A CrossFit class is a one-hour group session led by a coach. A typical class looks like:

Whiteboard brief — At the start of class, the group will circle around a whiteboard or TV. The coach will talk through the workout, the movements within it, the intended stimulus — the purpose of the workout and what level of intensity it’s designed to elicit — and ideas for scaling. Some gyms break the ice by having each person say their name and/or answer a “question of the day.”

Don’t worry if you don’t understand the movements listed on the board. The coach will walk you through the movements after the whiteboard brief. Your first class will focus on learning the movement technique.

Warm-up — The coach will lead the class through a warm-up to prepare for the workout.

Skill practice —The coach will lead the class through skill practice, typically related to the movements that appear later in the workout.

Workout prep — Each person will get out the equipment necessary to do the workout, such as a barbell or rowing machine.

Workout — The coach starts the clock and everyone does the workout together.

Cleanup — After the workout is over, athletes give each other fist bumps and high-fives, wipe down and put away their equipment, and meet back at the whiteboard to write down scores.