FAQ
General
CrossFit is a precise combination of exercise and nutrition that has been proven to increase fitness and health for people of all ages and abilities. CrossFit is founded on the first scientifically rigorous definition of fitness: The program produces observable results that can be measured and replicated. You can do CrossFit with a credentialed CrossFit trainer or in a supportive, motivating community at a licensed CrossFit affiliate, or you can do CrossFit in your garage or home gym by studying the resources found on this site. For more information about CrossFit, click here.
Yes. Everyone can do CrossFit regardless of age, injuries and current fitness levels. The program is modified for each person to help him or her safely become healthier and fitter. Grandparents and Olympians can perform modified versions of the same general workout. Learn More About CrossFit.
No matter what your current fitness level is, you can start CrossFit. Every workout is infinitely scalable, and designed to help you succeed, improve your fitness, and move you toward your goals.
Read: Yes, You Can Do CrossFit
- Yes. CrossFit training is very safe, and sitting on your couch is actually incredibly dangerous. In CrossFit boxes, credentialed trainers provide precise instructions and coaching to help people move safely and efficiently, helping people avoid all the diseases that come from inactivity, obesity and poor nutrition.
To accomplish your goals faster, we recommend you eat a variety of healthy foods in quantities that support fitness training but not body fat. By avoiding excessive amounts of refined carbohydrates and measuring your intake of protein, carbohydrates and fat, you will see dramatic, measurable increases in health. Learn More About Nutrition.
CrossFit holds a uniquely elegant solution to the greatest problem facing the world today: chronic disease. The CrossFit program—constantly varied high-intensity functional movement coupled with meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch, and no sugar—can give you a pass on chronic disease. If you are not sick, know that fitness provides a great margin of protection against the ravages of time and disease. Fitness is and should be “super-wellness.” To improve or preserve your health, do CrossFit.
CrossFit improves general physical preparedness (GPP). We have designed our program to elicit as broad an adaptational response as possible. CrossFit is not a specialized fitness program but a deliberate attempt to optimize physical competence in each of 10 fitness domains: cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance and accuracy. CrossFit was developed to enhance an individual’s competency at all physical tasks. People who do CrossFit are prepared for all challenges, whether they come in the gym, on a playing field or as part of daily life.
You can use CrossFit.com resources to do CrossFit anywhere—even with minimal equipment. To work with a credentialed coach in a dedicated, fully equipped facility, find a local CrossFit affiliate.
Start by reading the “CrossFit Level 1 Training Guide” and taking the “CrossFit Level 1 Certificate Course.” The course provides attendees with foundational education to begin training others using CrossFit. CrossFit Training provides three additional levels of credentialing, as well as a host of online courses.
The steps to become a CrossFit affiliate owner can be found here. Prospective affiliate owners must hold a valid CrossFit Level 1 Certificate and pay a US$1,000 application fee to apply.
A workout of the day—WOD—can be found here. Each day’s workout post is accompanied by carefully selected resources and reference materials that will help you become healthier and fitter.
Use a weight that’s manageable for you or use a percentage of the weight prescribed. Replace movements you can’t do with those you can. For more information on scaling and modifying workouts, review the “CrossFit Level 1 Training Guide.” The CrossFit Journal also contains resources to help you scale the workout to your level.
The WOD is a starting point, and each person will need to experiment to determine what “enough” means. Experienced athletes with specific competition goals might need additional work to improve their fitness, while beginners might need to reduce the volume of the WOD to optimize results. The exact amount of work can be determined with the assistance of an expert coach at a CrossFit affiliate or by carefully logging your workouts and evaluating the results. The demands of sport and active living will affect what you can do in each WOD, and you will need to balance your work/rest cycles to allow for recovery. In general, if you only do each day’s WOD, you will find yourself at an improved level of fitness.