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CrossFit Level 1 Training guide
The CrossFit Level 1 Training Guide is a collection of CrossFit Journal articles written since 2002 primarily by CrossFit CEO and founder Coach Greg Glassman (“Coach Glassman”) on the foundational movements and methodology of CrossFit. The Level 1 Certificate Course is CrossFit’s cornerstone seminar, which has allowed thousands to begin their careers as CrossFit Trainers.
This Guide is designed to be used in conjunction with the Level 1 Course to develop the participant’s knowledge and trainer skills, as well as prepare him or her for the Level 1 test. This is an essential but not an exhaustive resource. Some of the knowledge required to pass the test comes from these articles; the other material comes directly from the two-day course.
This Guide is designed to be used in conjunction with the Level 1 Course to develop the participant’s knowledge and trainer skills, as well as prepare him or her for the Level 1 test. This is an essential but not an exhaustive resource. Some of the knowledge required to pass the test comes from these articles; the other material comes directly from the two-day course.
226 pages, ebook
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 25, 2019
Consigliato soprattutto a chi già fa crossfit...
August 22, 2024
I'm taking my L1 class this weekend, and reading through the whole guide beforehand was extremely helpful. The course is about both the guide and in-person instruction, and I felt like it was important to have more background knowledge (than a normal athlete) to be confident in the class. I've only been training in a CrossFit gym for about 7 months, and the visualizations of the lifts I'm nervous about were very informative and detailed.
October 10, 2019
Amazing theoretical framework for movement. This is an extension of Glassmans early "journals" about how to be more healthy and move more efficient. Perhaps the 6th time I read this guide, and it has changed since I got my first L1 about 5 years ago. However the founding principles are the same, in essence: Constantly Varied High Intensity Functional Movements, will not only get you from ill to healthy, on the "wellness continuum", it will also make you fit. How to know how fit you are? We measure, weigh and count. Fitness is clearly defined.
In essence CrossFit is a complete disruptor and game changer for training. PLEASE do yourself a favor and try it. Anyone can do it, but its not for everyone.
For your reference: World Class Fitness can be boiled down in 100 words (glassman wrote this 2002)
Eat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch and no sugar. Keep intake to levels that will support exercise but not body fat. Practice and train major lifts: Deadlift, clean, squat, presses, C&J, and snatch. Similarly, master the basics of gymnastics: pull-ups, dips, rope climb, push-ups, sit-ups, presses to handstand, pirouettes, flips, splits, and holds. Bike, run, swim, row, etc, hard and fast. Five or six days per week mix these elements in as many combinations and patterns as creativity will allow. Routine is the enemy. Keep workouts short and intense. Regularly learn and play new sports.
~Greg Glassman
That pretty much sums it up.
If you want to learn more about it, and get my personal reflection of CrossFit: https://flawd.se/crossfit
In essence CrossFit is a complete disruptor and game changer for training. PLEASE do yourself a favor and try it. Anyone can do it, but its not for everyone.
For your reference: World Class Fitness can be boiled down in 100 words (glassman wrote this 2002)
Eat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch and no sugar. Keep intake to levels that will support exercise but not body fat. Practice and train major lifts: Deadlift, clean, squat, presses, C&J, and snatch. Similarly, master the basics of gymnastics: pull-ups, dips, rope climb, push-ups, sit-ups, presses to handstand, pirouettes, flips, splits, and holds. Bike, run, swim, row, etc, hard and fast. Five or six days per week mix these elements in as many combinations and patterns as creativity will allow. Routine is the enemy. Keep workouts short and intense. Regularly learn and play new sports.
~Greg Glassman
That pretty much sums it up.
If you want to learn more about it, and get my personal reflection of CrossFit: https://flawd.se/crossfit
September 9, 2018
I am re-reading this as part of my preparation to take the CrossFit Level 2 Trainer course. The articles in this guide consist of the meat and potatoes of the CrossFit philosophy, with some of the articles dating back to the roots of the movement.
I actually remember reading some of the foundational ideas back in 2008 when I was just starting my journey into functional athletics and worldwide sport of fitness. It has been an amazing ride, seeing firsthand the transformation of a small idea online to what it has become today. The CrossFit Games is now a national spectacle and athletes from around the world are training for hours on end in hopes of one day being crowned the Fittest on Earth.
Some of the key concepts that must be read by any fitness trainer covered in the guide: What is Fitness? Nutrition, and the differences between sick, healthy, and fit.
I also wrote about my experience at a CrossFit Level 2 seminar here:
https://outworkinc.com/crossfit-level...
r/Onward
I actually remember reading some of the foundational ideas back in 2008 when I was just starting my journey into functional athletics and worldwide sport of fitness. It has been an amazing ride, seeing firsthand the transformation of a small idea online to what it has become today. The CrossFit Games is now a national spectacle and athletes from around the world are training for hours on end in hopes of one day being crowned the Fittest on Earth.
Some of the key concepts that must be read by any fitness trainer covered in the guide: What is Fitness? Nutrition, and the differences between sick, healthy, and fit.
I also wrote about my experience at a CrossFit Level 2 seminar here:
https://outworkinc.com/crossfit-level...
r/Onward
October 31, 2018
Finish reading and start learning basic movements.
Eat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruits, little starch, and no sugar. Keep intake to levels that will support exercise but not body fat.
Practice and train major lifts: Deadlift, clean, squat, presses, C&J, and snatch. Similarly, master the basics of gymnastics: pull-ups, dips, rope climbs, push-ups, sit-ups, presses to handstands, pirouettes, flips, splits, and holds. Bike, run, swim, row, etc. hard and fast.
Five or six days per week mix these elements in as many combinations and patterns as creativity will allow. Routine is the enemy. Keep workouts short and intense.
Regularly learn and play new sports.
- World-Class Fitness in 100 words.
Eat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruits, little starch, and no sugar. Keep intake to levels that will support exercise but not body fat.
Practice and train major lifts: Deadlift, clean, squat, presses, C&J, and snatch. Similarly, master the basics of gymnastics: pull-ups, dips, rope climbs, push-ups, sit-ups, presses to handstands, pirouettes, flips, splits, and holds. Bike, run, swim, row, etc. hard and fast.
Five or six days per week mix these elements in as many combinations and patterns as creativity will allow. Routine is the enemy. Keep workouts short and intense.
Regularly learn and play new sports.
- World-Class Fitness in 100 words.
April 25, 2020
Life-changing.
If you are an athlete, you have to read this. Whatever your sport is.
If you are NOT an athlete but want to become one, read this. That's the fastest way to motivate yourself and to learn.
If you are NOT an athlete and do NOT plan to become one, just read this anyway. Indeed, multiple sections are not "technical" from the sport point of view, but which will probably change how you see the sport, health, physiology, nutrition, ageing. And it might even convince you you should do something about it.
If you are an athlete, you have to read this. Whatever your sport is.
If you are NOT an athlete but want to become one, read this. That's the fastest way to motivate yourself and to learn.
If you are NOT an athlete and do NOT plan to become one, just read this anyway. Indeed, multiple sections are not "technical" from the sport point of view, but which will probably change how you see the sport, health, physiology, nutrition, ageing. And it might even convince you you should do something about it.
February 16, 2021
As intended, this collection of articles and transcribed lectures is peerless in communicating the simplicity and elegance of the CrossFit methodology. No, reading the Training Guide and going to a seminar does not make you a coach.
That takes years of practice and trying to understand, internalize and apply these principles in real life.
At least everyone I know - no matter their education or fitness background - reads this and at some point says to themselves, "Well, THAT makes a lot of sense".
That takes years of practice and trying to understand, internalize and apply these principles in real life.
At least everyone I know - no matter their education or fitness background - reads this and at some point says to themselves, "Well, THAT makes a lot of sense".
August 5, 2025
Certainly a useful guide for understanding the ideals and methods behind CrossFit. Some of the information is pretty antiquated. For example, the focus on neuroendocrine response rather than mechanical tension. Also the hopper philosophy is contrary to progressive overload. Glassman was clearly ahead of his time, and it's interesting getting insight into the ideas behind such a popular fitness model. It also pulls back the veil to some of the dogmatism which has limited its efficacy in very specific ways.
January 23, 2020
I am not taking my level 1 but I thought that reading this would give me a better understanding of the sport of Crossfit, which I love. Really drills down into the basic fundamentals and hopefully help me to become better at CF.
April 12, 2024
Even if you are not thinking about taking the CrossFit L1 course, it is a very complete group of articles that explain how to train, eat, organize, and do each CrossFit exercise. It focuses a lot on body positions to avoid some injuries.
April 17, 2020
Always good to do research as one considers an approach.
March 19, 2021
Training manual for Crossfit L1
February 28, 2022
Solid fundamental course!
March 7, 2023
Easy to follow guide covering the foundations of CrossFit
June 3, 2024
Very good! Helps to understand the reason for CrossFit's creation, goals, & scientific/definition backing and why it's successful.
July 12, 2024
Got my L-1!
September 8, 2016
Clear instructions
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews