If you want to begin an exercise program, it’s important to choose one that’s a good match for your goals, schedule and personality. Crossfit and GMBfitness are two fitness regimens that are popular right now, the former more than the latter. There are advantages and disadvantages to each. Let’s do a comparison of them to help you decide which is more appropriate for you.
Crossfit
Crossfit is an intensive workout program that is designed to build strength and conditioning quickly. It is used by many military and police organizations, mixed martial arts fighters and others who are seeking the fastest and most efficient way to get fit and strong. While Crossfit is famous for being difficult and intense, it’s also a scalable system, making it possible for people of all levels of fitness to benefit from it. As the name “Crossfit” implies, this is a fitness program that works on building overall fitness, as opposed to most other systems with more limited and specialized goals. One of the basic elements of Crossfit is the WOD or Workout of the Day. The following are some of the exercises that are typically done during a WOD.
- Squats -This is a basic strength building exercise that weightlifters, especially power lifters, have always valued. It’s also a staple of the Crossfit regimen.
- Pull-ups -This exercise builds core as well as upper body strength.
- Burpees -A combinatino of push-ups and jumping jacks, burpees build strength as well as cardiovascular fitness and explosive power.
- Box Jumps -A powerful jumping exercise that builds explosiveness.
- Thrusters -A compound movement weight training exercise that combines the squat and overhead press.
These are just a few of the basic exercises emphasized in Crossfit. Many exercises are taken from powerlifting routines. The focus with Crossfit is to build real strength, not simply muscles that look good.
GMBfitness
GMB stands for Gold Medal Bodies. It’s a fitness program that relies mainly on free form exercises. GMBfitness is strongly influenced by the routines used by gymnasts, who need to build flexiblity and balance as well as strength. The program does require some equipment, however. Many of the exercises require gymnast rings, which can be hung from frames attached to the wall or ceiling. Parallettes are another training tool used in many GMB exercises. These are a type of parallel bars used to build balance and body control. The GMB course provides instructions on how to build parallettes. You can also purchase them from exercise stores or websites.
GMBfitness is aimed at people who would like to feel more comfortable in their own bodies. The philosophy is that fitness is not an end in itself, but something you do to improve the overall quality of your life. While many of the exercises, such as handstand pushups, are extremely challenging, the program places more emphasis on feeling your best and controlling your entire body rather than increasing reps or lifting heavy weights.
Comparing Crossfit and GMBfitness
There are definite benefits to both Crossfit and GMBfitness. Crossfit is a great program if your main goal is to build strength and all-around fitness. Many exercises use weights, which are one of the best tools for getting stronger. There is also a great deal of emphasis on varying your routine. GMBfitness relies mostly on body weight exercises. There is more emphasis on balance, flexibility, total body control and confidence in one self rather than on making quantifiable gains in a particular exercise.
In general, Crossfit tends to target people who are extremely gungho about getting fitter and stronger and may be more suitable for younger individuals. GMBfitness, appeals more to people who are into both the psychological side of self-improvement as well as better total body control which is suitable for people of any age and quite honestly is a methodology that you can do for your entire life. If you are considering either or both of these programs, it’s best to look them over and see which seems like the better fit for you.
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