Whether you’re interested in taking on your first WOD or just want to tune in to the CrossFit Games and be amazed, here are 10 CrossFit terms to know before you go.
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Run into an avid CrossFitter, and it may seem like they’re speaking another language. EMOM? Is that like an internet mom…or the name of a Wookie from Star Wars? The truth of it is, CrossFit has it’s own terminology just like any other sport or fitness regime. That said, if you want to feel like a pro at your first CrossFit class, here are 10 CrossFit terms you should know before you go!
1. AMRAP – As Many Rounds As Possible – You get your workout. You get a time limit. You do the workout as many times as you can in that time limit.
2. Box – This is just what CrossFitters call their gym.
3. EMOM – Every Minute On The Minute – Start the workout cycle at the top of every minute. The faster you finish, the more time you have to rest before the next minute.
4. For Time – Finish the workout as quickly as you can (with good form, of course).
5. Girls – CrossFit has a few benchmark workouts that are, for some reason, given female names. Don’t be fooled, though, these girls will kick your butt!
6. Heroes – CrossFit benchmark workouts named after actual military, law enforcement and firefighters that have died in the line of duty. These tend to be extremely difficult.
7. ME – Maximum Effort – go as hard as you can
8. Rx – The prescribed weight or rep goal. The Rx will vary depending on your box, but the coach should give you an Rx for women and for men (i.e. 65 pounds for women and 95 pounds for men).
9. Scale – If you can’t do the Rx, you can do the workout scaled (aka modified) to your ability. At this stage in my CrossFit career, I almost always scale. One day, that will change…
10. WOD – Workout Of The Day – aka your sweat and muscle making juice.
Looking for more CrossFit tips? Check out these 7 Tips for CrossFit Beginners!
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Let’s Chat:
Runner? Yogi? What’s the best term from your workout of choice?

I had no idea what the heck I was doing before I went to a crossfit gym….definitely needed some of the definitions defined, I looked a little inept, haha!
Annmarie recently posted…Wild Workout Wednesday: DVRT Track & Ultimate Sandbag Circuit Workout
But I bet you were able to do all the moves perfectly with your DVRT background 🙂
So useful! Thanks! I knew some of these, but others I had not figured out yet!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Halloween 2015 – Photo Dump Style!
Now your ready for the box!
I had no idea what most of those terms meant! Thanks for clearing that up and thanks for the link up
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Winter Running-What to Wear For Every Temp
Thanks for joining!
I tried crossfit a few years ago and I still didn’t know half of these terms! This post makes me want to find a local class and get started!!
Rachel @ RachelMcMichael.com recently posted…Workout Wednesday – Total Body Circuit
Yes! Do it!
Great Info Nicole, I was curious about some of those. Thanks so much for sharing
Ivanna recently posted…The Truth about Social Media and How to Use It for Good
Anytime!
I had never heard of some of those terms. Thanks for the fun guidelines!
Elle recently posted…Favorite Fall Soups… My Current Top 5
No problem! I hope they’ll prove useful 🙂
I feel like I constantly have a billion (okay maybe 3-4 is more accurate) workouts and routines and plans that I want to tackle. On any given day I want to commit to weight lifting, pilates, running, etc! And now crossfit is on that list! But hey it’s all about a healthy balance, yeah? 🙂
Cayanne Marcus recently posted…Taylor Swift’s Best Fit Tips and Health Tricks
haha I have workout ADD, too – I want to try all the things!
I’m not a real CrossFitter–I work with a coach and don’t do the classes. However, I’ve heard most of these terms!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Pushing outside of the zone
You ARE a real CrossFitter, lady!
Best term? Hmmm…I teach many types of classes and then there is running. I would have to say right now, since we got new Indoor Cycle Bikes, the term I use most is “gear up” meaning increase resistance on the bikes. Class participants hate when I say that 🙂
Christine recently posted…15-EMOM
I think everyone hates when instructors tell you to make it harder haha
I love this! I was curious about quite a few of these! Box though? Lol! Had no idea! If I ever decide to crossfit, I’ll know what I’m talking about!
Woohoo! Now go find a box ;-P
Awesome share! I love to learn new things. Heros and emoms are both new to me! I feel smarter already 😉
AutumnPTW recently posted…A Healthy Dose of Motivation
Yey! Mission accomplished.
Very informative, especially for those of us who have never done CrossFit before. Thanks for sharing, Nicole!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…November 2015 Monthly Goals
Of course! 🙂
This is a super helpful post! I am sure many others are like me and intimidated to try crossfit (or other types of workouts) because of the different lingo!
Now to find me a box! 🙂
Esther recently posted…Wild Workout Wednesday!
Thanks, Ester! I’m glad it helped!
Thanks for helping out those of us who have never cross fitted. (Is that a word?) Not sure I’ll do it any time soon, but at least I’ll know the important words.
MCM Mama Runs recently posted…Running Mentally Strong
It’s a word now! I’ll add that to the dictionary 🙂
Great list! I will have to share with our “box” as we are always looking for beginning tools to make CrossFit seem more friendly. Maybe we could write a joint post sometime?? Also I prefer the word tailor to scaled because who doesn’t want their clothes tailored to fit them 😉
Becki S recently posted…Holiday CrossFit NOT Hot Gift List
I’d love to do a joint post with you! And I’ve never heard tailored used, but I like it!!
Hahaha love the point about EMOM being an internet mom!
I sometimes use AMRAP and EMOM when prescribing my clients homework, and for the majority of them, it doesn’t matter how many times I tell them what they mean, I always get an email asking “what the heck is AMRAP?”
Ariana recently posted…Get Better at Running By Not Running: Strength Training for Runners
hehe – and yes! AMRAP and EMOM can be used for all kinds of awesome workouts. I’m not sure which came first, the acronym or the crossfit… haha
I actually know what a few of these are, yay!! Although I have no interest in cross fit, lol. Just not my thing, but that’s ok!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Where do I go from here?
Very good explanation of how the crossfit works and about all the exercises
Thanks for all the tips! I think it’s quite useful for newbies to read before they go to their first CrossFit workout.
Tony F. recently posted…Reebok Men’s CrossFit Nano 7.0 Cross-Trainer Review
Awesome article, i’m really looking forward to reading the next ones!
Great article! I also fell in love with Crossfit!