CrossFit is functional fitness performed at high intensity and includes Olympic weightlifting, gymnastics and cardio.

Each year, the CrossFit Games tests every element of fitness to crown the fittest man and woman on earth.

CrossFit HQ has released the schedule for the 2015 CrossFit Games season, which includes some changes from recent years.

The CrossFit Games season is made up of the CrossFit Open, Regionals and then the Games.

Last year, more than 200,000 CrossFitters around the world signed up for the CrossFit Open, with more than 10,000 competitors in the Australia Region, including Highlander Ben Garard who finished the Open in second in the region and went on to place 11th in the Australia Region overall.

In the past, the Australia Region has consisted of the top 48 male and female athletes from Australia and New Zealand with the top three men and women qualifying for the Games, however, a restructure for 2015 has seen it combined with Asia.

Under the new structure, the top 30 athletes from Australia and New Zealand will compete with the top 10 athletes from Asia for five qualifying positions for men and women.

Garard said his goal would be to place in the top 10 in the Australia Region in the Open to qualify for the top heat at Regionals.

"At Regionals I'll try and learn from my mistakes last year and stay healthy, not over-train and focus on the one per cents," he said.

"I want to walk away knowing I gave it my best shot and whether or not that means the podium or the top five to qualify for the Games, then so be it."

Should all go according to plan, 2015 will be Garard's third trip to Regionals and he said the changes were a good thing.

"I think it's really excellent for the Australian athletes as the Asia Region is typically a lot weaker so it opens up an extra two spots," he said.

For the first time state and national champions will be crowned, a scaled division will be included as well as a competition for teenagers between 14 and 17 years of age.

The Regional will be held at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong over the weekend of May 22-24 with the CrossFit Games to take place at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, from July 21-26.