My first ring muscle-up :)

[iceman]

Not sure there's many that will care either way but I'm proud so I'm posting it anyway :)

Last night I got my first ring muscle-up at CrossFit.

http://youtu.be/Y2DghBqyEZo

CrossFit is my new obsession, btw :) After getting my 2nd Dan Black Belt back in late June, I decided to stop Karate and start CrossFit, which I've been doing since about August.

Really enjoying it - much different than Karate, but a great community, hard work but great rewards.

[Dennis]

Not bad Mike, although I was expecting the Iron Cross, Half Lever and Ring Hand Stand from you though!:P;)

Good luck, it looks a fun and challenging activity, you’ll need to let the shoulders out in your jackets…:)

Cheers

Dennis

[iceman]

LOL Dennis. There's definitely some gymnastics components in CrossFit but not quite to that level :)

We do do hand-stand push-ups (which I'm doing properly now) and hand-stand walks, which I'm getting better at - well, at least holding a hand-stand. Walking comes next :)

The Olympic Weighlifting component is 'different'. Not my most natural ability, especially with poor shoulder mobility and thoracic spine. But i'm improving :) Definitely getting stronger :)

The good thing about it is that almost everything in it is measurable. You can compete against others if you like, but competing against yourself and improving your own personal bests (in individual activities or benchmark workouts) is rewarding in itself.

[rustigsmed]

nice work Mike, they are definitely harder to do than they look.

CF definitely isn't for everyone, personally my view is 50/50 on the whole thing. but hey, as long as you're enjoying the change in fitness and staying injury free, keep at it!

best of luck!

cheers

rusty

[iceman]

Thanks Rusty.

Yeh I'm not sure why there's negative media attention in some parts against CrossFit. In some ways I'm sure the 'globo-gyms' (fitness first franchises etc) hate the whole CrossFit movement because it's a challenge to their whole business model.

Certainly some people get injured from doing CrossFit, as they do in any sport, and there's likely some bad operators just as there are in other businesses. I've heard plenty of criticism against fitness first memberships and the way they lock you in et.c

For the good CrossFit gyms, with good coaches, who take you through proper warm ups, emphasize proper technique etc, then injuries are rare.

I'm seeing a physio every so often since starting CrossFit, but not because of injuries, but because I *want* to improve my mobility in my shoulders, hips and knees. I don't want my body to hold me back from being able to do some things. I know a lot of others go for the same reason.

So they're going because of CrossFit, but not because of injury - but to keep their body supple and moving well to be able to perform at its best.