CrossFit is intense but you don't need to worry that you aren't in "shape," or as we prefer to say, "fit" enough to start CrossFitting. If you've looked at our web site you see the results our athletes achieve every time they workout, and you probably have also noticed the word "scaled" by many and sometimes everyone's name. 

Scaling is how we personalize a CrossFit workout. The WOD (workout of the day) is designed to be challenging for everyone including elite athletes. Since most people are by definition not elite athletes they find the WOD beyond their capability. 

Scaling reduces the intensity or other requirements of the WOD to a level then every individual can manage given their unique capabilities and other resources available such as time. The need to scale shouldn't be taken as a personal failing given the difficulty of most WODs. EVERYONE has scaled a WOD at one time or another. Injuries, a need to taper off training before a competition are two reasons among others that cause a need to scaled a workout other than lack of capacity.

Last updated on October 27, 2009 by Greg Keeter