If you’re new to CrossFit and searching for a helpful guide to CrossFit terms for beginners, you’re in the right place. From acronyms like EMOM and AMRAP to words you’ll hear every day at the gym, this post will walk you through the essentials. We’ll even share what some of these things look like at OTAC so you feel more prepared when you step through the door.
Workout Formats and CrossFit Terms for Beginners
You’ll hear workouts described using acronyms and time-based formats. Here’s what they mean:
- WOD: Workout of the Day — the main workout for that day
- AMRAP: As Many Rounds (or Reps) As Possible within a set time
- EMOM: Every Minute on the Minute — perform a movement at the start of each minute
- Chipper: A workout with a long list of movements you “chip” away at until you finish
- For Time: Complete all the reps/movements as quickly as possible
- Tabata: High-intensity interval format, usually 20 seconds on, 10 seconds off
These formats vary daily. That’s part of what keeps CrossFit exciting, and effective.
Common Phrases You’ll Hear in Class
RX: Doing the workout “as prescribed,” meaning with the written weights or reps
Scaling: Modifying the workout to your level — and yes, everyone scales sometimes
No Rep: A movement that didn’t count because it missed a standard. Not a punishment — just helps you track accurately
Set Up a Station: Gathering the equipment you’ll need (barbell, box, etc.)
Chalk Up: Applying gym chalk to hands for grip during lifts or gymnastics movements
MetCon: Metabolic Conditioning (a sweaty, high-intensity cardio-focused workout.)
Rep Scheme: The number of reps per movement, often shown as “21-15-9” or similar
Common Equipment
Barbell: Used for strength training movements like squats, cleans, and presses. Coaches teach proper form before you lift.
Kettlebell: A weight with a handle. Commonly used in swings, carries, and other full-body exercises.
Wall Ball: A medicine ball you squat and throw at a target on the wall.
Box Jump: Jumping or stepping onto a sturdy box. Coaches adjust the height based on your needs.
Olympic Lifts (Snatch / Clean & Jerk): Advanced movements you’ll learn over time. We break them down step by step in class.
Double Unders: Jump rope movement where the rope passes under your feet twice in one jump. Most people start with single unders.
Burpee: A full-body movement that includes a push-up, a jump, and a clap overhead. Tough but effective.
How We Track Workouts at OTAC
We use an app called Beyond the Whiteboard (BTWB) to post daily workouts and help you track your progress over time. You can log your WODs, record personal bests, and look back on how far you’ve come.
BTWB (Beyond the Whiteboard)
This is our workout tracking app. You’ll log your workouts, track your personal records, and view upcoming WODs. We’ll help you set it up during your first week.
Zen Planner
This is our app for checking in and reserving class times. You can view the schedule, pick your class, and check in when you arrive.
BTWB On Screen
Each day’s workout is on the TV screens when you come in. We will have all 3 levels on the screen as we go through the workout so you can scale appropriately.
PR (Personal Record)
Your best performance on a lift or workout. We celebrate these a lot at OTAC by ringing the bell!
Score
Your result for the day’s WOD. It might be the time it took you to finish, the number of rounds completed, or the weight you lifted. You’ll enter your score in BTWB.
What the CrossFit Community Feels Like
Coach
Your coach is there to guide you from warm-up to cool-down. They help with scaling, teach proper form, and offer support throughout class.
Class
Each workout happens in a small group setting. You’ll be working alongside others, but everyone is focused on their own progress.
Community
One of the best parts of CrossFit is the people. At OTAC, you’ll meet teachers, parents, students, and retirees. Everyone supports each other. It’s one of the reasons people stick with it.
The Open
An annual CrossFit event where members all over the world complete the same workouts. At OTAC, we treat it like a fun challenge and a chance to test your progress. You can participate whether you’ve been here two weeks or two years.
Tips for Learning the Lingo
- Don’t be afraid to ask what something means.
- Coaches will always break things down for you.
- Most members didn’t know any of this when they started either.
- You’ll be surprised how quickly it becomes second nature.
Want to See These in Action?
Check out our Instagram @otaccrossfit to see real classes, movement demos, and what a beginner-friendly workout looks like at OTAC.
