12 Minute Athlete - Crossfit on the (very) cheap

[nktokyo]

I've been using this site for a couple of weeks and besides feeling utterly destroyed after each workout I really like it. I think it fits in with the MMM way of doing things so thought I'd share here. http://www.12minuteathlete.com/

[Kriegsspiel]

That looks like a pretty standard calisthenics routine. 

[Donovan]

That looks like a pretty standard calisthenics routine. 

Agreed. And to quote the discussion on the Fitness Megathread, it's what Rippetoe would call 'exercise' rather than 'training'.

I went on there and looked around, and the workouts will definitely get your heart pumping.  However, in the long run any strength gains are going to quickly level off since there's no progressive increase.  It's a good starter program, sort of a Crossfit or Insanity lite, but it needs to be added to or replaced later on if you want to keep making gains.

I also feel like she overly critical of heavy weight training (and I'm the one who wrote the body weight section of the Megathread :P)  While she's right about the low cost and portability, the other 4 reasons that she uses to promote her body weight HIIT are actually better developed by a good strength regimen.

[nktokyo]

I was approaching this more from the "you can get your workout in without spending hundreds" angle, but each to their own.

[crestheaven]

I live in NJ and joined Planet Fitness for $100/yr. We have pizza once a month and bagels once a month, so it's really not costing me anything. I walk there for an added workout and use the showers to reduce my home water bill.

[gdborton]

use the showers to reduce my home water bill.

I've been wanting to start this, but I'm not a morning person and I need a shower after I sleep.

[amicableskeptic]

Isn't MMM all about realizing that many of our "needs" are really wants?  I used to think I needed a shower every single day but I find that I don't smell as long as I shower after lifting and use a little deodorant (this strategy has been wife approved even when I go a couple days between lifts).  If waking up is the real issue you might look into going to bed earlier.  There's a great book called Power Sleep about how the average American is hugely sleep deprived.  The author does have some odd unsupported ideas (like constantly buying fancy king beds) but his actual sleep research is legit.  Going to bed earlier could resolve your waking up problem and make you healthier and smarter at the same time, just stick with it a while.

[gdborton]

It's more my hair than anything else, I can't get it to behave at all without hitting it with shampoo in the morning.

[catccc]

It's more my hair than anything else, I can't get it to behave at all without hitting it with shampoo in the morning.

not sure if this has been discussed elsewhere, but swearing off of shampoo completely has worked for me.  I use a baking soda rinse massaged into my scalp 1-2X a week instead.  I cannot give up conditioner, though, so I follow my baking soda with conditioner.  My long hair gets to tangly otherwise...