Crossfit focuses on combinations of movements

Rob Forte.

MOVING IT

Kara: “The movement combinations in a WOD vary depending on the coach programming and the goal at hand. It’s important not to overload one particular type of movement in one workout. A typical Crossfit workout might include a movement from the Olympic lifting category, one from the gymnastics category, and one from the monostructural category.”

Rob: “Every gym will do things slightly differently. But the WOD is definitely not random. Within a week I want people to go long, short, middle-of-the-range, so they’re working different timeframes; this way they’re using different energy systems. We also vary specific movements, whether it be lower body or upper body or a combination of the two. Certain movements get the heart-rate right up, some concentrate on fatiguing a certain muscle group. A lot of factors come into it. But there’s always a strength component, always something that’s going to get the heart-rate up, and something to build endurance as well. So we’re always hitting strength, speed, power.”

THE CROSSFIT DIFFERENCE

Rob: “It’s that improvement that keeps me going. If I can see that I’m getting stronger and fitter, it motivates me to go every day. That’s what a lot of people don’t understand – it’s not a set program like a traditional program. But if we can keep people training and engaged and they’re living a healthier lifestyle, well, that’s the end goal. People enjoy what they’re doing. They get fitter, they have fun with it, and it’s sustainable for a long time.”

Kara: “Crossfit focuses on combinations of movements that either complement each other or may even make each other more difficult. This makes for better training. Muscle groups aren’t isolated but movements are categorised into their functions to ensure that all functions of the body are incorporated and strengthened evenly. As a result the body becomes stronger and more powerful in every possible way.”