Inside Proven: What an Elite CrossFit Training Camp Really Looks Like

NASHVILLE – The days at camp are simple in structure, but brutal in execution. Athletes gather at the gym in the morning and stay there for virtually the entire day.

"We're basically there from start to finish," Colten Mertens explains. "We train, take short breaks to eat, and get back into the next session."

This is not a one-workout-per-day setup. Multiple training blocks target different capacities, strength, conditioning, skills, and recovery. The accumulated load pushes athletes to their physical and mental limits.

A large group, a strong culture

The camp brings together a broad group of athletes. Alongside individual Games competitors, team members and other Proven athletes train side by side. Names like Chris, Olivia, Jay, Ricky, and Maddie feature regularly, with others joining at various points.

What stands out most is the culture within the group. Fatigue is inevitable, but complaining is not tolerated.

"When people constantly talk about how tired they are or what hurts, the energy of the whole group drops," says Mertens. "This team is really good at the opposite: just keeping going and holding each other to a high standard."

That mentality proves essential at this level. Attitude and discipline matter just as much as physical ability.

Central structure, room for individual adjustments

The program is largely directed by coaches Shane and Kefir, who set the framework that athletes build their training days around. There is, however, room for individual tweaks. Athletes often work with their own coach as well, making small adjustments to address specific weaknesses or goals.

"The foundation comes from the team, but small things get adjusted," Mertens says. "A different lift, or extra focus on something you personally need to work on."

That blend of collective structure and individual fine-tuning creates an optimal training environment.

The impact of elite icons

During the camp, athletes are occasionally joined by established names in the sport. Tia-Clair Toomey, one of the most decorated CrossFit athletes of all time, was among those present, and her impact was immediately felt.

"Just having her there gives everyone a massive boost," says Mertens. "She doesn't even need to coach the sessions. It's her energy and the standard she represents."

For athletes training at the edge of their capabilities, that kind of stimulus can make all the difference.

More than just training

As demanding as the program is, the camp is about more than physical work. Group dynamics, shared focus, and a common ambition play an equally important role.

Training together means constantly holding up a mirror to one another. Anyone who eases off sees it reflected in the group. Anyone who excels pulls others along with them.

The result is an environment where high performance becomes almost second nature.

The Proven training camp makes clear what it takes to compete at the highest level in CrossFit: volume, structure, individual adaptation, and a strong mental culture. It is not a place for excuses, it is a place where athletes lift each other to a higher level, every single day.