Why Pursue the Level 3?

Two trainers talk about their experience earning one of CrossFit’s highest credentials.

For trainers wanting to achieve a higher level of CrossFit coaching knowledge and ability beyond the Level 1 and 2 Certificate Courses, the Level 3 marks a major step forward.

Trainers who pass the Level 3 exam become Level 3 Trainers and earn a Certified CrossFit Trainer (CCFT) credential. This is one of CrossFit’s highest credentials, signifying a higher level of CrossFit coaching knowledge and ability.

Studying and preparing for the L3 exam is rigorous but can have a significant and worthwhile impact on a coach’s career and professional development.

Sean Lind and Saif Haquz passed the Level 3 exam in 2018, and we caught up with the two trainers to find out how their Level 3 credential has impacted their coaching and careers.

Earning a Level 3 credential is an important step on your journey as a CrossFit coach, whether you’re an experienced coach — like Sean — or just starting out in your coaching career — like Saif. What you get out of it depends on where you are in your journey, but the experience is essential in your pursuit of coaching excellence.

Sean Lind (CF-L3)

Sean Lind grew up playing hockey and baseball and competing in judo. After earning a degree in criminology, Lind dropped out of law school to join the circus. Prior to 2010, he worked as a competitive gymnastics coach and professional circus artist, performing with circus companies worldwide and even competing at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Later in 2010, he shifted his focus to become a professional CrossFit coach and athlete.

Since then, Lind has competed multiple times as an individual at Regional events and on a team at the 2015 CrossFit Games. He worked as the head trainer for the CrossFit Gymnastics course for five years, and he’s coached multiple Games athletes, including 2013 champion Samantha Briggs and 2014 champion Camille Leblanc-Bazinet.

When asked about the exam and what surprised him about the Level 3 material, Lind commented, “It wasn’t so much surprising as it was a good reminder that no matter how much you think you know, there is always more information out there. It comes down to the fact that the more I learn, the less I realize I know and … that I always need to continue to learn.”

Lind acknowledges that any coach, no matter how far into their career, can get stuck in their own habits. Studying for the exam was a great opportunity for him to revisit material and review areas in which he could improve his coaching.

In 2018, Lind studied for and took the Level 3 exam. CrossFit documented his experience in the video below.

Saif Haquz (CF-L3)

Saif Haquz grew up in Amman, Jordan, and worked as an architect for 10 years before becoming a full-time trainer. He discovered CrossFit when he saw a friend tagged in a picture at CrossFit Crescent. Saif immediately called his friend to get more information, and after attending a trial class in October 2014, he was hooked and has been training ever since.

Saif’s experience as a Circassian folklore dancer helped him learn CrossFit — he says both demand significant kinesthetic awareness and coordination. Over the past seven years, he has worked hard to transition from athlete to coach, continuously looking to improve as a professional trainer and across other areas of his life.

In taking the exam, Haquz admits that he was expecting to be tested on areas such as anatomy, nutrition, and movement faults, but he was pleased to find the exam covered much more compared to other fitness exams he had completed in the past. In addition, Haquz believes that the continuing education requirements of the exam help to ensure trainers stay current and hold the CrossFit Level 3 population to an ongoing high standard.

Passing the L3 was a huge step for Haquz.

“Like many, I started out as an immature trainer, coaching part time a few hours a week, but I worked hard to develop myself as a professional trainer,” he explained. “I made a huge career change; after studying architecture and working in the field for 10 years, I realized that what I wanted to do was to help get people fit. I left my job in architecture and became a full-time trainer. In the end, just like my L1 was the starting point not the finish, the L3 is just another beginning.”

In 2018, Haquz documented the day he took the CrossFit Level 3 exam. See the video below.

About the Author

Hilary Achauer is a San Diego-based marketing writer and journalist specializing in health, fitness, and wellness. She’s been a regular contributor to the CrossFit Journal and CrossFit websites and has been published in The Washington Post, The Week, Men’s Health, Eating Well, Greatist, and The Huffington Post.