CrossFit is a way of life and testing yourself is a way of life. Everyday there is some type of number placed on the whiteboard with your name next to it. Whether it be in pounds or minutes and seconds it is important. As you become more experienced and drive yourself harder there needs to be a way to measure yourself overall as an athlete along with those numbers on the whiteboard.
How to use the Skill Levels:
The skill levels are there to provide guidance and to help you set goals in the future. They will also help you to recognize any areas you may be weak in and need to work on and this in turn will make you a more balanced athlete.
The skills levels are not a pass/fail test but are intended to be used as a tool for you to measure your fitness and give guidance in what you need to work on. You may not be able to achieve all the skills in the beginning and that is fine. Each level represents a broad measure of general fitness and should only be used as a guide in your pursuit of fitness.
Level I – Beginner. This level is the minimum standard for health. Lacking these basic levels of strength, flexibility and work capacity makes daily life unnecessarily limited. The complete Level I should be attainable within three to 12 months for those with no significant limitations. At this level, proper basic movements, such as hip flexion and active shoulder use, are developed, while healed injuries and structural problems are resolved.
Level II – Intermediate athlete. All healthy adults can aspire to this level of fitness and should perceive these skills as normal. Basic movements are perfected and advanced skills are introduced. The complete Level II may take from six months to several years to reach after achieving Level I. Along the way, you develop significant levels of strength, stamina, work capacity and speed, building on the Level I foundation already attained.
Level III - Advanced athlete. Few people posses this level of general fitness, although any healthy person can achieve it. The strength, work capacity, power and skill required to meet these goals can prepare you to tackle any kind of physical performance with competence and confidence. Expect to invest another three to five years of consistent effort. This is an appropriate level of general fitness for those who depend on their fitness: competitive athletes, military, law enforcement and firefighters. Engaging in combat or highly competitive sports without possessing the abilities of Level III is inviting injury or failure. Any additional requirements of your sport need to be added to this list.
Level descriptions are copied from Level 4: CrossFit Seattle as are the basic fitness templates.
