CrossFit

CrossFit is a young activity that has existed for around ten years, but its origins go back to the 1970s in the USA with G. Glassman.

The aim is to find the best possible training content to produce complete athletes. This means cross-training, hence the English name (CrossFit), combining a number of complementary sports.

The content of CrossFit sessions therefore depends on how this physical activity is defined: a complete athlete is one who can reach a high level in all the qualities a sport requires.

The following ten qualities must therefore be developed:

• Agility
• Coordination
• Cardiovascular endurance
• Muscular endurance
• Balance
• Strength
• Accuracy
• Power
• Flexibility
• Speed

The three fundamental elements of CrossFit are:

1. Functional movements
2. High intensity
3. Constant variety

Sessions are based on the WOD (workout of the day).

A sequence of exercises develops physical abilities, drawn from three families of exercises:

1. Cardiovascular work (running, skipping rope, rowing machine, bike, etc.)
2. Bodyweight gymnastics (pull-ups, dips, push-ups, abs, etc.)
3. Weightlifting (squats, lunges, snatch, clean and jerk, deadlift, etc.)

In short, the 4 main sport families used in CrossFit are:

• Powerlifting
• Weightlifting
• Gymnastics
• Endurance sports