20 CrossFit Terms and Phrases Everyone Should Know

20 CrossFit Words and Phrases Everyone Should Know

(a small survival guide to CrossFit language)

CrossFit almost has its own language. Terms like WOD, AMRAP, EMOM, and RX are constantly used in CrossFit and functional fitness. The first time you walk into a CrossFit box, it might feel a bit like hearing a foreign language. People talk about WODs, AMRAPs, and EMOMs as if it's completely normal.

Here is a small translation guide.

WOD

Workout Of the Day

Today's workout. The one you both look forward to – and regret afterwards.

AMRAP

As Many Rounds As Possible

You do as many rounds as you can within a time limit.

Heart rate: high
Ambitions: even higher

EMOM

Every Minute On the Minute

You start a new round every minute. The faster you work, the more rest you get. If you're slow… well, then you get less rest. Can also appear as E2OM. Then you have 2 minutes, and probably even more repetitions.

RX

If you do the workout exactly as it is written on the whiteboard. No adjustments. A little respect in the community often follows.

Scaled

Adapted version of the workout. Everyone does this – even people who look like superheroes on the rig. This is where you start, and you'll visit it regularly no matter how many years you train. It's just smart.

Box

The CrossFit gym. It's not called a fitness center. It's called a box.

PR

Personal Record

When you lift heavier or do something better than before. Can also be called 1RM (1 rep max). This is often celebrated like a small national holiday.

Double unders

Jump rope where the rope passes twice under the body in one jump. Feels magical when it clicks. Feels like chaos when it doesn't.

Toes-to-bar

You hang from the bar and lift your toes to the bar. Abs, grip, and coordination get a workout.

Burpees

An exercise everyone knows. An exercise no one really looks forward to. You lie on your stomach with your chest to the floor, then stand up and perform the magical triple extension. This means the holy trinity of knee joints, hips, and shoulders are fully extended - while performing a small jump.

Box jumps

You jump onto a box. Looks easy. Suddenly feels quite brutal after 30, 50, or 90 repetitions.

Wall balls

Squat + throwing a medicine ball against a wall. An exercise that quickly sends your heart rate through the roof.

Thrusters

Front squat + push press. A combination that can make even strong people a bit quiet.

Farmer’s carry

You walk around with heavy weights in your hands. Simple. But surprisingly brutal for the grip.

Chalk

Chalk for your hands. Almost everyone loves it. The gym's cleaning staff might love it a little less. It's actually magnesium.

Grips

Hand protection when training on the rig. Especially useful in workouts with many pull-ups.

No rep

When a repetition doesn't count. Usually because the technique wasn't quite good enough. Can be a bit frustrating.

Hero WOD

A CrossFit workout created in memory of a fallen soldier or rescue worker. These workouts are often extra demanding.

The Open

A global CrossFit competition where people all over the world do the same workouts. Every year, many discover that burpees are still just as hard. Recommended, regardless of level!

“Just one more round”

A phrase many say in CrossFit.

And which almost always means you're going to be even a little more tired.

Bonus points? Try this: OAOHWL

No, it's not Greek. it's several abbreviations in one, and a very good exercise.

One Armed Overhead Walking Lunges. That is, walking lunges with a weight in one hand on a straight arm overhead. A wonderful exercise that trains almost the entire body.