It’s been really good. The more comments I read from people here with CF experience has only confirmed that I have a really good gym (or BOX if you ever hear that thrown around). Not all CF gyms are created equal. So definitely check different options out if you are ever going to give it a try. Most give free workouts to experience CrossFit a couple times a month to once a week. You should be able to get a good feel for a certain gym from hanging out there for an hour or so.

I think CrossFit could definitely pose an issue for people with shoulder troubles. With all of CrossFit’s lifts being so dynamic, if you are using your upper body, you are using your shoulder. No break from doing a curl or tricep extension. There really aren’t any isometric moves (well maybe the HSPU – hand stand push up – but that is shoulder iso… agh).

So if your shoulders have issues, you really need to scale what you do with CF. Even then, the amount of volume my shoulders have seen is pretty high too. The volume you see will be gym specific, since each gym does their own programing (more on that), but I don’t see how you are going to get away from using a lot of shoulder.

So P90X Vs CrossFit?

I’ve given you a lot of my experiences so far, but what about any comparisons?

Cost – Which is cheaper? – P90X > CrossFit

Tough call on this one actually. If you look at the start up cost of P90X, it can be decently high if you need to buy dumbbells. But we know this is not a one time, one month thing. If you really want any exercise to work, you need to make it a lifestyle. So through that lens, I would say P90X is cheaper (and there are cheaper options yet from Beachbody – like Insanity for example).

Most CrossFit gyms cost anywhere from $100-$200/mo for unlimited classes. Most have discounts for paying for larger chucks of time. But even at $125/mo, you are looking at$750 for 6 months. That is P90X and some sweet dumbbells that you will have forever. You also have the workouts forever. End your CF membership and you are done. No gear and maybe some workouts you may or may not be able to do with what you have at home. And if you quit working out at home you can always sell your dumbbells and get some money back. Someone on Craigslist is looking to start P90X :)

Intensity? – P90X < CrossFit

You liked me up to this point didn’t you? LOL Another tough call… and just my opinion… so please keep reading.

I am always the one that preaches that you can make ANY workout intense. It’s BYOI – Bring Your Own Intensity. I actually hate when people knock KenpoX for not being hard enough. Punch harder and faster. Kick higher, harder, faster. You can go through the motions with any workout. You can also make the MOST of any workout and go all out.

What I think moved CF ahead in my mind is the type of lifts CF uses and the environment. As I said earlier, I can’t think of one isometric move I’ve done with CrossFit. The total body, explosive movements have to be intense. And then there is the double edged sword of the CrossFit environment. It is competitive. You see other people working hard, that makes me want to work HARDER. That push has been awesome. It could be a detriment to some, but for me, I have loved it.

That push is the same thing I have experienced getting to workout with Wayne and my other Beachbody friends the few times we’ve had the opportunity. But it’s not an every day reality. You still have to BYOI when you are alone in your living room or garage. CrossFit, in my experience has just poured more intensity on me even when I might not have brought it myself.

Getting YOU Involved

So I have given you a few of what I think stands out between P90X and CrossFit. But is there anything you’ve been wondering. I don’t claim to be a CF expert but I am gaining more and more experience and I love research. When I get into things, I read and read. And I have been doing tons as we thought about doing this experiment with teamRIPPED. So let me know! Join the conversation.