Since 2007 the CrossFit games has brought together the world’s toughest athletes to compete in the ultimate fitness test. But it is unlike any other fitness test. The Games push these athletes to their limit in true CrossFit fashion; going as hard and fast as the body can handle. They focus on functional movements in order to test the athlete’s fitness level.

If there is anyone who knows about the required level of intensity and determination it is Katrin Davidsdottir. The two time champion from Iceland took the CrossFit world by storm when she out-ran, out-lifted, and simply out-muscled any and all competition. Her commitment was and is essential to her success.

Being a gymnast for 10 years, the commitment of CrossFit was nothing new to Davidsdottir when she joined in 2011 at the age of 18. She began competing in the Games shortly thereafter in 2012 and found success at regionals. However, it was not until her repeat wins as the women’s champion in 2015 and 2016 that people began to recognize her as the strongest women on Earth.

Fellow CrossFit Games competitor Annie Thorisdottir was also an Icelandic gymnast who established herself in 2009 at the age of 19. Since entering the world of CrossFit, Davidsdottir compared to Thorisdottir. It was not uncommon for her to be referred to as “another Annie.”

Though competitors, Davidsdottir and Thorisdottir are still friends. They even train together when at home. “We really want the best for each other and we really want each other to succeed and become the best versions of ourselves” Davidsdottir stated in an interview with Men’s Fitness.

When Davidsdottir overtook Thorisdottir as the strongest women by winning the games, her training grew even more intense. Owner of CrossFit New England and coach of Davidsdottir, Ben Bergeron, has experienced training some of the highest ranked CrossFit Games competitors. Bergeron himself was a competitor before transitioning into the world of coaching. He is now at the highest level of CrossFit coaching, level four, and is appreciative of his switch. “It’s a much better fit for me personally, and it’s a lot more rewarding” stated Bergeron.

Before the 2016 Games Davidsdottir moved to Boston to train more frequently with Bergeron at the more intense level. Bergeron stated that they train “year round, three times a day, multiple days a week,” but as the Games get closer “training can be anywhere from six to eight hours a day.” Training varies anywhere from “trying new sports” to “carrying sandbags” stated Bergeron.

Before the 2016 Games Davidsdottir trained year round and only took a break from intense training during the month of August. Once September hit, Bergeron and Davidsdottir focused on general fitness and as the games grew closer they targeted her peak performance.

In an interview with Men’s Fitness, Davidsdottir stated that she focused on “all upper-body pulling—muscle-ups, rope climbs, and pull-ups— and then general strength, so squats and deadlifts.”

Training is where the CrossFit program itself comes into play. CrossFit provides the opportunity to people to improve their fitness and health. It is high intensity functional movement. The goal of this method is to maximize the work in the shortest period of time. Intensity is what determines the result; the harder an athlete pushes themselves, the more power they exert, and the more gains they develop.

Kevin Daigle is an athlete and Digital Publisher for CrossFit Inc., in Santa Cruz, California. He has attended the Games every year since 2009 and sees first hand the preparations competitors like Davidsdottir put in.

“Preparing is simply working on your weaknesses to eliminate holes in your game, and constantly, relentlessly training to increase your work capacity across broad time and modal domains” said Daigle.

Daigle also believes in the importance of not forgetting the true goal of CrossFit, “to make people better through human movement.”

He emphasizes the difference between CrossFit and the CrossFit games. The Games are are a “part of us and what we do, and they are important, but they aren't what we are” said Daigle.

To be eligible to compete in the Games one must submit their scores from the open, then the top qualifiers move on to regionals where the top athletes compete for five spots in each category. The season comes to its final stage at the Games where the top 40 men, 40 women, 40 teenagers, and 200 masters fight to distinguish themselves among the rest.

CrossFit is an intense sport that requires immense dedication and commitment. Reaching the games is an indication of hard work paying off. The hours of grueling training, intense focus on nutrition, and practice of mind over matter are all put to the test in this five day ultimate fitness test.

Davidsdottir told Men’s Fitness, “I know I’ll never [reach] perfection. I can hit excellence. If you strive for perfection, then somewhere along the way, you’ll hit the best version of yourself.”