Crossfit is probably one of the most debated fitness activities that has divided fitness fanatics all around the world. This high-intensity training fitness regime, created in 2000 by Greg Glassman, incorporates elements from high-intensity interval training, Olympic weightlifting, plyometrics, powerlifting, gymnastics, calisthenics, strongman and many more training methods. Glassman, a former gymnast, developed this activity after discovering that he could get stronger by using dumbbells and barbells rather than just bodyweight workouts. He realized that athletes who are good in one training type often lacked in others. He decided to find a “middle ground” in a workout that could challenge the athlete in as many fitness concentrations as possible, with the goal of equal growth in those concentrations.
I have practiced CrossFit for almost four years and I’m really glad I found it. Classes are usually an hour long, although those who practice CrossFit for competition can train the whole day. Individuals who visit their respective affiliated gym, or box, complete daily workouts or “WODs,” which are based on functional movements from activities such as Olympic weightlifting, gymnastics and running that can be done in short-duration, high-intensity workouts or long-duration, low or medium-intensity workouts. As the CrossFit website states, “intensity is essential for results and is measurable as work divided by time — or power. The more work you do in less time, or the higher the power output, the more intense the effort.”
Examples of these types of workouts are:
- Emom, which stands for every minute on the minute. In this type of workout, you have a prescribed amount of reps of a movement, or movements, that you have to complete within the minute. Then you rest the remainder of the time. There are multiple variations of this workout that you can try.
- Tabata is a type of workout with a set of eight rounds of 20 actions, in which you try to do as many reps of a single movement and then rest for 10 seconds until the next round.
- Amrap, which stands for as many rounds/reps as possible. In an Amrap, you try to do as many rounds or reps in a given amount of time. This type of workout can be either high-intensity or have a long duration.
- For time is one of the most common daily workout and the most varied one. As the name suggests, you have a set of movements and reps you have to complete without a time limit; you finish when you have completed all the prescribed reps.
- Time Cap is another common WOD in which you have a certain amount of time to complete a set of movements and reps.
CrossFit can be done by anyone, since you are the one who establishes the speed in which you want to perform the workout and the weight that you think would be enough of a challenge while maintaining proper form. The better your form is in a movement, especially when handling weights, the better your chances of avoiding injuries that could lead to health complications.
CrossFit can’t be taught by just anyone. Those interested in teaching CrossFit need to take an online exam about proper form, nutrition and health. In addition, participants need to attend a weekend-long session with professionals that will teach them information in more depth. So far, there are four levels a coach can reach that require different trainings and coaching hours.
There are multiple boxes around campus that you can try out. They usually have a one free session or a free week. For more information, you can go to crossfit.com.
CrossFit Locations Near Campus
Crossfit Conquest:
2280 SW 70th Ave #6, Davie, FL 33317
CrossFit 1Pulse:
10388 W State Rd 84 #105, Davie, FL 33324
The Playground-Broward CrossFit:
10412 W State Rd 84, Davie, FL 33324
