Without a doubt, CrossFit, a high-intensity fitness regime, has become extremely popular in the past few years. However, the whole CrossFit thing can be confusing for those new to the fitness industry. It introduces a unique set of terminologies that might leave you scratching your head. One of the most common terms in a CrossFit gym is “PR.” When you hear PR in the gym, the meaning doesn’t come across clearly from the beginning. What is it? Let’s find out.
PR in the Gym: Meaning
If you’ve been busy googling “PR meaning in the gym” and found no clear answers, we’re here to help. PR in a gym setting means personal record. PR refers to a new personal best in a specific workout or exercise. If you had a previous deadlift PR of 200 and lifted 205 pounds, the latter would be your new record. Hitting a PR is a big accomplishment in the CrossFit community, and people always celebrate the achievement.
However, PR isn’t the only goal of training; it’s also an outstanding triumph since it shows growth and dedication. Recording a new PR is about challenging yourself to become faster and stronger.
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What Does It Mean to Hit a PR?
As mentioned, PR stands for a personal record or personal best. To hit a PR means doing better and recording more weight or reps than ever in a particular workout. If, under normal circumstances, you usually manage to do at least five pull-ups without any help, and today, you labored through seven sets on your own, then you have hit a new personal record.
PR hitting needs effort, commitment, and time. Each time you hit one, it becomes evidence of progress in your fitness condition. Thus, the process of achieving a new PR is enjoyable and satisfying. The CrossFit community will celebrate with you when you hit a PR in any workout.
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Tracking PRs
Most CrossFitters track their PRs in terms of repetitions completed, time taken to complete a workout, and weight lifted. Every workout or exercise has its measurement or criteria for recording a PR. Tracking PRs allows one to see progression over weeks, months, and years of training.
Many gyms will keep a PR board where members can write down when they hit a new PR. Some apps and whiteboards track PRs. Some people even keep their PR journals.
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Why Tracking PRs Is Important
Keeping track of PRs in gym workouts has notable benefits. Knowing your current PRs allows you to break through plateaus and hit new ones, thus boosting your motivation. It also lets you compare your recent performance against the previous ones. Setting a goal to hit a specific PR can motivate you to train hard and get stronger.
Furthermore, it helps you identify your weaknesses or know when something isn’t right. Technically speaking, your PRs should keep improving, an indication that your stamina, strength, or speed is improving. Thus, if you find that there hasn’t been any change in your PRs or they are dropping, it could mean something is wrong with your training regimen. Perhaps it is time to return to the drawing board.
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How Often Can You Set a PR?
As a newbie, you’ll hit new PRs more frequently as your body adapts to the training. But it becomes harder to set new PRs the longer you train. Experienced trainers may only hit a handful of significant PRs over years of training. But this isn’t a bad thing! Hitting them less often makes PRs even more meaningful.
Types of PRs
There are various types of PR records. Some examples include:
- The time it takes to complete a 2-mile run
- Total number of push-ups without any break
- Number of minutes one can jump rope without making a mistake
- Amount of weight you can lift for a specific workout
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What You Should Know When Trying to Hit a New PR
When trying to hit a new PR, you should be rational. For example, if your previous PR on weightlifting was 80 pounds, it makes sense to aim for a new mark of 90 pounds. Anything above that can cause injury, making you stop lifting weights altogether.
Also, you can quantify your achievements and success in other ways. These could include monitoring your muscle development. Alternatively, you may observe your body weight as a measure of loss or gain.
Remembering that completing one more rep or lifting a heavier load is not everything is essential. Instead, you might aim to keep a consistent workout routine. This is essential when it comes to gaining muscles and staying fit. Once you start working out consistently, you can try to achieve personal records.
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Tips for Hitting New PRs
Hitting those shiny new PRs requires hard work and the right training approach. Here are some top tips for setting new personal bests:
- Track Progress: Keep a training journal or use an app to monitor your PRs and the weights/times you’ve hit for each workout. This allows you to set specific goals to beat.
- Build Strength in Cycles: Periodize training with gradually increasing weights to build foundational strength. This prepares you for hitting heavier PRs.
- Focus on Form and Technique: Correct form and technique not only help prevent injury but also allow you to take full advantage of each exercise, thus getting better performance levels as well as hitting a new PR.
- Attempt Frequently: Make regular attempts to beat your previous PRs. Just stop waiting for the stars to align! Consistent effort pays off.
- Prioritize Recovery: Rest days and full muscle recovery are essential. Hit the foam roller, get massages, and sleep well.
- Visualize Success and Believe: Imagine yourself hitting the new PR before attempts. This mental imagery can boost performance. Also, have confidence in your training. Tell yourself you can set a new PR – self-belief is powerful.
- Go All In When attempting a PR, commit fully and don’t hesitate. Giving anything less than 100% makes hitting a new PR unlikely.
Setting new PRs requires patience and persistence. You won’t hit one every week or even every month. But those fitness milestones will come with smart programming, effort, and belief in your abilities. And the rush of excitement when the community cheers your first muscle up or new deadlift max makes all the hard work worthwhile.
Conclusion
Now you know the PR meaning, gym-wise. At first, it was a strange CrossFit term, but now you know it indicates your best fitness achievement. Hitting a long-sought-after personal record through dedication and focused training is a memorable experience. The opportunity to push your body further and exceed preconceived limits is empowering.
So, embrace the PRs. The struggle makes accomplishing them sweeter. Record your current bests, set goals to beat them, and put in the work. Then, enjoy that feeling when the PR you thought was impossible becomes a reality.