If you’re new to CrossFit, it can feel like everyone is speaking in military code mixed with gym slang.
You’ll hear things like:
“It’s a 12-minute AMRAP, Rx if you can, but scale the EMOM if DOMS hits.”
And you’ll just nod. Confused. Sweaty. Slightly afraid.
This blog explains the most common CrossFit terms in plain English—plus what they really mean.
🏋️♂️ What Is a WOD?
WOD – Workout of the Day
The main workout programmed for class that day.
Example:
“Today’s WOD is deadlifts and burpees.”
Translation:
Today, you will suffer.
⏱ Workout Formats (The Acronyms That Matter)
AMRAP – As Many Rounds (or Reps) As Possible
You have a set time and repeat a workout as many times as you can.
Example:
10-minute AMRAP:
- 10 push-ups
- 10 squats
- 10 sit-ups
You repeat until the clock stops.
Translation:
Go hard until you forget your name.
EMOM – Every Minute On the Minute
At the start of every minute, you do a task. Whatever time is left is rest.
Example:
EMOM 10 minutes:
- 10 wall balls every minute
Finish in 30 seconds? You get 30 seconds rest.
Finish in 70 seconds? Panic.
Translation:
Structured suffering with a timer.
For Time
You complete the workout as fast as possible.
Example:
For time:
- 21-15-9 thrusters
- Pull-ups
Your score is how fast you finish.
Translation:
Sprint into exhaustion.
Chipper
A long workout where you complete big sets of movements once (like a checklist).
Example:
100 wall balls
80 box jumps
60 kettlebell swings
40 burpees
20 snatches
Translation:
Slowly lose your soul.
🏋️ Weight & Difficulty Terms
Rx (As Prescribed)
Doing the workout exactly as written—full weight, reps, and movements.
Example:
Rx deadlift = 102 kg (225 lb) for men, 70 kg (155 lb) for women (varies by gym).
Translation:
Bragging rights.
Scaled
Lower weight, fewer reps, or easier movements.
Example:
Pull-ups → ring rows
Heavy weight → lighter weight
Translation:
Smart training, but your ego might disagree.
PR – Personal Record
Your best-ever lift, time, or performance.
Examples:
- 1RM deadlift PR
- Fastest Fran time
- Most pull-ups ever
Translation:
You will post this on Instagram.
🧠 Recovery & Pain Terms
DOMS – Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
The soreness that hits 1–3 days after a workout.
Translation:
Stairs become your enemy.
Rest Day
A mythical concept in CrossFit.
🏢 Gym & Community Terms
Box
A CrossFit gym.
No one knows why it’s called a box. It just is.
Coach
The person who tells you to add weight when you’re clearly dying.
Hero WOD
Workouts named after fallen military or first responders (e.g., Murph, DT, Fran is not a hero WOD, but it feels like one).
Usually very hard and emotionally meaningful.
Translation:
Respectful suffering.
🧪 Popular CrossFit Benchmarks
These are famous workouts people compare times on:
- Fran: Thrusters + pull-ups (short, brutal)
- Murph: Run, pull-ups, push-ups, squats, run (legendary)
- Cindy: 20-minute AMRAP pull-ups, push-ups, squats
- Grace: 30 clean and jerks for time
Translation:
Pain with a name.
🧠 Why CrossFit Has So Many Acronyms
CrossFitters like efficiency.
They also like sounding intense.
“10-minute AMRAP” is faster to say than
“Do as many rounds of this workout as you can in ten minutes while questioning your life choices.”
😂 What These Terms REALLY Mean
- AMRAP: Maximum chaos
- EMOM: Structured chaos
- For Time: Fast chaos
- Chipper: Long chaos
- Rx: Ego boost
- Scaled: Smart but humbling
- DOMS: Pain tax
- Box: Cult headquarters (in a good way)
Why @wodthefugg Exists
CrossFit is confusing, painful, and addictive.
Everyone has a moment where they think:
WOD the fugg is this workout.
This blog is for:
- Beginners who feel lost
- Veterans who love the chaos
- Anyone who’s ever stared at the whiteboard in fear