Skill Levels

The effectiveness of any fitness programme is only as good as it’s measurable results. We look for results in all of the ten components of fitness (cardiorespiratory endurance, strength, stamina, flexibility, coordination, agility, balance, accuracy, power and speed).

Our Athletic Levels & Milestones document (click to view and save a copy) gives you a specific measure for how effective you are in a wide variety of disciplines covering each of these components. Only a constantly varied fitness programme like CrossFit, based on functional movements and executed at a high intensity, will give you the tools you need to improve in all ten areas over time. The Athletic Levels & Milestones document will give you tools for goal setting and finding your strengths and weaknesses.  Most importantly, it will help answer the question “How fit are you?”

The Athletic Levels are:

Apprentice – This is the minimum standard for fitness.  An injury-free athlete starting CrossFit can expect to reach this level of fitness with 3-12 months of consistent effort.  Achieving this level will ensure you have the minimum flexibility, stamina, and strength of a well-rounded beginner, as well as having the basic concepts of proper movement down.

Craftsman – As an adult, this is considered healthy and fit.  You can expect somewhere between 6-24 months to achieve this once you’ve reached the level of Craftsman.  This represents a healthy level of flexibility, stamina, work capacity, speed and  strength/bodyweight ratio, as well as a good understanding of the basic movements.

Expert – This represents a significant level of fitness that few people possess (though any healthy person can achieve it).  You will have the capability to take on any and all physical challenges with confidence.  You can demonstrate significant capacity in all 10 domains of physical fitness.  This is an appropriate level for military, fire, and policemen, as well as amateur athletes.  Engaging in these professions or sports without an expert level puts you at unnecessary risk for injury or failure.

Elite – Represents an extremely highly skilled and well rounded athlete.  This requires dedication and commitment on par with a professional athlete or CrossFit Games competitor.

These levels are intended as a guide for evaluating your fitness and setting intelligent goals.  This is not intended as the end-all of fitness, but a measuring stick to determine your strengths and weaknesses. Don’t beat yourself up if you are not at the level you desire.  A strong commitment, good diet, and consistent focused training will get you there soon enough.

Credit to CrossFit LA and CrossFit Seattle for the inspiration behind the athlete levels.