A System for Progression: Your next step, always in sight.
Most people start CrossFit with energy to burn. Then real life happens. Work gets busy, motivation dips, a movement feels stuck, and “I’ll go tomorrow” sneaks in. It’s not a character flaw. It’s a systems problem.
At CrossFit 1864, we’re introducing a simple system that makes progress obvious and momentum easier to keep: a patch progression. Patches give every member a clear next step, visible wins to celebrate, and a shared language so coaches and athletes can move faster in the same direction.
This isn’t about turning the gym into a game. It’s about making the invisible parts of fitness—consistency, small improvements, movement quality—visible and repeatable. When the path is clear, effort becomes easier.
Want to see the full standards? View the Patch Guide (PDF)
How it works (at a glance)
Our system shows you—and us as your coaches—exactly where you stand in fitness. It gives you clear knowledge, and gives us the tools to help you reach your goals faster.
Think martial arts from white to black belt—but at 1864 you’ll earn patches. Behind the scenes it’s built on solid psychology and exercise science; in practice, it’s simple and actionable.
The Method of Athletic Progression is a clear, easy-to-understand chart of athletic tests that measure—and reward—progress in functional fitness. You’ll see a colourful board with Levels moving left → right and Categories running top → bottom (Strength, Engine, Gymnastics, Olympic Weightlifting). Each cell shows a standard. Hit enough standards at your level and you earn the next patch. You’ll always know your current level, your next target, and the shortest path forward.
Why a system (not just goals)?
Goals are great. “I want to get fitter.” “I want a pull-up.” “I want to feel strong.” But goals are outcomes; systems are what carry you there. A good system answers three questions every time you train:
What matters now?
How will I know I’m getting better?
What do I do next?
Our patch system answers all three. Instead of vague effort, you’ll have concrete targets across strength, engine, gymnastics, and Olympic lifts—scaled for where you are, with clear thresholds for the patch above. Your training becomes a series of deliberate steps instead of a foggy path. Small wins stack. Confidence grows. Fitness sticks.
This kind of framework isn’t yet common in CrossFit gyms, but it’s been done—and done well—where coaches want clarity, members want direction, and communities want a shared story of progress. We’re bringing that here.
What the patch system looks like
We’ll roll out five patches—think of them as markers of momentum, not medals. Each patch represents a balanced level of capacity across categories you already train:
Strength (relative to bodyweight)
Anaerobic power (short, high-output efforts)
Aerobic engine (longer, sustainable efforts)
Gymnastics (strict control + skill progressions)
Olympic weightlifting (snatch, clean & jerk, with movement standards)
You won’t chase everything at once. You’ll choose your next nudge—one number, one drill, one standard—guided by your coach. Hit the standard in enough areas, and you’ll earn the next patch. Then repeat. Simple. Clear. Repeatable.
How this will change your classes
Focus
If getting strong is your next patch, you’ll prioritise strength-focused classes (squats, presses, pulls). You’ll know why you’re here today and what a win looks like. Coaches will call out exactly how the lift, tempo, or accessory maps to your patch target: “We’re building your strict pulling for the next patch’s pull-up standard,” or “This front squat cycle supports your clean receiving position.” Less guessing. More doing.Benchmarks (constant, not random)
Benchmarks will be a regular feature of our programming, so you’ll train them often and test them on purpose. Expect practice exposures in class (technique and submax work) and clear test windows. Same standards, clean scoring, visible PRs. The goal isn’t to turn every day into a test—it’s to practise the things that matter, so test day feels familiar and fair.Visibility
Your goals won’t hide in your head. We’ll publish the full framework in the gym and online, tag sessions with the patch category (Strength, Engine, Gymnastics, Olympic WL), and keep the Patch Board live so every win gets a home. You’ll scan targets, pick your next move, and watch progress stack week to week.
Why this matters for your fitness
Clarity reduces friction. When you know the next step, you stop wasting energy deciding and start using energy doing.
Small wins compound. One extra rep. Five seconds faster. A slightly tighter receiving position. Stack those and your capacity grows month over month.
Feedback keeps you honest. The standards won’t care how you “felt” today. They’ll show whether the work is moving the needle.
Plateaus become puzzles, not problems. If a lift is stuck, we’ll diagnose the limiting factor—position, timing, mobility, or strength—and prescribe a focused fix tied to a clear standard.
Why this matters for the community
A system turns individual effort into a shared story. When we celebrate patches, we won’t just clap for numbers—we’ll cheer for consistency. You’ll start hearing members ask, “What are you working on for your next patch?” and you’ll have a crisp answer. That shared language builds commitment. Commitment builds results.
We’ll make it social, not stressful: a live Patch Board, shout-outs in class, and biannual Patch Parties where we hand out the physical patches, take photos, and shine a light on the steady, patient work that got you there. It’s not about ranking people; it’s about recognising momentum.
Why following the coaches will speed things up
Your coaches are more than cheerleaders; they are guides. The patch system gives them a clearer brief: where you are, where you’re going, and what’s bottlenecking progress. Expect:
Tight cues that map to patch standards (e.g., “Full grip and hollow hold—this is for your strict pull-up requirement”).
Smarter progressions (position and tempo before load; consistent exposure before max attempts).
Better timing (testing when you’re primed; practising when you’re learning).
Think of it like navigation. You still drive. Your coach gives the turn-by-turns that get you there sooner, with fewer wrong turns and fewer aches along the way.
What won’t change
The heart of CrossFit 1864 stays the same: expert coaching, smart programming, and a tight-knit community that shows up for each other. The patch system doesn’t replace that—it organises it. It lines up your daily effort with outcomes that matter, so your time in the gym pays you back outside the gym.
How we’ll roll it out
Over the coming weeks we will:
Publish the Patch Guide—simple, readable, and pinned where you can’t miss it.
Run a a few Benchmarks to set baselines and celebrate first wins on the Patch Board.
Our first Patch Party—physical patches are awarded twice a year (summer + winter). Photos, shout-outs, and a roll-call of new patches.
Keep the Patch Board live between parties so every win gets a home.
You’ll keep training, logging results in class or Open Gym, and coaches will verify standards. No faff. No mystery.
What you can do now
Pick one thing. Ask a coach: “What’s the single easiest step toward my next patch?” Start there.
Show up twice before you optimise once. Attendance beats tinkering.
Practise positions. Better shapes equal safer lifts and faster progress.
Celebrate out loud. When someone hits a standard, give them a fist bump. Momentum spreads.
The promise
We won’t promise overnight transformation. We will promise clarity. You’ll always know your next step. You’ll see your work add up. You’ll feel part of something bigger than your own targets.
And when you sew that next patch on your kit, you won’t just be wearing fabric. You’ll be wearing months of effort, better movement, and a community that helped you get there.
Coming soon to CrossFit 1864: a system for progression—so your goals stop being wishes and start becoming proof.
