The technique is a combination of strength-building exercises, almost without rest.

CrossFit is a fitness discipline based on continuously varied functional movements and intensity. It has won thousands of fans among exercise lovers and more than 12,000 gyms in the world now include it on their schedules.

This training system was developed in 1974, when student Greg Glassman started working with athletes in Southern California and decided to focus on a programme with different movements to combine strength, technique, and very little rest. It was so effective that it was adopted by US marines, soldiers, and fire fighters.

CrossFit is organised in one-hour sessions that combine exercises (for example, squats and press ups) for a specific time and a specific number of repetitions. The core of each session is the workout of the day (WOD), which changes every day and is same for everyone.  After this, the class includes of other activities that each person chooses according to their preferences or goals.

Advantages of CrossFit

Although it is fun discipline and suitable for all, it isn’t easy at first. Before you start, you should evaluate your physical fitness in a beginners’ group. This achieved, you will quickly start noticing the benefits.

1. Whole body conditioning: classes consist of a series of functional and multi-joint exercises (which use a large number of muscles), that give the body a complete, integral workout.
2. Stronger muscles: many movements use body weight, which is a way of building strength in proportion to the body (this concept is known as relative strength). Then, some exercises use weights to build absolute strength (each person’s maximum potential).
3. Increased muscle strength: isometric exercises (which tense the muscles without moving the body) such as pull-ups (lifting the body up while suspended from a bar) or squats on the wall, increase strength. And plyometric training (with jumps) increases power.
4. Speeds up fat loss: CrossFit sessions usually include circuit training, a set of exercises with a certain number of repetitions within a specific time.
5. Stimulating and fun: the WOD changes every day, so it doesn’t get boring. What’s more, although pushing yourself harder every day is a great personal challenge, this is a team workout and can always count on the support of the other members.
6. Cardiovascular benefits: Rest periods are quite short between intense, constant effort, which makes it good training for the heart. Also, the physical results are visible in a short time, thanks to the changes and the variety of stimulus received by the body.

CrossFit is hard and demanding, but entertaining and addictive. There are legions of CrossFitters now. Why not join them?

If you have not exercised for a long time or you lead a sedentary lifestyle, do some body conditioning at the gym first to prevent unnecessary injuries.

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