FAQs

What is CrossFit

The definition of CrossFit otherwise known as the CrossFit “prescription” is: “constantly varied, high-intensity, functional movement.”

There are three recognized Fitness Standards in CrossFit.  The first standard identifies ten general physical skills.  Those skills are as follows: cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy.  CrossFit teaches that you are only as fit as you are competent in each of these ten skills.

The second standard identifies the essence of CrossFit, which is the view that fitness requires an ability to perform all tasks well, even unfamiliar tasks, tasks combined in infinitely varying combinations.  In practice, this encourages the athlete to let go of any preconceived ideas regarding sets, rest periods, reps, exercises, order of exercises, routines, periodization, etc.  Nature frequently provides large unforeseeable challenges; train for that by striving to keep the training stimulus broad and constantly varied.

The third and final standard identifies that there are three metabolic pathways that provide the energy for all human action.  These pathways are known as: the phosphagen pathway, the glycolytic pathway, and the oxidative pathway.  The phosphagen pathway is used for high-powered activities lasting less than ten seconds.  The glycolytic pathway  is used for moderate-powered activities lasting up to several minutes.  The oxidative pathway is used for low-powered activities lasting in excess of several minutes.

The complete fitness that CrossFit promotes and develops requires competency and training in each of these three pathways.  Balancing the effects of these pathways is determinative of the how and the why of the metabolic conditioning/cardio that we do at CrossFit.