CrossFit Terms Explained

When you start CrossFit, you’ll be met with new terminology, some of which may be hard to find in a standard dictionary. If you walk into class for the first time and see acronyms on the whiteboard like “AMRAP” or “EMOM,” or words like “chipper” or “pistol,” it’s easy to get confused. We’ve compiled this glossary, a list of some of the most common terms used in CrossFit (and uncommonly known elsewhere) to help you decode your daily workout. Don’t worry, before you know it these words will become a common part of your vocabulary, and when in doubt, just ask a friend or your coach — we’ve all been there!

Common CrossFit Terms

• Affiliate – A CrossFit gym. CrossFit gyms are affiliated with CrossFit, LLC. They are not franchises but rather independently owned affiliates.
• AMRAP – As many rounds and/or reps as possible in a given timeframe.
• Benchmark – Workouts that serve to measure and benchmark your performance and improvements through repeated, irregular, appearances in your training. You can log your benchmarks here.
• Box – A CrossFit affiliate.
• Chipper – A workout in which you complete the repetitions stated of each exercise before moving on to the next. Example: Filthy 50.
• Couplet – A workout with two movements. Example: Fran.
• EMOM – Every minute on the minute. A specified number of reps of a movement or movements performed every minute on the minute.
• Hero workout – Workouts that have been created in honor of a service member who made the ultimate sacrifice. Find a full list of Hero workouts here.
• Kipping – When an athlete uses their body’s momentum to help complete the movement. In CrossFit, we most often see this in a pull-up or handstand push-up.
• Met-con – Metabolic conditioning
• Rx’d – As prescribed. Many gyms write the “Rx’d” version of the workout. By design, the Rx’d version is meant to challenge the fittest athletes at the gym. Most athletes will scale or modify the Rx’d workout to meet their needs.
• Scale or modify – Adjust the movements or amount of work (repetitions) in a workout to make it appropriate for athletes’ physical needs and abilities. A coach’s job is to help their athletes adjust the workout appropriately.
• Tabata – 8 intervals of 20 seconds of work followed by 10 seconds of rest.
• Triplet – A workout with three movements. Example: Helen.
• WOD – Workout of the Day

Movements

When starting CrossFit, you’ll likely come across movements you’re already familiar with — the squat and the deadlift are examples of a couple you may have previously been exposed to. Some lesser-known movements like the wall walk or single-leg squat, for example, might be brand new to you. You can find movement demos, instruction, and descriptions of CrossFit’s nine foundational movements (air squat, front squat, overhead squat, shoulder press, push press, push jerk, deadlift, sumo deadlift high pull, and medicine-ball clean) here, as well as a full list of movements that will come up in your workouts. Below is a list of movements that may be brand new to someone in their first few months of CrossFit training. Each is linked to a movement demo.

• Bar muscle-up (BMU)
• Box jump
• Chest-to-bar pull-up
• Double-unders
• Farmers carry
• GHD Sit-up
• Handstand push-up (HSPU)
• Kipping pull-up
• Medicine-ball clean
• Ring muscle-up
• Ring row
• Single-leg squat
• Toes-to-bar
• Wall-ball shot
• Wall walk

There is a unique vocabulary associated with CrossFit training, but it won’t take you long to learn the language. With the help of a skilled coach and a supportive community in your local affiliate, you’ll be well on your way. Bookmark this page as a reference when the Workout of the Day has you stumped.

Additional Resources 

How To Choose the Right CrossFit Gym for You

What To Expect at Your First CrossFit Class

What Does Workout of the Day Mean?

What Is a CrossFit Workout?