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CROSSFIT VS. THE CROSSFIT GAMES As we get deep into the competition season with CrossFit there is some discussion within the global community that the CrossFit Games are a distraction from and misrepresentation of what we do best within our affiliates: improving physical & mental health including, curing chronic disease. Certainly, the worldwide Open is a distraction from affiliates’ day-to-day operations a few days a week for three weeks. And, during the competitive stages of the competition, social media coverage of CrossFit is predominately tilted toward the athletes, the competition events and of course, the outcomes of those events.
Given the increased attention on the events of the CrossFit Games season, do the affiliates and their communities suffer? Are the CrossFit methodology, brand and business negatively affected? The short answer is “no”. On the contrary, in my opinion, CrossFit, its affiliates and the community benefit significantly from the CrossFit Games and the surrounding media coverage. Here’s why:- The CrossFit Games are the ultimate manifestation of the definition of fitness: “increased work capacity across broad time and modal domains.” Virtually all other fitness competitions are designed for “specialists” (athletes who specialize in one modal or time domain): Olympic Lifting, Marathons, Triathlons, Strongman, Power Lifting, Track & Field, Swimming, etc. Even the Decathlon omits weightlifting and gymnastics. Truly, the winners of the CrossFit Games can claim the title of “Fittest on Earth.”
- Competition in CrossFit is only possible because it is “measurable, observable, and repeatable” – a key tenet of the CrossFit methodology. Every single day, in every CrossFit class around the world, athletes are completing workouts for time, load, distance, or repetitions. And, because CrossFit is measurable, observable and repeatable, we have immediate, concrete feedback on our fitness performance and ultimately, our health. Thus, the Open becomes and annual test of our fitness that we share with our incredible global community.
- CrossFit Games athletes represent a dedicated and disciplined adherence to comprehensive training programs, extensive recovery protocols, and nutrition management while under the guidance of professional coaching. Their efforts inspire others to do the same.
- The CrossFit Games creates fans of the sport AND the methodology. CrossFit Games competitions and the athletes are relatable and very entertaining. Most of us can relate to the suffering of the athletes, the challenge of the events, the frustration of failure, and the epic thrill of success when things go well. A fan of the sport is almost always a passionate participant in the methodology.
- The CFG attracts media, sponsors and public attention. The growth of CrossFit is dependent upon the entire community: affiliate members, garage-gym CrossFitters, CFG athletes, CFG sponsors, content creators and media. Awareness of a brand is the first step to creating a customer. Knowledge of the methodology is next. And, experiencing the magic is the last step to creating a lifetime customer.
At the end of the day, the Games serves a purpose: demonstrate the ultimate potential of human performance and create fans of the sport and methodology. Ironically, despite the awesome thrill of CrossFit competitions – as athletes and fans – virtually ALL CrossFit affiliate owners and coaches will tell you that their biggest thrills are the accomplishments of their clients: overcoming fears, new PRs, losing weight, coming off of medications, or just having a great workout of the day. Changing lives for the better: this is the magic of CrossFit. |
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