Aerobic vs Anaerobic vs GPP

Recently, I sent out the 2023 CrossFit Thelo Programming Outlook. If you looked at it, you may have seen that most months had either an Aerobic, Anaerobic, or GPP focus. And even though many of you are familiar with these terms, others are not and I wanted to explain so we have an idea of what to expect and why.

To put it as simply as I can, we are talking energy systems and fuel for workouts. Aerobic exercise requires oxygen to fuel the workout. Oxygen, however, is slow to get there so an Aerobic bias is going to be longer duration workouts at a low to moderate intensity. If you have ever been in a longer workout and get the feeling of "I am uncomfortable, but I can keep moving at this pace" you are likely getting into an Aerobic state. Months with this bias will lean more towards workouts where we will stay aerobic for longer.

Anaerobic exercise is different. It is very fast and powerful. It does not require oxygen because some exercise cannot allow for the time it takes oxygen to bring energy to the muscle being used. An Anaerobic Bias is going to lean towards short burst of high intensity and moderate to heavy lifts. Lifting exercises are anaerobic because you need lots of energy in a very short about of time. Sprinting or moving at a very high intensity is also Anaerobic for the same reason. If you get into a workout and push to a pace where you think "There's no way I can hold this pace" you are likely getting into an Anaerobic state. Months with this bias will lean more towards incorporating workouts and exercises that will require our bodies to produce energy Anaerobically with bouts of Sprints and Moderately Heavy Exercises.

GPP stands for General Physical Preparedness. This simply means we will do our best to program workouts that are a good mix because we know that our bodies need to be well rounded!

It's important to understand that every workout has parts of Anaerobic and Aerobic exercise and each of us are more inclined to one vs the other. That is why some of us prefer fast and short workouts while others like to settle into good pace during workouts. It is important, though, that we all learn to work both Aerobically and Anaerobically.

See you in the gym!

Thelo Coaches