CrossFit = Constantly Varied + Functional Movements + High Intensity
Finishing our series on “What is CrossFit?”, we come across part 3 of the 3-part definition: High Intensity. This is the part of CrossFit that tends to intimidate people the most. CrossFit workouts aren’t super intense because it’s cool and trendy, they are intense because that’s how you become fit. Fitness and intensity are directly related. The greater your ability to go hard, the more fit you’ll become.
Fitness = Intensity
How then do we measure intensity? Intensity is equal to power. Power is the amount of work you do (the WODs) divided by the amount of time it takes you to do it. The more work you do, in the least amount of time, the greater your power output. This is the scientific way of defining fitness. The athletes that always finish the workouts first are not only getting the fastest times but they are producing the most power.
Power = Work/Time
CrossFit workouts are set up in such a way to give you the best possible opportunity to maximize your power output.
- Functional movements: these are full body movements that recruit the most muscles/body parts, and require the athletes to move the most weight the furthest distances (more work)
- Scores: because every workout is scored you have extra motivation to get the work done as fast as possible; there is no greater motivator than the desire to set a personal record (faster times)
If you push as hard as you can every time you workout, you’ll be maximizing your power output, your intensity, and increasing your fitness levels.
Ever make one of these? Good! It means your intensity was high.