Shared Language: a crossfit/fitness lingo cheat sheet

There are many terms related to working out and CrossFit specifically that might seem completely foreign to you when you first hear them. 

On top of that, each coach and gym has their own terms and references. 

So here is a list that you can reference: 

ACRONYMS 

CrossFit Workout Terms

AMRAP (ex. 24:00 AMRAP) – As Many Rounds As Possible – this is used when referring a to a workout being scored by how many rounds you are able to complete in a given amount of time. 

RFT (ex. 3 RFT) – Rounds For Time – These are workouts with the finish line set. You know how much you have to do to complete the assignment. Now it’s just about how fast you can get it done! 

EMOM (ex. 10:00 EMOM) – Every Minute On The Minute – This refers to having an assignment you will execute at the start of each minute for a given period of time. As an example, do 10 air squats every minute on the minute for 10:00. That means you will complete 100 air squats across that 10:00 period. 

Cals (ex. 20/16 Cal Row) – Calories – We Row, Bike, and Ski for Cals from time to time. Cal refers to a calorie being a unit of energy. On calorie based assignments you are creating 20 cals of energy to complete the task. 

Crossfit Movements

T2B (Gymnastics Movement) – Toes to Bar – This is one of our pull up bar movements that focuses on the abs, hip flexors, and lats. Toes to Bar are the first kipping movement you will work on achieving. 

C2B (Gymnastics Movement) – Chest to Bar Pull Ups – Generally referring to a kipping pull up movement where you elevate a bit higher so you make contact with the pull up bar at or below your collar bone. Can also be done as strict chest to bar pull ups or as a jumping chest to bar pull up. 

HSPU (Gymnastics Movement) – Handstand Push Ups – Generally done with feet leaning on the wall, this is what it sounds like. Lowering yourself down until your head touches the ground, and then pressing yourself back up to elbow lockout. 

DUs (Jump Rope Movement) – Double Unders – Jump once with the rope passing twice underneath you to count as 1 rep. These take time. Be patient. 

CONFUSING MOVEMENTS

Olympic Weightlifting Movements

Snatch (any type) – taking an object from below us and pulling it above us in one swift motion (does not slow or stop at the shoulder…straight to the top). 

The barbell version is built onto the Overhead Squat. Easily identified as the barbell movement with the widest grip.

•  Power Snatch – What it feels like: With a wide grip, jump the bar overhead and drop into a quarter overhead squat
•  Snatch (aka Squat Snatch) – What it feels like: With a wide grip, pop the bar up and drop into your squat so as to wedge yourself below that bar with locked out elbows before standing it up like finishing your overhead squat. 

Clean (any type) – taking an object from below us and pulling it to our shoulders.

The barbell version is built on the Front Squat. Grip is just outside of the shoulders/thighs.

Hang [ex. Hang Power Clean or Hang (Squat) Snatch] – Hang defines the starting point for that movement. The barbell begins anywhere between the top of the knee and the hip crease.

NOTE: You must fully pick up the bar before going into the hang for the first rep of a set but once the bar is up, the bar does not have to go back to the ground until the set is complete. 

The Press Series

• Strict Press – pressing an object or objets from our shoulders to locked out overhead while maintaining a standing plank hold 

• Push Press – a strict press that uses a 3 inch dip and drive to start the movement. A leg assisted strict press. Dip. Drive. Squeeze to the Top. 

• Push Jerk – Same dip. Same drive. But on this one you jump and land with soft knees so as to drop below the barbell. This one is fun. 

A Work in Progress

If there are any terms or movements you think would help people get up to speed please let me know.