Benchmark WODs: What and Why?

In our gym we use benchmark workouts to track how we’ve changed over time! By completing a benchmark workout, we can set a baseline of performance that can help with goal setting as well as track progress! While most of our programming is varied to include many different movements in many combinations, benchmark workouts are specifically repeated to check in on the effectiveness of our training over time. Benchmarks tend to challenge our strength, speed, skill development or some combination! That’s how we use them but what are they?? You may hear the term “metcon” used in the gym which is shorthand for metabolic conditioning. Metcons are our typical conditioning pieces and the benchmark workouts are specific metcons that have been programmed and used by gyms around the world for over a decade. This means there is a ton of data on these workouts as well as strategies for modifying them appropriately! Some of the lore is that many of these workouts have girl’s names to evoke the coming of a tropical storm! We will see benchmarks pop up from time to time as well as during specific multi-week baseline/check-in phases. See the info graphic and link to many of the classic metcons, some of which you might encounter soon:

https://crossfitimpulse.com/2013/02/22/meet-the-girls/

https://wodwell.com/wods/category/other-benchmarks-workouts/?feeds=none&sort=popular