@erbimages - Sorry, but I think it is fairly inaccurate to say that they are "hard compared to a regular pullup" (I'm interpreting regular pullup as a strict pullup). I mean, there is a reason why they ask you to do 100 pull ups in a work-out or sets of 20 pull-ups for cross-fit, it's because kipping pull-ups are easier. As a fundamental matter of physics they are easier. The whole point of a kipping pullup is to convert lateral energy into vertical energy, thus requiring less of your own energy to move the vertical distance required, whereas strict pullups focus on using zero lateral energy for your vertical motion. Thus, all of the energy for a strict pull-up is generated by your back and bicep muscles whereas a majority of the energy for a kipping pullup is generated by the transfer of energy. With that being said, I'm not trying to be a "pullup elitist" because I do believe there are different strokes for different folks, and just wanted to point out that I don't think your claim is accuratae. By the same token, I cannot get into these pullups at all, and get a very angry feeling when I see them being done lol to me its akin to bench pressing by slamming the bar into your chest so that it rebounds half way up your rep. I think my anger stems from the fact that people will be like "I can do 40 pullups" trying to insinuate that they are equal to 40 strict pullups, when it's really like no, you can do 40 kipping pullups.

I would agree with From

Totally!

Coming from a bodybuilding background into crossfit it was hard for me to understand the purpose of a kipping pullup. It is strictly to increase the amount of work done in the shortest amount of time. If you goal is to build your lats or increase your pull up strength then you need to be doing strict pull ups. If you are trying to get your chest to the bar in the most efficient and speedy manner then you better be kipping. It cracks me up when people say kipping pull ups are "wrong". These are generally the people who tell me that my hang clean form isnt the right way to do an upright row because its cheating. It all comes down to what you are trying to achieve.

I think the main problem is that the pure bb'ing people need to remember the purpose of crossfit and their techniques. Kipping and butterfly is harder in terms of learning proper technique and coordination to actually do it. Crossfit is not gauged at maximum hypertrophy, or endurance, or speed. It is a mix of a little bit of everything. If your goal is to get massive, then crossfit isn't for you.