A well-known figure in the CrossFit world is Mat Fraser. From 2016 through 2020, he received five consecutive titles as the Fittest Man on Earth. The CrossFit champion resides in Cookville, Tennessee, as fans and prospective athletes may question. Fraser relocated to Cookville in 2019 to train with the CrossFit Mayhem crew, which also features Rich Froning, a four-time Fittest Man on Earth and another CrossFit star.
But what exactly is CrossFit, and why are CrossFitters so physically fit? Weightlifting, gymnastics, and cardio activities are all included in the high-intensity training regimen known as CrossFit. Ten general physical abilities—cardiovascular endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, agility, balance, coordination, and accuracy—are among the things it attempts to enhance. CrossFit routines, usually referred to as WODs (Workout of the Day), are continuously changed, so participants are not aware of the workout until they show up at the gym.
The intensity and variety of exercises used in CrossFit are what make it so effective according to scientists. CrossFit workouts are meant to push participants to their physical and mental limitations, which activates the body’s natural adaptation processes. Exercise intensity increases muscular and cardiovascular endurance as well as strength and power. Additionally, the variety of workouts makes sure that athletes are developing all ten physical skills rather than just one or two of them. Because it gets the body ready for tasks and movements found in daily life, this kind of exercise is known as functional fitness.
The average age of CrossFit participants is another intriguing aspect of the sport. Contrary to what many people think, CrossFit is not just for young, athletic people. The average age of CrossFit competitors is 35 years old, with the majority falling between the ages of 25 and 44, according to a 2017 study by the CrossFit Journal. In addition, compared to the general population, CrossFit athletes had lower rates of chronic conditions like obesity and high blood pressure.
The Fittest Man on Earth, Mat Fraser, resides in Cookville, Tennessee, where he works out with the CrossFit Mayhem crew. The key to CrossFit’s success is the diversity and intensity of its workouts, which boost physical fitness across the board in all 10 general physical skills. Contrary to common opinion, CrossFit is not only for young people because its athletes are, on average, 35 years old. Beyond physical fitness, CrossFit’s emphasis on functional fitness has been demonstrated to have positive effects on health.