CrossFit: Choreographed Chaos

CrossFit is a functional workout model that combines high-intensity exercises with functional multi-joint movements. It is a branded and registered fitness regimen created by Greg Glassman and Lauren Jenai in 2000. It is a fast-growing high-intensity functional workout mode since its inception in 1996 in the USA with more than 15,000 affiliated boxes worldwide.

CrossFit has gained popularity not only among civilians but also among military, firefighters, and police personnel since CrossFit originally was developed for military strength and conditioning training, gradually spreading among the civilian population.
CrossFit training consists of different exercises and works to enable the individual to master various physical tasks like Olympic lifts, rope climbing, traditional sports, moving large loads over longs distances.

The structure of a CrossFit workout usually consists of a specific warm-up, strength and/or skill training, a programmed strength or conditioning workout for 10-30 minutes, and finished with cool-down and/or mobility exercises. All of this is done in about an hour-long session. They are generally called Workout of the Day or WOD.

In CrossFit, the training program depends on the athlete's condition, training location, intensity, duration, organizational form, and complexity. WOD contains numerous recurring training elements and a variety of strategies for quantification and competition and is characterized by short and highly intensive exercises. This WOD is performed either for time or maximum repetitions in an individual, partner, or group mode. Another structure is maintaining a specific workout pace for a time frame e.g., complete a specified number of repetitions every minute on the minute (EMOM).

CrossFit has had controversies associated with injuries since the program's popularity began to climb in the early 2000s. Critics have stated CrossFit, Inc uses dangerous movements and inappropriate levels of intensity and allowing underqualified individuals to become CrossFit Trainers.

In response, CrossFit released a statement saying that it is relatively safe even when performed with poor technique, but it is safer and more effective when performed with good technique. It also said that the risk of injuries can be reduced by properly scaling and modifying workouts

The CrossFit Games is an annual competitive event created and directed by Dave Castro, Taking place since the summer of 2007. In this athlete compete in workouts they learn about only hours beforehand, sometimes including surprise elements that are not part of the typical CrossFit regimen. This is styled as a venue for determining the "Fittest on Earth," where competitors should be "ready for anything."
In 2011, to fulfill the needs of the growing CrossFit athletes around the globe, the Games adopted an online qualification format, facilitating participation by athletes worldwide.

By: Deeksha 

Content: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7473349/