If you’re a fitness enthusiast or athlete, chances are you’ve heard of CrossFit. But what exactly is it? Is it a workout regimen? A lifestyle? A cult? Below we’ll take an in-depth look at all things CrossFit to help you better understand what is a CrossFit WOD and how it can benefit you.
What is Crossfit? An In-Depth Explanation
CrossFit is a strength and conditioning program that combines elements of gymnastics, weightlifting, running, rowing, and more. It was founded in 2000 by Greg Glassman, and today there are more than 15,000 CrossFit affiliate gyms around the world.
The beauty of CrossFit is that it can be scaled to accommodate any fitness level. Whether you’re a beginner just starting out on your fitness journey or a seasoned athlete looking for a new challenge, CrossFit has something to offer everyone.
CrossFit workouts, or Workout Of The Day (WOD), are typically short and intense, lasting anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes. They are composed of functional movements that are performed at a high intensity level. Functional movements are those that we perform in our everyday lives, such as squatting, pushing, pulling, and running.
When thinking what is a CrossFit wod, the goal is to improve overall fitness through varied and challenging workouts that will prepare you for anything life throws your way. Whether you’re looking to get stronger, faster, or more agile, CrossFit can help you achieve your fitness goals.
One of the best things about Crossfit is the community. When you walk into a CrossFit gym (known as a “box”), you’ll immediately be welcomed with open arms by a group of like-minded people who are all working towards the same goal: improving their fitness. The supportive community is one of the things that keeps people coming back to CrossFit day after day, year after year.
CrossFit is much more than just a workout program; it’s a lifestyle. And once you catch the CrossFit bug, there’s no turning back!
The Workouts (WOD)
The workouts are constantly varied and always challenging; no two workouts are ever the same. The goal is to train your body for anything and everything life might throw your way—from carrying groceries up stairs to running a marathon—and have fun while doing it!
Each workout is comprised of functional movements that are performed at a high intensity level. Functional movements are those that we perform in our everyday lives—squatting, pushing, pulling, running—and they’re ones that we should be able to do safely and effectively regardless of our age or fitness level.
The workouts can be scaled to accommodate any fitness level; whether you’re just starting out on your fitness journey or you’re a seasoned athlete looking for a new challenge, there’s always room for improvement with Crossfit.
Most Crossfit WOD’s typically last anywhere from 5-30 minutes and they vary day-to-day so there’s never a dull moment! You never know what’s in store for you when you walk into the box; one day you might be lifting weights and the next day you might be doing bodyweight exercises or running sprints. The element of surprise keeps things interesting and helps ensure that you never get bored with your workout routine.
In addition to varying the exercises each day, the intensity level is also always changing; some days you might be working hard but not quite at your max capacity while other days you might be pushed outside of your comfort zone (in a good way!). This variation ensures that your body is constantly being challenged in new ways which leads to better results in terms of strength gains, muscle growth, fat loss, etc.
What are the benefits of Crossfit
I’m a big fan of Crossfit. I love the feeling of pushing my body to its limits and getting stronger every day. I also love the community aspect of Crossfit; it’s great to be a part of a group of people who are all working towards the same goal.
Crossfit is a challenging workout, there’s no doubt about that. But that’s what I love about it; it pushes me to be better every single day. And because the workouts are always changing, I never get bored. I also love the fact that Crossfit is scalable; whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned athlete, there’s always a way to make the workout challenging for you.
Another great thing about Crossfit is the community aspect. Everyone is working towards the same goal – to get fit and healthy – and that creates a really supportive and positive environment. We all cheer each other on and push each other to be better.
Finally, I love how well-rounded Crossfit is. It not only helps me to build strength and endurance, but it also teaches me proper form and technique for lifting weights. This is so important because it reduces my risk of injury in the long run.
How to do a Crossfit WOD(Workout of the day)
As a fitness enthusiast, I’m always looking for new ways to challenge my body and push myself to the next level. After understanding what a CrossFit wod is that’s why I was drawn to CrossFit. CrossFit is a system of fitness that combines a variety of different types of workouts in order to help people become stronger and more fit.
Unlike traditional fitness programs that focus on isolated exercises, CrossFit uses a functional approach that trains the whole body. Through a combination of weightlifting, gymnastics, and cardiovascular exercises, CrossFit helps people achieve a level of fitness that they never thought possible.
Types of CrossFit Workouts
In learning what a CrossFit wod is you soon realize that there are six main types of CrossFit workouts that can either be used exclusively in the WOD or potentially use a combination of them in a WOD.
Here are the main six:
1. EMOM – Stands for “every minute on the minute”. Start a running clock and do a set number of reps at regular intervals, typically (but not necessarily, despite the name) at the start of each minute. The EMOM workout scrutinizes your powers of recovery. Example: Three clean and jerks every minute for 10 minutes
2. AMRAP – “As many rounds as possible”. Complete a given exercise combination as many times as you can within a given time. It’s a battle of mind over searing muscle. Example: 12 minutes of eight front squats and eight push presses
3. RFT “Rounds for time” – means completing a given number of rounds of a circuit as fast as possible. The short rest periods help develop long-lasting muscle endurance. Example: Eight rounds of 15 kettlebell swings, 10 kettlebell clean and presses and 5 kettlebell snatches
4. Chipper – A one-round series of exercises, usually with high reps, to be completed in the fastest time possible. A high-volume, muscle-building grind. Example: 100 press-ups, 75 bodyweight squats, 50 burpees, 25 pull-ups
5. Ladder – One or more movements, increasing or decreasing the workload over time. Example: 1-10 reps of goblet squats superset with 10-1 reps of pull-ups
6. Tabata – Do eight rounds of high-intensity intervals, alternating 20 seconds effort with 10 seconds rest. A fat-eviscerating finisher. Example: 8x Tabata rows for max distance
Crossfit workouts are a great way to improve your overall fitness and athletic performance. They are typically high-intensity and can be challenging but as you have seen above, there are many different types of workouts but they all can be modified to your fitness level!
Crossfit WOD examples
We started to answer what is a CrossFit WOD by going over the basics of what CrossFit is and the types of CrossFit workouts that you might find within a CrossFit WOD. Next I want to show you some examples of CrossFit WODs and specifically some of the most popular WODs that you might run across in the local CrossFit Box.
5 Popular CrossFit WODs:
- Fran – Fran is the most popular CrossFit workout. It’s commonly used to test progress among Cross Fitters. You do 21, 15 and 9 reps of thrusters (front squats into push presses) and pull-ups, for time. The standard weight for the thrusters is 95 pounds for men for men and 65 pounds for women.
- Cindy – Cindy involves doing 5 pull-ups, 10 push-ups and 15 squats as many times as possible in 20 minutes. It’s a great beginner workout because it involves only bodyweight movements.
- Murph – Murph was named in honor of Lieutenant Michael Murphy of Patchogue, N.Y., who was killed in Afghanistan June 28th, 2005. It involves doing a mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats and another mile run, for time.
- Grace – Grace is straightforward. It involves doing 30 reps of clean and jerks, for time. The standard weight is 135 pounds for men and 95 pounds for women.
- Annie – Annie is 50, 40, 30, 20, 10 reps of double-unders (when a jump rope passes under your feet twice in one jump) and sit-ups, for time.
Of course there hundreds of combinations of CrossFit workouts that have been used in CrossFit gyms across the world but the one’s above are some of the most popular that you will find in every box and in the annual CrossFit games.
The Best Foods to Eat Before and After a CrossFit Workout
If you’re looking to get the most out of your CrossFit workout, it’s important to fuel your body with the right foods both before and after you exercise. What you eat can have a big impact on your energy levels, recovery time, and overall performance. We’ll take a look at some of the best foods to eat before and after a CrossFit workout.
Before Your Workout:
It’s important to eat something before you work out, especially if you’re going to be doing a strenuous workout like CrossFit. A light meal or snack that contains both carbohydrates and protein is a good option. Some good pre-workout foods include:
-A banana with peanut butter
-An energy bar
-Oatmeal with berries
-A turkey sandwich
After Your Workout:
What you eat after your workout is just as important as what you eat before. You’ll want to replenish your energy stores and help your muscles recover. A meal or snack that contains protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats is a good option. Some good post-workout foods include:
-A turkey sandwich
-Yogurt with fruit and granola
-A salad with chicken
Eating the right foods can help improve your energy levels, recovery time, and overall performance. So next time you hit the gym, be sure to keep these tips in mind!
How to Find the Right Crossfit Gym for You
Athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike are drawn to the CrossFit program’s promise of a well-rounded workout that builds both strength and endurance. But with so many CrossFit gyms now popping up all over the country, it can be tough to know how to pick the right one. Here are a few tips to help you find a CrossFit gym that’s perfect for you.
Do Your Research
The first step in finding the right CrossFit gym is to do your research. Not all CrossFit gyms are created equal, and you’ll want to find one that offers the type of environment, programming, and coaching that’s right for you.
Start by reading online reviews from other athletes, and then take a look at the gyms’ websites to get a feel for their philosophy and approach. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, it’s time to take a trial class at each of the gyms on your list.
This will give you a better sense of the workout atmosphere and whether or not the coaches and fellow athletes are supportive and welcoming.
Trial Class
Before signing up for a membership, be sure to take a trial class at the Crossfit gym you’re considering. This will give you a chance to experience the workout firsthand and see if it’s something you enjoy.
It’s also an opportunity to assess the quality of coaching and see if the instructors are able to adapt their workouts to meet the needs of different skill levels. Finally, pay attention to how you feel after the class. Are you sore? Exhausted? Energized?
The way you feel afterwards can be a good indication of whether or not the gym is right for you.
Listen to Your Gut
At the end of the day, it’s important to go with your gut when choosing a CrossFit gym. If something doesn’t feel right or you don’t click with the other athletes or coaches, then it’s probably not the right place for you.
There are dozens of great CrossFit gyms out there, so don’t settle for anything less than perfect.
In Summary
CrossFit is much more than just a workout program—it’s a lifestyle. It’s a community of like-minded individuals who support and encourage one another through thick and thin (literally!). It’s constantly varied and always challenging workouts that will prepare your body for anything life throws your way—from carrying groceries up stairs to running a marathon (or anything in between).
So what are you waiting for?! Find a box near you and give CrossFit a try; I guarantee you won’t regret it!
What has been your experience with CrossFit? Let us know in the comments below!