I'll preface this by saying I'm not a Crossfitter due in large part to the reasons you mentioned.
But I think those less savory elements aren't ubiquitous, and Crossfit has done some very good things for the fitness industry. Chief amongst these is an emphasis on compound movements and barbell training, which in most cases are much more beneficial to focus on (as opposed to the bodybuilding, isolation heavy bro-splits that has dominated for years).
So I think that overall Crossfit has had a positive impact on the way people train, but a lot of the specifics about the way the organization does business need to be cleaned up, and I don't think they've shown much of an inclination to do that at this point.
"Chief amongst these is an emphasis on compound movements and barbell training, which in most cases are much more beneficial to focus on (as opposed to the bodybuilding, isolation heavy bro-splits that has dominated for years)."
OH THIS
I can't stand the people that think the only way to progress is to split their training into a huge amount of minuscule parts.
Yeah, maybe if you're really a pro bodybuilder it makes sense to have ABCDEFG, but for most people it doesn't.
As someone who used to do "brosplits" and recently switched to heavy compound movements, I can definitely attest to the benefits of the latter. If I had to choose one, I would go with the compound exercises (squats, deadlifts, overhead press, barbell rows, bench press, etc.), but I think the best routines incorporate both types of exercises. That's why I like routines like ICF 5x5[1], which is centered around heavy compound lifts but also includes smaller isolation lifts as accessories.
I've lately been interested in strongman training for its emphasis on functional strength and limited explosive movement - it's a safer option for someone like me that is both tall and has scolosis making the form needed for powerlifting largely out of reach.
I don't have the equipment or inclination to train like the competitive athletes, but I will regularly go around the gym doing a farmer's walk with kettles or dumbbells now.
You're right, and I don't mean isolation stuff is worthless. I just think all but the most experienced lifters would get more bang for their buck (or time) by focusing on barbell stuff.
But I think those less savory elements aren't ubiquitous, and Crossfit has done some very good things for the fitness industry. Chief amongst these is an emphasis on compound movements and barbell training, which in most cases are much more beneficial to focus on (as opposed to the bodybuilding, isolation heavy bro-splits that has dominated for years).
So I think that overall Crossfit has had a positive impact on the way people train, but a lot of the specifics about the way the organization does business need to be cleaned up, and I don't think they've shown much of an inclination to do that at this point.