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Top CrossFit & Boxing Terms

CrossFit Terminology

A–C

  1. AMRAP (As Many Rounds/Reps As Possible) – A workout format where you complete as many reps or rounds within a set time.
  2. Air Squat – A bodyweight squat with no additional weight.
  3. Box Jump – Jumping onto a sturdy box to develop explosive power and agility.
  4. Burpee – A full-body exercise that includes a squat, push-up, and jump.
  5. Chipper – A workout with a long list of exercises that must be completed in sequence.
  6. Clean – A barbell movement where the weight is pulled from the floor and caught in a squat position before standing up.
  7. Cluster – A combination of a clean and thruster (a squat into an overhead press).
  8. Couplet – A workout that combines two movements, often alternating between them.
  9. CrossFit Games – The international competition where the fittest athletes in the world compete in CrossFit-style workouts.
  10. C2 Rower – A rowing machine commonly used in CrossFit for cardiovascular endurance.

D–H

  1. Deadlift – A barbell movement where the weight is lifted from the ground to a standing position.
  2. Double-Unders (DUs) – Jump rope movement where the rope passes under the feet twice per jump.
  3. Dumbbell Snatch – A single-arm snatch where a dumbbell is pulled from the ground to an overhead position.
  4. EMOM (Every Minute on the Minute) – A workout format where a set number of reps must be completed within a minute before starting again at the top of the next minute.
  5. Front Squat – A squat where the barbell is placed on the front of the shoulders.
  6. GHD (Glute-Ham Developer) – A machine used for strengthening the posterior chain, commonly for sit-ups and hip extensions.
  7. Handstand Push-Up (HSPU) – An advanced movement where a handstand is performed against a wall, and the athlete lowers themselves into a push-up position.
  8. Hang Power Clean – A power clean variation where the bar starts from the hang position rather than the ground.
  9. Hero WOD – A workout named after fallen military, police, or firefighters, designed to be especially challenging.
  10. Hollow Hold – A core exercise where the athlete holds a hollow body position to develop stability.

K–P

  1. Kettlebell Swing (KBS) – A full-body movement using a kettlebell, swinging it from between the legs to overhead.
  2. Kipping – A technique used to generate momentum for pull-ups, muscle-ups, and other gymnastic movements.
  3. L-Sit – A core-intensive movement where the athlete holds a seated position off the ground.
  4. Metcon (Metabolic Conditioning) – A CrossFit-style workout designed to increase endurance and cardiovascular fitness.
  5. Muscle-Up – A gymnastics movement where an athlete pulls themselves up and over a bar or rings into a dip position.
  6. Overhead Squat (OHS) – A squat performed with a barbell locked out overhead.
  7. Pistol Squat – A single-leg squat requiring balance, flexibility, and strength.
  8. Power Clean – A weightlifting movement where the bar is lifted explosively to a racked position without a full squat.
  9. Pull-Up – A common CrossFit movement for upper-body strength, performed with strict form or kipping.
  10. Push Press – A barbell movement where the legs help drive the weight overhead.

R–Z

  1. Ring Dips – Dips performed using gymnastic rings for increased difficulty.
  2. Rx (As Prescribed) – Completing a workout as written, without modifying weights or movements.
  3. Snatch – An Olympic lift where the bar is pulled explosively from the ground to an overhead position in one motion.
  4. Tabata – A high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout with 20 seconds of work, 10 seconds of rest, repeated for multiple rounds.
  5. Thruster – A full-body movement combining a front squat and an overhead press.
  6. Toes-to-Bar (T2B) – A gymnastic movement where the athlete swings and touches their toes to a pull-up bar.
  7. Wall Ball – A movement where an athlete squats and throws a medicine ball at a wall target.
  8. WOD (Workout of the Day) – The daily CrossFit workout, typically posted at the gym.
  9. Yoke Carry – A strongman movement involving carrying a loaded yoke on the shoulders.
  10. Zone Diet – A popular diet followed by many CrossFit athletes, balancing macronutrients in a 40/30/30 ratio (carbs/protein/fats).

Boxing Terminology

A–C

  1. Apron – The outer edge of the boxing ring.
  2. Bob and Weave – A defensive head movement to avoid punches.
  3. Boxing Stance – The proper foot positioning for balance and movement.
  4. Check Hook – A hook thrown while stepping back to counter an opponent’s aggression.
  5. Clinching – Holding an opponent to prevent them from throwing punches.
  6. Combination – A sequence of multiple punches thrown in succession.
  7. Counterpunch – A punch thrown immediately after an opponent’s attack.
  8. Cross – A straight rear-hand punch, typically a powerful strike.
  9. Cutman – The person responsible for treating a boxer’s cuts between rounds.
  10. Cycling – Adjusting training intensity before a fight to peak at the right time.

D–J

  1. Defensive Boxing – Techniques used to avoid getting hit.
  2. Distance Control – Managing the space between a boxer and their opponent.
  3. Feint – A deceptive movement used to trick an opponent.
  4. Footwork – The movement techniques used for positioning and balance.
  5. Heavy Bag – A large, weighted bag used for power training.
  6. Hook – A punch thrown in a semi-circular motion, often targeting the chin or body.
  7. Jab – A quick, straight lead-hand punch used to set up combinations.

K–S

  1. Knockout (KO) – Winning by rendering an opponent unconscious.
  2. Lead Hand – The hand closest to the opponent in a boxer’s stance.
  3. Orthodox Stance – A stance where the left foot and hand are forward (for right-handed boxers).
  4. Parry – Deflecting an opponent’s punch with a subtle redirection.
  5. Peek-a-Boo Style – A defensive boxing style using high guard and head movement.
  6. Power Punch – A forceful punch designed to knock out an opponent.
  7. Slip – A defensive move where a boxer tilts to avoid a punch.
  8. Southpaw – A stance where the right foot and hand are forward (for left-handed boxers).

T–Z

  1. Technical Knockout (TKO) – A stoppage due to excessive damage or inability to continue.
  2. Uppercut – A punch thrown upwards, targeting the chin.
  3. Weigh-In – The official event where fighters make weight for a bout.
  4. Working the Body – Strategically attacking an opponent’s torso to wear them down.
  5. Zero (0) – A fighter’s undefeated record (e.g., “protecting the zero”).