what's your definition of the best overall athlete?

[Ruffdaddy]

"Doing the common uncommonly well"
The top athletes in CrossFit are good examples of this. Consider Rich Froning's numbers:

Fran: 2:25
Cindy: 31
Grace: 1:30
Max Pull-ups: 55

Deadlift: 480
Bench: 320
Squat: 405
Snatch: 235
Squat Clean: 315
Power Clean: 265
Clean and Jerk: 315
Filthy Fifty: 23:00
Fight Gone Bad: 375
Back Squat: 365

And he runs a 5k in 21:20

These are pretty typical numbers at that level.

What type of competition is this? Those lifting numbers seem really low for a weight comp, and the 5K is fast enough to be running based. Or is this for a female?

[Flashstang04]

What type of competition is this? Those lifting numbers seem really low for a weight comp, and the 5K is fast enough to be running based. Or is this for a female?

The 'CrossFit Games'

Basically moves are put into a hopper and anything can come out. It's not about just lifting strength or just speed, but about relative power output over all domains.

Here is an example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcjq60JSbAE

another with Rich:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGuHwDvJ2nI&feature=related

[TINKRD]

The 'CrossFit Games'

Basically moves are put into a hopper and anything can come out. It's not about just lifting strength or just speed, but about relative power output over all domains.

Here is an example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcjq60JSbAE

another with Rich:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGuHw...eature=related

good vidz. my email gets blown the f' up with all the CFHQ updates. lol that's how i've been keeping up for the most part.

[ceyko]

I know this won't fly well since it is not a popular sport, but collegiate, freestyle and greco-roman wrestling.

/ducks

[Ruffdaddy]

I know this won't fly well since it is not a popular sport, but collegiate, freestyle and greco-roman wrestling.

/ducks

The can lead into cage fighting! So you're close...lol.

[Chas_svo]

Navy Seals

[Flashstang04]

good vidz. my email gets blown the f' up with all the CFHQ updates. lol that's how i've been keeping up for the most part.

There's so much to watch, especially with Reebok being a sponsor now. Everyone wants that $250k lol.

[no4njnk]

Special operations...easily. They can climb like superman, run like the flash, and swim like aquaman. Lets face it their life's depend on it and so training is a full time job.

Those Crossfit numbers aren't that amazing at all, most true college football athletes should beat all those except for the distance since they dont train for them.

[scootro]

it's a tie between Sumo Wrestlers and Pro Bass Fishing!

[Flashstang04]

Special operations...easily. They can climb like superman, run like the flash, and swim like aquaman. Lets face it their life's depend on it and so training is a full time job.

Those Crossfit numbers aren't that amazing at all, most true college football athletes should beat all those except for the distance since they dont train for them.

It's not really about the "weight" numbers. They are just used as reference for gains. A 2:25 Fran time is pretty amazing.

[Jonny00GT]

Crossfit looks like a brutal competition of really fit guys, but I don't know that I'd call it the pinnacle of "Athleticism". Honestly, I'd never heard of it before this, so maybe I don't know enough about it. I'm not putting it down by any means, but I think it's missing the element of fine motor skills, precision coordination and reflexes. It looks more like great training that someone has assigned a point value and timed to make it a competition.

-Jonny

[TINKRD]

Crossfit looks like a brutal competition of really fit guys, but I don't know that I'd call it the pinnacle of "Athleticism". Honestly, I'd never heard of it before this, so maybe I don't know enough about it. I'm not putting it down by any means, but I think it's missing the element of fine motor skills, precision coordination and reflexes. It looks more like great training that someone has assigned a point value and timed to make it a competition.

-Jonny

well before this turns into a CF debate. I'd have to disagree on some of your points.

IMO there's a lot of precision coordination and reflexes involved in Olympic style weights and certain gymnastic moves that are incorporated into some of the workouts (i.e. muscle ups).

ask anyone who lifts competitively . its not just about brute strength

[TINKRD]

Navy Seals

cant argue against that!

[Shorty]

ask anyone who lifts competitively . its not just about brute strength

I think powerlifters would disagree with this statement.

[Ruffdaddy]

I lifted competitively, and will say technique plays a role, but by no means is it a fine tuned movement like a fighter or football player. It really is alot of brute strength and making yourself cowboy up to lift hard every second of your workout.

And those CF numbers would get blown away by any competitive lifter even at the highschool level.

I again agree with Johnny...haha. Can any of you cross fit guys honestly say that people who do CF competitions are better athletes than the top fighters, SEALs, decath guys, and others mentioned?

Looks like this is headed to a CF debate yet again...lol