Work-out plan ?

Originally Posted by holdsworth

You can easily get "big and strong" from Crossfit. Not bodybuilder strong, but functionally strong. If you focus more on cardio to be fast in the workouts, maybe you won't get so big, but to really challenge yourself, you'll go a little above whats prescribed in the workotus as far as weight goes. Bigger kettlebell, extra 20 lbs on the bar, higher box jumps etc. I'm much stronger now than I ever was doing track in college. Granted, I was built more for speed and agility then, but still strong. I'm slower but stronger now haha.

Originally Posted by dvsone79

Most of the info so far is solid. Diet is important and probably overlooked by most.

I gotta say though, some of the underhanded comments from the detractors are cracking me up! “You don’t get big and strong by doing crossfit”? Bull$h!t. You get big and strong by lifting heavy things. And part of CF is lifting heavy things. It certainly isn’t for everyone. You won’t necessarily look like a bodybuilder. But your muscles and strength shouldn’t just be for looks, IMO. But hey, the ladies like big arms, right? Curls for the girls...

In the end, whatever you end up doing will be better than doing nothing. Sitting on the couch isn’t going to help. So get out there and try different programs and see what works for you.

You guys might have different definitions of "big and strong". I'm not talking about bodybuilder big or powerlifter strong either. A 300+ LB squat and 400+lb deadlift within 6-9 months is typical for completely average men that go through "real" strength programs. Show me the crossfitter that pulls 400+LB and only does crossfit. Prove me wrong. Even if you do find someone, they probably either lifted heavy in the past, have been doing it (athletics in general) for decades, or are an outlier.

Dont get me wrong. I'm sure there are box crosffit gyms out there that are good and push the right type of programs. But thats not the typical crossfit experience. I'm also not saying crossfit is BAD. It all depends on your goals. If you crossfit multiple times a week, you are most definitely in better shape than the average joe.