Cross Fit
This hardcore mix of strength training, cardio, gymnastics and other styles still seems to be the “it” workout. It has endured because its results are tried and true. Check this out- “CrossFit is the principal strength and conditioning program for many police academies and tactical operations teams, military special operations units, champion martial artists, and hundreds of other elite and professional athletes worldwide,” according to the CrossFit website. Workouts are based on the HIIT philosophy of short, hard intervals. Group camaraderie is one of the reasons that CrossFit devotees gather at these gyms- usually garages or warehouses- for constantly changing workouts. Don’t expect to do the same workout twice in a row.
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Pros:
- Great for strength training and building muscle
- Keeps your body guessing
- Variety of workouts
- Group classes offer support
[column type=”one-half” last=”true”]Cons:
- Can be really hard on the joints and back, especially for the over 35 crowd.
- Not for those who crave routine and the same workout
- Devotees can push themselves too hard, leading to injury
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Bottom line: If you like the idea of a hardcore group class and have a basic level of fitness, join a club if you want to give this a try, and work closely with a trainer while you’re beginning. Listen to your body to make sure you don’t overexert or injure yourself.
Obstacle Course Training
Tough Mudder. Spartan Race. Mud runs. Whatever you call them, training for these intense races can get you in shape physically and mentally. While the obstacles of these courses may differ, they include things like crawling through mug, jumping over fire and climbing walls. With fears like these, training is pretty specialized with focus on including strength, endurance and dexterity. You can train at a gym’s program or class, on your own, or you can sign up for a special class offered by the race of your choice. Tough Mudder and Spartan Race both offer their own training programs.
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Pros:
- Variety
- Good mix of strength, endurance and mental training
- Efficient at weight loss
- It’s fun, damnit
[column type=”one-half” last=”true”]Cons:
- Risk of injury
- Obstacles at races might differ from what you’ve focused on during training
- Can be stressful on the body
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Bottom line: Training for these races is an effective full-body workout. It might be too intense for beginners or people not looking to competitively partake in these obstacle races.
