High-Intensity Workouts Are Highly Popular -- but Be Careful

EL PASO, Texas -- Some of the most popular workout trends offer sessions so intense or fun that they block out the stress of the day.
Gregory Florez, founder and CEO of fitadvisor.com health coaching services, said the more-bang-for-your-buck classes are attractive because they offer an outlet for stress while providing workouts that exercise many muscle groups in a short period.

Such high-intensity workouts can have big physical payoffs if they're done correctly, Florez -- who's also a spokesman for the American Council on Exercise -- said in a telephone interview from Salt Lake City.

But they also can help psychologically, he said.

"With all that's going on (economically), people are frustrated and angry -- angry at bosses, at layoffs, at health-care insurance," Florez said. "These are pretty in-your-face (workouts) and a good way to get out your anger."

He said programs such as boot camps and CrossFit classes offer intense sessions that get results.

Still, he cautioned exercisers to do their homework before they commit to a program.

"I think we are ever more time-starved as a culture and want to combine all elements of our workout into one easy ... program without having to do extra things," Florez said.

Because the fitness industry is largely unregulated, he said, it pays for consumers to first carefully investigate their prospective classes, both in person and by talking with others who have been there. They should look for fitness trainers who have national certifications, and try to sample a class before signing up, he said.

"The conservative approach would be a good idea. Unless you're a super-fit athlete or have been a Marine, it's a really good idea to ask for referrals of programs from friends or colleagues or family who have participated and who mirror your fitness level and goals," Florez said.

CrossFit classes have been increasing in popularity in the El Paso, Texas area for months. The phenomenon began in the 1980s and has been gaining interest since.

It offers high-intensity workouts intended to build strength and enhance physical conditioning.

"They are very scalable according to your fitness level, so anybody can do it -- any age, size or gender," said Jorge Talavera, manager at EFS Training Center/CrossFit El Paso. "We do try to make some routines dynamic and intense, but, of course, we don't want you to hit the red zone every time."

He said the biggest difference between CrossFit and other exercise regimens is its focus on functionality: "When you do things like the squat, it's not something you do braced against the wall. It's something you do to pick up the kids or get your grocery bags. It's functional movement instead of trying to isolate muscles," he said.

He said CrossFit classes work on cardio endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power and speed. The workouts change daily and incorporate movements such as tossing a weighted ball, doing pull-ups, deadlifting weight, and running. Participation costs about $150 a month.

Talavera said his business recently started CrossFit Kids, which scales the workouts done for children ages 3 to 16.

"It really begins to educate their bodies to be active and to develop their bodies the way they should, which is functional flexibility, to be able to start to get some strength," Talavera said.