I'll start by saying I crossfit myself. I do it on my own- I follow Outlaw crossfit for those who have heard of it. Been doing it for 3 years, spent significant time at 5 different boxes, worked out with a few regional competitor athletes, and some who had even been to the Games.

I'm above average to good as far as crossfitters go. I'm not some scorned loser who is jealous. I'm never going to make it to the games, or regionals, but I'm likely more advanced than 90% on this board who do crossfit. I can do all the movements, including up to the most advanced (MU, HS walks, everything). I have good strength and cardio. 550 deadlift, 405 squat, 215 snatch, 285 C&J. 5:30 mile, pretty good metcon times. And I did gain all this from crossfit- so there is good. 3 years ago I was weak and fat and never imagined I would be where I am in terms of fitness. The methodology works, if used correctly.

Here is my problems with crossfit-

1) The elitists- "I crossfit so I'm in better shape than you". That's not true. There are hundreds of ways to be in great shape. You may or may not workout harder than another, you may or may not be in better shape.

2) Programming- If you go to a regular box, and blindly believe that because you feel like dying after a metcon that you're getting an amazing workout, you could be fooled. A lot of trainers seem to throw random metcons together with no philosophy behind them. You shouldn't be doing a metcon every day. There should be days devoted to nothing but strength. I feel many gyms severely undervalue the "strength" aspect and many members do too because they just want to ripped like Froning. You get ripped by lifting (and dieting). Again, if you find the right programming/good programming, it can be a very very good workout. Just have to know what to look for

3)Coaching/Training- ties into number 2 a bit. But tons of these trainers are idiots. They know next to nothing about fitness. Now, there are very good coaches out there. I've met some and worked out with plenty who were knowledgeable. But most assume that simply being certified means they must know what they're talking about. Anyone can become certified. Literally. Some fat weekend warrior can pay 2k and take a 2 day course, and bam- CERTIFIED!

4) $$$. They aren't reinventing the wheel. They didn't make these movements or patent them. You don't use some fancy equipment. Many don't receive legitimate and beneficial training from a knowledgable professional. So why pay $120/month to have some fat weekend warrior tell you to push through it as you're trying to do 5 unbroken snatches at 135# in the middle of a timed metcon?

Or better yet, how about we convince everyone they need to pay $20 to do a bunch of workouts posted online- just to see that they may crack the top 10,000 in the region!! Castro is a marketing genius to get people to buy into that. If you can't do a MU, how fun was that 15.3 workout where you posted a 0?

TLDR version- Too expensive, not legit training or programming, elitist attitude. Could be a great program with a legit coach/programming, but can be tough to find.