The Functional Path is a path that had been traveled many times before but had fallen out of use in favor of smoother paved roads that promised faster and easier results. Seeking to follow and better define the functional path is a continuing journey, fortunately it is a journey that many have traveled before. Functional Path training is getting back to the basics of movement. It is learning to tune into the body and it’s inherent wisdom to produce rhythmic flowing movement.
Really can’t comment on Crossfit. I do not have first hand experience with it. Have looked at web site and I do not see a coherent methodology. Remember when you evaluate a method it has to be more than the exercise and more than just getting tired. Look at content and context.
posted by Vern Gambetta @ 11/30/2007 06:47:00 AM
4 comments
Vern is currently is the Director of Gambetta Sports Training Systems. He has been the a conditioning coach for several teams in Major League Soccer as well as the conditioning consultant to the US Men’s World Cup Soccer team. Vern is the former Director of Conditioning for the Chicago White Sox and Director of Athletic Development for the New York Mets. Vern is recognized internationally as an expert in training and conditioning for sport having worked with world class athletes and teams in a wide variety of sports. He is a popular speaker and writer on conditioning topics having lectured and conducted clinics in Canada, Japan, Australia and Europe. Vern's coaching experience spans 36 years at all levels of competition. Vern has authored six books and over one hundred articles related to coaching and sport performance in a variety of sports. He received his BA from Fresno State University and his teaching credential with a coaching minor from University of California Santa Barbara. Vern obtained his MA in Education with an emphasis in physical education from Stanford University.
4 Comments:
Vern, first time reader after finding your link at Iron Maven.
I read your Bill Ebben Interview, it sounds like he was a CrossFitter!
Why post about CrossFit but not evaluate?
There is plenty of info on the website about methodology. I'm sure a thorough investigation would have you agreeing with most but perhaps also disagreeing on some. Your evaluating could help provide insight and help all of the young coaches who are becoming CrossFit Instructors by the thousands.
There are over 300 CrossFit affiliates, that number will be 1,000 by next year.
We will have an amazing impact on functional training�we will teach the O-lifts and hybrids, bodyweight exercises, rowing, running, and more�
Plenty of our coaches are passionate and motivated to teach but short on experience.
We could use your input, and experience in helping us spread the functional path.
Iron Maven gave out a thoughtful warning to CrossFitters about cleans on her blog, one that will help many athletes and coaches�one also that some Kool-Aid drinking CrossFitters will take offense to�I thought she was very tactful and passionate in her post.
You, Iron Maven, CrossFit�we are on the same functional dominance path, we differ yes but the beauty of CrossFit is that it�s an open source model, one that a world class coach like yourself could help make a huge impact on.
Spend some months evaluating, read the free CrossFit journals posted, and subscribe to the new ones�let us know how you would differ or how you agree after a solid investigation.
Thanks.
In Strength,
Jerry
I have always been skeptical of exercise info on the internet, but am impressed with Crossfit. It does take some searching to figure out their methodologies (here is a link- http://www.crossfit.com/journal/library/06_03_CF_Template.pdf). Crossfit is not designed for a specific sport. They are pretty up-front about that. But, for everyone else who is not performing at a high level in a specific sport, it could be very effective. The methodologies have good scientific support, however the concern is safely and appropriately implementing the training. Many people are not up to the high demands of Crossfit. So, proper instruction, evaluation and progression are key (again it comes down to good coaching). One of the most impressive things about Crossfit, which most other fitness and S&C programs lack, is motivation of its trainees. It doesn't matter how great a program's design is, if you cannot get an athlete motivated to work hard.
Dan
Looks like a toxic sport i.e. SkateBoarding, Motor Cross, Sky diving, Ice Climbing your stereotypical adrenaline junkie with that wow factor and with all sports expect injuries.
T
IMHO, The tipping point has been reached. I think 2008 will be the year that Crossfit breaks into mainstream consciousness in a very big way. At that point, the program - its assumptions and methodology - will receive significant scrutiny. As Jerry said, Crossfit has always encouraged and invited this scrutiny. 2008 should be an interesting year for Crossfit.
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