With Crossfit, a lot of the foundation for what we do is based on “Try it out, if the results are good, do it”. It’s a simple concept really, called “The Black Box”. To understand the concept of a “black box”, it’s basically something that you put something in, it does something (you have no clue how it does it), and something else comes out the other end (or the same object, but changed in some way).
The Glassmans who run Crossfit use that same principle when incorporating new movements or exercises into their system. Let’s take “Athlete X” who’s been doing Crossfit for two years now, put him through some regimen, and out the other end comes “Athlete X” with 15 lbs of added muscle, 10 lbs less body fat, five seconds faster in their 400m sprint time, a full minute faster in the mile, two minutes off their Helen time, and 150 lbs added to their Crossfit Total. I can guarantee you that they’re going to be taking a darn good look at that regimen and seeing if those results are repeatable. If you take ten “Athlete Y’s” and get about the same results, it sounds like it’s a good plan, doesn’t it? Does it matter if you can’t figure out WHY it works? No, not really (so long as it’s not a short-term benefit for a long-term detriment), as long as you get the results you want out the other end.
It works with lots of things in life, even your relationship with your husband or wife. For example: “Oh come on, can’t you ever get that right? Here, let me do it”. OR “You’re doing great honey” (then if you really feel the need, go back and fix it later). One’s going to make you feel good at the time, and tick off your spouse (or kids, or whoever, people are people).
See? Who says we only teach fitness?
Anyhow, regarding this principle, the reason I even posted something about this is I was just looking through my old files and saw a picture I drew up a while back to explain to someone the black box concept with regards to nutrition, specifically why so many Crossfitters follow the Zone meal plan recommended by Dr. Barry Sears. I’ve attached the picture for your reference (and quasi-enjoyment, at least I thought it was mildly funny at the time)
