I took Pilates for a few years in Manhattan because it was extremely helpful for core (abdominal) strength.
I found that there is tremendous variation in the quality of the instructors, some of whom were very specific ("controlled") in movements, and others who were kind of a liability. Also, there were plenty of studios on ClassPass, but many of the top instructors only hold private lessons, so there was a much higher tier that I've never experienced.
Overall I recommend it for anyone looking to cross-train for strength and flexibility, but do try a bunch of studios to find the instructor that works best for you.
I've never looked at any videos. I personally would not feel comfortable trying the exercises without proper supervision since there is a lot of neck movements (I have a herniated disc).
And while you could do mat exercises at home, a studio will have the spring-based machines, like towers and reformers.
Pilates will not help you in an event that requires you to be at your physical best. Strength and speed will. Powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, bodybuilding, and gymnastics/calisthenics/bodyweight training for strength. Running, swimming, rowing, and cycling for speed. CrossFit for both. You want a strong core? Do overhead squats with a 61-kg/135-lb barbell. Do strict toes-to-bar. Do an L-sit for 60 seconds.
> Pilates will not help you in an event that requires you to be at your physical best
Given that your 'best' peaks at age 22-30 (approx) and only goes downwards afterwards, I'm not sure what this even means.
> gymnastics
This kinda pops out among the others, no? To the point it's a bit strange to have them all in one list. Gymnastics is all body strength and flexibility and condition. Could be the definition of physical best imo, mostly because of the 'all body' part: unlike most if not all other things you mention, sports like gymnastics/climbing/... require you to actually use and train the highest percentage of all muscles in your body. Powerlifting/crossfit etc maybe try to achieve that, but don't because there's still focus on typcial muscle groups like quads biceps. Put a gymnast next to the average crossfit guy and you'l clearly notice the difference, the former is way more balanced overall.
> Do you want a strong core? Do overhead squats with a 61-kg/135-lb barbell. Do strict toes-to-bar. Do an L-sit for 60 seconds.
Kinda relates to my previous point: all of thse train almost the exact same muscles in the core, leaving out the rest. Your core is more than just abs.
I know a CrossFit coach who only coaches to make a living (his passion is Olympic-style weightlifting, but there's no money in that in the US).
Heard from him multiple times: "CrossFit is bullshit."
It's a very cultish activity. I'm an amateur weightlifter and lift at my coach's box, and I just find it bizarre and unnecessarily painful (judging by the bodies on the floor after a WOD).
I do both Olympic weightlifting and CrossFit. I like Olympic weightlifting more--it's my passion. I use CrossFit to keep fit. I'm a 73-kg class weightlifter; been lifting since 2018. My snatch PR is 75 kg, and my clean & jerk PR is 94 kg. Can't wait for this COVID-19 lockdown to be lifted so that I can go back to the gym.
That's cool. Same here, can't wait. I actually bought a cheap barbell and some light weights so at least I can keep practicing technique in my apartment :)
CrossFit uses strict work as part of their training, such as strict pull-ups, strict toes-to-bar, etc. There are even strict versions of their famous benchmark workouts. One of them is "Cindy, Strict!" (https://www.crossfit.com/190111). My score was 12 rounds + 5 strict pull-ups + 10 push-ups + 12 air squats (387 reps).
Seems like "Part of" is the key word, and it also appears as though the goal of each day is to tell people about it in the comments. A solid calisthenics program would probably be more valuable imo.
I love calisthenics. I do the Recommended Routine over at Reddit Bodyweight Fitness: https://www.reddit.com/r/bodyweightfitness/wiki/kb/recommend.... I do this routine in addition to my Olympic weightlifting training. I do CrossFit for fitness testing and for that HIIT stimulus, not for "training" training.
Seems like "Part of" is the key word, and it also appears as though the goal of each day is to tell people about it in the comments. If it works for you, cool.
I found that there is tremendous variation in the quality of the instructors, some of whom were very specific ("controlled") in movements, and others who were kind of a liability. Also, there were plenty of studios on ClassPass, but many of the top instructors only hold private lessons, so there was a much higher tier that I've never experienced.
Overall I recommend it for anyone looking to cross-train for strength and flexibility, but do try a bunch of studios to find the instructor that works best for you.