The aim of this study was to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and feasibility of the CrossFit Teens resistance training programme for improving health-related fitness and resistance training skill competency in adolescents. This assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial was conducted in one secondary school in the Hunter Region, Australia, from July to September 2013. Ninety-six (96) students (age 15.4 (0.5) years, 51.5% female) were randomised into intervention (n = 51) or control (n = 45) conditions for 8-weeks (60 min twice per week). Waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), BMI-z score (primary outcomes), cardiorespiratory fitness (shuttle run test), muscular fitness (standing jump, push-up, handgrip, curl-up test), flexibility (sit and reach) and resistance training skill competency were measured at baseline and immediate post-intervention. Feasibility measures of recruitment, retention, adherence and satisfaction were assessed. Significant group-by-time intervention effects were found for waist circumference (-3.1 cm, p < 0.001), BMI (-1.38 kgm2, p < 0.001), BMI-z (-0.5 z-scores, p < 0.001), sit and reach (+3.0 cm, p < 0.001), standing jump (+0.1 m, p = 0.021) and shuttle run (+10.3 laps, p = 0.019). Retention rate was 82.3%. All programme sessions were delivered and participants' mean satisfaction scores ranged from 4.2 to 4.6 out of 5. The findings demonstrate that CrossFit Teens is a feasible and efficacious programme for improving health-related fitness in adolescents.

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