The 10 General Physical Skills of CrossFit Training

CrossFit’s main goal is to improve an athlete’s General Physical Preparedness (GPP).  How is this measured?

One standard that CrossFit uses is the 10 General Physical Skills:

-Cardiovascular/respiratory endurance:  The ability of body systems to gather, process, and deliver oxygen.

-Stamina: The ability of body systems to process, deliver, store, and utilize energy.

-Strength: The ability of a muscular unit, or combination of muscular units, to apply force.

-Flexibility: the ability to maximize the range of motion at a given joint

-Power: The ability of a muscular unit, or combination of muscular units, to apply maximum force in minimum time.

-Speed: The ability to minimize the time cycle of a repeated movement.

-Coordination: The ability to combine several distinct movement patterns into a singular distinct movement.

-Agility: The ability to minimize transition time from one movement pattern to another.

-Balance: The ability to control the placement of the bodies center of gravity in relation to its support base.

-Accuracy: The ability to control movement in a given direction or at a given intensity.

At FirePower Training we try to hit all of these physical skills. By finding our weaknesses, it allows us to shift our focus towards our weaknesses and in turn make greater gains in a shorter amount of time.

Source: Thanks to Jim Crawley and Bruce Evans of Dynamax,

How Is This Different?

CrossFit is a core strength and conditioning program. It is not a specialized fitness program but a deliberate attempt to optimize cardio & respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance and accuracy.

CrossFit is the principal strength and conditioning program for many police academies and tactical teams, firefighters, military units, champion martial artists, and hundreds of other elite and professional athletes worldwide.

The CrossFit program was developed to enhance an individual’s competency at all physical tasks. Athletes are trained to perform successfully at multiple, diverse and randomized physical challenges.

CrossFit incorporates cardio conditioning, body-controlled gymnastics and weightlifting to forge the world’s fittest men and women. This approach is consistent with what is practiced in elite training programs associated at major university athletic teams and professional sports. CrossFit brings state-of-the-art coaching techniques to the general public and athlete.

Nutrition plays a critical role in your fitness. Proper nutrition can amplify or diminish the effect of your training efforts.