2018 Crossfit Games Complete Programming Analysis

Now that the 2018 Crossfit Games has finished and every event has been completed, we can now take a look at just how varied the tests of fitness truly were.

In the information below we are going to record the modalities included in each event to see which modalities were tested most often and which were tested least.

We will be recording modalities based on how they are categorized by Crossfit HQ in the picture below:

In the Crossfit CF-L1 course Crossfit HQ defines movements such as running, rowing, swimming, double unders, biking, etc. as “Monostructural“. However in this article we will use their “Metabolic Conditioning” classification, just know that it means the same thing.

Not included in the picture above are odd object (yoke, slug, etc.) and dragging movements (sled, body drag, etc.). These movements will be classified as “Strongman“.

*Each movement will only be counted once. If the same movement shows up multiple times in the same workout it will only be counted once. (EX: “FRAN”) Pull-ups would equal 1-pt. gymnastics and thrusters would equal only 1-pt. weightlifting since the same movement is simply being repeated.

Now for the data:

2018 Crossfit Games Complete Programming Analysis

CRIT

Bike 10 laps for time (METABOLIC CONDITIONING)
(1,200± meters per lap)

30 MUSCLE-UPS

30 muscle-ups (GYMNASTICS)

CROSSFIT TOTAL

1-rep-max back squat (WEIGHTLIFTING)
1-rep-max shoulder press (WEIGHTLIFTING)
1-rep-max deadlift (WEIGHTLIFTING)

MARATHON ROW

Row 42,195 meters (METABOLIC CONDITIONING)

THE BATTLEGROUND

Rescue Randy drag (STRONGMAN)
2 rope climbs (GYMNASTICS)
Obstacle-course run (GYMNASTICS + METABOLIC CONDITIONING)
2 rope climbs (GYMNASTICS)
Rescue Randy drag (STRONGMAN)

Men wear 20-lb. vest
Women wear 14-lb. vest

CLEAN AND JERK SPEED LADDER

3 rounds of heavy ladders, each with progressively heavier barbells

M 245-255-265-270-275 lb.
280-290-300-305-310 lb.
315-325-335-340-345 lb.

F 155-160-165-170-175 lb.
180-185-190-195-200 lb.
205-210-215-220-225 lb. (WEIGHTLIFTING)

FIBONACCI

5-8-13 reps of:
Handstand push-ups (GYMNASTICS)
Double kettlebell deadlifts (WEIGHTLIFTING)
Then, OH lunge 89 ft. (GYMNASTICS)

TOTAL # OF DIFFERENT MOVEMENTS BY MODALITY

GYMNASTICS – 12

WEIGHTLIFTING – 9

METABOLIC CONDITIONING – 9

STRONGMAN – 4

Out of 13 events throughout the competition 34 different movements were incorporated. The programming throughout this years Games was pretty diversified and well balanced with gymnastics movements being the most programmed but not substantially more than weightlifting and metabolic conditioning.

This type of programming gave athletes of all strengths and weaknesses a chance to be competitive as one modality was not favored drastically above all the others.

Strongman movements only showed up 4 separate times, but when they did show up they proved to be a huge difference maker in the specific event.

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