What is CrossFit?

“CrossFit is a lifestyle characterized by safe, effective exercise and sound nutrition.”

CrossFit by definition can be summed up in this short phrase: constantly varied, functional movement, performed at high intensity. But what does that mean?

Constantly Varied: CrossFit has some famous benchmark workouts, like Fran and Murph, that we repeat on occasion to see how our fitness has improved. But most of the time, you’ll see new workouts programmed every day: workouts with different movements, rep schemes, loads, and time domains. That doesn’t mean the workouts are random — CrossFit programming strategically varies the workout stimulus so you’re prepared for any and all physical tasks — but it does mean you’ll never get bored.

Functional movement: Have you ever picked something up off the floor? Sat down in a chair and stood up again? Placed items up on a shelf? If so, you’ve performed deadlifts, squats, and shoulder presses. In CrossFit, we train these types of movements because they are the movements life demands — whether we practice them or not. They are essential to independent living. And when we use these movements to move large loads over long distances, quickly, we develop power, which in turn develops tremendous strength and body control.

High Intensity: No matter what you’re looking for from your workouts — feeling better, looking better, sleeping better, being stronger — intensity is the most effective way to get you there. In CrossFit, we focus first on moving well with consistency, and then we work on increasing intensity. But a workout that’s intense for one person may not be for another. Intensity is relative, which means the goal is to work hard within the limits of your own physical and psychological capacity, because that’s where the results are. If you’re working hard, chances are you’re getting fitter.

How do we perform constantly varied, functional movements at high intensity? We incorporate a strength and conditioning program that mixes: weightlifting, gymnastics, running, rowing and biking in a whole bunch of ways to give you a broad range of fitness. Hence the term “CrossFit”, we are “crossing” a few different domains of fitness.