What the Hell is CrossFit?

CrossFit workouts - commonly referred to as WOD for "workout of the day" - are designed to include functional movements in various patterns executed at a high intensity level.

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Each CrossFit workout trains different physical skills ranging from endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility and power. As a result, CrossFit workouts vary in length according to the overall goal of the exercise.

Some workouts are performed with a specific number of repetitions as fast as possible while others are limited to 10 to 20 minutes.

Power

CrossFit workouts designed to train speed, strength and power include major lifts such as back squats, deadlifts and presses along with other movements, like pushups, pullups and situps. During these workouts, the goal is to use the prescribed weight and complete the prescribed number of rounds and repetitions as fast as possible, creating the most amount of power. A common workout used to build and measure power is "Fran" - a workout that combines thrusters and pullups performed for three rounds descending from 21 repetitions, 15 repetitions and nine repetitions per round. Top CrossFit athletes complete these workouts in five minutes or less.

Metabolic Conditioning

Metabolic conditioning workouts provide an essential training component to the CrossFit performance pyramid. Commonly referred to as "cardio" by other fitness enthusiasts, CrossFit metabolic conditioning workouts include cycling, running, swimming and rowing. The goal of the metabolic conditioning workouts is to complete the workout as fast as possible with most workouts lasting 20 to 40 minutes for the average CrossFitter. Sample metabolic conditioning workouts include running a 5K or 10K or rowing 2,000 meters for time.

Intervals

Interval training is used in numerous CrossFit workouts and used extensively in the CrossFit Endurance program to train marathon runners, cyclists and triathletes. A common interval used in CrossFit workouts is a "tabata" that includes 20 seconds of work followed by 10 seconds of rest repeated for eight rounds. The goal of each 20 second segment is to perform as many repetitions as possible and then continue to perform that number for all eight rounds. CrossFit workouts incorporate the "tabata" interval into workouts that include rowing, pullups, pushups, situps and squats. A common "tabata" and interval workout lasts between four and 20 minutes depending on the number of exercises.

AMRAP

AMRAP workouts - as many repetitions, or rounds, as possible - are common CrossFit workouts that have a defined time limit. The AMRAP workouts vary in length from seven to 20 minutes with the goal of performing as many repetitions or rounds as possible within the given time frame. Most AMRAP workouts include two to four exercises that you repeat over and over until time runs out. "Cindy", for example, is an AMRAP workout that includes five pullups, 10 pushups and 15 squats performed for 20 minutes. You continue the pattern of pullups, pushups and squats for all 20 minutes.

TIMING

As you may have noticed, considerable value in all trainings plays a period and the number of the repetitions made in this interval of time. To remain effective and to keep proper speed is possible by making use of timer-apps. One of them is MultiTimer. The app is a highly touted timer-app for its immense practicality and functionality. Use it to track fitness goals, performance on WODs and monitor your progress. If you want to stick to your gym’s style of training even if you are not at your box, use it to track WODs via your preset Workspaces.

"Timing is Everything in CrossFit and Life" Carrie Cariello

TRY CINDY & MULTITIMER:

• 20 minute AMRAP*
• 5 pullups
• 10 pushups
• 15 squats

*as many rounds as possible

Photo 1 courtesy of GoodFon

Photo 2 courtesy of GoodFon

MultiTimer on the App Store

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