Considering its recent popularity -- there are currently more than 10 million self-described CrossFitters[1] -- it's worth asking if CrossFit is really all it's cracked up to be. And according to a small new study commissioned by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), your WOD really is working.


A team of researchers from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's exercise physiology program monitored 16 healthy and fit volunteers as they burpee'd and thrusted their way through two separate CrossFit workouts, Donkey Kong and Fran. The men burned nearly 21 calories a minute while women burned just over 12. Each routine took varying amounts of time to complete, however, all the participants maintained an elevated heart rate throughout the entire workout[2] and reached about 80 percent of their VO2max, satisfying fitness industry guidelines for improving cardiovascular endurance, according to ACE.


No matter how fit they were to begin with, all the volunteers rated the workouts as hard. "Each person was extremely exhausted at the end," Paige Babiash, M.S., told ACE.


The benefits of CrossFit and other high-intensity interval workouts[3] are especially intriguing to many busy people, since they accomplish a lot in a short period of time. But "high-intensity" is the key phrase: These workouts are not for everyone. Not only is CrossFit's intensity "off the charts," Porcari said, but the sport of fitness also encourages competition, which could push some athletes to injury -- or worse. Tales abound of "Uncle Rhabdo"[4] , an unofficial mascot of CrossFit, afflicted with rhabdomyolysis, an all-jokes-aside, potentially-fatal breakdown of muscle that could strike CrossFitters who don't respect their limits.


To reap the benefits of CrossFit injury-free, first-timers should look for a gym[5] , called a box, with a caring and invested coaching staff where they can try out some introductory workouts. But with the right nod to safety, the research supports going totally beast mode.



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  • Mallory Hytes Hagan


    Miss America's 2013 winner, Miss New York, Mallory Hagan, is the first New Yorker to win since Vanessa Williams back in 1984. And there's something else unusual about the Brooklyn resident: she used the popular, emerging fitness system CrossFit. “She did not want to be rail-thin,” her boyfriend, <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/klyn_own_miss_america_understand_heB5sUeiu0BmgaHbBThbuJ?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20Local">Charmel Maynard told the New York Post</a>. “She did it the right way: She did a lot of CrossFit, and she just ate a lot better.”




  • Jessica Biel


    Actress Jessica Biel is known for her superhero physique -- and she's proud of it. "I’m comfortable with my body and who I am because I work out a lot,” <a href="http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/independent-woman/health-fitness/weight-loss-eat-and-exercise-like-a-hollywood-bride-3075438.html?ino=2#wcol#ixzz2HyzrXFGV">she told the Irish newspaper, The Independent</a>. “There is so much pressure to look a certain way in this town. But it's nice to have a little meat on you, and I hope I inspire women to appreciate their muscular calves!" Biel is a regular at an LA CrossFit gym.




  • Max Greenfield


    The <em>New Girl</em> star, who plays beloved bro Schmidt, is just as concerned with fitness off camera as he is on. "I do Crossfit a lot," <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/trending/post/_/id/742/new-girl-star-max-greenfield-on-workouts">the actor told ESPN in April 2012</a>. "I’ve been doing it for about two years."




  • Kelly Clarkson


    Kelly Clarkson <a href="http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2013/01/kelly-clarkson-dramatic-weight-loss-was-love/">recently shed 18 pounds</a> for her upcoming wedding, Radar< reported. And part of her weight loss regimen may have included CrossFit, if her September interview with Self is any indication. "You never work out more than 35 minutes, but it's so intense," <a href="http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20297046,00.html">Clarkson told the magazine, according to a report in People</a>. "It makes me feel like G.I. Jane. It's very empowering. I feel like I can whup ass!"




  • Brad Pitt


    The actor reportedly uses CrossFit to get ready for roles, <a href="http://www.mensfitness.com/training/9-strong-stars-who-love-crossfit?page=3">according to Men's Fitness</a>.




  • Vanessa Hudgens


    Vanessa Hudgens is a CrossFit devotee <a href="http://www.shape.com/celebrities/celebrity-workouts/top-10-workouts-celebs-swear?page=8">according to several sources, including Shape</a>.




  • Cameron Diaz


    Cameron Diaz maintains those legendary biceps with a workout that includes CrossFit, <a href="http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20554000_6,00.html">according to Health.com</a>.




  • Jason Statham


    Actor Statham managed to drop 17 pounds in six weeks, <a href="http://www.menshealth.com/fitness/jason-stathams-weight-loss-workout">using a combination of CrossFit-style workouts and a healthy diet</a>, according to Men's Health. Now? He refers to his pre-CrossFit body as "doughy."




  • Trevor Donovan


    Donovan's brother Jake owns a CrossFit gym in Los Angeles, making it a no brainer that the 90210 actor <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhB6MeQylc4">knows his way around some burpees</a>.




  • Malin Akerman


    The actress keeps her The Watchman-level fitness in check with a <a href="http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/malin-akerman-workout">Navy SEAL-certified workout that included moves borrowed from CrossFit</a>.