CrossFit

File:Maurice Kettle Bell Swings.jpg

CrossFit, meaning cross-discipline fitness,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/sports/sporting-scene/does-crossfit-have-a-future |title=Does CrossFit have a future |magazine=The New Yorker |first=Matt |last=Hart |date=July 20, 2021 }} was first conceived as a company in 1996 as Cross-Fit.{{cite web |title=Original 1996 CrossFit Founding |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/234726486/1996-CrossFit-Founding-via-Westlaw |website=Scribd |access-date=July 21, 2014}} Greg Glassman, a former gymnast, created his first CrossFit-style workout when he was 16 by combining elements of gymnastics with weightlifting. The workout he created was called Fran that added thrusters (a combination of front squat and push press) to pull-ups.{{cite web |url=https://thebarbellspin.com/fitness/know-your-history-the-story-of-fran-by-greg-glassman/ |title=Know Your History: The Story of Fran by Greg Glassman |first=Brian |last=Spin |work=The Barbell Spin |date=June 4, 2018 }} Greg Glassman and Lauren Jenai incorporated CrossFit, Inc. in 2000. They opened a gym in Santa Cruz, California, in 2001 and posted their workouts on the Internet for their clients, and these workouts were then quickly adopted by individuals in the police, military, firefighting services. Those who used Glassman's internet postings expressed an interest in officially incorporating his workouts into their training regimen, and the first affiliated gym (known as 'box'), CrossFit North in Seattle, Washington, was then formed in 2002. Glassman began to develop a curriculum to train and certify coaches and gym owners using his methodology. Coaches associated with CrossFit include Louie Simmons, John Welbourn, and Bob Harper.

The number of CrossFit-affiliated gyms grew quickly: there were 13 gyms in 2005, 8,000 in 2013, and more than 13,000 in 2016.{{cite web |title=No Sign of CrossFit Boom Slowing Down - Athletic Business |url=http://www.iclubs.com/more-news/no-sign-of-crossfit-boom-abating.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170415160959/http://www.iclubs.com/more-news/no-sign-of-crossfit-boom-abating.html |archive-date=April 15, 2017|access-date=January 13, 2016 |website=www.iclubs.com}} By 2018, there were around 15,500 CrossFit gyms in 162 countries.{{cite web |url=https://morningchalkup.com/2018/11/12/crossfit-affiliate-growth-part-2-international-analysis/ |title=CrossFit Affiliate Growth, Part 2: International Analysis|date=November 12, 2018 |first=Scott|last= Henderson |work=Morning Chalk Up }} Its membership worldwide has been estimated to between two and five million.{{cite book|editor=Joe Recupero, Laurel Walzak |title=Sport Media Vectors|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EhkuEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT141 |date=2020|publisher=Common Ground Research Networks |isbn=978-1-86335-221-5 |via=Google Books}}{{cite web |url=https://www.crossfitfortify.com/how-many-people-do-crossfit|title=How Many People Do CrossFit?|work=CrossFit Fortify |date=28 October 2020 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.livestrong.com/article/13730816-crossfit-statistics/ |title=81 CrossFit Statistics You Should Know |first= Bojana |last=Galic|date= January 9, 2023|work=LiveStrong.com }} However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of around 20% of its gyms (around 25% in the US),{{cite web |url=https://www.crossfit.com/essentials/fitness-is-essential |title=Fitness is Essential|first=Brett |last=Ewer |date=February 22, 2023 |work=CrossFit }} and disaffiliations due to the Glassman controversy in 2020 further reduced the number of paid affiliations to 9,400 by early 2021. The number recovered to around 12,500 including non-paying affiliates (10,800 paying) by early 2022,{{cite web |url= https://morningchalkup.com/2022/01/09/crossfit-affiliates-increase-by-nearly-1400-in-2021-home-office-plans-to-see-upward-curve-continue-in-2022/ |title=CrossFit Affiliates Increase By Nearly 1,400 in 2021, Home Office Plans to See Upward Curve Continue in 2022 |date=January 9, 2022 |first =Lauren |last= Kalil |work=Morning Chalk uUp }}{{cite web|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/guaranteed-rate-named-the-official-mortgage-company-of-the-nobull-crossfit-games-301547134.html|title=Guaranteed Rate Named the Official Mortgage Company of the NOBULL CrossFit Games |date=May 13, 2022 |work=PRNewwire }} with strong growth observed in Europe,{{cite web |url=https://morningchalkup.com/2022/04/25/why-is-crossfit-booming-in-europe/ |title=Why is CrossFit Booming in Europe? |date=April 25, 2022|first= Patrick |last=Blennerhassett |work=Morning Chalk Up }}{{cite web |url=https://morningchalkup.com/2022/04/27/france-is-now-crossfits-biggest-success-story-outside-of-the-us/ |title=France is Now CrossFit's Biggest Success Story Outside of the US|date=April 27, 2022 |first= Patrick |last= Blennerhassett |work=Morning Chalk Up}} The number of paying affiliates was around 11,400 by 2024, however, an increase in affiliate fees in 2024 and the controversy surrounding the death of an athlete at the 2024 Games resulted in a drop in the number of affiliates to around 9,900 by early 2025.{{cite web |url=https://barbend.com/2025-crossfit-open-registration-continues-to-lag/ |title=2025 CrossFit Open Registration Continues to Lag, Competitive Regions Hold Steady Year-Over-Year|first=Mike |last=Halpin|date= February 25, 2025|work=BarBend }}

Glassman obtained complete control over the company in 2012 after a divorce with Jenai. Jenai had tried to sell her 50% share in the company to an investment firm after the divorce settlement, which Glassman blocked and bought her share after raising a $16 million loan from Summit Partners.{{cite web |url=https://www.sbnation.com/2012/11/15/3650524/crossfit-wins-court-case-avoids-corporate-takeover |title=CrossFit wins court case, avoids corporate takeover |publisher=Vox Media |website=SBNation.com |date=November 15, 2012 |access-date=February 1, 2015}}

On June 24, 2020, following the outcry after Glassman's comments regarding the murder of George Floyd it was announced that he was selling the company to Eric Roza, former CEO of Datalogix, in partnership with investment firm Berkshire Partners.{{cite web |url=https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a35142700/crossfit-ceo-eric-roza-dave-castro-transformation/ |title=These Two Men Are on a Mission to Save CrossFit |work=Men's Health |date=February 1, 2021 |first=Michael |last=Easter }} Roza assumed the role of CEO after the conclusion of the sale in July.{{cite web |url=https://denver.cbslocal.com/2020/06/24/eric-roza-crossfit-boulder-gym-owner-buying-ceo-greg-glassman-departure/ |title=Eric Roza, Boulder Gym Owner, Buying CrossFit After CEO Greg Glassman's Controversial Exit |publisher=CBS4 Denver |date=June 24, 2020 |access-date=June 28, 2020}} In late November, CrossFit announced a building lease for its Boulder headquarters.{{Cite web|last=High {{!}}|first=Lucas|date=2020-11-24|title=CrossFit leases space for new Boulder HQ|url=https://www.dailycamera.com/2020/11/23/crossfit-leases-space-for-new-boulder-hq|access-date=2020-11-24|website=Boulder Daily Camera|language=en-US}} At the end of 2020, CrossFit became an LLC.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}} Roza stood down as CEO of CrossFit in February 2022 and Don Faul took over in August 2022.{{cite web |url=https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a40783254/crossfit-ceo-don-faul/ |title=CrossFit Names New CEO: Former Tech Exec Don Faul|first=Brett |last=Williams |date=August 2, 2022|work=Men's Health }}

File:District Crossfit Class Warfare-50.jpg

CrossFit is a strength, conditioning, and overall fitness program consisting mainly of a mix of aerobic (cardio) exercises, calisthenics (bodyweight exercises), and weightlifting.{{cite web|last=Hines |first=E |title=Crossfit in Paris |url=http://expatriatesmagazine.com/index.php/publication/issue-1/contents/item/161-crossfit-in-paris |work=Expatriates Magazine |publisher=EP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016055917/http://expatriatesmagazine.com/index.php/publication/issue-1/contents/item/161-crossfit-in-paris |archive-date=2013-10-16 }} CrossFit describes its strength and conditioning program as "constantly varied functional movements executed at high intensity across broad time and modal domains",{{cite web|last=Glassman|first=Greg|title=Understanding CrossFit|url=http://library.crossfit.com/free/pdf/56-07_Understanding_CF.pdf|publisher=The CrossFit Journal|access-date=February 18, 2012}} and it aims to improve the overall fitness of its participants by increasing their work capacity in these domains.{{cite web |url= https://www.crossfit.com/essentials/magic-the-methodology |title=Unparallelled Efficacy: Understanding the CrossFit Methodology|first=Nicole |last=Carroll |date =January 16, 2023 |work=CrossFit}} CrossFit believes there are ten components or domains in physical fitness: cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, accuracy.{{cite web|url=https://garagegympower.com/crossfit-beginners-guide/|title=CrossFit Guide for Beginners (Must Know Before You Start)|date=2019-11-19|website=Garage Gym Power|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-06}}{{cite web |url=http://journal.crossfit.com/2002/04/foundations.tpl |title=Foundations |first=Greg |last=Glassman |work=CrossFit Journal |date=April 1, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828085151/http://journal.crossfit.com/2002/04/foundations.tpl|archive-date=August 28, 2012}}

CrossFit proposes nutrition to be the foundation of fitness, and on this foundation metabolic conditioning can improve cardiovascular efficiency, gymnastics can build an athlete's spatial awareness and body control, while weightlifting and throwing allow for better control of external objects, so that a general physical preparedness required for any sport can be achieved.{{cite web |url=https://www.crossfit.com/essentials/theoretical-hierarchy-of-development |title=Theoretical Hierarchy of Fitness |date=August 12, 2019 |work=CrossFit }} Crossfit focuses on functional movements, movements it considers natural and essential with real-life application.{{cite web |url=https://www.crossfit.com/essentials/defining-crossfit-part-1-functional-movements |title= Defining CrossFit, Part 1: Functional Movements|work=CrossFit }} It advocates training with high intensity, believing that such training can achieve the desired result quicker, that increasing weights when lifting can help build strength, while Increasing the repetitions of movements can improve stamina and endurance.{{cite web |url= https://www.crossfit.com/essentials/defining-crossfit-part-2-intensity |title= Defining CrossFit, Part 2: Intensity |work=CrossFit }} It also believes that physical training should be varied regularly to achieve a general level of fitness, rather than only excelling in any single activity.{{cite web |url= https://www.crossfit.com/essentials/defining-crossfit-part-3-variance |title=Defining CrossFit, Part 3: Variance |work=CrossFit}}

File:2008 CrossFit Games - Thrusters.jpg and an overhead press, is a common barbell movement in CrossFit.]]

The workout in CrossFit is referred to as WOD for "Workout of the Day". Every WOD may be a mix of movements from one or more of the three different modalities: monostructural/metabolic conditioning ("metcon"), weightlifting, and gymnastics.{{cite web |url=https://journal.crossfit.com/article/a-theoretical-template-for-crossfits-programming-2 |title= A Theoretical Template for CrossFit's Programming|first= Greg |last= Glassman |date=February 1, 2003|work=CrossFit Journal}} Examples of movements from gymnastics include: pull-up, muscle-up, box-jump, lunge, handstand push-up, and rope-climb; examples from cardio/metcon include: running, cycling, double under, and rowing; and examples from weightlifting include deadlifts, back squat, snatch, clean and jerk, thrusters, dumbbell push press, wall ball, and kettlebell swing.{{cite web |url=https://www.crossfit.com/essentials/movements/ |title=Movements |work=CrossFit }}{{cite web |url=https://www.menshealth.com/uk/fitness/a26797763/best-crossfit-workouts/ |title=12 of The Best CrossFit Workouts to Try Today, From Home Workouts to Barbell Fat-Burner|date= July 27, 2020 |work=Men's Health |first=Edward |last=Cooper}} A WOD can have a number of movements, and each movement is typically performed with a certain number of repetitions; for example, a WOD called Fran has two movements: thrusters and pull-ups, and each of these are performed 21 times, followed by further rounds of 15 and 9 repetitions.{{cite web |url=https://barbend.com/crossfit-fran-workout/ |title=The CrossFit Fran Workout Explained and Scaled for Every Skill Level|first= Alex |last=Polish|date= July 3, 2024|work=BarBend }} The duration and content of the WOD is not fixed and varied daily.{{Cite journal |last1=Crockett |first1=Matt C. |last2=Butryn |first2=Ted |date=2018-06-01 |title=Chasing Rx: A Spatial Ethnography of the CrossFit Gym |url=https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/ssj/35/2/article-p98.xml |journal=Sociology of Sport Journal |volume=35 |issue=2 |pages=98–107 |doi=10.1123/ssj.2017-0115 |s2cid=151686296 |issn=0741-1235|url-access=subscription }} WODs are often given specific names and some are considered benchmark WODs, for example, "Fran", "Grace", and "Helen" from "The Girls" workouts,{{cite web |url=https://www.boxrox.com/crossfit-benchmark-workouts-the-girls/ |title=Crossfit Benchmark Workouts – "The Girls" |work=BoxRox|date=November 4, 2013|first=Dusan|last= Balaban }}{{cite web |url=https://www.thewodgenerator.com/definitions/benchmark-wod/ |title=Benchmark WOD Definition|work=The WOD Generator }} A WOD called "Murph" from the "Heroes" workouts has become more widely known and is performed outside of CrossFit.{{cite web |url=https://fortune.com/2023/05/31/mark-zuckerberg-shares-rigorous-memorial-day-murph-challenge-workout-with-daughters/|title=Mark Zuckerberg shares his rigorous Memorial Day 'Murph challenge' workout with his daughters|first=Orianna Rosa |last= Royle |date=May 31, 2023 |work=Fortune }}{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/05/27/us/memorial-day-murph-challenge-trnd/index.html |title=What is The Murph challenge and why is everyone doing it on Memorial Day |first= Mallory |last=Hughes|work= CNN|date= May 27, 2019 }}

File:Woman in orange doing CrossFit pull-up (February 26 2010).jpg

If the WOD is performed as written, it is referred to "Rx'd" (for "as prescribed"). However, the intensity, volume, or movements of the WOD can be adjusted to suit the fitness level, experience, ability, physical limitations or time constraints of the participants, and this is called "scaling".{{cite web |url=https://www.boxrox.com/what-is-scaling-in-crossfit/ |title=What is Scaling in CrossFit |first=Guðrún |last=Gunnlaugsdóttir |work=BoxRox |date= January 12, 2022}} In scaling, the number of repetitions, length of time, and weights may be reduced, and movements may be modified to be easier to perform while maintaining the same intended stimulus using similar movement patterns.{{cite web |url=https://ksquaredfitness.com/crossfit-workouts-scaling/ |title=How To Scale Your Crossfit Workouts|first=Kevin |last=Andres|date=September 15, 2022|work=K2 Fitness }}{{cite web |url= https://wodprep.com/blog/scaling-how-modify-crossfit-workouts/ |title=The Art of Scaling: How to Modify CrossFit® Workouts for All Levels|first= Charleh |last=Knighton |work=Wodprep |date=22 September 2023 }} Scaling allows people of all ages and experience to participate in the workout.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/crossfit-try-it-if-you-re-tough-enough-9057104.html |title=CrossFit: Try it if you're tough enough|first=Alice|last= Klein|date= January 14, 2014 |work=The Independent}}

Some movements are specific to CrossFit; for example, in order to perform certain movements such as pull-up faster, "kipping" that relies on the momentum of the kip to move faster may be employed,{{cite journal |url=https://research.stmarys.ac.uk/id/eprint/4703/1/Williamson-Price-2021.pdf |title=A comparison of muscle activity between strict, kipping and butterfly pull-ups |first1=Toby |last1=Williamson|first2= Phil |last2=Price|journal=The Journal of Sport and Exercise Science|volume= 5| issue =2|pages= 149–155 |date=2021 }} although its use for these purposes is considered controversial to non-practitioners of CrossFit.{{cite web |url=https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a28199417/kipping-pullups/ |title=If You're Not Into CrossFit (or Cirque Du Soleil), Quit Kipping Pullups |first= Ebenezer |last=Samuel|work=Men's Health |date=June 28, 2019 }}{{cite web|url=https://breakingmuscle.com/in-defense-of-the-kipping-pull-up/ |title=In Defense of the Kipping Pull Up|first=Robert |last=Camacho|date= November 22, 2021|work=Breaking Muscles }}{{cite web |url=https://www.shape.com/fitness/trends/why-jillian-michaels-wants-you-stop-kipping-crossfit |title= Why Jillian Michaels Wants You to Stop Kipping In CrossFit|first= Jillian|last= Michaels|date= August 10, 2022|work=Shape}}{{cite web |url=https://thebarbellphysio.com/truth-kipping-pull-ups/ |title=The Truth About Kipping Pull-ups |work=The Barbell Physio |date=18 December 2017 }}{{Unreliable source?|reason=This is a single article on a fitness blog, not an authoritative source.|date=October 2024}}

File:CrossFit Open 12.2 Snatch.jpg in a CrossFit box]]

CrossFit-affiliated gyms, or "boxes", have considerable freedom in how their classes are organized, therefore there can be significant differences in their classes. In general, classes usually last an hour, and they typically include a warm-up, a WOD of 10–30 minutes, and a cool-down/stretching/recovery session. Some gyms also have a strength-focused movement prior to the WOD, or a skill development segment. CrossFit, however, encourages most athletes to prioritize intensity over supplemental strength training or additional programming.{{cite web |url=https://boxprogramming.com/strength-training-crossfit-classes|title=Strength Training For CrossFit Classes |work=Box Programming }} Performance on each WOD may be scored and/or ranked to encourage competition and to track individual progress. Some affiliates offer additional classes, such as Olympic weightlifting, that are not centered on a WOD.{{cite web |url=https://www.crossfitinvictus.com/blog/olympic-lifting-accessory-work/ |title=A Guide for Olympic Weightlifting Accessory Work|date=21 September 2022 |publisher=Invictus Fitness }} Many offer on-ramp or introductory courses for beginners to teach the fundamental movements of CrossFit.{{cite web |url=https://breakingmuscle.com/why-your-crossfit-gym-needs-an-on-ramp-program/ |title=Why Your CrossFit Gym Needs an On-Ramp Program|first=Amber |last=Larsen|date= November 22, 2021 |work=Breaking Muscle}} Some affiliates may also offer diet advice to their members following CrossFit's nutrition recommendations, adopting paleo, keto and/or zone diets, or counting macros.{{cite web|url=http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/start-diet.html|title=How to Start - CrossFit: Forging Elite Fitness|access-date=2013-01-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115092005/http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/start-diet.html|archive-date=2013-01-15}}

File:District Crossfit Class Warfare-223.jpg

CrossFit gyms use equipment from multiple disciplines, including barbells, dumbbells, gymnastics rings, rope climbs, pull-up bars, jump ropes, kettlebells, medicine balls, plyo boxes,{{cite web | url=http://library.crossfit.com/free/pdf/49_06_plyo_boxes.pdf | title=Crossfit journal: Plyo Boxes | publisher=Crossfit | year=2006 | access-date=February 17, 2014 | author=Brigham, Lincoln | page=4}} resistance bands, rowing machines, exercise bikes, SkiErg, and various mats. CrossFit is focused on "constantly varied high-intensity functional movement",{{cite web | url=http://journal.crossfit.com/2007/04/understanding-crossfit-by-greg.tpl | title=Understanding Crossfit | publisher=Crossfit | access-date=April 16, 2014 | author=Glassman, Greg| work=CrossFit Journal }} drawing on categories and exercises such as calisthenics,{{cite web|title=Calisthenics |url=http://www.gravityfitness.co.uk/about/ |publisher=www.gravityfitness.co.uk |date=29 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008231044/http://www.gravityfitness.co.uk/about/ |archive-date= 8 October 2016 }} Olympic-style weightlifting, powerlifting, strongman-type events, plyometrics, bodyweight exercises, indoor rowing, aerobic exercise, running, and swimming.{{cite news|last1=Diaz|first1=Raquel|title=Crossfit|access-date=24 May 2017|work=magzter.com |url=https://www.magzter.com/AU/Latin-Australian/Latin-Australian/Politics/| publisher=Latin Australian|date=23 May 2017|ref=LAT May}}

CrossFit has released a daily WOD for use by the general public since 2001.{{cite web |url=https://www.crossfit.com/workout/2001/02/10#/comments |title=Workout of the Day: Saturday 010210 |work=CrossFit |date=10 February 2001}} It also offers CrossFit Affiliate Programming (CAP) that gives detailed class plan such as warm-up, workout, scaling options and other resources to its affiliated gyms since 2021.{{cite web |url=https://www.boxrox.com/crossfit-affiliate-programming/ |title=HQ Launches Free CrossFit Affiliate Programming to Box Owners |work= BoxRox |date=June 29, 2021 |first=Robert |last=Born }} Individuals and affiliated gyms may also create their own programming based on CrossFit's general methodology, or programming from independent companies.{{cite web |url=https://www.crossfit.com/pro-coach/programming-basics-part-1 |title=Programming Basics: Part 1 |first=Eric |last=O'Connor |date=November 6, 2023|work=CrossFit }}{{cite web |url=https://www.garagegymreviews.com/best-crossfit-training-programs |title=A CrossFit Coach and Athlete Ranks the Best Training Plans for CrossFit |first= Gabrielle |last=Kassel |work=Garage Gym Reviews |date= April 22, 2024 }}{{cite web|url=https://gymdesk.com/blog/crossfit-wods/ |title=CrossFit Coaching: Make Your Own CrossFit WOD |work=Gymdesk|date=4 March 2024 }}{{cite web |url=https://barbend.com/build-your-own-crossfit-wod/ |title=How to Build Your Own CrossFit WOD, Regardless of Your Experience Level|first= Alex |last=Polish|date=July 3, 2024 |work=BarBend}}

File:Flex at the Mall 2016 - 2.jpg

A 2014 statistical analysis showed that 50% of CrossFit participants were male and 50% were female.{{cite web |title=Latest CrossFit Market Research Data. |publisher=Rally Fitness. N.p. |date=28 November 2014 |access-date=8 July 2015 |url=http://rallyfitness.com/blogs/news/16063884-latest-crossfit-market-research-data}}

CrossFit methodology is used by thousands of private affiliated gyms, fire departments, law-enforcement agencies, and military organizations, including the Royal Danish Life Guards,{{cite book| title=Run For Life: The Anti-Aging, Anti-Injury, Super Fitness Plan| last=Wallack| first=Roy M.| publisher=Skyhorse Publishing| page=[https://archive.org/details/runforlifeantiag0000wall/page/65 65]| year=2009| isbn=978-1-60239-344-8| url-access=registration| url=https://archive.org/details/runforlifeantiag0000wall/page/65}}{{cite web |url=http://www.military.com/military-fitness/air-force-fitness/crossfit-workouts-are-rarely-routine |title=CrossFit Workouts are Rarely Routine |first=Jennifer H. |last=Svan |publisher=Military Advantage |date=January 13, 2009}}{{cite web |url=http://forsvaret.dk/lg/om%20livgarden/livgardens%20idrÆtsforening/pages/default.aspx |title=Welcome to The Royal Life Guards Sports Association |publisher=Royal Danish Life Guards Sports Association |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115171330/http://forsvaret.dk/LG/OM%20LIVGARDEN/LIVGARDENS%20IDR%C3%86TSFORENING/Pages/default.aspx |archive-date=2013-01-15 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/06/marine_crossfit_062208w/ |title=CrossFit workout craze sweeps the Corps |first=Bryan |last=Mitchell |newspaper=Marine Corps Times |date=June 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420070519/http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/06/marine_crossfit_062208w/ |archive-date=April 20, 2010 }} as well as by some U.S. and Canadian high school physical education teachers, high school and college sports teams, and the Miami Marlins.{{cite news|first=Rebekah |last=Sanderlin |title=Commando-style workout has cult following |newspaper=Fayetteville Observer |url=http://www.dcpaleo.org/Leisure/CrossFit.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720155937/http://www.dcpaleo.org/Leisure/CrossFit.html |archive-date=2011-07-20 }}{{cite news |url=http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_baseball_marlins/2010/03/florida-marlins-cameron-maybins-improved-swingmiss-numbers-encouraging.html |title=Florida Marlins: Cameron Maybin's improved swing/miss numbers encouraging |first=Juan C. |last=Rodriguez |newspaper=South Florida Sun Sentinel |date=March 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304063916/http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_baseball_marlins/2010/03/florida-marlins-cameron-maybins-improved-swingmiss-numbers-encouraging.html |archive-date=March 4, 2010 }}{{cite news |title=UCSC Notebook: Men's rugby getting fit for the season|first= I.A. |last=Stewart |work=Santa Cruz Sentinel |date=December 14, 2007 |url=http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/story.php?storySection=Sports&sid=51274 }}{{dead link|date=August 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} [http://www.scsextra.com/story.php?sid=51274 Alt URL]

The rise of CrossFit has been attributed as the primary reason for the popularity of HIIT as a form of exercise when it reached the top in a worldwide survey of fitness trends by American College Sports Medicine (ACSM) in 2013.{{cite journal |url=https://journals.lww.com/acsm-healthfitness/fulltext/2013/11000/now_trending__worldwide_survey_of_fitness_trends.5.aspx |title=Now Trending: Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2014 |last=Thompson|first= Walter R |journal=ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal |volume=17|issue=6|pages= 10–20|date= December 2013 | doi= 10.1249/FIT.0b013e3182a955e6 }}{{cite journal | journal=Sports Med Open|date=December 2018 |volume= 26|issue=1|page=11|title=CrossFit Overview: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis |author=João Gustavo Claudino |author2=Tim J Gabbett |author3=Frank Bourgeois |author4=Helton de Sá Souza |author5=Rafael Chagas Miranda |author6=Bruno Mezêncio |author7=Rafael Soncin |author8=Carlos Alberto Cardoso Filho |author9=Martim Bottaro |author10=Arnaldo Jose Hernandez |author11=Alberto Carlos Amadio |author12=Julio Cerca Serrão|pmid= 29484512|pmc= 5826907 |doi= 10.1186/s40798-018-0124-5 |doi-access=free }} It was also the top trend in 2018 and stayed in the top 5 until 2021.{{cite journal |url=https://journals.lww.com/acsm-healthfitness/fulltext/2021/01000/worldwide_survey_of_fitness_trends_for_2021.6.aspx |title=Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2021|last=Thompson|first= Walter R. |journal= ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal |volume=25|issue=1|pages= 10–19|date= January 2021| doi= 10.1249/FIT.0000000000000631 }} Its popularity also led to the emergence of a number of gym franchises based on HIIT in the 2010s, such as F45 and Orangetheory.{{cite journal |journal = Frontiers in Psychology |title=High-Intensity Interval Exercise: Methodological Considerations for Behavior Promotion From an Affective Perspective |first1=Allyson G|last1=Box|first2=Steven J |last2=Petruzzello |doi=10.3389/fpsyg.2021.563785|volume=12|date= January 28, 2021|doi-access = free |pmid = 33584463 |pmc = 7875892 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/is-orangetheory-the-new-crossfit-20140331 |title=Is Orangetheory the New CrossFit?|first=Sarah |last=Toland|date=December 4, 2017 |work=Men's Journal }} The use of weightlifting in the sport has also created a spike in interest in Olympic weightlifting in the United States.{{Cite news|url=http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=3863845&itype=CMSID|title=Olympics: USA Weightlifting wants to capitalize on boom in sports's popularity for next Olympic cycle|work=The Salt Lake Tribune|access-date=2017-09-30|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/crossfit-hoists-olympic-weightlifting-public-eye|title=CrossFit hoists Olympic weightlifting into the public eye|work=NBC Olympics|access-date=2017-09-30|language=en|archive-date=2017-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001075704/http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/crossfit-hoists-olympic-weightlifting-public-eye}}

There are three main revenue streams for CrossFit: affiliation, education, and sport. CrossFit licenses the CrossFit name to affiliated gyms for an annual fee.{{cite journal|last1=Spandorf|first1=Rochelle B.|last2=Brockett|first2=Jennifer L.|last3=Buono|first3=Anna R.|date=Spring 2014|title=Certification Programs: Franchises or Not?|url=https://www.bluemaumau.org/sites/default/files/FitnessCenters,%20franchisors%20or%20not.pdf20franchisors%2520or%2520not.pdf|journal=Franchise Law Journal|volume=33|issue=4|pages=505–524}} Accessed via the Academic Search Complete Database at LSU{{Dead link|date=March 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The affiliation fee was set at US$3,000 a year from 2011,{{cite web |url=http://www.boxbasicsinc.com/affiliation.html |title=Apply to be An Affiliate |work=Box Basics }}{{cite web |url=https://crossfit.my.site.com/Support/s/article/Cost-of-Affiliation |title=Cost of Affiliation |work=CrossFit }} and stayed unchanged until 2024 when it was raised to $4,500. However, the affiliation fee is waived for those in law enforcement, military service, prisons, schools and universities.{{cite web |url=https://crossfit.my.site.com/Support/s/article/Additional-Types-of-CrossFit-Affiliates |title=Additional Types of CrossFit Affiliates|date=November 28, 2022 }} The affiliation model is distinct from a franchise, and CrossFit gyms have complete freedom in their operation once the requirements for affiliation have been met.{{cite web|url=https://trace.tennessee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3082&context=utk_chanhonoproj |title=The Success of CrossFit and Its Implications for Businesses of All Types|first=Sarah |last=Gomillion|date=2017 |work=University of Tennessee }} At its peak in 2018, there were over 15,000 CrossFit affiliates, including non-paying ones, in 162 countries.{{cite web|url=https://morningchalkup.com/2018/10/23/crossfits-explosive-affilaite-growth-by-the-numbers/|title=CrossFit's Explosive Affiliate Growth by the Numbers |date=October 23, 2018 |first= Scott|last= Henderson |work=Morning Chalk Up }} There are around 10,000 paying affiliates as of 2025.

CrossFit also provides training courses to certify trainers and gym owner. The standard two-day "Level 1 Certificate Course" (L1) is a requirement for CrossFit gym owners.{{cite web |url=http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/certs.shtml |title=Certification Courses |publisher=CrossFit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906125738/http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/certs.shtml |archive-date=2013-09-06 }}{{cite web|title=CrossFit Courses|url=http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/certs.shtml|publisher=CrossFit.com|access-date=September 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906125738/http://www.crossfit.com/cf-info/certs.shtml|archive-date=September 6, 2013}} The requirement was raised to Level 2 (L2) for 2024. Level 3 Trainer examination and Level 4 Coach assessment are also available.{{cite web|url= https://www.crossfit.com/certifications |title=Certifications |work=CrossFit}} CrossFit also offers CrossFit Kids Course, and many online course offerings. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CrossFit also began offering an Online Level 1 Course.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}} There were more than 35,000 accredited CrossFit trainers in 2013.{{cite web |url=https://www.acefitness.org/continuing-education/prosource/november-2013/3542/crossfittm-new-research-puts-popular-workout-to-the-test/ |title=CrossFitTM: New Research Puts Popular Workout to the Test |first1= Paige |last1=Babiash|first2= John P.|last2= Porcari|first3= Jeffery|last3= Steffen|first4= Scott|last4= Doberstein|first5= Carl|last5= Foster|work=American Council on Exercise |date=November 2013 }} Certification charges for coaches training account for more than a third of CrossFit's revenue.

As part of its services to the affiliates, CrossFit offers CrossFit Affiliate Programming (CAP) to gyms for free since 2023.{{cite web |url=https://morningchalkup.com/2023/04/17/crossfit-affiliate-programming-now-free-with-yearly-affiliate-fee/ |title=CrossFit Affiliate Programming Now Free with Yearly Affiliate Fee |date=April 17, 2023 |first= Joe |last= Genetin-Pilawa|work=Morning Chalk Up }} Affiliates, however, may develop their own programming, pricing, and instructional methods. Many athletes and trainers see themselves as part of a contrarian, insurgent movement that questions conventional fitness wisdom.{{cite news |url=http://finance.boston.com/boston/news/read?GUID=19173590 |work=Boston Globe |title=Albany CrossFit Expands to Clifton Park on August 21, 2011: How Tough Workouts and Eating Like Cavemen Paid Off |date=August 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004225942/http://finance.boston.com/boston/news/read?GUID=19173590 |archive-date=October 4, 2011 }} Other specialized adaptations include programs for pregnant women, seniors, and military special operations candidates.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327015433/http://www.ihpra.org/best%20life.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2014 |url=http://www.ihpra.org/best%20life.pdf |work=Best Life |date=October 23, 2007 |title=A no-nonsense look at the often nonsensical world of fitness clubs |first=Paul |last=Scott }} CrossFit makes use of a virtual community internet model.{{cite book |title=How People Blogging Are Changing The World and How You Can Join Them |last=Walsh |first= Bob| publisher=Apress | year=2007 |isbn= 978-1-59059-691-3}}{{cite book |title=Tribes |last=Godin| first=Seth| publisher=Piatkus Books |page=160| year=2009| isbn=978-0-7499-3975-5}} Many independent companies have been set up to provide online services including training programs for CrossFit communities, such as Mayhem, Linchpin, HWPO, PRVN, CompTrain and GoWOD, while other companies supply equipment and apparel such as Rogue Fitness and NoBull.{{cite web |url=https://www.pitch.co.uk/pr/the-crossfit-games-the-fight-for-the-biggest-brand-on-earth/ |title=The CrossFit Games: The Fight for the Biggest Brand on Earth |first= Saskia |last= Collins |date= August 1, 2019|work=Pitch }}{{cite web |url=https://twobrainbusiness.com/fitness-athletes-sponsors/ |title=The Companies Behind the Top CrossFit Games Athletes|work= Two-Brain Business|date=April 29, 2021 }}

CrossFit also organizes the CrossFit Games and its qualifying rounds such the Open. Participants in the Open pay a registration fee to compete.{{cite web |url=https://barbend.com/what-is-crossfit-open/ |title=What Is the CrossFit Open? |work=BarBend|first= Brian |last=Friend|date= August 16, 2023}} The total generated from all the revenue streams for CrossFit has been estimated to be around $100 million a year.{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2015/02/25/how-crossfit-became-a-4-billion-brand/ |title=How CrossFit Became A $4 Billion Brand |work=Forbes|date=February 25, 2015 }}

{{Main|CrossFit Games}}

File:CrossFit Open 16.5 at CF Tustin - bar-facing burpees 2.jpg]]

The CrossFit Games, created and directed by Dave Castro until 2021, have been held every summer since 2007. Athletes at the Games compete in workouts they learn about only hours beforehand, sometimes including surprise elements that are not part of the typical CrossFit regimen. Past examples include a rough-water swim, a softball throw, and a pegboard climb.{{cite web|title = Why the Pegboard Challenge at the CrossFit Games Was Such a Beast|url = http://www.mensfitness.com/training/pro-tips/why-pegboard-challenge-crossfit-games-was-such-beast|website = Men's Fitness|date = 31 July 2015|access-date = 2016-01-12}} The Games are styled as a venue for determining the "Fittest on Earth", where competitors should be "ready for anything."{{cite news|last1=Murphy|first1=Celina|title=Meet The Fittest Woman On Earth|url=http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/health/meet-the-fittest-woman-on-earth-29589823.html|access-date=February 16, 2015|newspaper=Ireland Independent|date=September 19, 2013}}

File:Nano Action.JPG with Camille Leblanc-Bazinet]]

In 2011, the Games adopted an online qualification format, facilitating participation by athletes worldwide. During the five-week-long "CrossFit Open", one new workout is released each week. Athletes have several days to complete the workout and submit their scores online, with either a video or validation by a CrossFit affiliate. Since the Open is available to any level of athlete, many affiliates encourage member participations.{{cite web |url=http://games.crossfit.com/article/209585-rise-open |title=209,585: Rise of the Open |publisher=CrossFit Games |date=March 26, 2014}} The Open has been described as the largest participatory sporting event in the world, and the number of worldwide participants reached 415,000 in 2018.{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/50001146 |title=CrossFit Games: The journey to crown the 'Fittest on Earth' |first= Emma |last=Cluley|work=BBC Sport|date=October 11, 2019}}{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/19/sport/crossfit-open-biggest-competition-on-earth/index.html |title=Is the CrossFit Open the biggest sporting competition on Earth? |work=CNN |first=Will |last=Edmonds |date=February 22, 2018}}

From 2011 to 2018, the top CrossFit Open performers for individuals and teams in each region advance to the regional events, held over the following two months around the world. Each regional event qualifies a specified number of its top finishers to send to the Games. The Games include divisions for individuals of each gender, co-ed teams, and a number of Masters and Teenage age groups.{{cite web|url=http://fitworkshop.com/what-is-crossfit/|title=What is CrossFit?|access-date=February 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213131830/http://fitworkshop.com/what-is-crossfit/|archive-date=2015-02-13}}

For the 2019 Games, regionals were discontinued and individual athletes qualify by either being the national champion in the Open, finishing in the top 20 worldwide in the Open, winning a CrossFit-sanctioned event, or by invitation.{{cite web|url=https://games.crossfit.com/article/welcome-2019-crossfit-games-season/open|title=Welcome to the 2019 CrossFit Games Season|date=February 14, 2019|work=CrossFit Games}} In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the 2020 CrossFit Games to be separated into two parts, with the first part consisting of an online contest for 60 athletes, from which five male and five female qualified for an in-person competition in Aromas, California.{{cite web |url=https://games.crossfit.com/article/two-stage-format-announced-2020-crossfit-games/games |title=2020 CrossFit Games Announces New Online + In-Person Format |date=7 August 2020|work=CrossFit Games}} The Games format returned to normal in 2021, but the qualification system was revamped; the participants qualified based on their continental regions, and a Quarterfinal stage was added between the Open and the Semifinals.{{cite web |url= https://www.boxrox.com/what-are-the-crossfit-continent-divisions-and-quarterfinals/ |title=What are the CrossFit Continent Divisions and Quarterfinals? |first=Caro |last=Kyllmann |work=BoxRox |date=January 9, 2021 }}

During the 2024 Crossfit games, athlete Lazar Dukic died in the run swim event in Ft. Worth Texas. After suspension for the day, the games continued on Friday after a tribute to Lazar. Some athletes chose not to compete after his death, including both champions from 2023.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/22/style/crossfit-games-death-crisis.html |title=In the Wake of Tragedy, CrossFit Faces an Identity Crisis |first=Calum |last=Marsh |date=August 22, 2024|work=The New York Times}} The Quarterfinals were removed in 2025, and only 30 men, 30 women and 20 teams can qualify for the Games.{{cite web |url=https://barbend.com/2025-crossfit-season-rulebook-details/ |title=2025 CrossFit Season Rulebook Released — Here’s What You Should Know|first=Teaganne |last=Finn|date= January 14, 2025 |work=BarBend}}

File:USMC-091212-M-1740M-024.jpg

There are four levels of CrossFit coach certification. To open a CrossFit affiliated gym, it originally only required a coach to be certified to level one.{{cite web|url=https://www.crossfit.com/affiliate/how-to|title=How to Affiliate|website=www.crossfit.com|access-date=2019-06-12}} In late 2023, the requirement for owners of affiliated gym was raised to level two.{{cite web |url=https://morningchalkup.com/2023/12/01/gym-owner-opinion-mixed-some-applaud-crossfits-affiliation-fee-announcement-others-threaten-to-leave/ |title=Gym Owner Opinion Mixed; Some Applaud CrossFit's Affiliation Fee Announcement, Others Threaten to Leave|date=December 1, 2023 |first= Emily|last=Beers|work=Morning Chalk Up }}

Level One (CF-L1) is the introduction level, where participants attend a group weekend class, talk about the basic methodology and fundamentals of CrossFit, and learn how to conduct their classes. They go over techniques and how to adjust them for those who cannot perform them. After completing the Level One training course, one should be confident in conducting a class, scale workouts accordingly for athletes, and hold CrossFit to its standards.{{cite web|url=https://training.crossfit.com/level-one|title=CrossFit Level 1 Certificate Course|website=training.crossfit.com|access-date=2018-04-16}}

In the second level, training goes deeper into the mechanics of the movements and how to be leaders and communicate with other students. In the Level Two course, participants learn about athletic capacity and are evaluated as a trainer in groups.{{cite web|url=http://www.livestrong.com/article/288187-how-to-become-a-crossfit-trainer/|title=how to become a CrossFit trainer|last=Booe|first=Martin}}

To earn the Level Three certificate, a coach one must complete 1,500 hours of active fitness coaching and become CPR certified. To maintain the certification, Level 3 coaches must obtain 50 continuing education units every three years.{{cite web|url=https://certifications.crossfit.com/ccft/|title=Certified CrossFit Coach|website=crossfit.com|access-date=August 12, 2020}} To earn the Level Four certificate, the highest level currently recognized by CrossFit, Inc., the coach must record several years as a Level Three and pass a test.{{cite web|url=https://certifications.crossfit.com|title=CROSSFIT|website=cross fit.com|access-date=May 28, 2020}}

File:Muscle-up.gifs, pull-ups, or Olympic lifts involving a high load on the shoulder moving through a wide range of motion may cause shoulder injury if performed incorrectly or when fatigued.{{cite journal |last1=Nicolay |first1=Richard W. |last2=Moore |first2=Laura K. |last3=DeSena |first3=Tyler D. |last4=Dines |first4=Joshua S. |title=Upper Extremity Injuries in CrossFit Athletes—a Review of the Current Literature |journal=Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine |date=2022 |volume=15 |issue=5 |pages=402–410 |doi=10.1007/s12178-022-09781-4 |pmid=35867271 |pmc=9463423 |language=en |issn=1935-9748}}{{cite web |url=https://breakingmuscle.com/why-do-i-keep-jacking-up-my-shoulder-a-crossfitters-dilemma/ |title=Why Do I Keep Jacking Up My Shoulder? A CrossFitter's Dilemma|first=Meghan |last=Rovig|date= November 22, 2021 |work=Breaking Musclse}}]]

The risk of injury associated with CrossFit training has been a controversial question since the program's popularity began to climb in the early 2000s.{{Cite news |title = Getting Fit, Even if It Kills You |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/22/fashion/thursdaystyles/getting-fit-even-if-it-kills-you.html|newspaper = The New York Times |date =December 22, 2005 |access-date =December 28, 2015 |issn = 0362-4331 |first = Stephanie |last = Cooperman}} Critics have accused CrossFit, Inc. of using dangerous movements and inappropriate levels of intensity, and allowing underqualified individuals to become CrossFit trainers.{{cite news |title = Is CrossFit Dangerous? |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles/2014-09-04/crossfit-fights-injury-reputation-as-community-aspect-fuels-growth |newspaper = Bloomberg.com|date = 4 September 2014 |access-date = December 28, 2015}}{{cite web |title = Is CrossFit Safe? What '60 Minutes' Didn't Tell You |url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/dandiamond/2015/05/11/is-crossfit-good-for-you-what-60-minutes-didnt-say/ |website = Forbes |access-date = December 28, 2015}}{{cite web |title = CrossFit: Extreme growth, concerns |url = https://www.espn.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/11262964/crossf-explosive-growth-fuels-safety-concerns |website = ESPN.com |date = 25 July 2014 |access-date = December 28, 2015}}{{cite web |title = Is CrossFit Killing Us? |url = http://www.outsideonline.com/1928481/crossfit-killing-us |website = Outside Online |date = 4 November 2013 |access-date = December 28, 2015}}

In response to these criticisms, CrossFit, Inc. says, "CrossFit is relatively safe even when performed with poor technique, but it is safer and more effective when performed with good technique."{{cite web |title = The Truth Hurts: Part 1|url = http://therussells.crossfit.com/2015/06/15/the-truth-hurts-part-1/ |website = THE RUSSELLS |date = 15 June 2015 |access-date = December 28, 2015}} CrossFit, Inc. also says the risk of injury can be reduced by properly scaling and modifying workouts, a concept taught on its website and at the CrossFit Level 1 Trainer Course.{{cite web |title = Scaling CrossFit Workouts by Jeremy Gordon, CF-L4 |url = http://journal.crossfit.com/2015/10/scaling-crossfit-workouts.tpl |website = CrossFit Journal |access-date = December 28, 2015}}{{cite web |url = http://library.crossfit.com/free/pdf/CFJ_Seminars_TrainingGuide_012013-SDy.pdf |title = CrossFit L-1 Trainer Guide |date = May 15, 2010|access-date = December 28, 2015 |website = CrossFit Journal |publisher = CrossFit, Inc.}}

CrossFit supports this position by citing three academic surveys of CrossFit participants. These surveys calculated injury rates between 2.4 and 3.1 injuries per 1000 hours of training, which CrossFit argues is consistent with or below injury rates found in "general fitness training".{{cite web |title = The Truth Hurts: Part 1 |url = http://therussells.crossfit.com/2015/06/15/the-truth-hurts-part-1/ |website = THE RUSSELLS |date = 15 June 2015 |access-date = January 13, 2016}} An independent 2018 review of scientific literature also found that "injury rate with CrossFit was comparable to or lower than injury rates with Olympic weightlifting, distance running, military conditioning, track and field, rugby, or gymnastics." The review found that more men than women suffered from injuries in CrossFit, with injuries to the shoulders found to be more common (25%) than lower back (14.3%) and knee (13.1%), and injuries may occur in situations where supervision was not always available to athletes.{{cite journal |title=Are Injuries More Common With CrossFit Training Than Other Forms of Exercise? |journal =Journal of Sport Rehabilitation |date=May 1, 2018 |volume=27|issue=3|pages=295–299| doi= 10.1123/jsr.2016-0040 |author=Chelsey Klimek |author2=Christopher Ashbeck |author3=Alexander J Brook |author4=Chris Durall |pmid=28253059 |doi-access=free }}

A 2013 study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research entitled "Crossfit-based high-intensity power training improves maximal aerobic fitness and body composition" followed 54 participants for ten weeks of CrossFit training. The study said that "...a notable percentage of our subjects (16%) did not complete the training program and return for follow-up testing." "The authors said "This may call into question the risk-benefit ratio for such extreme training programs..." Out of the "10 of the 11 participants who did not complete the study have provided their reasons for not finishing, with only 2 mentioning injury or health conditions that prevented them from completing follow-up testing."{{cite journal |title =Crossfit-Based High-Intensity Power Training Improves Maximal Aerobic Fitness and Body Composition |journal = The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research |date = November 2013 |volume = 27 |issue = 11 |pages = 3159–3172 |doi = 10.1519/JSC.0b013e318289e59f |last1 = Smith |first1 = Michael M. |last2 = Sommer |first2 = Allan J. |last3 = Starkoff |first3 = Brooke E. |last4 = Devor |first4 = Steven T. |pmid = 23439334 |s2cid = 25295158 }}{{Retracted|doi=10.1519/JSC.0000000000001990|pmid=28557856|http://retractionwatch.com/2015/09/21/journal-corrects-crossfit-injury-data-in-paper-at-center-of-lawsuit/ Retraction Watch|http://retractionwatch.com/2014/07/10/crossfit-to-be-tied-fitness-company-sues-journal-to-retract-sloppy-and-scientifically-unreliable-work/ Retraction Watch|http://retractionwatch.com/2020/01/07/crossfit-wins-4-million-in-damages-in-lawsuit-stemming-from-now-retracted-paper/ Retraction Watch|intentional=yes|checked=yes}}

In 2014, CrossFit, Inc. filed a lawsuit against the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) for publishing this study, alleging the data was false and "intended to scare participants away from CrossFit."{{Cite news |title = CrossFit Sues Publisher of Study Described by Study Author as "Very Positive" Toward CrossFit |url = http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2014/07/11/crossfit_lawsuit_injury_component_of_study_draws_org_s_ire.html |newspaper = Slate |date = July 11, 2014|access-date = December 28, 2015 |issn = 1091-2339 |language = en-US |first = Ben |last = Mathis-Lilley |author-link=Ben Mathis-Lilley}} The NSCA denies CrossFit, Inc.'s allegations but issued an erratum acknowledging that the injury data were incorrect.{{cite web |title = Journal corrects CrossFit injury data in paper at center of lawsuit |url = http://retractionwatch.com/2015/09/21/journal-corrects-crossfit-injury-data-in-paper-at-center-of-lawsuit/ |website = Retraction Watch |date = 21 September 2015 |access-date = December 28, 2015}}

In September 2016, the District Court ruled in favor of CrossFit as the injury data were found to be false, but not that the NSCA was commercially motivated or that the publishing of the study was defamatory as the NSCA no longer stood behind the study.{{cite web |url=http://www.leagle.com/decision/In%20FDCO%2020160922A07/Crossfit,%20Inc.%20v.%20National%20Strength%20and%20Conditioning%20Association |title=CROSSFIT, INC. v. NATIONAL STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING ASSOCIATION |publisher=Leagle |access-date=May 16, 2017}} The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research eventually retracted the paper in its July 2017 issue.{{cite journal |url=https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/fulltext/2017/07000/crossfit_based_high_intensity_power_training.37.aspx |title=CrossFit-based High Intensity Power Training Improves Maximal Aerobic Fitness and Body Composition: Retraction|journal=Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research |volume= 31|issue=7|page= e76|date= July 2017 | doi= 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001990 |pmid=28557856 |url-access=subscription }}

In February 2017, CrossFit filed for sanctions against the NSCA after one of the NSCA's witnesses admitted to falsifying statements during deposition.{{Cite news |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/california/casdce/3:2014cv01191/442865/176/ |title=Crossfit, Inc. v. National Strength and Conditioning Association, No. 3:2014cv01191 - Document 176 (S.D. Cal. 2017) |work=Justia Law |access-date=January 25, 2018 |language=en}} In May 2017, the Court issued 17 issues sanctions against the NSCA, writing that the organization did have a commercial motive to falsify the data, had published the false data knowingly to disparage CrossFit, and had misled the public with their erratum. CrossFit was awarded $74,000 in legal fees and allowed to continue investigating the NSCA. If the neutral-party analysis of the NSCA servers turns up any further misconduct, CrossFit may file an amended complaint for further sanctioning and compensation for lost revenue.{{cite web |url=http://www.litigationdaily.com/id=1202788874684/CrossFit-Clobbers-Competitor-with-Sanctions-in-False-Advertising-Case?mcode=1202615798744&curindex=0&curpage=ALL&slreturn=20170507165955 |title=CrossFit Clobbers Competitor with Sanctions in False Advertising Case |publisher=The Litigation Daily |date=June 7, 2017}} On December 4, 2019, CrossFit was awarded $4 million in sanction not including damages from the case.{{cite web |url=https://retractionwatch.com/2020/01/07/crossfit-wins-4-million-in-damages-in-lawsuit-stemming-from-now-retracted-paper/ |title=Crossfit wins $4 million sanction in lawsuit stemming from now-retracted paper |work=Retraction Watch|date=7 January 2020 }}

In May 2017, CrossFit, Inc. contacted the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine with a demand for the retraction of another paper, published in the journal earlier that month.{{cite journal|last1=Elkin|first1=J. L.|last2=Kammerman|first2=J. S.|last3=Kunselman|first3=A. R.|last4=Gallo|first4=R. A.|year=2019|title=Likelihood of Injury and Medical Care Between CrossFit and Traditional Weightlifting Participants|journal=Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine|volume=7|issue=5|page=2325967119843348|doi=10.1177/2325967119843348|pmid=31106222|pmc=6505252}} The paper states that CrossFit participants "are more likely to be injured and to seek medical treatment compared with participants in traditional weightlifting", a finding that CrossFit, Inc. said was based on scientific errors and material from retracted or misrepresented studies.{{cite web|url=http://retractionwatch.com/2019/05/28/crossfit-demands-retraction-of-paper-claiming-their-participants-are-more-likely-to-be-injured/#more-96601|title=CrossFit demands retraction of paper claiming their participants are more likely to be injured|website=Retraction Watch|date=28 May 2019|access-date=28 May 2019}}

{{Weasel|date=October 2024}}

File:U.S. Army Col. Mark Collins, the commander of the 82nd Sustainment Brigade, does an abdominal strength training exercise during a CrossFit workout in the brigade's gym at Fort Bragg, N.C., April 11, 2013 130411-A-QD996-002.jpg of muscles, e.g. sit-ups on a GHD machine here, can cause exertional rhabdomyolysis if performed at high volume.{{cite web |url=https://breakingmuscle.com/all-about-rhabdo/ |title= All About Rhabdo |first=Dan |last=Sullivan |date= November 22, 2021|work=Breaking Muscle}}]]

Exertional rhabdomyolysis is a condition that can affect athletes in many sports especially endurance sports such as marathon running and triathlon, and athletes who perform high volume of exercise movements involving eccentric contraction or intense exercises when in excessive fatigue, particularly when the exercises are performed in extremes of heat.{{cite web |url=https://blogs.bmj.com/bjsm/2021/06/24/exertional-rhabdomyolysis-pushing-muscle-to-the-limit/ |title= Exertional Rhabdomyolysis; Pushing Muscle to the Limit |date= June 24, 2021 |work=British Journal of Sport Medicine}}{{cite journal |title =Exertional Rhabdomyolysis in Athletes: Systematic Review and Current Perspectives |author=Henrik C Bäcker |author2=John T Richards |author3=Arne Kienzle |author4=John Cunningham |author5=Karl F Braun |pmid= 36877581 |doi= 10.1097/JSM.0000000000001082|journal=Clin J Sport Med|date=March 1, 2023 |volume=33|issue=2|pages=187–194 |s2cid=257363163 }} The relationship between CrossFit and exertional rhabdomyolysis has been a subject of controversy for the company. Some medical professionals have asserted that both the CrossFit methodology and the environment created by CrossFit trainers put athletes at high risk for developing rhabdomyolysis.{{cite web|last=Robertson|first=Eric|date=2013-09-20|title=CrossFit's Dirty Little Secret|url=https://medium.com/@ericrobertson/crossfits-dirty-little-secret-97bcce70356d#.5i2jos3im|access-date=2020-06-18|website=Medium}}{{cite web|title = The disease attacking super fit athletes|url = http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/teach-me/75659814/rhabdomyolysis-the-disease-attacking-super-fit-athletes|website = Stuff|first=Gary |last=Nunn |date=2016-01-06 |access-date = 2016-01-18}}{{cite web|first=Vanessa |last=Weber|title = CrossFit: Can the Popular Extreme Workout Be Dangerous?|url = https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2013/09/26/crossfit-can-the-popular-extreme-workout-be-dangerous/|website = ABC News|date=2013-09-26|access-date = 2016-01-18}}

A man successfully sued his uncertified CrossFit trainers and was awarded US$300,000 in damages,{{cite news

|access-date=August 16, 2008

|url=http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/08/marine_crossfit_081608w/

|title=Lawsuit alleges CrossFit workout damaging

|first=Bryan

|last=Mitchell

|work=Marine Corps Times

|date=August 16, 2006

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080824070918/http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/08/marine_crossfit_081608w/

|archive-date=August 24, 2008

}} after he suffered from rhabdomyolysis after performing a CrossFit workout on December 11, 2005, at Manassas World Gym in Manassas, Virginia, under the trainers' supervision.{{cite news

| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/06/AR2008100603032.html

| title = Gym's High-Intensity Workout Left Me Disabled, Man Testifies

| newspaper = The Washington Post

| date = October 7, 2008

}} CrossFit, Inc. was not listed as a defendant in the lawsuit.

CrossFit, Inc. does not dispute that its methodology has the potential to cause rhabdomyolysis.{{Cite news|title = The extremes of CrossFit|url = http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/9992703/The-extremes-of-CrossFit|newspaper = Stuff.co.nz|date = 2014-04-30|access-date = 2016-01-18|first = Christie|last = Aschwanden |author-link = Christie Aschwanden}}{{Failed verification|date=October 2024}} The company states that exertional rhabdomyolysis can be found in a wide variety of sports and training populations and argues that its critics have conflated CrossFit's high awareness of rhabdomyolysis with high risk.{{cite web|url = https://www.crossfit.com/mt-archive2/009331.html#/comments|title = Comment #1|date = September 7, 2014|access-date = 18 January 2016|website = CrossFit.com|publisher = CrossFit|last = Greene|first = Russ}} One CrossFit spokesman stated that "ESPN's report on the 53 deaths in US triathlons from 2007 to 2013 should have put the issue to rest."

Since May 2005, CrossFit, Inc. has published several articles about rhabdomyolysis in the company's CrossFit Journal.{{cite web|last=Savage |first=Phil |url=http://journal.crossfit.com/2010/01/rhabdo-pdf.tpl |title=The Truth About Rhabdo by Dr. Michael Ray - CrossFit Journal |publisher=Journal.crossfit.com |access-date=June 30, 2011}}{{cite web|last=Glassman |first=Greg |url=http://journal.crossfit.com/2005/10/crossfit-induced-rhabdo-by-gre.tpl |title=CrossFit Induced Rhabdo by Greg Glassman - CrossFit Journal |work=CrossFit Journal |publisher=Journal.crossfit.com |access-date=June 30, 2011}}{{cite web|last=Glassman |first=Greg |url=http://journal.crossfit.com/2005/05/killer-workouts-by-eugene-alle.tpl |title=Killer Workouts by Eugene Allen - CrossFit Journal |work=CrossFit Journal |publisher=Journal.crossfit.com |access-date=June 30, 2011}}{{cite web|last=Starrett |first=Kelly |author-link=Kelly Starrett|url=http://journal.crossfit.com/2011/06/rhabdomyolysis-revisited.tpl |title=Rhabdomyolysis Revisited by Dr. Will Wright - CrossFit Journal |work=CrossFit Journal |publisher=Journal.crossfit.com |access-date=June 30, 2011}} Three of the articles are included in the CrossFit Manual provided to all prospective trainers.{{cite web|url=http://www.slideshare.net/leeshouse/crossfit-instructor-manual-v4|title=Crossfit Instructor Manual v4|author=leeshouse|date=20 October 2010|access-date=February 1, 2015}}

CrossFit, Inc. has also been criticized for having a "cavalier"{{cite web|title = An Orthopedic Surgeon's Perspective on CrossFit|url = http://www.stack.com/a/an-orthopedic-surgeons-perspective-on-crossfit?icn=navigation&ici=Navigation_Content|website = STACK|date = 17 September 2015|access-date = 2016-01-18}} attitude towards rhabdomyolysis by promoting a character known as "Uncle Rhabdo" (a cartoon clown dying dramatically—hooked up to a dialysis machine, with his kidneys and intestines falling on the floor). In response to this criticism, Greg Glassman stated, "We introduced (Uncle) Rhabdo because we're honest and believe that full disclosure of risk is the only ethical thing to do."{{Unreliable source?|reason=This is a pseudonyomous comment on an open forum with no context and no further citation of the quote.|date=October 2024}}

CrossFit, Inc. has been variously criticized and praised for its unorthodox approach to social media.{{cite web |title=Coke, CrossFit, and Created Outrage |url=http://www.bodyforwife.com/coke-crossfit-and-created-outrage/ |website=Body for Wife |date=3 July 2015 |access-date=January 6, 2016}}{{cite web |title=Do Not Cross CrossFit |url=http://www.inc.com/magazine/201307/burt-helm/crossfit-empire.html |website=Inc.com |date=July 2, 2013 |access-date=January 6, 2016}}{{cite web |title=CrossFit's Sour Sense of Humor |url=http://www.outsideonline.com/1923956/crossfits-sour-sense-humor |website=Outside Online |date=29 May 2014 |access-date=January 6, 2016}} This approach has included publishing articles and tweets about non-fitness topics (including politics, philosophy, and poetry){{cite news |title=Five Things You Need To Know About CrossFit |url=https://nation.time.com/2014/01/10/five-things-you-need-to-know-about-crossfit/ |newspaper=Time |access-date=January 6, 2016 |issn=0040-781X |first=Sean |last=Gregory}}{{Failed verification|date=October 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.crossfit.com/mt-archive2/009563.html#/comments |title=Rest Day |date=April 23, 2015 |access-date=January 6, 2016 |website=CrossFit.com |publisher=CrossFit, Inc.}} as well as directly interacting with other social media users and critics of the company's program.{{cite web |url=http://www.maxim.com/maxim-man/crossfit-greg-glassman-exclusive-2015-9 |title=Exclusive: On the Warpath with CrossFit's Greg Glassman |date=September 8, 2015 |access-date=January 6, 2016 |website=Maxim |last=Bowles |first=Nellie}}

On June 4, 2014, CrossFit uploaded a parody video to their Facebook page of Jesus, featuring concepts such as the "Holy Trinity of exercise".{{cite web |url=http://www.christiantoday.com/article/the.crossfit.by.jesus.parody.that.takes.the.concept.literally.watch/37944.htm |title=The CrossFit by Jesus parody that takes the concept literally |last=Martin |first=Cath |date=June 7, 2014 |work=Christian Today |language=en |access-date=June 9, 2014}} Yasmine Hafiz wrote in The Huffington Post that some "viewers are outraged at the disrespectful use of a Christian symbol", with one user asking "on what planet is it comical or encouraged to mock someones belief?"{{cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/05/crossfit-jesus-video_n_5453170.html |title=CrossFit Posts Jesus Parody on Facebook Page and the Comments Explode |last=Hafiz |first=Yasmine |date=June 5, 2014 |work=The Huffington Post |language=en |access-date=June 9, 2014}}

In June 2018, CrossFit fired its chief knowledge officer, Russell Berger, after Berger wrote about the LGBT community on Twitter. Berger's tweet followed the closure of a CrossFit location in Indianapolis due to the backlash it faced after canceling a special LGBT Pride Month workout. Berger wrote on Twitter "As someone who personally believes celebrating 'pride' is a sin, I'd like to personally encourage #CrossFitInfiltrate for standing by their convictions and refusing to host an @indypride workout. The intolerance of the LGBTQ ideology toward any alternative views is mind-blowing." The tweet triggered angry responses denouncing Berger as a bigot and pressuring CEO Glassman for him to be fired; Berger was first placed on unpaid leave, but was later fired by Glassman, who publicly condemned Berger.{{cite web |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/stephaniemlee/crossfit-russell-berger-lgbtq-pride-sin |title=CrossFit Just Fired Its Spokesperson Who Said LGBT Pride Is a 'Sin' |publisher=BuzzFeed News |author=Stephanie M. Lee |date=June 6, 2018}}

In May 2019, CrossFit shuttered its Facebook and Instagram accounts, which had 3.1 million and 2.8 million followers respectively.{{cite web |last1=LoFranco |first1=Justin |title=CrossFit Shutters Facebook, Instagram Accounts Amid Data Privacy Concerns |url=https://morningchalkup.com/2019/05/23/crossfit-shutters-facebook-instagram-accounts-amid-data-privacy-concerns/ |website=Morning Chalk Up |date=23 May 2019 |access-date=May 24, 2019}}{{cite web |title=CrossFit, Inc. Suspends Use of Facebook and Associated Properties |url=https://www.crossfit.com/battles/crossfit-suspends-facebook-instagram |publisher=CrossFit |access-date=May 24, 2019}} On the company's homepage, the announcement stated that CrossFit was concerned about user privacy and security in the wake of "well-known public complaints about the social-media company that may adversely impact the security and privacy of our global CrossFit community." The company also cited theft of intellectual property and Facebook's collusion with "food and beverage industry interests" as reasons for deactivating its social media accounts.

On June 6, 2020, the founder of CrossFit Greg Glassman tweeted, "It's: FLOYD-19" in response to a tweet from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington that states, "racism and discrimination are critical public health issues that demand an urgent response."{{cite tweet |user=CrossFitCEO | author=Greg Glassman |number=394696512 |date=June 6, 2020| title=It's: FLOYD-19 |access-date= June 7, 2019 |language=English}} Glassman's tweet was widely panned; many CrossFit-affiliated gyms around the world responded by ending their affiliation, and Reebok also announced that they would end their corporate association.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/06/08/crossfit-founder-jokes-about-george-floyd-reebok-gyms-drop-brand/ |title=Reebok, gyms cut ties with CrossFit amid consumer demands for corporate action against racism |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 8, 2020 |access-date=June 9, 2020}} Glassman also hosted a criticized Zoom call with CrossFit gym owners where he propounded conspiracy theories about COVID-19 and claimed that George Floyd had been killed as part of an elaborate cover-up of counterfeiting unrelated to racism.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/09/style/crossfit-gyms-founder-protests.html |title=CrossFit Gym C.E.O. Greg Glassman Steps Down in Chaos |website=The New York Times |date=June 9, 2020}} On June 9, 2020, Glassman resigned as CEO{{Cite news |title=CrossFit CEO Steps Down After His Racial Remarks Led Reebok, Others To Cut Ties |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/06/09/873150038/crossfit-company-is-ostracized-after-its-ceos-racial-remarks |access-date=June 11, 2020 |publisher=NPR.org |language=en}}{{Cite web|author=Rob McLean and Clare Duffy |title=Greg Glassman resigns as CrossFit CEO after controversial tweets about George Floyd |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/09/business/greg-glassman-crossfit-resignation/index.html |access-date=June 10, 2020 |publisher=CNN|date=10 June 2020 }} then two weeks later announced he had put the company up for sale.{{Cite web |title=CrossFit founder Greg Glassman to sell company after backlash over 'divisive statements' |date=24 June 2020 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/crossfit-greg-glassman-sells-eric-roza/ |access-date=June 29, 2020 |publisher=CBS News}}

At the 2024 CrossFit Games, a Serbian athlete, Lazar Đukić, died from drowning in the first event that involved an open-water swim.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy847yp8kjgo |title=Man dies competing in Texas CrossFit swim |publisher=BBC |date=August 8, 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.knownandknowable.com/articles/lake-timeline |title=A Timeline of 2024 CrossFit Games Event 1: Lake Day|first=Mike |last=Halpin |date=September 3, 2024 |work=Known and Knowable }} Criticisms have been voiced on the decision to hold an outdoor run and swim event in the heat of Texas, where the water temperature may be too high to be safe, and on the inadequate provision of lifeguards and safety personnel at the event. Athletes and coaches also said that CrossFit had ignored safety concerns expressed by athletes over many years. Some athletes also criticized the decision to continue with the Games, when the leader of the sport team Dave Castro made a false claim that the Đukić family wanted the Games to continue as a tribute to Lazar in order to convince the athletes to stay in the competition.{{cite web |url=https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a62071284/crossfit-death-luka-dukic-instagram/ |title= CrossFitter Luka Đukić Speaks Out After His Brother's Tragic Death|first= Andrew |last=Gutman|date= September 5, 2024|work=Men's Health}}{{cite web |url=https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/other-sports/articles-video/dave-castro-s-response-to-luka-dukic-on-lazar-s-death-at-crossfit-games-2024-09-06 |title=Dave Castro’s Response to Luka Dukic on Lazar’s Death at CrossFit Games |date=September 6, 2024 |work=beIN Sports }} A number of athletes including both 2023 champions Laura Horvath and Jeffrey Adler chose to withdraw from the competition.{{cite web |url=https://barbend.com/2024-crossfit-games-athletes-withdraw-following-lazar-dukic-death/ |title=Athletes Withdraw From 2024 CrossFit Games Following Death of Lazar Đukić |first=Teaganne |last=Finn |date=August 9, 2024 |work=BarBend}} Horvath accused CrossFit of being responsible for Đukić's death, thought the response to Đukić's death "inhumane", and characterized CrossFit as a corporation driven by a basic instinct of "survival and profit".{{cite web |url=https://www.boxrox.com/kristof-and-laura-horvath-says-crossfit-is-driven-by-survival-and-profit/ |title=Kristóf and Laura Horváth Say CrossFit is Driven By Survival and Profit|date=August 22, 2024|first=Robert |last= Born |work=BoxRox}}{{cite web |url=https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/other-sports/articles-video/crossfit-games-laura-horvath-says-crossfit-only-cares-about-profit-after-lazar-dukic-s-death-2024-08-22 |title=Crossfit Games: Laura Horvath Says CrossFit Only Cares About Profit After Lazar Dukic’s Death |date=August 22, 2024 |work=beIN Sports }} The Professional Fitness Athletes' Association (PFAA), a group representing the interest of CrossFit athletes, called for transparency on the investigation into the death, the creation of an independent safety team, and the removal of Dave Castro as leader of the sport team.{{cite web |url=https://barbend.com/pfaa-calls-for-dave-castro-removal-from-crossfit-sport-team/ |title=PFAA Calls for Dave Castro's Removal From CrossFit's Sport Team|first= Emily |last=Beers|date= August 20, 2024 |work=BarBend}}{{cite web |url=https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a61924568/brent-fikowski-crossfit-pfaa-statement/ |title= My Friend Died at the CrossFit Games. Now, We Demand Change.|first= Brett |last=Williams|date= August 20, 2024 |work=Men's Health }}

CrossFit, however, refused to publish the third-party investigation into Đukić's death,{{cite web |url=https://barbend.com/crossfit-concludes-third-party-investigation-into-lazar-dukic-death/ |title=BREAKING: CrossFit Concludes Third-Party Investigation Into Lazar Đukić’s Death – Will Not Reveal Details|first= Emily |last=Beers|date= November 20, 2024 |work=BarBend }} created its own safety advisory board, and kept Castro as leader of the sport team. It also established instead its own CrossFit Athlete Council as an alternative to PFAA.{{cite web |url=https://barbend.com/crossfit-athlete-council-learning-lessons-from-the-past/ |title=CrossFit’s New Athlete Council – Learning Lessons From the Past|first= Emily |last=Beers|date= November 21, 2024 |work=BarBend}} PFAA expressed its dissatisfaction with CrossFit's response and said that it would support any athlete should they wish to boycott the Games and explore alternative competition routes.{{cite web |url=https://www.boxrox.com/pfaa-dissatisfied-to-crossfits-lack-of-transparency/ |title=PFAA "Dissatisfied" to CrossFit’s "Lack of Transparency" |work=BoxRox |date=November 28, 2024 |first=Robert |last=Born }}{{cite web |url=https://www.menshealth.com/uk/fitness/a61067912/where-does-crossfit-go-next/ |title=CrossFit in Crisis: Where Athletes Think the Sport Can Go From Here|first= Sam|last= Rider|date= February 25, 2025 |work=Men's Health}} A number of prominent athletes, including Patrick Vellner, Laura Horvath, and Annie Thorisdottir, opted not to take part in the 2025 Games season,{{cite web |url=https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/other-sports/articles-video/patrick-vellner-withdraws-from-2025-crossfit-games-citing-athlete-safety-concerns-2025-02-14 |title=Patrick Vellner Withdraws from 2025 CrossFit Games, Citing Athlete Safety Concerns |date=February 14, 2025 |work=beIN Sports}}{{cite web |url=https://morningchalkup.barbend.com/p/new-post-2969 |title= Annie Thorisdottir to Skip 2025 CrossFit Open|date=February 4, 2025 |work=Morning Chalk Up|first=Nicky |last=Freymond }}{{cite web |url=https://barbend.com/athletes-skipping-2025-crossfit-open/ |title=Who Is Skipping the 2025 CrossFit Open? All the Athletes We Know So Far|first=Nicky |last=Freymond |date=February 24, 2025 |work=BarBend}}{{cite web |url=https://barbend.com/gui-malheiros-explains-shift-to-wfp/ |title=Interview: Gui Malheiros Explains Decision to Prioritize World Fitness Project, Citing Financial Gains and Response to Ðukić Tragedy|first=Nicky |last=Freymond|date= March 13, 2025 |work=BarBend}} and affiliates have announced their de-affiliation from CrossFit or non-participation in the Open.{{cite web|url=https://www.menshealth.com/uk/fitness/a63839009/ben-bergeron-de-affiliates-crossfit/ |title=Legendary Coach Ben Bergeron Breaks From CrossFit After 20 Years, Citing These Key Issues |first= Kate |last=Neudecker|date= February 19, 2025 |work=Men's Health }}{{cite web |url=https://thebarbellspin.com/crossfit-games/crossfit-munich-wont-officially-participate-in-2025-crossfit-open/ |title=CrossFit Munich Won’t Officially Participate in 2025 CrossFit Open |first=Brian |last=Spin|date=December 19, 2024 |work=The Barbell Spin}} Participation in the CrossFit Open fell over 30% from nearly 350,000 athletes in 2024 to 234,000 in 2025, and more than 1,400 CrossFit gyms alao de-affiliated in 2024, in part due to the controversy.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/13/business/dealbook/crossfit-for-sale.html |title=CrossFit Is for Sale Again Amid Years of Shake-Ups |work=The New York Times|first1= Remy|last1= Tumin |first2= Calum |last2=Marsh|date=March 13, 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://barbend.com/2024-crossfit-open-participants-did-not-return-in-2025/ |title=Nearly 200,000 CrossFit Open Participants From 2024 Did Not Return in 2025|first=Mike |last=Halpin|date= March 11, 2025 |work=BarBend}}

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