“Routine is the enemy,” says Andrew. “Functional movement is a movement that is going to help you in every day life. [Typically] it uses more than one muscle across multiple joints. I can’t think of a situation in life where a hamstring curl is applicable. Where as a deadlift or even a clean and press presents itself daily.”

As well as being functional – you know, actually useful in real life – CrossFit workouts put an emphasis on high intensity movements, well known for blasting fat stores. It isn’t about pushing you to achieve unrealistic standards, though, just your best effort.

“I may run 200m in 0:35 seconds and my mum may run it in 1 minute 35 seconds,” says Andrew. “If we have both worked near max effort and hit high intensity, for us, then we will both see the same benefits.”

The obvious benefits of CrossFit are the physical; people generally burn fat, build muscle, clean up their diet and improve their health markers such as cholesterol numbers, blood pressure, and body fat index. But it isn’t just about the usual fitness benefits. Andrew sees CrossFit as a social enterprise, too, introducing you to like-minded people who can become your fitness family.

“The social side of CrossFit strikes a chord with me,” he says. “When people enter through our doors we want them to have the best hour of their day. We want to make them smile, laugh, work hard, feel good and leave in a better place than when they arrived.”

CrossFit Workouts

If this sounds like the answer to your fitness prayers, check out the taster sessions at your local box. You won’t be expected to know the lingo or the moves, so don’t worry. But, in case you did want to put in a bit of practice ahead of time, Andrew has outlined three short, sharp sessions you can try at the gym first.

Helen

“CrossFit has a series of benchmark WODs, affectionately named after women,” Andrew says. “We use these to evidence our fitness to make sure our program is working.” The first, Helen, has plenty to get your head around…