Kruger 1 Laura Kruger Katherine Robisch College Writing I 05 Mar.

2014 CrossFit Athletes Love Rhabdomyolysis As the world of fitness grows, the sport of fitness is also growing which is also known as CrossFit. Many feel that CrossFit is a terrible exercise program and that it is very dangerous. The news reports that CrossFit has brought an uprise to, is a condition called Rhabdomyolysis. Although Rhabdomyolysis has been seen in many other instances, CrossFit has been targeted for causing the most cases. In many news stories, CrossFit athletes are interviewed and claim that they are trying to obtain fitness. On the contrary, multiple resources prove that this is not the case. CrossFit athletes long-term goal is not to achieve fitness as they claim, but rather to obtain as many cases of Rhabdomyolysis as possible. So what exactly is Rhabdomyolysis anyways? Rhabdomyolysis is a condition where the muscles are broken down too much and causes potassium to be released from the muscles. The kidneys then work to filter out this excess potassium in the body. The kidneys can become overloaded and begin to shut down if the case is severe enough which would eventually lead to cardiac arrest (Froning 110). Some common symptoms of Rhabdomyolysis includes Coca-Cola colored urine, painful swelling of different parts of the body, and nausea/vomiting (Castro 49). The swelling can be caused from the extreme breakdown of the muscles, which leads to actual damage (Castro 49).

Kruger 2 When a CrossFit athlete first joins a CrossFit affiliate, they usually become hooked on the burn they experience in their chest from a very intense workout or WOD (workout of the day). This is simply how the gyms or boxes as affiliates prefer to call themselves, pull in their clients (Castro 48). It is a method used amongst many but not all boxes. According to CrossFit founder/Coach Greg Glassman, CrossFit affiliates are given the freedom to run their boxes as they please with very minimal standards put into place (Glassman). This method of minimal affiliate standards gives box owners the freedom to bring athletes to believe that Rhabdomyolysis is acceptable. The coaches at any given box will usually proceed to push an athlete past the limits they are comfortable with in order to cause Rhabdomyolysis. It is important that this is done early in their training as the body will quickly adapt to the workouts and Rhabdomyolysis will be more difficult to achieve, the later the coach attempts to make their achieve Rhabdomyolysis. (Castro 50). CrossFit athletes believe that this extreme muscle breakdown is a beneficial idea for ones long-term health. They believe that this is beneficial because it is the same idea as receiving immunizations to build the immune system. Exposing the body to this extreme circumstance, would build up the bodys tolerance to extreme workouts and therefore lead to less muscle breakdown and the ability to do more in the long run. It also allows the kidneys to learn how to filter more at a faster pace (Broadbent 35). Another question that is often unanswered is, Why do Crossfitters lie to the media about their reasons for doing CrossFit? This is a question that if one digs deeply, can be answered. The idea of developing such a severe condition initially sounds risky until a CrossFit coach explains the concept to the new client (Castro 50). This is not a message that can be

Kruger 3 explained in a mass group such as those watching a newscast because it requires more explanation than a news crew would allow. Newscasts would also risk editing out important information as to why this practice appears dangerous, but is actually very safe (Broadbent 36). CrossFit athletes have many rational reasons to train to an intensity that causes Rhabdomyolysis. The body builds up tolerance to this extreme breakdown of muscle and it has proven effective in many cases such as Rich Froning, the Fittest Man on Earth. Froning has obtained hundreds of cases of Rhabdomyolysis and continues to improve in his fitness. CrossFit obtains the only measurable definition of fitness in the world, which states, The measurable definition of fitness is an increased work capacity across broad times and modal domains, (Glassman). CrossFit athletes will continue this practice until they find a reason that they believe is enough evidence to change their practices. They will continue to program their WODs safely as they include movements such as negative pull-ups and heavy weight, high repetition movements. These athletes will not publicly make this claim because it is something that must be explained on an individual basis and is too risky to allow media to add their opinions in, regardless of their suspicions. The increased number of cases an athlete can obtain will be more beneficial for their long-term health, regardless of the claims CrossFit athletes make when interviewed over by the media.

Kruger 4 Works Cited Broadbent, Julianne. The Long-Term Benefits of CrossFit SPC Journal. 28.5 (2012): 3438. The Athletic Owl. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. Castro, David. Rhabdomyolysis: How to Obtain it The CrossFit Journal. 27.3 (2013): 4852. Print. Froning, Rich. Training to Achieve Rhabdomyolysis Rhabdo: A CrossFitters Friend. Ed. Samantha Briggs, Ed. Julie Foucher. Cookeville: Scholastic, 2011. 103-121. Print. Glassman, Gregory. The Definition of CrossFit CrossFit Headquarters. CFHQ, 20 January 2009. Web. 24 Feb. 2014.