CrossFit Lingo 101: What the Heck Are They Saying?

Ever walked into a CrossFit class and felt like everyone was speaking a totally different language?

Same. When I first started, I thought AMRAP was a protein powder and EMOM was some kind of EDM festival. Don’t worry. The white board briefing will get easier and easier, with some help along the way. I know you’re thinking, do I turn to Rosetta Stone? Google Translate? Nah, just check out my quick cheat sheet below. It will help you get familiar with all those CrossFit terms so you can stop Googling mid-warm-up and start cruising to your workouts with confidence.

The Basics

WOD: Workout of the Day. The main workout you’ll be doing in class.

AMRAP: As Many Rounds (or Reps) As Possible. Usually in a set time, like 12 minutes of repeating a group of movements.

EMOM: Every Minute on the Minute. You do a set of movements at the start of each minute, then rest until the next one starts.

Metcon: Metabolic Conditioning. Basically, any workout that gets your heart pumping hard and fast. Usually a sweaty, breathless kind of time.

RX: As Prescribed. Doing the workout exactly as written with the recommended weights and movements.

Scaled: Modifying a workout to your current level. Less weight, different movement, or fewer reps. Still a killer workout.

Movements & Gear

Box: CrossFit gyms are called “boxes” because they’re usually stripped down and warehouse-style. We, however, are so blessed at EffectUs to have the most beautiful box!

Box Jumps: Jumping with both feet onto a wooden box. Sounds simple. Burns like fire.

Burpees: Drop to the floor, do a push-up, jump back up and clap overhead. I’ve learned to stop cherry picking workouts with burpees because, well, it will come back to bite ya 😉

Wall Balls: Squat with a medicine ball and toss it to a target on the wall. Your legs and lungs will be screaming.

Kipping: A swinging movement that helps you do things like pull-ups or toes-to-bar. It looks weird at first. You’ll get it.

Toes-to-Bar (T2B): Hanging from a pull-up bar and bringing your toes up to touch the bar. Get yourself some grips!

Double Unders (DUs): Jump rope move where the rope passes under your feet twice with each jump. Annoying until they click. Then they’re magic. 

Snatch: Olympic lift where you take the barbell from the ground to overhead in one smooth motion.

Clean & Jerk: Another Olympic lift. First, you “clean” the bar to your shoulders, then “jerk” it overhead. Super powerful and super technical. 

Unbroken: Completing a movement without stopping.

The Vibe

PR: Personal Record. The best you’ve ever done at a specific lift or workout. Celebrate it!

Rep: One repetition of a movement. 10 reps = doing it 10 times.

Set: A group of reps. 3 sets of 10 = 30 reps total, broken into 3 rounds.

Chipper: A workout with a long list of movements that you “chip” away at until it’s done. Mentally tough. Super satisfying.

Hero WOD: Workouts named after fallen military or first responders. They’re long, tough, and meant to honor sacrifice.

The Open: A worldwide CrossFit competition you can join from your local gym. It’s part competition, part community party.

You made it!

Now that you’ve got the lingo down, you’ll feel way more confident walking into class. And hey, if you forget a term mid-WOD, just ask. CrossFitters love talking about CrossFit, and someone will always have your back..