I think it’s a great time to arm you with the data when someone tells you CrossFit is dangerous or if someone refuses to try it because they have been convinced they will sustain an injury. I also want to talk briefly about what CrossFit is and what it is not.
CrossFit is intended to deliver a broad, general, and inclusive fitness that not only staves off the aging process, but also builds a buffer to sickness. When CrossFit is delivered correctly, it is accessible to anyone regardless of age, fitness or skill level. Those that have been here for awhile have probably heard me say; CrossFit might not be for everyone but it is suitable for anyone. It genuinely takes a special person to be willing to be a beginner, be bad at something, ditch the ego at the door, be coachable, trust the process, and get a little uncomfortable.
CrossFit is intended to improve and extend our quality of life, not to consume our life and replace other important activities and milestones with hours in the gym. It’s meant to celebrate what our bodies can do, not punish ourselves for what we ate.
Our classes are meant to deliver the minimum effective dose to keep us healthy AND improve our fitness. It is also not intended to make us specialists in any one thing, but better than the average person in…just about everything.
To paraphrase CrossFit’s founder; we have an elegant solution to the world’s most vexing problem.
When I became the owner of CrossFit Mobile, I created a mission statement that has not changed much in these last (almost) eight years;
Our mission is to change the way people approach fitness and nutrition in West Mobile and beyond by creating a caring, inclusive, fun, and motivating environment where our members come to cultivate their best-selves. We provide the best fitness experience in Mobile and we don’t just say it, we walk the walk every day!
I want YOU to know how unique it is that you find yourself in a CrossFit Affiliate even after almost 25 years since the first affiliate opened its doors in 2001. There are less than 12,000 affiliates, around 100,000 CrossFit credentialed trainers, and less than 250,000 CrossFit Open participants worldwide.
We are in a unique position to improve the lives of our friends, family, and neighbors but we cannot reach our neighbors when they’ve been influenced by lies backed by junk science. When you talk about this place, this thing — that you love so much, that you look forward to each day — something that has potentially changed the trajectory of your health, I want you to be armed to the teeth when someone challenges you.
Featured Video
“‘CrossFit is Dangerous’: How Junk Science Sabotages Public Health”
This video takes a critical look at common claims that CrossFit is inherently unsafe. It examines how so-called “evidence” gets misused, how narratives get shaped, and what the real data suggests about risk.
‘CrossFit is Dangerous’: How Junk Science Sabotages Public Health
Must-Read Articles
Is CrossFit Dangerous? — The Barbell Physio
This article examines the injury rates found in multiple studies, and compares CrossFit’s risks to those in Olympic weightlifting, running, and other sports. It argues that, done well, CrossFit is not more dangerous than many fitness activities. It also outlines strategies gyms and athletes can use to lower injury risk — things like limiting volume, prioritizing technique, and progressing intelligently. The Barbell Physio
The Truth About CrossFit Injuries — The Barbell Physio
Here, the author digs deeper into how injuries in CrossFit are sometimes sensationalized and compares reported rates to other sports. The conclusion? Injuries do happen — but not necessarily more often than in other intense fitness activities. The piece also discusses how training volume, athlete background, and coaching quality factor heavily into risk. The Barbell Physio
Why I’m Sharing This with You
Context matters. It’s easy to fall into fear-based narratives about “dangerous” workouts. But understanding the research helps us separate myths from real concerns.
We train together for a reason. This gym cares about doing it well, not just doing it hard. These resources reinforce the philosophy we try to follow: smart programming + technique + recovery.
Your safety matters. I want you to train for years, not just weeks or months. These readings and the video provide both caution and encouragement.
If you like, I’d be happy to lead a short discussion during one of our upcoming classes, over zoom, or post a breakdown in our group to dive deeper into what this all means for us here. Let me know what you think.
