Training hard at CrossFit Shapesmiths? Learn how to spot the signs of overtraining and use practical recovery strategies. From sleep and stress management to hot/cold therapy and active recovery, here’s how to keep progressing and avoid burnout.

In this final instalment of our programming series, we share lessons from the CrossFit Level Two Guide alongside our Shapesmiths approach. From tackling weaknesses to scaling advanced athletes, here’s why quality coaching and (relative) intensity will always trump volume.

At Shapesmiths, one of our core values is simple: we don’t judge potential. Every member’s journey is unique, so workouts are scaled with purpose to keep you safe, challenged, and progressing toward your goals.

At Shapesmiths we see CrossFit as a lifetime program, not a quick fix. Our training blends practice, benchmarks, and resilience days to build safe, lasting fitness while developing mental strength.

At Shapesmiths, we believe in doing the common, uncommonly well. Our programming focuses on movement, mechanics, and intensity, helping every athlete build safe, consistent progress.

Why Join the CrossFit® Open?
It’s the biggest community fitness competition in the world and here’s why you should jump in! 

What to pack and not pack in your CrossFit® Kit bag. We got you covered!

We want to discuss the best way to spend your time in the gym and outside of the gym to optimise your progress and ensure our community is functioning in the best possible way.  We hope to provide some education so you don’t fall into the trap that I and many of your coaches and co-owners have fallen into. 

This article is a short piece to help those of you who have asked us about pull ups, be it strict or kipping. Before I continue, let me say that I am a firm believer that if you can dedicate the time to something, consistently, it will eventually be achieved. The pull up is no different.

Biking to the gym in London is healthy and eco-friendly, but with the city’s high bike theft rate, security is crucial. The article shares practical tips to keep your bike safe: use a sturdy U-lock or heavy-duty chain, park in well-lit areas with bike racks, and consider double-locking both wheels and frame. Remove valuables, register your bike, and even use GPS trackers for extra protection. Parking near security cameras can also deter thieves.

Here’s a quick-reference guide to all those acronyms, movements, and equipment you’ll see on the WODify “whiteboard.”

CrossFit® Shapesmiths blends Practice Days (60%), Benchmark Days (30%), and Resilience Days (10%), with expert coaches scaling workouts for all levels. Beginners build skills in gymnastics and weightlifting, track progress with measurable standards, and enjoy a supportive community. Plus, regular social events from mixers to holiday parties help you connect and thrive.

Feeling nervous about your first CrossFit® class? Don’t be! Just bring a water bottle, comfy clothes, and flat shoes everything else is provided. Show up 10 minutes early to meet your coach, learn the workout format (brief, warm-up, scaled movements, WOD, debrief), and get comfortable with our tight-knit community. With 180 weekly classes from 5:45 AM to 7:30 PM you’ll find a slot that fits your schedule. Read the article to find out more!

At Shapesmiths, Functional Bodybuilding (FBB) is integral to our CrossFit® programming designed to enhance strength, control, and resilience. By focusing on tempo and time under tension (TUT), FBB helps you master movements like strict pull-ups and overhead positions through slow eccentrics, isometric holds, and targeted accessory work. Ideal for all levels, FBB builds foundational strength, corrects imbalances, and prepares your body for high-intensity WODs.