CrossFit Jargon Explained: 30 Terms to Know Before Your First Box
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Your first CrossFit session and you don't understand anything the coach is saying? That's normal. CrossFit has its own language, and no one gives you a dictionary at the door. Let's fix that right away.
The basics of the session
- WOD (Workout Of the Day): the workout of the day, different every time.
- Box: the name given to a CrossFit gym.
- Metcon (Metabolic Conditioning): the cardio/intensity part of the session.
- Warm-up: the warm-up, never to be skipped.
- Cool-down: the cool-down at the end of the session.
WOD formats
- AMRAP (As Many Rounds/Reps As Possible): complete as many rounds as possible in a given time.
- EMOM (Every Minute On the Minute): start an exercise precisely every minute.
- For Time: complete a given task as quickly as possible.
- Tabata: 20 seconds of effort, 10 seconds of rest, 8 times.
- Chipper: a long list of exercises to be done only once, in order.
Level and intensity
- RX (as prescribed): complete the WOD with the prescribed weights and movements, without adaptation.
- Scaled: adapted version of the WOD to your level — nothing to be ashamed of, everyone scales at some point.
- PR (Personal Record): your personal best for a movement or time.
- 1RM: your maximum load for one repetition.
- DNF (Did Not Finish): you didn't finish the WOD in the allotted time — it happens to everyone.
The most common movements
- Thruster: squat + push press chained with a barbell.
- Burpee: the exercise everyone hates and no one avoids. To delve deeper: Top 10 WODs We Hate.
- Box Jump: jumping onto a platform.
- Wall Ball: throwing a medicine ball against a wall, in a squat position.
- Snatch and Clean & Jerk: the two Olympic weightlifting movements, very present in CrossFit.
- Muscle-up: transitioning from hanging to supporting oneself on rings or a bar, one of the most technical movements in the sport.
- Double Under: jump rope where the rope passes twice under the feet with each jump.
- Kipping: swinging technique used for pull-ups and muscle-ups.
Culture and community
- Throwdown: a CrossFit competition or event, often local and festive.
- Open: the annual global competition open to all levels.
- Affiliate: the official status of a box recognized by CrossFit.
- Rest Day: day of rest — yes, that counts as CrossFit too.
- Cash Out / Buy In: a small block of exercises to do before or after the main WOD.
- Superset: two exercises performed consecutively without a break in between.
- Barbell Cycling: the ability to efficiently string together technical repetitions with the barbell.
Now you're ready
With this glossary, you'll no longer be stuck in front of the WOD whiteboard. The rest is learned by sweating, literally. For a glimpse of what awaits you in terms of intensity, our unfiltered ranking: Top 10 WODs We Hate.
And to face your first box with the right mindset (and the right t-shirt), check out our WOD.LOL pieces — designed by and for people who already know all this vocabulary by heart.