CrossFit Methodology
What this domain tests
CrossFit Methodology questions ask you to apply, not just recite: definitions of fitness and health, functional movement, intensity as power, variance, and the mechanics–consistency–intensity order. Expect scenario items where a coach must choose the next action.
Definitions that anchor answers
- Fitness: increased work capacity across broad time and modal domains.
- Health: a continuum from sickness to wellness to fitness, not merely the absence of disease; it is assessed through the ten general physical skills and the three metabolic pathways.
- Ten general physical skills: cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, accuracy. The first four are organic and trainable; the last four are neurological and improve through practice; power and speed sit between.
- Functional movements: compound, multi-joint, universal motor patterns that are essential to independent living, safe, and defined by load, distance, and time.
Intensity and variance
Intensity is power: force × distance ÷ time. It is the variable most associated with favorable adaptation. The order is mechanics first, consistency second, intensity third. Variance means training across broad time and modal domains; the hopper model makes the workout unknown and unknowable.
Worked example
Grace: 30 clean-and-jerks. Athlete A lifts 135 lb in 2:00; Athlete B lifts 95 lb in 1:30. Assume 6 ft vertical travel. A's work = 135 × 30 × 6 = 24,300 ft-lb; power = 24,300 ÷ 120 = 202.5 ft-lb/s. B's work = 95 × 30 × 6 = 17,100 ft-lb; power = 17,100 ÷ 90 = 190 ft-lb/s. A produced higher average power despite the slower clock. The reasoning: time alone does not measure intensity; load and movement standard matter. A coach should also check that both athletes used consistent range of motion before drawing conclusions.
Traps that cost marks
- Treating intensity as 'how wrecked I feel' rather than power output.
- Reversing the mechanics–consistency–intensity order.
- Assuming more volume always means more fitness.
- Defining health only as absence of disease.
- Forgetting that functional movements are defined by load, distance, and time.