be fit and ready for whatever life may throw at you. Crossfit is a very silly and dangerous thing
I agree, Double unders are gay. So many other things you can do with way more benefit. Complete waste of time. It should be illegal to use a jump rope anfter you are 7 years old.
For me it was such big freedom to stop trying to become a CFer where you "have to" practice HSPU, Ring Dips, Pistols, Muscle Ups, Butterfly Pull Ups... which you do not need if you want to be fit. High Intensity Workouts are great but CF in general is not my thing anymore.
Ring dips and muscle-ups are VERY functional and should still be trained, strict and scaled if necessary.
@@spencergsmith just because something is functional, doesn´t mean it should be trained. Strict Pull Ups and normal Dips are totally enough.
@ actually, that’s precisely what it means. Functional doesn’t just mean analogous to life, it also means mechanically sound, compound, powerful exercises with a strong neuroendocrine response. Both ring dips and muscle-ups can be trained in a way that is safe and productive for everyone.
@@spencergsmith compound movements are superior to isolated exercises. true. they have higher transfer into life. But you probably do not train turning cartwheels despite the fact that it is functional.
@ if I could do a cartwheel, I absolutely would. I do practice tumbling and spinning out of handstands though. Much of the gymnastics movements mentioned by Glassman in “World-Class Fitness in 100 Words” are neglected by those who would benefit from them.
60 years old and just competed in my 4th and last CF Games this year. 2024. Thanks for the list
Hi Josh, thanks for this video. I think it's important for people to see that everyone - even Games athletes - can have certain movements where they decide, "Nope, that one just isn't for me anymore."
Spot on. I ruptured both quad tendons attempting a 1 RM squat clean just over a year ago. I'm 43 and my days of maxing out on any lift are over. I had been saying that prior to my injury but my ego got the best of me that day.
Good conversation! Think CrossFit community needs to better understand competition versus training for life. Definitely not the same. Even competition is changing to acknowledge some of the risk versus reward concepts discussed here.
1) people will definitely have their individualized list, which is what I love about CrossFit training is we encourage modifying to fit individual needs and focusing on desired stimuli.
2) agree on pistols 1000%. Cool party trick but much better ways to train this, and any functional scenarios I come up with can be trained for by the other exercises mentioned.
3) sumo deadlift high pulls: I feel CrossFit has moved away from these, and I know many CrossFit trainer and Physical Therapist (that’s part of what I do for a living) also discourage this BUT I don’t see the risk. (Disclaimer: doesn’t mean that some individuals may have issues but that’s true of any movement. Some people have issues with different things.) It’s very functional. The close grip actually avoid extreme internal rotation. Having hands out wider would require more internal rotation. Some Physical Therapist make the claim a high pull is the same position used to assess for impingement but this just isn’t true. Very different positions.
4) HSPUs. Agree. Fun but I don’t see much of the point.
5) if someone enjoys a movement and does it safely - go for it! If you have a movement you enjoy and gives you issues - find a Physical Therapist who’s also a CrossFit coach and get your stuff fixed.
Oh, and I might add high volume bounding box jumps to the mix of things most should avoid.
I agree with the SDHP. CrossFit has not moved away from them, they are still functional and included in the nine foundational movements.
@ I meant moved away in the sense that they are rarely programmed at most gyms. Poorly worded on my part.
@@joshuagodfrey9816 agreed, they’ve mostly been replaced by power cleans, although I still program them at my gym fairly regularly.
Appreciate you being honest about training and staying fit as you move through a different season of your life. I've got two boys now, im pushing 40, and my training has had to change. I've had a little bit of knee issues as well, and its been mentally hard to adjust my expectations of myself and my fitness. So long story long, thanks for being relatable! Always enjoy your attitude and approach.
I'm in the same boat. I enjoy crossfit but after 35ish you need to adjust your workout if you want to stay injury free. I spend way more time now warming up and working on mobility. My whole warmup is like 30 minutes XD
Thank you for putting this video out. I’m in the process of returning to CF training after a knee injury, that occurred outside of CF. I’ve been worried about returning as I’ve felt this unspoken pressure that I will ‘have to’ return to these movements. Hearing from you, as an ex games athlete, that we can enjoy CF, in a way that suits our bodies as they age/deal with ongoing injuries, has been so helpful. Thank you!
Josh, i use these to kick off my Sunday workouts. I need more than 8 minutes big man. Thanks for all you’ve done and all you do.
Pistols
Sumo deadlift high pull
Dumbbell box step overs
Muscle ups in general
Love your list brother , Like you I’ll crank movements out whenever I get a wild hair but look good and move well is my goal now haha.
Love your videos as always Sir , always pay the man! Boom!!!💥
You forgot handstand pushups
I'm an above the knee amputee all squat movements i do to a box, so my thought is that if you love a movements it's ok to adapt and sometimes necessary.
Guessed that list!!! I was low key expecting some butterfly pull-ups to make the list too. I hate doing those. My lats and biceps are sore for days now when I do them.
Once I learned hardstyle kettlebells. I replace a lot of the barbell movement with them to save space and time. Thanks for the video.
Well said. For developing physical fitness some of the movements promoted by Glassman are totally unnecessary and risky.
I’m totally with you on this. I’ve also stopped doing a bunch of movements because they’ve jacked up my joints. Pistols, HSPU, Muscle ups, butterfly pull ups or chest to bars. If it’s not strict with low volume, I won’t do them.
Shot fired on one of the 9 foundational CrossFit movements 👀
butterfly and kipping pullups
I totally agree with this. I also got problems with my left knee. One exercise I avoid is box jumps over, they make my knee to swells.
I greatly appreciate this video, been doing CrossFit for 2 years and feel some of these movements aren’t worth it either
I stopped doing/programming Sumo Deadlift High Pull as soon as I was made aware of the Hawkins test and the shoulder position in SDHP being similar to the impinged position in the test. So around 2010/2011. When I was coaching I changed Fight Gone Bad to use a power clean instead of SDHP.
My list Looks little different....
1. Ghd sit ups (full range) after doing them over ten years my lower Discs are damaged Bad...
2. Butterfly chest to bar Pull ups....i Tore my bicep (labrum Tear) on both shoulders because of them
3. Pistols ( doing Box Pistol squats instead) leg straight down
4. Kipping hspu ( with the strict Version i do Not See a big Problem )
5. Box jumps without step down ( they Just should only be done with a step down each rep)
I agree with you about the pistols and the HSPU. I would add muscle ups and butterfly pull ups. I don't do them unless I really have to.
Really appreciate hearing this from such a high level CF athlete. I have long argued that Pistols were the least valuable exercise for general physical preparedness. They always seemed more like a carnival act than a measure of fitness. (My opinion), to be generally fit as an regular human being you'll be just fine by eliminating all those movements that you highlighted. I have the same argument about the snatch, in any variant, when it comes to actual real-world utility for the average everyday human trying to be fit. There are not many, if any, empirical or anecdotal examples of "Bob" needing to take an object that is heavy off the floor and hoist it all the way up over his head in one singularly fluid motion. Basic movements like the pushup, situp, burpee, deadlift, squat, overhead press, etc. are the cornerstones of being "prepared" for everyday life, and they cam all be easily incorporated into a CF or HIIT style training program.
I soured on the gym I went to when I decided there were some movements I wasn’t going to do: box jumps, burpees, kipping pull ups; and the coach would be upset.
Thanks Josh for the tips on your don’t do list….
I’m in my 60’s and love CF but my body doesn’t like certain movements anymore. 🏋🏻♀️
Squat snatches and muscle ups have messed my rotator cuffs up, never again.
HSPU and handstand walks… hurt my lower back a few years ago doing HS walk, my spine bent awkwardly and immediately both my legs started to get numb… it scared the sh..t out me and had to take a few weeks of rest… MRI showed no significant injury but since then I’ve never done it again
By the way I’m loving every single day of operation LFG !!! 39yo and in the best shape of my life!!
HSPU I learned increases the pressure in your eyes, which is bad generally but worse for those with a genetic predisposition to Glaucoma.
Your list mirrors my own. I also gave up on anything upside down during the 2019 open when I broke my hand on wall walks. I have also given up 1 Rep Max. I just don’t care anymore I would rather do volume.
Hey Man! Nice post! Totally Agree w/ U on the HSPU 💥😮💨 the neck suffers a ton! Pistols + All the Rotator Cuff Movements are the chosen to make a Danger sign on them. FUN AND ALL for sure, but CF shouldn't measure fitness with dangerous movements anyways 💪😌 we wanna keep training for all the eternity 🤘❤️🔥 regards!
This was a great list - I am 59, and have been doing xfit since 40. I agree on every one except the squat clean. Not that I do them a lot, but I don’t have an issue that I’d point out. The one I don’t do is rebounding box jumps; that would have been my fifth, but every other one for me was spot on.
My gym offers a master's class with a coach that is also physical therapist and she's done a wonderful job of helping me overcome mobility issues. I'm thankful that she's helped me make movement medicine.
My question is should i assume squat snatches is also on your list along with squat cleans? A little surprised to not see that, but maybe I'm an idiot and should just assume it is.
Thanks for the list Josh - very insightful and coming from you especially as I've followed your crossfit career since about 2015. I found crossfit after a C6-C7 herniation injury, for which i did not do surgery but did PT and chiro for about 4 months and then had to find someting to strengthen my core and muscles around my spine. Many years later and I'm still at it in my 40s and still modifying movements, so this is helpful to hear as I had 3/5 already on my list i avoid. Thanks for being awesome!
Thanks for this. Fully agree about pistols. At very low volume, they feel great. 5-10 reps per leg, done as singles and doubles, once a week is plenty to get the benefit. But if volume is higher, they expose all my old back, hip and knee issues. Generally not doing any maximal deep squats of any kind. Front squats seem the most friendly to my aging frame. Also focusing on low volume and quality. High volume tends to lead to burnout super quickly.
All these same movements i don't do anymore because of knee pain as well but added in there are box jumps. It's step ups from here on out for me.
All the movements that involve a loading of the Achilles tendon to rebound fast. Hearing an Achilles tendon snap still gives me nightmares, even it was not mine. And prefer to do strict pullups and muscle ups...
Thanks for sharing. I tried guessing your list before watching. I definitely was surprised. I would’ve thought snatches/OHS was in there for sure.
As a retired low level competitor
I no longer do
Pistols
Snatches
Kipping pull-ups
Kipping HSPU
Split Jerks
I also don’t do much assault bike but that’s just cuz I don’t enjoy it 😂
I’d also like to add Movements I probably do more of now for overall fitness that I didn’t do as much when I competed.
Sandbag cleans and carry
Heavy KBSwings
Strict HSPU
Step ups/step overs
I’ve always done strict pull ups now I just try to increase the weight and volume.
I avoid pistols and handstand push-ups. I agree with the statement more risk than reward.
Thank you, now my friends understand when i refuse to do those movement :)
Kettlebell swings done in Viking Conditioning style (7 in 15 secs, 15 secs rest, 7 in 15 secs on other side, 15 secs rest) for up to 40 mins have damaged my finger tendons. I’ve had 7 trigger finger surgeries at the tendon pulley where the KB handle rests. Avoid!
I keep double unders in the mix specifically because it helps in training up for my runs!
GHD, Pull over, tripleunder/crossover DU, running with vest (aside from Murph), SDHP
I am a PT and sometimes I use the exercices you said to avoid in Rehab cases. To my experience, the issue is never the exercise itself but the wrong combination of skills and volume. If you can provide an adeguate stimulus with any of the exercices you mentioned (i.e. right level and right number of reps) rewards outcome risks in any scenario.
The issue you have is not with the movement, is with the competition. And I agree with you that competition is insanely risky.
I'm 54 and can do all these movements but have had two medial meniscus surgeries and some bad IT band stuff lately (plus an ACL 26 years ago). At this point they're not worth doing anymore unless I have to in a competition but I don't do those much anymore either. Trying to prepare for 55s next year though. Let's go!!!
1. Squat Snatches
2. Bar/Ring Muscle Ups
3. Pistols
4. Squat Cleans
5. Butterfly Pull-ups
My list is almost identical; but for different reasons. At age 58, I have an unfortunate amount of arthritis in my right wrist. (Not from CrossFit injury, I might add.) My home gym is extremely limited, so I add pistols once in a while (maybe once per month), just to change the load for my squat movements. SDHP - I don't have a bar at home, so I have to do them with dumbbells. I agree, the movement is more comfortable. HSPU - These absolutely kill my wrist. On the occasion that I'm having a "good wrist day", I'll mix a few in--strict at home, kipping with a pad under my head at the gym. DUs - I still enjoy them, but can't do them at home on carpet. I usually "simulate" DUs by holding 3-lb dumbbells in each hand, and "imagine" a rope passing under my feet twice while I rotate my hands. It's surprisingly effective. When I do DUs at the gym, I don't see much drop off. Squat Cleans - The front-rack position is not wrist friendly--especially if I squat clean and end up catching a little forward! Like HSPU, if I'm having a "good wrist day", I might throw in a few power cleans and/or front squats, but rarely the combo... Thanks, Josh, for reminding me that CrossFitters are actually human. 🙂
Thank you for this!
For me it’s practicing handstand walking drills. I have spondylolisthesis, and the risk/reward for me just doesn’t make sense. I’m a menopausal woman, and I can live a full life w/o walking on my hands, lolz. Handstands on the wall are fine-no real risk for me there. And I feel very stable in a headstand away from the wall. But trying to walk on my hands these days just seems not worth it, lolz.
As I strengthen my glutes, My quads don't flare up as much and as a result the knee pain isn't there. That's one of the things I've learned about my body. I also wear knee pads for anything squatting or lunging because it really helps.
I’m fine with box jumps being a marker for Explositivity training of course done at low volume. With that being said the risk versus reward is too high for doing box jumps in a WOD when someone is gassed.
Some of my list is different because I'm not doing CrossFit for competition (haven't mastered gymnastic movements yet) and I'm a master's athlete. I was going to say double unders because of left knee pain thinking that nobody else would say that!!!! So cool to relate! Jump rope can sometimes cause my quads to flare up which then causes knee pain and makes it harder for me to squat. If I have high volume singles, I split them up into sets and overall I perform better on my workout and my body feels better and my knees recover and my quads don't flare up I love power cleans But do not like squat cleans. I avoid the overhead squat or snatch because my body doesn't have the best shoulder mobility for that with my scoliosis. Sciliosis with rods in my back makes it hard to do a Kip's swing Now I have had some training with a split snatch and I'm going to see if that helps and be very careful and work that in gradually when we get to an Olympic lifting strength cycle. Power snatches seem to be okay for me. Sumo dead lift high pull has been one of my favorite movements and hasn't given me much issue. I'm currently doing step ups and want to get my strength back on those before attempting box jumps again. I'm doing CrossFit for fitness and not competition. Doing CrossFit off and on for quite a few years, I have learned what my body can handle and learn when to push and when to rest and when to hold back. It's been hard that my body's been aging and I can't do what I used to and I've had to dial back and embrace where I'm currently at. But it's cool that with holding back, starting to see some areas where I'm moving forward and even creeping up towards some lifetime PRs at my age!!! I turn 49 this week. I still have a goal of getting my first strict pull up. I still have a goal of getting my first wall hold. I'm not good at gymnastics and I have mobility limitations but I've found ways to overcome it and get great fitness. I have long legs and long arms and I'm thankful for coaches that have helped me to figure out how to make squats work better for me. I need my toes pointed out a little bit more with a wider stance and really wished I found a coaches earlier in my journey that found that out for me.
Te banco en los pistols, SDHP y HSPU (con kipping), pero los DU no los veo riesgosos, los squat clean son mucho más seguros que un power clean o incluso cualquier Snatch y por ultimo los SHspu son una buena opción y segura para laa cervicales en lugar del kipping HSPU
Nothing hits my VMOs (a weak spot) like deep pistol squats.
Interesting about the missing ligaments in your left knee. I hear that Hines Ward played his NFL career with no ACLs. But are you considering getting them reconstructed to protect your joint as you age?
Yep, number one movement i avoid is also Pistol Squats. I have two bad knees by playing soccer in my early years. And don’t see the benefit in daily life of them 🤷🏼♂️😆
Love it Josh!
Need one of these shirts Josh
What's holding your knee together without an MCL, PCL, and ACL? And I'm complaining about messed up MCL, ACL, and meniscus, but damn.
Same when I lost interest in CrossFit was all the gyms focus on getting you to do the fancy movements over the work capacity and intensity. Yes you can scale and change numbers but then why am I with the class for 250 a month if I’m in my own world
Getting older and having achilleas issues for years now, DU's are out, can't walk right for a day or two after and split jerks are out. No pistols either. With age comes a little wisdom. It happens to all of us. I LOVE DU's but I have grown fond or walking properly up and down the stairs so they are gone. I can't run right either because of my achilleas. I will run for Murph but that's it. It is more of a fast walk but that's what I can do. Lots of machine work now and my body isn't as beat up. HSPU I will do strict. Pullups are mostly strict now. I always am telling the younger crowd, mind your impact. It adds up over time. I see allot of workouts programmed with DU, running and cleans in them in the same workout. That is allot of impact on the body. Break them up. Unless you are going to a higher level of competition this amount isn't necessary in my opinion.
Dude, you're aging backwards! Looking good!
I'm 40 n I do them all. I love trying to push the limits. never had issues tbh
1. HSPU are dangerous. I never do them. 2. Kb swings. I do them but very cautious as form suffers w fatigue. 3. Deadlift. Risk to reward is questionable. I do moderate load and no mixed grip.
No mention of butterfly pull ups?! 😅😅
My big CrossFit hero doesn't do double unders anymore? Why god why 😮😮😢😢
rebounding box jumps, american kettlebell swings.
Pistol ,handstand push up, db squat snatch, plyometric box jump,ghd
For me, big advantage training on my own at home, I almost never do burpees. I know they are functional, nice skill. But they are a pain in the lower back, literaly.
Other than that I avoid Headstand-pushups (yes, that‘s the correct name) because it‘s a limited range of motion compaired to any shoulder pressing. I bought some paralletes and plan on going full HSPU (here Handstand-Pushup), but with full ROM, you wouln‘t do more and more half pull ups, would you.
Hi,
why doesn't Josh fix his ACL ? How can you lose your lateral ligaments ? Normally they can be stitched together or heal on their own. I mean, there are skiers who break all their knee ligaments and still come back to competitive racing.
I see no issues with strict HSPU and no head bang, it's the kipping HSPU that got many under the knife.
+1 for HSPU. The neck compression cannot be good for you, and the head and neck are not designed to take repetitive impacts this way.
100 agreed with all, except double unders (just cause I can still do them) but like you as I get older there’s hurt the day after is not worth the reward.
Never understood handstand push-ups, so many things can go wrong with them. Exposing my neck with my 250 pounds body never sounded like a good idea to me...🙃
Upright row and some hig pull movements are just bad for the shoulders! Bodyweight pistols low reps with tight and controlled movement are still good if knees can handle it. Handstand pushups with normal form absolutely perfect for upper body push days.
Agree with those, altho i'd say these are way more dangerous (esp to anyone over 35 who is not really trained with perfect form):
- overhead squats
- barbell snatches (single db snatch is fine)
- heavy deadlifts
- muscle ups (esp ring ones!)
tienes un dia enfocado en biceps y rutina de brazos completa basicamente? gracias!
The BEST Upper Body Pump Workout
th-cam.com/video/m0L_cQA4R18/w-d-xo.html
I agree with you on all of them except the pistols. From a mobility standpoint, pistols will help your knees, quads and ankles. But done right. I have a deeper squat so doing 10 is manageable, but after then I start questioning my form.
It's the dynamic nature of some of these movements that causes trouble. Some are simply feats of strength and balance (pistols, strict HSPU) that aren't better than other much simpler movements. SDHP in competition tends to be fast and light, far too dynamic. Slow and controlled would be fine, but that defeats the point. Kipping HSPU are a complete abomination and should never be done by anybody anywhere at any time. Double unders, if you train them often, will definitely wear on your feet, ankles, and calves, and manifest in various ways (plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, heel bursitis, and so on).
The general idea of mixing strength, calisthenics, gymnastics, and cardio is a good one, but the implementation in practice can be the problem.
One-legged squats are an injury risk for a medial meniscus/ligament tear. Do two-legged squats instead, and only go down to what's considered legit powerlifting depth; any further, and I've found out that it's too hard on my medial knee structures. Personally, explosive cleans (e.g., sumo high pulls, Olympic cleans (i.e., squat cleans), etc.) and snatches are too hard on my cervical spine and brachial plexii. Explosive handstand pushups are dumb, and so are kipping pullups. My cardiac rehab therapist told us not to do overhead movements of any sort.
*Pistols
*HSPU (enjoy them but also pick some niggle up
*OH single arm DB squat
*Muscle ups (again enjoy them but not good enough to not get a niggle)
*PVC box jumps
Totally agree. Pistols and hspu are so unnecessary. They hurt your body more the show prove of fitness
Kipping pull ups aren’t in the list I’m surprised!
For me it’s burpee back flip titty twisters. Can’t f with those anymore. Just too old.
thought for sure you were going to say GHD sit ups or overhead squats
Have you looked into the Tactical Games?
overhead squats & barbell snatch
Hspu is why I have neck compression and disk herniation
I also imagine you aren't squat snatching anymore. Instead of HSPUs, i try isometric holds upside down for max time, or do half reps where your head doesn't get anywhere near the floor. Gotta protect the spine in old age 😂
Fuck yeah bro love the honesty always paying the man
T2B, Thrusters, pistols...its my list
Personally pistols are great. It always gives me a great challenge as long as I perform them correctly. The form I see CFs have for pistol squats is awful. They purely go for speed no matter how sloppy the form is.
Kipping handstand pushups
Butterfly pullups
Pistols
Sumo Deadlift High pulls
Crossovers (like wtf?)
Thanks el Jefe
Common sense my friends.
Do classic weight lifting for strength, speed training and aerobic like running plus some basic plyometrics and youll be fit and ready for whatever life may throw at you.
Crossfit is a very silly and dangerous thing
I LOVE pistols! I find them to be the best bang for your buck for lower-body bodyweight exercises
I think strict HSPU are fine. Kipping HSPU are just unnecessary.
Hang power cleans for me
I call HSPU - Cervical Spine Smashes because that is what they are!
Double DB/KB Box Step Up/Over With 24 Inch and Double DB/KB Overhead Lunges, The Gymnastic Pullover is Horrible, Double Crossover.
Crossfit is more of a show than a real sport
The #1 Crossfit movement to avoid is becoming part of the Crossfit movement.
Snatches are no longer a part of my training.
I agree, Double unders are gay. So many other things you can do with way more benefit. Complete waste of time. It should be illegal to use a jump rope anfter you are 7 years old.
Anything kipping… directly in the bin
Deadlift