People who have been doing crossfit for a while get so much fitter (e.g. 30 continuos pull ups) that the standard crossfit workout needs to be scaled down for newbies. Really, anybody is better off scaling the workload to their current level of fitness - up or down. When I started, I had no idea how to adjust the recommended workout, so that guidance was really helpful. As you search the site, you will find other useful tips for scaling, like the use of assistance bands for getting the pull ups, and alternatives to help you progress to doing handstand pushups (I thought that they were beyond attainable back in July, but I do 5 in a set now). After a while, you know what they are getting at with the workouts and how to scale them yourself.
Like the P90X program, they employ variety to avoid overtraining or plateauing. Also like P90X, they bring intensity, because it is just so much more productive. The Crossfit emphasis is on getting good at a core of a few dozen "World's Best" exercises, endlessly varied in their arrangements, sets and reps. You never know when they will will come up some new unique challenge though. At first it may seem like they are jumping around randomly, but over time I have appreciated that it is really scientifically selected and programmed based on sound principles and precise logical analysis.
Thanks for the info. I looked into it more to get a better idea, and I’m liking what I’m seeing. It looks like it’s fairly simple to set up a home gym (minus the rope climbing stuff).
What’s the big difference between Crossfit and P90X?