[rgraham]

Your statement about CrossFit encouraging a lack of proper form is patently false. That is a common, and false, criticism of a great fitness program.

CrossFit encourages you to work fast because intensity is correlated with power and results. Power -- what we want to build a capacity for -- is simply work over time. Results come more quickly to intense training because the body has shown to adapt faster to (relatively) intense stimuli. crossfit.com is covered in references for the interested.

Form is a key part of these movements, but learning a proper squat or clean is the endeavor of a lifetime. No one is perfect at significant load here. CrossFit teaches a balance of these elements that maximizes fitness in the athletes. Injury due to improper form or overtraining is contrary to what CrossFit wants to achieve.

Some people take things too far. Some people not far enough. CrossFit simply wants you to push your relative limits each time you do a WOD. That is how you get better. You're never going to be a great race car driver taking practice laps at 30mph.

There is more to say, but I'd challenge you to find a good affiliate and try it out. Experience is a grand teacher.

I'm CrossFit certified.

[rluhar]

Off topic - but does anyone know of a Crossfit gym or a Crossfit group in Tokyo?