CrossFit

CrossFit is a high-intensity strength and conditioning program. It uses functional movements and varied workouts to help people lose weight, build muscle, get fitter and stronger and live healthier lives.

eReplacement Parts have produced a definitive guide via an infographic on what CrossFit is, it's benefits, how to do CrossFit and sample workouts. This blog summarises the detailed article on CrossFit as written by Ashley Aucoin. Thank you to Katelyn Green for providing this article and infographics.

High 5,

Matt

CROSSFIT

Each class consists of a 15-minute warm-up, followed by 15 minutes of skill work. This is a great opportunity to improve on a move you are struggling with, or tackle an exercise you Arellano nervous about in the Workout of the Day (WOD). After the skill work segment, you will move on to the WOD. The amount of time to complete a workout varies depending on the objective. Sometimes you will be racing against the clock, while other times you will be aiming for a timed personal best. A cool-down will round out your workout.

10 Components of CrossFit

Doing CrossFit is a full mind- and body-workout. 10 specific elements of physical fitness you will practice during each workout are:

1. Cardiovascular and Respiratory

2. Stamina

3. Strength

4. Flexibility

5. Power

6. Speed

7. Coordination

8. Agility

9. Balance

10. Accuracy

Building Blocks of CrossFit

There are nine foundational movements every new CrossFit member must understand and master to ensure they get the most out of their workout and avoid injury. The three basic movements are: Squats, Presses, and Lifts. These movements increase in difficulty from Level 1 to Level 3. Once an athlete is comfortable with the form and technique associated with an exercise, they can progress to the next.

Squats

The first movement you will learn when you join a CrossFit gym is an air squat. This basic movement is the foundation for the next two levels of squats. Squats are excellent lower-body exercises that engage your hamstrings, glutes, and quadriceps. As you progress through the three levels of squats, you will also begin to engage your upper body and core, making the squat a full-body workout.

Level 1 – Air Squat:

1. Stand with your knees shoulder-width apart and your toes angled out at approximately 10 degrees.

2. Keep your back, shoulders, and core tight.

3. Extend your arms out in front of you.

4. Press your hamstrings back and down.

5. As you lower yourself to the ground, press your knees out.

6. At the lowest point of the movement, your hips should be lower than the crease in your knees.

7. Press up through your hamstrings and glutes to return to the starting position.

8. Rest your hands at your side.

Level 2 – Front Squat:

1. Begin in the same stance as for an air squat.

2. Hold a bar in front rack position. (Rack position: Rest the bar on your shoulders across your chest. Your elbows should be up and your triceps parallel to the floor. Loosely grip the bar at slightly wider than shoulder width, with palms facing the ceiling.)

3. Once you are comfortable holding the bar, complete the same downward movement executed in an air squat.

Level 3 – Overhead Squat:

1. Begin in the same stance as for an air squat.

2. Hold a bar over your head with your palms facing forward.

3. Elbows should be locked and your wrist and forearms aligned (no bend or flexion).

4. Complete the same downward movement executed in an air squat.

5. Keep your chest up and eyes forward during this movement. If you feel like you are leaning too far forward you might be compromising the exercise. Reduce your weight and continue.

Presses

Presses are fantastic for targeting and toning your upper body. They will engage your arms, shoulders, back, and, depending on what level you are on, your legs. As with squats, there are three levels of press.

Level 1 – Shoulder Press:

1. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and eyes looking forward.

2. Rest the bar across the front of your shoulders, gripping it slightly wider than shoulder width.

3. Use a hook grip to secure your hands around the bar. (Hook Grip: Cross your middle finger and index finger over your thumb.)

4. Press the bar upwards.

5. As the bar moves straight up, only your head should move back to allow the bar to travel in front of your face.

6. At the top of the movement your arms should be fully extended above your head with elbows locked.

7. Follow the same line to lower the bar back to the starting position.

Level 2 – Push Press:

1. Hold the bar in the same position as for a shoulder press

2. Keep your torso upright and your core engaged, and slightly lower your body by bending your knees.

3. Explosively straighten your knees and use the momentum in the movement to press the bar above your head.

4. Arms should be fully extended with locked elbows at the top of the movement.

5. Lower the bar back to starting position.

Level 3 – Push Jerk:

1. Hold the bar in the same position as for a shoulder press.

2. Lower your body into a quarter-squat position.

3. Perform a vertical jump.

4. When you are in the air, press the bar above your head.

5. Land with your feet in the exact same spot they took off from and with a slight bend in your knees.

6. Finish the movement by fully extending your hips and knees.

7. Return the bar to your shoulders.

Lifts

The three progressive lifts in CrossFit engage your entire body. These full body movements allow you to make the most out of any workout. If you are short on time, incorporate these exercises into your routine to torch calories and burn muscle.

Level 1 – Deadlift: 1.

Place the bar in front of you and stand with your feet hip-width apart.

2. Bend forward at the hips, bending your knees slightly, and grip the bar at a point that is wider than hip-width.

3. The bar should be in contact with your shins and your shoulders should be slightly ahead of it.

4. Keep a flat back as you lower your glutes and pull up on the bar (arms should not bend).

5. Straighten your back and legs while lifting the bar in a vertical line up your body.

6. When the bar passes your knees, fully extend your hips forward.

Level 2 – Sumo Deadlift High Pull:

1. Use a wide stance for this movement.

2. With your hands narrowly apart (about two fist-widths), grip the barbell in front of you with your palms facing down.

3. Keep your arms straight and chest up while you slightly bend your knees into a quarter-squat.

4. Explosively stand up and shrug your shoulders, pulling the bar up in a vertical line.

5. By the time your hips are fully extended, your elbows should be above the bar pointing up and your hands should be aligned with your shoulders.

6. Slowly lower the bar back to the ground by reversing this movement to complete the repetition.

Level 3 – Medicine Ball Clean:

1. Swap out the barbell for a medicine ball.

2. Squat down over the ball.

3. Keep your chest up and gaze ahead.

4. Keep your arms straight and grab the ball on opposite sides.

5. Explode up, shrug your shoulders, and slip your body under the ball so that it lands in front of your face.

6. Catch the ball at the bottom of a front squat with your hips below your knee joints.

7. Complete the movement by standing up with your arms remaining bent, and the ball in front of your face.

It is important that you consult your physician about any pre-existing conditions before beginning a new workout regime.