Ask ten different people what it means to be fit, and you’ll likely get ten different answers.
I remember a conversation at the gym where one person talked about wanting to run a marathon, another was focused on hitting a 400-pound deadlift, and someone else just wanted to be able to play with their kids without pain.
That moment highlighted something important—fitness isn’t a single, narrow definition; it’s about what makes you capable in your own life. For some, it’s running a marathon. For others, it’s deadlifting 500 pounds. Some will point to aesthetics—chiseled abs and low body fat—while others focus on athletic prowess in a particular sport. But here’s the real question:
What if fitness isn’t about specializing in one thing? What if it’s about being ready for anything that comes up in your life?
CrossFit’s definition of fitness, laid out in What Is Fitness and Foundations (If you haven’t read these articles before, I highly recommend them), embraces this idea of broad capability. Instead of focusing on a single metric of performance, it defines fitness as a balance of strength, endurance, speed, agility, and coordination—qualities that reflect the full spectrum of human ability.
This generalist approach not only aligns with the human condition but also provides the best foundation to build from. Whether you want to specialize later in running, lifting, or sport-specific skills, developing a broad and adaptable fitness base ensures that you have the resilience, durability, and versatility to take on whatever challenges life presents.
This perspective shifts our focus to the concept of true fitness: being a capable human being—someone prepared for the known and the unknown, the predictable and the unpredictable. A generalist approach to fitness ensures that we are not just training for one singular outcome but building a foundation that can support all aspects of life, whether it’s tackling an unexpected challenge or excelling in the activities we love.
The Generalist vs. The Specialist
The best weightlifters in the world are brutally strong but often lack endurance. Elite marathoners have incredible stamina but struggle under heavy loads. Gymnasts display unmatched control and flexibility but may lack absolute strength. The problem? Each of these specialists thrives in their own world but would struggle outside of it.
The CrossFit model of fitness argues that a generalist—someone who is competent across multiple domains—has the broadest capacity for real-world physical demands. This idea is built on three key models that help us define and measure fitness:
- The 10 General Physical Skills – Cardiovascular endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy. Fitness requires proficiency in all ten, not just a select few.
- The Hopper Model – Imagine a lottery-style hopper filled with an infinite number of physical challenges. 500-lb deadlifts, marathons, 100m swims, max pull-ups. The fittest person is the one who performs best on average across the widest variety of tasks.
- Metabolic Pathways – The body relies on three primary energy systems: phosphagen (short bursts of power), glycolytic (moderate-duration efforts), and oxidative (sustained aerobic activity). A well-rounded fitness regimen develops all three.
So when we look at the people pushing the limits of human physiology—Olympians, elite military operators, extreme adventurers—what can we learn? The best in any discipline are specialists, but those who thrive across disciplines share one thing in common: they develop all-around athleticism, durability, and adaptability.
Technique, Longevity, and Movement Quality
There’s a temptation to rush into fitness with intensity—lifting heavier, moving faster, pushing limits at all costs. But Technique, one of the core principles of the CrossFit methodology, reminds us that intensity without technical proficiency is a recipe for failure, injury, and stalled progress.
Mechanics → Consistency → Intensity. That’s the order of operations.
The greatest athletes don’t just train harder; they train smarter. They refine their movements, eliminate inefficiencies, and build strength on a foundation of control and precision. And here’s the best part—when you move well, you move more efficiently, allowing you to push harder and recover faster. This is why prioritizing technique isn’t just about safety (short term); it’s about sustainability (long term).
At CrossFit Northland, we believe that movement quality is the foundation of fitness longevity. That’s why teaching, observing, and refining movement accounts for 50% of our coaching expectations. Our approach prioritizes movement patterns that reinforce durability and real-world functionality, ensuring that our athletes not only perform well in the gym but also move efficiently and pain-free in their everyday lives.
By focusing on how movement translates beyond workouts—into play, adventure, and daily activities—we create a fitness experience that isn’t just about reps and sets, but about enhancing life outside the gym. By integrating principles that focus on joint integrity, balance, and efficient biomechanics, we help our members develop a level of fitness that lasts far beyond their next workout. We focus on movement quality in a way that ensures durability and longevity, drawing insights from those who have studied the patterns of the most resilient movers on the planet. By looking at how the most enduring human movers—elite athletes, indigenous tribes, and even the elderly who age without pain—move, we refine the way we train. This means integrating elements that reinforce healthy joint positioning, functional strength, and gait mechanics that allow us to train for life, not just for the gym.
We believe that fitness isn’t just about today’s workout. It’s about building a body that lets you do the things you love for decades to come. Whether that’s hiking, playing with your kids, surfing, climbing, or simply feeling strong and capable as you age, movement quality plays a critical role in making fitness something that supports your life rather than something that wears you down.
Fitness as a Lifelong Pursuit
So what does all of this mean for the average person? It means taking the principles of broad, adaptable fitness and applying them to daily life. Whether it’s carrying groceries, playing with your kids, or hiking a challenging trail, your fitness should support the activities that your body is required to do and that bring you joy and fulfillment. You don’t need to be an elite specialist to be fit. In fact, being a specialist might make you less fit in the grand scheme of things.
Real fitness—the kind that carries over into everyday life—is about developing broad, adaptable capacity. It means being able to lift, run, jump, climb, and carry. It means moving well, recovering well, and being prepared for the unknown. It means embracing training as a lifelong practice, not a quick fix.
CrossFit’s definition of fitness challenges us to think beyond short-term goals and aesthetic markers. It asks us to build bodies that function, that last, and that enable us to live life fully.
And in the end, isn’t that what we’re all after? To be strong, capable, and ready for whatever life throws our way?
Ready to Train for Life?
If you want to build a body that lasts and supports the activities you love, join us at CrossFit Northland. Our coaching prioritizes longevity, movement quality, and sustainable progress—so you can keep doing what you love for years to come.
This sound like the sort of fitness you’ve been looking for? I’d love to chat with you about it more: Click Here!