How Long Are Crossfit Workouts?

 by Kelsey Casselbury

A CrossFit class typically lasts one hour, consisting of a warmup, strength training, the workout of the day and a cool-down and stretching period.

The goal of CrossFit, a high-intensity workout, is to burn as many calories as possible in the shortest amount of time. Each WOD, or workout of the day, prescribes a certain number of reps of particular exercises, and the participants either try to do as many of them as possible or has a certain amount of time to complete the exercise.

Young fitness female exercise with kettle bell. Caucasian woman doing gym workout at gym.

However, that doesn't mean that your CrossFit session will be over in 5 to 10 minutes. Each class consists of multiple sections, so a CrossFit workout generally takes about an hour, from start to finish.

The Anatomy of a Workout

Within the hour-long CrossFit session at your local "box," which is what CrossFit participants call their specialized facility, you complete a warmup, skills or strength-training, the WOD and a cool-down and stretch.

The April 2003 CrossFit Journal published a favored CrossFit warmup, which consists of three rounds of 15 reps of each exercise:

  • Samson stretches
  • Overhead squats
  • Sit-ups
  • Pull-ups
  • Back extensions
  • Dips

A particular trainer might modify the warmup, adding or deleting movements as they deem necessary. But, the warmup will always be dynamic and focus on functional movements.

Read More: CrossFit vs. Traditional Strength Training

Young female athlete doing squat with barbell in gym gym

Next, the class will either complete skill work, such as one-legged squats, or strength moves, such as deadlifts. Then comes the workout of the day, which will vary in time spent. A sample workout might require you to complete as many rounds as possible in a certain amount of time, such as this one:

In 12 minutes, complete as many rounds as possible of:

  • 20 GHD sit-ups
  • 10 left-arm overhead walking lunges (using a 60-pound dumbbell)
  • 10 right-arm overhead walking lunges

In another type of workout, you'll do as many exercises as possible, aiming to get through them as fast as possible:

As fast as possible, do three rounds of:

  • Run 400 meters
  • 21 reps of 1.5-pood kettlebell swings
  • 12 pull-ups

Following the WOD, it's time for cool down and stretching, either as a group or on your own. This wraps up your one-hour CrossFit workout.

Read More: How Quick Does CrossFit Get You in Shape?

A Word of Caution

The high-intensity nature of CrossFit can make a fitness novice prone to injuries, particularly when you're trying to bust out as many rounds as possible very quickly. If you don't feel comfortable completing a certain exercise, ask your trainer how it can be modified to suit your fitness level.

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