“CrossPit is a mixture of The Pit, martial arts, CrossFit, and then we put them together and we do a fitness program sports-specific to martial artists,” says John Hackleman, owner of The Pit.
From elite-level fighters to housewives, the same system can be used with intensity tweaked for the individual athlete, says Hackleman.
UFC fighter and CrossFitter Court McGee says the goal for the CrossPit is to prepare athletes for the fight. He says one of the guiding questions is: “Can you function when your heart rate’s at 180 beats per minute, and how much work can your body do?”
CrossFit is also beneficial for the competition it provides, says McGee.
“I personally believe competition builds champions,” he says.
According to UFC Figher Ramsey Nijem, “We’re not too worried about, you know, ‘what’s our Fran time?’ kind of stuff.”
He says the CrossFit in CrossPit has a specific focus: “To get in shape for our fights.”
Hackleman discusses example workouts and the reasoning behind his programming choices. He also shares his experience competing as a Masters athlete in the 2011 Reebok CrossFit Games Open and his plans for next year.
7min 38sec
Video by Again Faster.
Additional reading: CrossPit Basics by Tony Budding, published April 1, 2006.