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Benchmark Girls Explained.

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 one’s 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. 

At Roots, we program the benchmark Girls on a consistent basis to track progress and evaluate programming.

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.

A benchmark Girl workouts for chicks and Hero workouts for dudes?
Good question, but nope!  Both categories of workouts are utilized and done by both male and female CrossFitters.  Hero workouts are created for males or females that have died in the line of action.

To learn more about the Benchmark Girls, read this article by Greg Glassman: Benchmark Girls.  Watch Sam Briggs (2013 CrossFit Games Champion) do the benchmark Girls workout Grace.