crossfit thrives as an alternative to traditional gyms. the explosive movements, group workouts and sense of competition drew people in, while the results encourage them to stay. and w
ith something for athletes at every level, it’s not a mystery why the organization has become a global phenomenon.
today, more than
5 million people
are registered in crossfit programs around the world.
where did it start
crossfit as a company was founded in 2000 by
greg glassman
, a former gymnast who wanted to find new exercises to become stronger. he combined his regular gymnastics routines with weightlifting and cycling, with an aim to develop well-rounded physical abilities.
in 1995, he opened his own gym in santa cruz, california where he trained the santa cruz police department as well as private clients, eventually offering group classes.
since then, crossfit has established itself as a major player in both amateur and professional fitness. the crossfit games, held annually since 2007 (except for 2020), bring in thousands of viewers and hundreds of athletes to participate in the sport’s ultimate competition.
today, there are more than
13,000
registered crossfit gyms around the world. in canada alone, there are 588 crossfit gyms, according to
livestrong
.