CrossFit Training: Functional Training - From Average to Elite

Fitness is changing. No one wants to be stuck in a gym for hours upon hours every week lifting weights and doing endless amounts of cardiovascular exercise. Now there is a solution and it is called CrossFit training. CrossFit training is a unique method of physical training that combines elements of strength, power, balance, accuracy, and endurance. CrossFit can be defined as "the principal strength and conditioning program for many police academies and tactical operations teams, military special operations units, champion martial artists, and hundreds of other elite and professional athletes worldwide". (www.crossfit.com) CrossFit training is a progressive training program that can be done by the average person and each workout is done at such high intensity that one workout can be completed in about 20-40 minutes maximum. CrossFit isn't just about training elite athletes,although it is used by many elite athletes; the goal of CrossFit training is to take the average person and develop them into the fittest version of their selves through a scale of progression or scale loading (consistently increasing intensity levels). Through consistent training and conditioning of the body and endurance levels, the average person can transform their self into a an extremely fit individual. CrossFit is perfect for all ages from children to the elderly, depending on the individual level of dedication. Crossfit even has workouts for kids!

CrossFit combines several styles of physical training, deeply rooted in gymnastics, power lifting, and endurance training. CrossFit includes essential elements such as squats, dead lifts, pull ups, push ups, rope climbs, snatch and cleans, and many sprinting exercises. A combination of any of these elements are used in the daily workouts. All of these training techniques help to increase strength, endurance, power, balance and accuracy, while enhancing the metabolic system. Not only that, but many exercises use body weight only. The intensity of the workouts is the key to this program's level of success.

Another great feature of the CrossFit training program is that an entire gym is not required to perform most of the workouts. Many of the CrossFit gyms are set up as "garage style" gyms. These are small square footage facilities that house basic training stations necessary for the workouts. This might include a pull up bar, dumbbells, barbells with weights, a box jump area, ropes for rope climb, Olympic rings, and jump rope. Many of the exercises are performed outdoors and include running and sprinting exercises.

CrossFit workouts are posted daily on line at www.crossfit.com. Each day a new workout is posted. Anyone can access these workouts and even log their times and statistics on the website forum. CrossFit also offers certification for those who want to teach the CrossFit way of life. Most of the CrossFit centers are located in California, but the popularity of the program and success of thousands of people across the United States is quickly gaining recognition in the fitness community.