The 2026 season kicks off with Arkham Phase, a meticulously designed training cycle that builds on summer programming while introducing new movement biases to create well-rounded CrossFit athletes.

Drew and Hunter dive deep into the front squat and squat clean focus of this phase, explaining how these movements represent a logical progression from the deadlift and back squat work of previous cycles. "The front squat is probably the most accessible squat that also does an exceptional job of midline work," Hunter explains, highlighting how this positioning demands upright posture and core engagement while providing natural feedback—if an athlete loses position, the barbell simply falls.

The gymnastics bias shifts to toes-to-bar, offering a foundation for developing proper kipping technique without the shoulder injury risks associated with other movements. This focus serves both newer athletes working on basic positions and experienced athletes building capacity through volume. Meanwhile, the conditioning bias expands beyond pure running to include mixed machine work—rowing, biking, skiing—creating varied stimulus that prevents monotony.

What sets Misfit's programming apart is the 80/20 principle at work: while movement biases make up only 20% of the program, the remaining 80% consists of foundational CrossFit elements—couplets, triplets, and heavy lifting—that drive overall fitness gains. The coaches reveal how this approach produces remarkable results, with athletes hitting PRs in benchmark workouts like Fran and maximal lifts at levels that would have been unthinkable years ago.

For affiliate owners and coaches, the podcast offers valuable insights into member retention through tools like the Competitor Extra programming and special events like Hell Week. "I like the idea of people getting excited for a specific thing," Drew notes, "because otherwise we're kind of just maybe a little bit of groundhog's day at a CrossFit gym."

Try Misfit Affiliate programming with a two-week free trial at teammisfitcom—experience a program that delivers results through smart programming, intentional progressions, and the perfect balance of structure and variance.

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