LEARNING LIBRARY

Fats, composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen like carbohydrates but with different structures, provide 9 calories per gram, making them an efficient energy storage system that powers the body during rest and between meals while fulfilling critical functions beyond energy production. Unlike carbohydrates, certain fats are essential nutrients (linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid) that the body cannot produce itself, while others contribute to hormone production, cell membrane integrity, and vitamin absorption.

Carbohydrates are molecules made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms that serve as the body's primary and preferred source of energy. They're classified by their structure into simple carbohydrates (sugars like glucose and fructose) and complex carbohydrates (starches and fibers), with all digestible carbs ultimately broken down into simple sugars in the body. While they provide quick energy at 4 calories per gram, unlike proteins and fats, there are no "essential" carbohydrates that must be obtained from diet, as your body can produce glucose when needed through other metabolic pathways.

Struggling to correct form without disrupting your class flow? Learn how experienced coaches efficiently identify, prioritize, and address movement faults while maintaining a positive training environment. These proven techniques will help you deliver personalized coaching to every athlete, from beginners to veterans, without missing a beat.

Coaching CrossFit athletes over 55? This guide reveals essential strategies for adapting each class component—from extended warm-ups to smart workout modifications, while honoring their unique recovery needs and motivations. Discover practical approaches that respect limitations without underestimating capabilities, creating an environment where mature athletes continue to thrive and find value in their fitness journey.

CrossFit is proud to announce a new partnership with Zenni Optical, naming the innovative eyewear leader the Official Eyewear of the CrossFit Games.

CrossFit Competition Director Adrian “Boz” Bozman joins the show to reflect on the evolving landscape of the sport and its roots.

LUXIAOJUN has been named the Official Weightlifting Shoe of the 2025 CrossFit Games.

Protein stands as the fundamental building block of the human body, forming everything from muscles and bones to enzymes and neurotransmitters through its component amino acids—nine of which are essential and must come from our diet.

While percentage-based programming has its place in CrossFit, it comes with significant limitations. Focus instead on achieving the intended stimulus for each workout, using percentages as flexible guidelines rather than rigid rules. Save strict percentage work for competitors, while using this approach sparingly with your general membership to create the best training environment for all athletes.

The concept of a calorie — a unit for measuring energy that originated in 19th century physics before making its way into nutrition science — has fundamentally shaped our understanding of weight management, yet often misleads us with its apparent simplicity. While the basic energy balance equation (calories in minus calories out equals weight change) is mathematically sound, it fails to account for the body's complex biological adaptations that resist prolonged caloric restriction by lowering energy expenditure through various mechanisms like reducing body temperature, decreasing muscle mass, and dampening immune function.