“Cindy”
Complete as many rounds in 20 minutes as you can of:
5 Pull-ups
10 Push-ups
15 Squats

Benchmark Workouts Explained

It’s not uncommon to hear that a person’s first introduction to CrossFit was the workout Cindy.  Cindy is one of the benchmark girls workouts.  Benchmark workouts are one of the ways we gauge athlete progress.  Read on for more information on the benchmark series of girls and heroes.

The Girls

You’ve often heard the coaches refer to benchmark workouts in class. In most cases, these workouts are titled with a girl’s name, such as Cindy, Fran, or Grace. CrossFit defines its training program as “constantly varied, functional movements, executed at high intensity.” With a constantly varied program (one where no two days are ever the same) it could potentially be difficult to gauge the effectiveness of the program as well as ones progress in all areas of fitness. That’s where the benchmark workouts come in to play. They are a variety of workouts that athletes should revisit on a recurring but spaced out basis to measure their progress.

Why girls names?

“According to the National Weather Service the use of “short, distinctive given names in written as well as spoken communications is quicker and less subject to error” than “more cumbersome” identification methods, so since 1953 storms have been assigned female given names.

This convenience and logic inspired our granting a special group of workouts women’s names, but anything that leaves you flat on your back and incapacitated only to lure you back for more at a later date certainly deserves naming.”  (CF Journal – Issue 13, September 2003)

Since 2003 many benchmark girls workouts have been added to the list. The “New Girls”, such as Annie, Nicole, and Eva, were named after some of CrossFit’s top female trainers.

The Heroes

The hero workouts are named after men who have died in combat or the line of duty at home and abroad.