What is CrossFit?
A major part of the CrossFit revolution has been the attempt to define exactly what is “fitness”. One of CrossFit’s approaches to answer this question is a simple list of 10 general physical components. The theory is that the most “fit” person will be the person who most excels amongst ALL of these components. The components are as follows:
Cardiovascular/Respiratory endurance, Stamina, Strength , Flexibility, Power, Speed, Coordination, Agility , Balance and Accuracy.
What does this mean exactly? For example, this states that somebody who can run a 4 minute mile, but can not deadlift 1/2 of their body weight, wouldn’t be considered as fit as someone who can run a 5 minute mile, in addition to being able to deadlift 3 times their body weight. The second athlete is better balanced amongst multiple components of fitness. The first athlete is more of a “specialist”.
Remember, in CrossFit: “Our specialty is not specializing. Combat, survival, many sports, and life reward this kind of fitness and, on average, punish the specialist.” Don’t be a specialist! (Be special).
