30 Must-Know CrossFit Terms, Phrases and Slang

Get ready to conquer the gritty universe of CrossFit, where every rep is a battle cry!

Embark on an epic journey through the jungle of jargon with these 30 fierce terms that will sharpen your CrossFit speak from newbie to warrior elite.

Strap in, it’s time to talk WOD and walk the talk!

Must-Know CrossFit Terms, Phrases and Slang:

1. AMRAP
2. Box
3. Burpee
4. Chipper
5. Deadlift
6. EMOM
7. Fran
8. Handstand push-up
9. Kipping
10. Ladder
11. Metcon
12. PR
13. Rx (prescribed)
14. Snatch
15. Squat
16. Thruster
17. WOD
18. Clean
19. Double under
20. Hero WOD
21. Jerk
22. Muscle-up
23. Overhead squat
24. Pull-up
25. Rhabdo
26. Scaled
27. Split jerk
28. Tabata
29. Toes-to-bar
30. Wall ball

#1 AMRAP

Stands for “As Many Rounds (or Reps) As Possible,” a type of workout where athletes aim to complete as many rounds of a series of movements within a set time frame, pushing endurance and capacity.

#2 Box

Refers to a CrossFit gym, where the community comes together to train. The term reflects the often minimalist, warehouse-like setup of these gyms, focusing on function over aesthetics.

#3 Burpee

A full-body exercise that involves a squat, kick back into a plank, a push-up, returning to squat, and then a jump. It’s renowned for its intensity and ability to increase both strength and cardiovascular fitness.

#4 Chipper

A workout structured with a series of different exercises to be done sequentially, usually with high reps, designed to chip away at until completion. It tests persistence, endurance, and mental toughness.

#5 Deadlift

A weightlifting movement where one lifts a loaded barbell off the ground to the level of the hips, then sets it back down. It is foundational for building overall strength, particularly in the posterior chain.

#6 EMOM

An acronym for “Every Minute On the Minute,” a workout structure where participants perform a specific number of reps of an exercise at the start of every minute, then rest until the next minute starts.

#7 Fran

One of the most famous “benchmark” workouts in CrossFit, Fran is a fast-paced, high-intensity workout that consists of a couplet of barbell thrusters and pull-ups. Fran is renowned for its simplicity and the intense demand it places on cardiovascular and muscular endurance.

#8 Handstand push-up

This advanced bodyweight movement involves performing a vertical push-up while in a handstand position against a wall. It requires significant upper body strength, particularly in the shoulders, triceps, and core, to press the body upward while maintaining balance and control.

#9 Kipping

A technique used in CrossFit to gain momentum and efficiency in movements such as pull-ups and handstand push-ups. It combines a swing-like motion with a pull or push to maximize the number of reps performed.

#10 Ladder

In CrossFit, a ladder refers to a workout structure where an athlete increases or decreases the reps or weight with each set. It’s often used to build strength and endurance progressively.

#11 Metcon

Short for “metabolic conditioning,” Metcon is a high-intensity workout that combines strength training and aerobic exercises, designed to improve fitness and burn calories quickly.

#12 PR

Stands for “Personal Record.” In CrossFit, a PR is achieving your best performance in a specific workout or lift. It’s a sign of progress and a milestone celebrated within the community.

#13 Rx (prescribed)

In CrossFit, “Rx” denotes that an athlete performs a workout as prescribed by the standards, with no modifications in movements, weights, or reps. It’s a benchmark for comparing performances among athletes.

#14 Snatch

A weightlifting movement found in CrossFit where the barbell is lifted from the ground to overhead in one smooth motion. It requires a combination of power, speed, coordination, and balance.

#15 Squat

A fundamental exercise in CrossFit and general fitness, the squat involves bending the knees and lowering the hips as if sitting in an imaginary chair, then standing back up.

#16 Thruster

An intense compound exercise combining a front squat with an overhead press in one continuous movement. Popular in CrossFit for its full-body engagement and cardiovascular challenge.

#17 WOD

Acronym for “Workout of the Day.” This is the set of exercises that CrossFit coaches prepare daily, focusing on varied functional movements performed at high intensity.

#18 Clean

A weightlifting movement where the barbell is pulled from the ground to the shoulders in one fluid motion. It tests power, speed, and coordination, making it a staple in CrossFit routines.

#19 Double under

A double under is a type of jump rope exercise where the rope passes under the feet twice for each jump. It requires good timing, speed, and endurance, and is often included in CrossFit workouts to increase cardiovascular intensity.

#20 Hero WOD

A challenging WOD named after fallen heroes, such as military, law enforcement, or first responders. Hero WODs are a tribute and are typically more grueling and longer than regular workouts.

#21 Jerk

A weightlifting movement that primarily works out the shoulders and overhead strength, where the barbell is propelled from the chest to above the head in one swift motion.

#22 Muscle-up

A demanding pull-up variation that transitions from a hanging pull-up to a dip, moving from below to above the pull-up bar or rings. It requires substantial upper body strength and technique.

#23 Overhead squat

An exercise where the participant performs a squat while holding a weight (typically a barbell) overhead with a wide grip. It tests and improves flexibility, balance, and strength throughout the body.

#24 Pull-up

A strength exercise where an athlete hangs from a bar and pulls their body up until their chin is above the bar. It’s a fundamental movement to develop upper body strength and is commonly used in CrossFit workouts.

#25 Rhabdo

Short for rhabdomyolysis, a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can occur when overexertion leads to the breakdown of muscle fibers and the release of their contents into the bloodstream.

#26 Scaled

Modifying a workout to match an individual’s fitness level, scaling often involves changing the intensity, weight, or complexity of movements to make them achievable yet still challenging.

#27 Split Jerk

A weightlifting movement where the athlete rapidly lifts a barbell overhead into a split stance, with one foot forward and one back, to fully extend the arms. It’s a technique used to lift maximum weights overhead.

#28 Tabata

A high-intensity interval training protocol featuring 20 seconds of maximum effort followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated for 4 minutes. This form of workout aims to increase aerobic and anaerobic endurance.

#29 Toes-to-bar

An exercise that involves hanging from a pull-up bar and bringing the toes up to touch the bar, requiring significant abdominal strength and coordination. It’s a staple movement in many CrossFit workouts.

#30 Wall ball

A compound exercise that involves squatting with, then throwing, a weighted ball (typically a medicine ball) to a target high on a wall, catching it on the rebound, and immediately moving into the next squat. This exercise integrates the use of lower body, core, and upper body strength, and is excellent for building power and conditioning.

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