[Carlos Die Banyuls](https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/young-athlete-practicing-crossfit-training-509458924)If you are interested in crossfit training, you probably aren’t sure where to start. Even crossfit veterans are often bewildered when tasked with the challenge of improving the efficiency and impact of their training. There are all sorts of different crossfit training techniques and strategies, many of which are unfamiliar to the masses. Once such strategy is to pay close attention to your body and its subtle reactions. As you train, focus on how your body reacts and upholds throughout each exercise. The fittest crossfit participants key in on their body while practicing and only risk injury in the heat of competition. This is easier said than done yet it becomes less challenging as time progresses. Keep in mind that maintaining the proper form and focusing on perfecting your technique will drastically reduce the odds of an injury.
Strive for Long-Term Training Progress and Share Goals With Others
[shevtsovy](https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/crossfit-group-training-man-woman-indoors-535340185)Too many people aim for short-term progress and fail to see the merit of striving for long-term goals. These goals should be shared with others, whether it is a coach, friend or a family member. Sharing your goals gives you the motivation you need to relentlessly pursue them. An un-shared goal is less likely to be met than one shared with others. Furthermore, it is easy to chart your progress and achieve a long-term goal compared to a short-term goal. Give yourself an entire year or six months to accomplish a feat within your reach and you will enjoy a confidence boost that couldn’t otherwise have been achieved with a lofty short-term goal.
Key In On Programming
[Kaspars Grinvalds](https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/fit-couple-doing-squats-on-boxes-422513599)Programming provides the structure you need to gauge your progress and understand areas that need improvement. Programming also provides a sense of proportion, empowering you to understand exactly where you are positioned in relation to your goals. Use elongated timelines to provide context for plateaus and you will increase the odds of eventually overcoming them.
Ample Rest is Necessary
[David Pereiras](https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/closeup-black-iron-kettlebell-people-group-267932888)Imagine a scenario in which you engage in crossfit training five times each week. You complete five straight metcons at full intensity. Sure, this is quite the accomplishment yet it will likely burn you out over the long haul. Ask any experienced crossfit trainer, athlete or even a Navy Seal about the importance of taking a break from intense exercise and he will testify to the importance of rest. If you don’t give your body a chance to recover, you won’t have the energy that is necessary to reach new physical fitness heights. In some instances, it is prudent to simply walk away from a crossfit challenge that you can’t overcome. Give yourself a few weeks off from the particular exercise and work on other exercises to build up your strength. Once you return to the seemingly insurmountable challenge, you just might have what it takes to accomplish your goal. In general, crossfit training veterans take at least one week off per month. Others find it prudent to skip a planned workout every couple of weeks, even if they are not suffering from an injury.
Progress Won’t Come All At Once
[ProStockStudio](https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/sport-fitness-people-crossfit-training-young-533690374)Crossfit progress is all about putting your faith in the process. If you progress be sure to pause to relish your success, regardless of how minor it might seem at the moment. Also, be sure to give praise to your training partners who achieve their goals. They will likely reciprocate by providing critically important social support in the context of crossfit training.
Variety is Key
[Kjetil Kolbjornsrud](https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/crossfit-group-trains-box-jump-195981347)Crossfit training is all about implementing a steady stream of exercise varieties. Alternate conditions, heart rate goals, exhaustion levels and other variables. With the proper diversity of exercises, you will eventually break through plateaus and attain your goals.
Mind the State of Your Body and Health
[wavebreakmedia](https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/portrait-three-muscular-athletes-lifting-barbells-296938082)The condition of your body goes a long way in determining how successful you are in your crossfit training. If you find that you regularly plateau, altering your food intake or exercises might help you move beyond your ceiling. Do not lose sight of the fact that your body, mind and food intake are all related. Altering your diet, working on boosting your mental prowess or training specific body sites can all greatly impact your crossfit training success.
The Particular Importance of Breakfast
[BLACKDAY](https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/healthy-breakfast-on-kitchen-table-245119630)Plenty of crossfit participants train first thing in the morning. Even if you don’t train in the early hours of the day, you should still consume a healthy breakfast. Make sure your breakfast, brunch and pre-training snack contain a considerable amount of protein, carbohydrates and nutrients. This fuel will prove critically important to your crossfit training performance.
Tap Into Support During Lifts and WODs
[Vlad Teodor](https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/man-does-crossfit-push-ups-trx-373586560)Crossfit veterans know exactly hot to use their equipment to boost their body’s strength and flexibility. Consider incorporating equipment like knee sleeves when performing a series of intense WODs. If plenty of high reps like combined Thrusters and Wall Balls are on the docket, you might find that the pressure is too great unless knee sleeves are used. These sleeves will also adjust your body’s movement, helping you focus on the completion of each WOD as effectively as possible.
Warm-up Lengths Differ by Workout
[takoburito](https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/young-athlete-getting-ready-crossfit-training-457609864)Crossfit training certainly requires a warm-up period. However, if your crossfit workout will be short due to a lack of time or energy, your warm-up should be quite extensive. Part of the reason why a longer warm-up is necessary for an abbreviated workout is that it will likely be more intense than a regular or extended workout. A long crossfit workout won’t require as extensive of a warm-up as you can ease into the training session and gradually ramp up the intensity as it progresses.
Do not be Afraid to ask for Assistance and Clarification
[bezikus](https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/rest-three-guys-who-have-completed-2787297114) Crossfit training is quite intense compared to most other forms of exercise. Some crossfit training exercises are quite complicated. Deadlifts, kips, squats and Olympic lifts take plenty of practice and guidance from a crossfit training expert. If you ever find that you are unsure as to how to perform a certain crossfit training exercise, do not hesitate to ask your coach or a crossfit veteran for assistance. Failing to ask for clarification could result in an injury that keeps you on the sidelines for weeks, months or even longer. Don’t worry about interrupting the class by asking a question. Fellow crossfit training participants understand the need to ask questions as they have likely encountered the same challenges in the past.
