CrossFit: Six Amazing Things You Never Knew

A Strong Military & Law Enforcement Connection

The first CrossFit workouts were done with the Santa Cruz sheriff’s department, who were impressed with founder Greg Glassman’s new exercise program and philosophy, to train law enforcement personnel. Since then, CrossFit training remains strong in many fire, police, EMS and military organizations worldwide.

 

Owning the Box

There are over 11,000 CrossFit affiliates worldwide and getting in on a piece of CrossFit means going through a process. It takes more than cash to own and operate a CrossFit affiliate gym, known as a “box.” Requirements include: an application, essay, yearly fee and instructors to complete the CrossFit training courses.

 

Women Dominate Membership

Although CrossFit may have a preconceived notion of being geared toward strong, fit, bulky men, the truth is that women account for 60 percent of CrossFit membership. That equates to a lot of strong, fit, kick-ass women out there living the CrossFit life.

 

WODs Named for Women

Some popular Workouts of the Day (WODs) are named for women. It is said that founder Glassman stated, “I thought that anything that left you flat on your back, looking up at the sky asking, ‘what just happened to me,’ deserved a female’s name. Workouts are just like storms; they wreak havoc on towns.” Some popular WODs include: Amanda, Lynn, Mary, Nicole and Fran (which consists of 21 reps of 95-pound barbell thrusters, followed by 21 pull-ups, then 15 thrusters, 15 pull-ups, nine thrusters and nine pull-ups, all as fast as you can). Easy, right?

 

Honoring Fallen Soldiers with the WOD

Similarly, well over a hundred CrossFit’s Hero Workouts have been named to honor fallen servicemen and servicewomen. “Murph” honors fallen soldier Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy, who was killed in Afghanistan June 28, 2005. This Hero WOD includes: a one-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats followed by another one-mile run, all while wearing a 20/40 pound weighted vest or armor.

 

Finding the Fittest: The CrossFit Games

Hailed as a “grueling test for the world’s toughest athletes and a thrilling experience for spectators,” the CrossFit games, started in 2007, was created to be a true test of fitness. Made up as a broad test of functional movements, moving large loads, long distances quickly (movements which form the basis of the CrossFit exercise program), the CrossFit Games are designed to test, not train, fitness. The CF Games take place over three phases—the Open competition, followed by Regionals and culminating with the CrossFit Games. The top 40 men and top 40 women in the world are taken to task to find the Fittest on Earth. According to Forbes, the CrossFit Games have become “one of the fastest growing sports in America.”

TO FIND OUT HOW KNUCKLEUP CAN HELP YOU GET IN SHAPE, STAY HEALTHY AND HAVE A GREAT TIME  VISIT OUR GYM.