Health · Fitness & Nutrition · 3 hrs ago
How CrossFit helped shape a macho fitness culture
CrossFit grew from a California gym into a global fitness movement, founded by Greg Glassman in the 1990s and eventually reaching 15,000 gyms in 160 countries.
Its workouts combined weightlifting, gymnastics and sprint training, with a focus on hard work and high intensity.
The movement later attracted military, police and first-responder communities, as well as people seeking a more rugged style of exercise.
The book The Glass Box examines how CrossFit’s culture came to influence macho attitudes, right-wing politics and militarism.
Former employees and athletes accused Glassman of sexual harassment, which he denied; he also drew public criticism in 2020 for remarks about George Floyd and Black Lives Matter.
Glassman’s rise and fall are the focus of the new book, which recounts his role in building the company and the controversies around him.
CrossFit grew from Greg Glassman’s training system into a fitness empire with 15,000 gyms across 160 countries.
The program combined weightlifting, gymnastics and sprint conditioning with high-intensity workouts.
Author Calum Marsh says CrossFit became popular among military, police and emergency workers, and developed a rugged, macho image.
The Guardian article examines how that fitness culture also influenced right-wing politics and militarism.
Glassman faced allegations of sexual harassment and controversy over remarks about George Floyd, which he denied or defended.
- Who
- CrossFit founder Greg Glassman and author Calum Marsh are central to the story.
- What
- The article examines how CrossFit helped shape a macho fitness culture and traces Glassman’s rise and fall.
- When
- CrossFit began in the 1990s. The article was published on 8 November 2026.
- Where
- Glassman developed his training system in Santa Cruz, California.
- Why
- CrossFit’s intense workouts and appeal to military, police and emergency workers helped give it a rugged, macho image.
Former employees and CrossFit athletes
Greg Glassman
Sexual harassment
Former employees and CrossFit athletes
Former employees and athletes accused Glassman of creating a culture of routine and rampant sexual harassment.
Greg Glassman
Glassman denied the alleged conduct.
Company criticism
Former employees and CrossFit athletes
Critics described negative accounts of the company.
Greg Glassman
A spokesperson called them a collective effort to devalue the company and buy it for scraps.
Greg Glassman developed the CrossFit training system.
Glassman opened his first gym and was hired to train police officers.
Glassman drew public controversy during the #MeToo and social justice movements, including for a tweet linking racism and Black Lives Matter to the pandemic.
Donald Trump publicly admired Senator Jon Husted’s backside, and Husted said the compliment gave him extra motivation to go to the gym.
- CrossFit gyms
- 15,000 across 160 countries
- First gym
- Opened by Greg Glassman in 1995
- Training system
- Weightlifting, gymnastics and sprint conditioning
- Glassman’s location
- Santa Cruz, California
- Book
- The Glass Box, by Calum Marsh
What people are saying
The till was mine.
I do not mourn George Floyd.
a collective effort to devalue the company and buy it for scraps
easy, safe way of training, mainly for people who were overweight, senior citizens and the infirm – something that could be done by anyone