? Careful what you wish for. HQ is not some death star at the center of an evil empire. Amongst the things there is the level 1 through 4 training that make sure that crossfit methods and coaching can continue. Is this worth torching cos the leadership of the company are probably looking at a wrongful death suit and will no doubt have to explain themselves fully at a later point through legal disclosure in civil litigation proceedings?
Honestly, I think the Crossfit brand is holding gyms back. My old CF gym stopped being affiliated with CF and ever since they have exploded with customers, they have 4 locations now around the city. They still do CF type workouts but have expanded to other disciplines, like obstacle course training.
I'd be ecstatic if HQ went away. And to be honest, I'd be pretty surprised if they're still here in the same form 2-3 years from now. My local CF gym stopped being affiliated with CF a while ago, and they've grown immensely since branching out.
Chase is such a tool. He knows CrossFit is in a super precarious position and soon he'll be clutching two giant handfuls of nothing. Attacking Luka for fighting on to hold Castro and the rest of the Games staff accountable for Lazar's death is the lowest of the low.
I will not give CF any more of my money. They are happy to use and abuse their competitive athletes, I have no loyalty to their brand. I coach at my CF gym because I can get membership for free., and I like Olympic lifting, which I can't get anywhere else in town. HQ thinks they are bulletproof, and that is not the case.
Can’t help but be disappointed in the way HQ has handled everything. It’s embarrassing and very clear they are just out for people’s $ Missed hearing your honest rambles in the news! 💪
Chase doesn’t even hear the contradiction in his own little rant. He states that people don’t have to compete. That’s what makes the US great is that people can choose what they will and will not do. But then says, but if you elicit others to join you in your “campaign” to not compete then you’re in the wrong. So he just wants people to be quiet about it, just quietly go away. Don’t shine light over here. That’s what it is because even if an athlete or popular figure in CrossFit says hey, I’m not competing and I’m not paying fees anymore to have CrossFit in my box’s name. And if you feel like I do, think about joining me in my form of protest. That’s how they’re choosing to handle the situation, and people are still choosing to join them or not. The hypocrisy is astounding. Welcome to debating someone about US politics in a nutshell. “If you don’t like it get the F out!” Okay my guy, calm down. Side note I don’t think he’s a good commentator. I really can’t stand to listen to him, says such nonsense sometimes. When I saw Sean was let go and they kept Chase my eyes nearly rolled out of their eye sockets.
It's almost like he doesn't realize he lives in a democracy and that having just one rigid ideology with zero input from anyone else is a dictatorship. A democracy is supposed to be like a community (where have we heard that word before) and you don't tell people to gtfo if they don't like what the current people in charge are doing. People are supposed to criticize and provide input. Imagine being told to get the hell out of a community that you helped build.
@ exactly. And nothing is perfect. Even if something is really, really good doesn’t mean it can’t be improved. This kind of thinking will isolationists thinking of put up or shut up is tanking the sport. It’s been going down for a while now. I was late to the game. I think I started in 2016 or 2017 and those years seemed like the height of the sport in popularity. And it’s almost like CFHQ just said, naw we don’t want that and proceeded to wreck the sport. It really does seem intentional at times.
How can the Crossfit Organization seriously put forth an athlete advisory council, while ignoring the PFAA? This is about as tone deaf as you can get in an organization. Their proposed council really has nothing to do with safety and all to do with control over the athletes. The last thing Crossfit wants is an outside athlete organization to force more transparency.
CrossFit need to be careful. Only takes a couple wealthy ex athletes and a few big sponsors and they’ll have a competing event that can pay as much and the community will shift. Feels like it’s heading more and more towards rogue/ hyrox events as it is.
HQ has also had two organizations themselves already for this same purpose, and both of them dissolved quietly and unceremoniously, lasting only a short time. Given that HQ hands out NDAs like they're Post It notes, and given the proven track record of HQ to tune out anyone who doesn't agree with them, we can all imagine why that happened. They were essentially just token figureheads. This time around, they're just going to fill it with like-minded people that have a mouth full of their party line. Although even if they did invite other voices, they're going to do what they've always done and ignore them. When people have shown you who they are (for years!) you're supposed to believe them, not keep giving them chances, especially when they refuse to acknowledge anything they've done wrong and refuse all accountability. Fool me once shame on me, fool me twice (or every single game season)... You get the picture.
@@EhhhhhsureeeeI don't know if you've noticed the huge disparaging difference between athlete number 200 and athlete number 1, but the depth of field just isn't there yet, my dude. This isn't football. I've been to the invitational, the games, regionals, and semi-finals and I am not spending thousands of dollars to watch people that are as fit as some of the people in my gym (we've had teams and individuals at semifinals/ regionals).
Hey bro- really appreciated your perspective. Keeping it real and raw. This is the essence of fitness and reaching for excellence instead of just following certain brands. Thank you for this!
At this point it would seem that it would not take much from an alternative or a competitor (Rogue, Wodapaloza, etc.) to step-up and expand to cause CrossFit HQ to crumble. Since the 2024 CrossFit Games, I have not seen CrossFit HQ make one decision that was in the interest of the greater CrossFit community or for the benefit of the greater CrossFit community. It would seem that CrossFit HQ believes that the collective CF community needs CrossFit HQ rather than CrossFit HQ needing the collective community. If that is indeed their attitude, it is only a matter of time until CrossFit HQ completely collapses.
Thanks Craig. This is something we are all working through. Personally I don't care what Chase says - his is just one opinion - but I won't be paying to do the Open and so far as I know no one else I know will either. I'm not giving my money to HQ as so far as I can see HQ could evaporate and the functional fitness world will keep on going without them.
Love your channel and your input. And as for Ingram, he can shut up! Not his community, it is ours as a whole. People can voice thier opinion and promote leaving, just as he is being a corporate voice box!
Yep - its ok to be angry with them. Your perspective on community is bang on and... the community wont accept being bullied into submission and accepting the status quo. Change, acknowledgement, acceptance of responsibility etc all seem to be missing at the moment. So... with that being the case, its inevitable a lot of their anticipated revenue will be missing as people embrace community but look elsewhere to engage. Keep up the great work man.
How do you want them to accept responsibility? Do you expect them to say “we were responsible for Lazar’s death”? And if they did, do you think that would satisfy people?
Thanks for the question - I think the company has struggled with giving closure and making a definitive statement about what has taken place. Do recall, pre the games, Dave was doing weekly videos for instance. The pre games conduct vs. post games conduct is quite different. That is leaving the wound wide open as they have not owned up to anything. It was widely stated that the water temps were high, the location of lifeguards on paddleboards etc were not able to adequately protect the athletes it seems. The order of the event being contrary to that of a triathlon for instance and how having a run fatigued athlete enter the water would increase the risk profile of the event etc. There are of course corporate protocols which are being followed, directives of insurers, lawyers etc. But, it is not for the.community to have to accept the company's mitigation of legal risks and liabilities as sufficient for the lack of definitive statements and move on. If indeed, the sport is based on community, bonds, a supportive social environment which fosters a culture of health and fitness - then the company must address this on the terms of the community, not the community accept the terms of the company for its own convenience - it lost that right in this circumstance. Ultimately in the face of this, the company will chart a course and it will be definitive for the business, but not the community. This is my opinion at least based on what I have seen over the last few months.
I did CrossFit briefly before lockdown scuppered me. I’ve been a fan for a long time and love content like this and others in the wings. Unfortunalely i couldn’t stomach what happened this year, how people were impacted and the response since. I’ve watched way less content since and really feel for those making a career creating amazing content around CF. Ultimately though CF is just a concept. Hydrox will build on this and if CF truly is just ‘functional fitness’ then another more community minded governing body can take root ~ call it something like fitness cross
I agree the conflict is with CrossFit the corporation not CrossFit affiliates. Do everything to support your local affiliates if you don’t agree with CrossFit the corporation. But how?!? Is the real reason I think people are mad. There’s no way to show frustration with CrossFit and how safety was handled because it is all due to getting rid of Greg in the beginning. It’s a messy situation and I have similar feelings to you Craig.
Thanks for doing these videos, I find your perspective so refreshing . It’s incredible how pleasant you remain and how eloquently you express your opinion from someone who was more directly affected by the loss of Lazar. I don’t want CrossFit to fall apart, but you’re right that if the Games disappeared, I would still be at my local gym tomorrow. I hope HQ and Castro become more responsive to what the athletes and community want. We don’t quit.
Thank you, Craig, for your videos and standing up for the community. You are one of the beacons in the CF alongside few others. LEGEND stamp goes to you as well.
I will continue doing CrossFit and supporting my fellow athletes at my gym who are competing in local competitions and the open and even as far as the semifinals. But I won’t be competing in any event connected to CrossFit leadership. Right now, what CrossFit leadership is doing goes against my moral values
Hey Craig! I've never commented on a UA-cam-video before, but really wanted to do so this time. I've been silently watching your video's for years now, and have always enjoyed how real and ‘touchable’ you have been. This also makes the athletes in your video’s real and touchable. It is because of your video’s that I felt sick and saddened for days after Lazar passed away. Like it had happened to a friend. Today’s video got to me: you seem disnerved and in a way not happy to shoot the video. Like it is an obstacle you have to climb. Regardless of the reasons for this - I can think of some - this makes you even more touchable. I believe we all have days in life and things to do that feel like an obstacle and that make us feel very vulnerable and exposed. But because of long term relationships or goals we (try to) do it anyway. Seeing you putting yourself out there and speaking about these difficult topics while seemingly being uncomfortable doing so, is so special to watch. Thank you for always being so transparent about your feelings, showing us that mental health and fortitude are not black or white. Thank you for being so nuanced and pure. And most of all, thanks for being such a friendly and fun character to ‘follow around’. You might not feel like it on days like this, but you are a true leader to me!
CrossFit games is more focused on making money than making the community stronger and safer. They will see a decline of popularity and participation in events. Maybe they want affiliates / participants to pay more to pay for the safety department it should have had from the start of the games. When the community turns on the cooperation, the cooperation will fail but the community will continue to grow!
I actually stopped back when Glasserman made those comments and also when the s€x harassment stuff came out. I still watch Craig's stuff and tune into the games but I don't really support anything from HQ itself. Just fell out of it.
What I love about you and Jas: you are the goofiest, most loveable pair. What I also love about you: when you have a hot take on a situation, you don’t trash people but you say what you need to say in the clearest, most thoughtful and considerate way, without ever backing down from your opinion.
Thank you for this video Craig, I totally agree with you. I'm so glad you came online and voiced your opinion. I'll be continuing to do CrossFit and functional fitness competitions, but I'll not be participating in the open or re-affiliating my gym.
"How does justice or meaningful change ever happen?" Exactly. That's the point, Chase wants to drive out anyone who wants to see justice or meaningful change because he doesn't want it to happen. Its in the best interests of his and Crossfit HQ to brush everything under the rug and continue as if nothing happened. Keep raking in the profits, keep ignoring athlete concerns, keep anyone who protests silent. We might not see a mass boycott but I think we'll see more athletes retiring earlier than they otherwise would, or quietly switching to different sports, or never joining the games despite being tempted to. HQ might have avoided a big break, but they've made the brand toxic and that'll have longer-term impacts.
I still love functional fitness, but haven’t set foot in a CF gym in three years. Train in my local commercial gym using Matt Fraser HWPO programme. Still love the training, have never been fitter and will still continue whether CF HQ survives or not. It does really suck with what is going on and I feel like it’s probably the time for someone else to take over who has some weight behind them, like Rogue.
I got out a few years ago, seeing the direction it was heading in. Both boxes in my Town have closed. I still do crossfit, but in a local gym. I am 54 years old and its the best, the community will continue on, long after the corporation is gone.
CrossFit is why you have your platform. The Open is a huge part of what made you so successful on UA-cam. Killing of the corporation will kill off the community, the 'functional fitness' comps may continue but the pathways producing the athletes will die eventually. We need those with a platform like yours to rebuild the global community, not tear it down over in-fighting following a tragedy.
Let's be real. Chase is out there talking his shit for one reason and one reason only. He's protecting his paycheck, period. People do and say a lot when they're afraid. Some curl up and wait for what happens next and others lash out and get aggressive. I agree that the community of Crossfit is most definitely NOT HQ. Never has been.
The changes to the 2025 Crossfit season is 100% a cash grab by Crossfit HQ. Funny how so many people in the Crossfit ecosystem get mad when I point that out, yet they can't seem to deny it. Look, Crossfit is owned by private equity and, as a result of that, must do whatever is necessary to provide a return on investment to the shareholders. By eliminating the Quarterfinals and the in-person semi-finals they have significantly reduced their costs. Couple that with what they will likely charge to participate in the Community Cup, Crossfit stands to increase their revenue during the 2025 season substantially by expanding the qualifying pool out of The Open to the top 1% of all registrants, versus only taking the top 25% on to the quarterfinals. It makes good business sense, but probably not looked at favorably by the community since Crossfit is pretending like they are making these changes "for the community".
Looking at Chase makes me sick… I will not do open this year. I support PFAA. I love CrossFit and i cannot imagine my life without it and without the community. I do not support HQ
This saying comes to mind in this situation: "great minds discuss ideas, small minds discuss people." People like Chase bully and talk about people while shouting community when they are actually desribing a cult. Its pretty clear that he is fearful of losing his income and possibly some power and influence that he and his OG community think they have over people like the rest of us. They have clearly shown us who they are in this situation. And 1000% Chase is not the man Luka is. In his dreams~! Luka stands for ideas and community and integrity, Chase is half the man that Luka is and sold his integrity a long time ago. I feel sorry for them becuase they can't find their own mojo in the space. They are counting on riding the CFHQ wave instead of making things happen on their own. Essentially sitting on their laurels you might say -to be satisfied with past success and do nothing to achieve further success. Anyway....Love your channel and your discussions and content!
It’s pretty disappointing to see CrossFit changing like this. CrossFit has changed my life. I love the methodology and relationships it’s built with my members. But I don’t agree with the people who are running the corporation. It seems like everything is all about the money. I will be de-affiliating this year. I longer want to give support while not being supported.
Being honest, when Hiller entered the scene I stopped watching these vids. I felt Hiller was a voice we needed to hear and felt channels like this were butt kissing HQ. Anyway fast forward, it’s an absolute breath of fresh air to come back and hear a level headed voice again, Hiller is off the map now.
A combination of removing the quarterfinals and the extremely poor and unsympathetic management means that I will not do the open 2025. Last year I got top 37%, so I was excited about getting into the top 25% and joining the quarterfinals next year. It's annoying that they change the format almost every year. It makes it hard to plan the competitive fitness journey, for the "above average but not top 1%"-crossfitters.
It's one of the things the pfaa was advocating for, continuity from season to season, so that athletes can plan their next season. It's especially important for up-and-comers, like you. Even continuity in movement standards would be a step forward, FFS. Announcing a new standard right before you have to do the movement is ridiculous.
Im in the space for a long time (Over 10 Years). Dont confuse the Method with the Games, CrossFit is not about the Games. If the Games die, they die. For me as an Affiliate Owner its no difference. We do the work CrossFit is good for, its good for the People doing it. They should pause the games for 1 Year at least and restart new, driven by the Afiliates and new Staff at the Games HQ.
I am not a cross fitter but have kept tabs on the sport for several years mostly just by watching the games, following a few athletes on social media, and of course, your UA-cam channel. So, needless to say I had no idea who this Chase guy was but when you showed the clip from his podcast my jaw dropped….and then his response to Luka, I nearly fell over. I’m shocked that someone can be so callous and insensitive. It’s really gross and sad.
The Crossfit gyms I have been to are all super fun, inclusive and great environments Crossfit hq seems to be the alpha bro, toxic environment that Crossfit gets a bad rap for. As consumers we vote with our money, that is how we make changes. Taking a year off and/or getting others to join us is how we make changes in the space. Ps Brent for ceo of Crossfit!
Frankly I only do CrossFit to train for another sport. Every year I question whether it is worth participating in the Open as I know it is not something I will progress further into the season. This year I likely will not simply because I do not need the Open to get the training I need and HQ is showing more and more that they are more focused on making money from participants in the Games and the various monetary speed bumps that lead to the Games. I do not see how they are helping the local affiliates with that money and even increased the affiliate fee last(?) year with no support coming the other way.
Excellent video! Great way to express your opinions and thoughts objectively. As someone who is not a crossfit athlete, i absolutely enjoy watching the competitions and everything associated with them. Could you please explain to me what the problem (s) with headquarters is? What is the community looking for? And not just transparency (I think thats a blanket statement that doesn't really mean much.) Just wanting to know what the "disconnect" is. Thank you and you sir are a LEGEND
Really appreciate your calm, reflected, very considerate perspective on what’s happening. Your videos help a lot to navigate these weird times, thank you for that 🤍
Been doing CrossFit 8 years and this will be my first year not doing the open. Morally I can’t do it. There has been no justice, no accountability, no support for members of its community that is supposedly so important to them. It’s unacceptable. Maybe me not giving them $20 won’t make a difference but at least I will be able to sleep at night.
The problem with HQ or anyone Level 3 above (from what I’ve seen), it’s a culture of ‘don’t dare speak against CF and blindly follow everything they say’.
I am an old man who works out at home, and not a part of the crossfit community but love the Games, and have learned a great deal from the Crossfit Community. My son is a member of a Crossfit Affiliate and loves it. I think the tragedy at the games this year really shook everyone on numerous levels. The games are a distinct segment of Crossfit community but not the whole of Crossfit. I think that the issue is leadership that is not genuinely leading. Athletes and affiliates are trying to support and advance the Crossfit community including the games while leadership seems to be concerned only with protecting the business of Crossfit. There seems to be a disconnect between the athletes and affiliates vision for the future of Crossfit and what it can and should be, and what Crossfit HQ is doing. I think the solution rests with reaching the board of directors and investors. If the athletes and affiliates have no confidence in the leadership---then the board and investors need to address leadership.
What was described was Not a “Community “ but a Cult. And “if he was referring to “His Country” is the U. S.; please direct him to me if you would. Because, I would like to have a conversation about Honor, Courage and Commitment. Ooorah!
Exactly that. Never questioning or criticizing and following blindly, and to the detriment of a large group of people is cult behavior, not community. And the CrossFit community is international, not just one particular faction of just one country. Thank you for your service! As of January of next year I'll be starting my 25th year of service in my own country.
I appreciate you view and thought process. Why doesn't the crossfit athletes re-brand and the PFAA start a new chapter of competition. Ran by the PFAA for the athletes.
Stopped doing the Open years ago . That crap video from that guy after everything that's happened just reinforced that decision for the very long foreseeable future. Craig you're a legend too. Don't know if anyone has told YOU that. You're a legend. Cheers.
I don't do Instagram, when I listen to this rant by chase I think of this. When someone keeps reiterating their point, it can feel like they’re unsure or lack confidence in their stance. It’s like they’re overcompensating to make sure you understand, which can ironically make their position seem weaker or less genuine. Plus, it can be a bit tedious for the listener. This is how your stance and position resonated Chase. In the future, if you have a point you passionately believe in, reiterate it in different perspectives and positions. Avoid repeating a similar statement over and over if you want to message to land effectively with a broader audience. You're welcome
I think the pfaa should do their own games. For athletes, by athletes. The brand of crossfit has royally soiled itself since lockdown. Changing schedule and comp pathways yearly, dropping reebok and replacing with nobull (a limited style and high price ticket item for the average crossfitter). The original athletes in the space have moved on for many reasons, many being dave castro related. Athletes are not supported so they retire, and lazhar died which is incredibly sad. If crossfit were a uk business i think it may have been handled differently, sensitively and with positive changes made. Thanks to your channel and others like buttery bros keeping the positivity and realness in the space that was the spark from the start.
You think the PFAA embodies positivity? Even when they admitted to jumping at the opportunity to use the tragedy at the games to get what they wanted from CrossFit?
I don’t think it will ever break out of being a niche sport. It’s fun for the people who do it and it will continue to service them. But honestly I don’t have a single friend who watches the games, are interested in them, or even knows any athletes. It just has no mainstream appeal. The games have become increasingly hard to watch. It’s like all the worst parts of the Olympics. The events are too long and it kills the drama. I find myself fast forwarding through most of it because it’s 20 minutes of repetitive motions. Like all sports, it must become a better TV product.
I am a member of a none crossfit affiliate an we still have an awesome community and participate in events so yeah dont need the crossfit corp at all 😊
Definitely care a lot more for the athletes than CrossFit HQ, but I am curious how well the athletes will get paid without participating in the events that made them athletes to begin with.
Classic corporate approach “ we are bigger and more important than you ( ie the customer / community ) so you tow the line or leave we don’t care someone else will fill your shoes” . They need “ communicate and collaborate “ they need the “ community “ to be the advocates of the “ thing “ and they need to be the “ trusted advisor “
Strength erg, from what ive heard, seems slightly limited by the fact that the resistance/load is only there on the concentric portion of the movement.
That strength thing would be great for people in apartments with limited space. That Chase guy is a tool. It's not up to him to decide who should and should not remain in their community.
Sadly CF HQ know athletes need to money and they have the sponsorship to cover it all but I really think the PFAA has enough legend athletes to go to other comps to build a "new" Sport of functional fitness. I love the idea of a world championships over a season. Imagine 3-4 events (Wodapolza, Dubai, SID etc) then like a final like Rogue invational and earn points through the season etc. Would be amazing and possibly a truer "Fittest on Earth" athlete. Honestly, think if someone like PFAA took the lead to create something different, ALL the athletes would follow and sponsors too, so the prize purse won't be low for too long.
After 11 years doing CF and owning/coaching affiliate, I'm, we done. sadly I don't love it anymore, HQ, community has changed, gyms have changed. Too many changes over the years. It's lost its charm for many many reasons. Time to move on.
I am a box owner. I pay my affiliation fee because I teach CrossFit and I believe in the methodology. The methodology and the games are different things. We don’t believe in the games anymore. I don’t appreciate someone telling me how I should run my gym and communicate to my members. Doing CrossFit, yes. Participating in the open, no. This is our way to support the sport without encouraging the poor leadership around the games.
Crossfit's undying loyalty to Dave Castro will be it's demise. The sport has been struggling for years with Castro at the helm and now with Lazar's death, it's still refusing to acknowledge the problem. They have proven time and time again that they do not care about their athletes or the community. Crossfit as a sport and community has so much potential and good left to give but Crossfit the company only cares about money and Castro.
As a normal person, I'm definitely not giving Crossfit HQ my money. But I also haven't signed up for the open in 8-yearsso my actions are making no difference. I do the workouts, but that is because the box does a Friday night lights type thing. As for the removal of the regional events - again - this will definitely cause a lot of regional level athletes to not pay and compete. I know one Regional level athlete, and she's great, but she also knows that the games are likely just out of reach. So what is her incentive? She now gets to do another series of workouts in her box just to not get to go somewhere? I guess she will save money, because she's definitely not making money from her Crossfit career, no matter how good she is. I also know some very strong athletes who were trying to get to regionals. But, based on what they heard from our mutual friend who did make regionals, there's little point. For example, the t-shirts they give you don't even hold up - falling to pieces soon after. So the best three athletes I know are incentivized to bow out, because even on a personal level - for the experience - the incentive is no longer there. You could very well see an open where the only people signing up are the ones that have a very strong case for making the games. What then? 100% of open participants make it? The whole system works based on thousands signing up. Everyone is de-incentivized to go through this process with Crossfit HQ. Because of the games this past summer and the death, and CHQ brain dead response, I hope everyone boycotts. As I wrote in another comment, if you are one of those type that sign up "just to see how you compare with others around the world", get over it. Working out is supposed to be about your fitness improvement, not seeing how you compare to others. Signing up for the open unless you are a games level athlete and make your living from this is idiotic. As for Chase, I'm not in his Crossfit community. If I was, I'd leave. Chase and the other OG crossfitters have made a nice little living for themselves professionally covering up for the sins of CHQ. That's what they do. They defend, deny, depose as the saying goes. Not to be negative, but I think if you sign up for this open, you are a chump. Go find local competitions. Support unaffiliated competitions like Rogue, etc. But I am personally done with CHQ.
Love the fitness aspect of doing CrossFit , CrossFit the corporation is trash . Let’s all workout and enjoy the people we meet and get to experience some incredible times and moments together . 🤙❤️🤘
Kristi OConnell (Eramo), her hubby, MOB, and the Buttery Bros have all done Hyrox. MOB (I think) was under an hour. Just another way to have fun with fitness. #imwithluka I'm a big fan of the crossfit modality and I love hearing your take on everything, Jas, Katrin, Annie, Buttery Bros, DA.RI and SOOO many more. I watch the open and games for the athletes and support them. I don't watch to support HQ. Haven't for years. The 2024 games were completely shocking. I'm a paramedic in Ontairo, Canada and if I didn't do my job to my best ability, I'd be fired and most likely thrown in jail. I hope the lifeguards (or whoever they were on the paddleboards) find peace and improve their knowledge and skill set if they continue to do the job of helping others.
Also saw that the prize purse is tied to Open registration... So the people that make it to the Games are obviously directly effected by Open participation. The Games athletes, say top 50 in each division and all that, are typically the only ones that can actually afford to go. So what happens when those top athletes, say, win their opens and semifinal and all that and then maybe decide to simply not perform to potentially only win hundreds of dollars?
I believe CF as an exercise theory and regimen will survive on its own without the corporation and the games. it's sound exercise science. The Corporation needs to figure things out or they'll start to bleed affiliates until there's nothing left.
CrossFit is dying rapidly, high entry costs, horrible press recently. Peak CF was 10 years ago and unfortunately it’s had poor leadership since then.
ehhhh not really
Not just high entry cost, everything with crossfit is expensive.
Nonsense
@@cass3616hope that was sarcasm
Crossfit (the company) isn't the community... The Community is what Crossfit (the company) depends on. They need to realise that.
Which is why all their recent moves have been exactly what they needed to do.
Absolutely. They need to stop their unprofessional behaviour to remain credible.
I agree. If HQ disappear the boxes will still be there and I'll still do the training and all our local comps and that my friend is the real community
? Careful what you wish for. HQ is not some death star at the center of an evil empire. Amongst the things there is the level 1 through 4 training that make sure that crossfit methods and coaching can continue. Is this worth torching cos the leadership of the company are probably looking at a wrongful death suit and will no doubt have to explain themselves fully at a later point through legal disclosure in civil litigation proceedings?
Yup
Honestly, I think the Crossfit brand is holding gyms back. My old CF gym stopped being affiliated with CF and ever since they have exploded with customers, they have 4 locations now around the city. They still do CF type workouts but have expanded to other disciplines, like obstacle course training.
Yeah hq adds nothing anymore
I'd be ecstatic if HQ went away. And to be honest, I'd be pretty surprised if they're still here in the same form 2-3 years from now. My local CF gym stopped being affiliated with CF a while ago, and they've grown immensely since branching out.
Thanks Craig. You are such a level head in all of this. I really appreciate you!! How refreshing to hear a frank discussion without spewing hate.
Chase is such a tool. He knows CrossFit is in a super precarious position and soon he'll be clutching two giant handfuls of nothing. Attacking Luka for fighting on to hold Castro and the rest of the Games staff accountable for Lazar's death is the lowest of the low.
I will not give CF any more of my money. They are happy to use and abuse their competitive athletes, I have no loyalty to their brand. I coach at my CF gym because I can get membership for free., and I like Olympic lifting, which I can't get anywhere else in town. HQ thinks they are bulletproof, and that is not the case.
The CrossFit Games operates at a loss
What a lucky CrossFit box to have a coach who does it so they 'can get a free membership'
Waaaaaa. Typical liberal
So you have no morals? You choose to stay and support the same system that you hate?
Ima sign up for the open twice to cover your $20
Crossfit HQ needs us more than we need them.
lol....
Yeah, you nailed it. Telling people to F off is not the way to win a debate.
Can’t help but be disappointed in the way HQ has handled everything. It’s embarrassing and very clear they are just out for people’s $
Missed hearing your honest rambles in the news! 💪
Chase doesn’t even hear the contradiction in his own little rant. He states that people don’t have to compete. That’s what makes the US great is that people can choose what they will and will not do. But then says, but if you elicit others to join you in your “campaign” to not compete then you’re in the wrong. So he just wants people to be quiet about it, just quietly go away. Don’t shine light over here. That’s what it is because even if an athlete or popular figure in CrossFit says hey, I’m not competing and I’m not paying fees anymore to have CrossFit in my box’s name. And if you feel like I do, think about joining me in my form of protest.
That’s how they’re choosing to handle the situation, and people are still choosing to join them or not. The hypocrisy is astounding. Welcome to debating someone about US politics in a nutshell. “If you don’t like it get the F out!” Okay my guy, calm down.
Side note I don’t think he’s a good commentator. I really can’t stand to listen to him, says such nonsense sometimes. When I saw Sean was let go and they kept Chase my eyes nearly rolled out of their eye sockets.
It's almost like he doesn't realize he lives in a democracy and that having just one rigid ideology with zero input from anyone else is a dictatorship. A democracy is supposed to be like a community (where have we heard that word before) and you don't tell people to gtfo if they don't like what the current people in charge are doing. People are supposed to criticize and provide input. Imagine being told to get the hell out of a community that you helped build.
@ exactly. And nothing is perfect. Even if something is really, really good doesn’t mean it can’t be improved. This kind of thinking will isolationists thinking of put up or shut up is tanking the sport. It’s been going down for a while now. I was late to the game. I think I started in 2016 or 2017 and those years seemed like the height of the sport in popularity. And it’s almost like CFHQ just said, naw we don’t want that and proceeded to wreck the sport. It really does seem intentional at times.
How can the Crossfit Organization seriously put forth an athlete advisory council, while ignoring the PFAA? This is about as tone deaf as you can get in an organization. Their proposed council really has nothing to do with safety and all to do with control over the athletes. The last thing Crossfit wants is an outside athlete organization to force more transparency.
CrossFit need to be careful. Only takes a couple wealthy ex athletes and a few big sponsors and they’ll have a competing event that can pay as much and the community will shift.
Feels like it’s heading more and more towards rogue/ hyrox events as it is.
Because the PFAA doesnt hold anything of value. They have no backing. The top 100 athletes leave then the next 100 come in.
@@bensmith7956 Competition breeds growth. That would be good for Crossfit if there is competition
HQ has also had two organizations themselves already for this same purpose, and both of them dissolved quietly and unceremoniously, lasting only a short time. Given that HQ hands out NDAs like they're Post It notes, and given the proven track record of HQ to tune out anyone who doesn't agree with them, we can all imagine why that happened. They were essentially just token figureheads. This time around, they're just going to fill it with like-minded people that have a mouth full of their party line. Although even if they did invite other voices, they're going to do what they've always done and ignore them. When people have shown you who they are (for years!) you're supposed to believe them, not keep giving them chances, especially when they refuse to acknowledge anything they've done wrong and refuse all accountability. Fool me once shame on me, fool me twice (or every single game season)... You get the picture.
@@EhhhhhsureeeeI don't know if you've noticed the huge disparaging difference between athlete number 200 and athlete number 1, but the depth of field just isn't there yet, my dude. This isn't football. I've been to the invitational, the games, regionals, and semi-finals and I am not spending thousands of dollars to watch people that are as fit as some of the people in my gym (we've had teams and individuals at semifinals/ regionals).
Hey bro- really appreciated your perspective. Keeping it real and raw. This is the essence of fitness and reaching for excellence instead of just following certain brands. Thank you for this!
At this point it would seem that it would not take much from an alternative or a competitor (Rogue, Wodapaloza, etc.) to step-up and expand to cause CrossFit HQ to crumble. Since the 2024 CrossFit Games, I have not seen CrossFit HQ make one decision that was in the interest of the greater CrossFit community or for the benefit of the greater CrossFit community. It would seem that CrossFit HQ believes that the collective CF community needs CrossFit HQ rather than CrossFit HQ needing the collective community. If that is indeed their attitude, it is only a matter of time until CrossFit HQ completely collapses.
The moment rogue does their own coaching certificates is the moment HQ dies.
Thanks Craig. This is something we are all working through. Personally I don't care what Chase says - his is just one opinion - but I won't be paying to do the Open and so far as I know no one else I know will either. I'm not giving my money to HQ as so far as I can see HQ could evaporate and the functional fitness world will keep on going without them.
Love your channel and your input. And as for Ingram, he can shut up! Not his community, it is ours as a whole. People can voice thier opinion and promote leaving, just as he is being a corporate voice box!
Yep - its ok to be angry with them. Your perspective on community is bang on and... the community wont accept being bullied into submission and accepting the status quo. Change, acknowledgement, acceptance of responsibility etc all seem to be missing at the moment. So... with that being the case, its inevitable a lot of their anticipated revenue will be missing as people embrace community but look elsewhere to engage.
Keep up the great work man.
How do you want them to accept responsibility? Do you expect them to say “we were responsible for Lazar’s death”? And if they did, do you think that would satisfy people?
Thanks for the question - I think the company has struggled with giving closure and making a definitive statement about what has taken place.
Do recall, pre the games, Dave was doing weekly videos for instance.
The pre games conduct vs. post games conduct is quite different. That is leaving the wound wide open as they have not owned up to anything.
It was widely stated that the water temps were high, the location of lifeguards on paddleboards etc were not able to adequately protect the athletes it seems. The order of the event being contrary to that of a triathlon for instance and how having a run fatigued athlete enter the water would increase the risk profile of the event etc.
There are of course corporate protocols which are being followed, directives of insurers, lawyers etc. But, it is not for the.community to have to accept the company's mitigation of legal risks and liabilities as sufficient for the lack of definitive statements and move on.
If indeed, the sport is based on community, bonds, a supportive social environment which fosters a culture of health and fitness - then the company must address this on the terms of the community, not the community accept the terms of the company for its own convenience - it lost that right in this circumstance.
Ultimately in the face of this, the company will chart a course and it will be definitive for the business, but not the community.
This is my opinion at least based on what I have seen over the last few months.
I did CrossFit briefly before lockdown scuppered me. I’ve been a fan for a long time and love content like this and others in the wings. Unfortunalely i couldn’t stomach what happened this year, how people were impacted and the response since. I’ve watched way less content since and really feel for those making a career creating amazing content around CF.
Ultimately though CF is just a concept. Hydrox will build on this and if CF truly is just ‘functional fitness’ then another more community minded governing body can take root ~ call it something like fitness cross
I agree the conflict is with CrossFit the corporation not CrossFit affiliates. Do everything to support your local affiliates if you don’t agree with CrossFit the corporation.
But how?!? Is the real reason I think people are mad. There’s no way to show frustration with CrossFit and how safety was handled because it is all due to getting rid of Greg in the beginning. It’s a messy situation and I have similar feelings to you Craig.
Love the news videos .. Keep ‘em coming !
Thank you!☺️
The Dancer stitch clip killed me!
Was a big fall that😂
If you want to bring the community together, be the legend you are and do it!
Thanks for doing these videos, I find your perspective so refreshing . It’s incredible how pleasant you remain and how eloquently you express your opinion from someone who was more directly affected by the loss of Lazar. I don’t want CrossFit to fall apart, but you’re right that if the Games disappeared, I would still be at my local gym tomorrow. I hope HQ and Castro become more responsive to what the athletes and community want. We don’t quit.
Thank you, Craig, for your videos and standing up for the community. You are one of the beacons in the CF alongside few others. LEGEND stamp goes to you as well.
I will continue doing CrossFit and supporting my fellow athletes at my gym who are competing in local competitions and the open and even as far as the semifinals. But I won’t be competing in any event connected to CrossFit leadership. Right now, what CrossFit leadership is doing goes against my moral values
Hey Craig! I've never commented on a UA-cam-video before, but really wanted to do so this time. I've been silently watching your video's for years now, and have always enjoyed how real and ‘touchable’ you have been. This also makes the athletes in your video’s real and touchable. It is because of your video’s that I felt sick and saddened for days after Lazar passed away. Like it had happened to a friend.
Today’s video got to me: you seem disnerved and in a way not happy to shoot the video. Like it is an obstacle you have to climb. Regardless of the reasons for this - I can think of some - this makes you even more touchable. I believe we all have days in life and things to do that feel like an obstacle and that make us feel very vulnerable and exposed. But because of long term relationships or goals we (try to) do it anyway. Seeing you putting yourself out there and speaking about these difficult topics while seemingly being uncomfortable doing so, is so special to watch.
Thank you for always being so transparent about your feelings, showing us that mental health and fortitude are not black or white. Thank you for being so nuanced and pure. And most of all, thanks for being such a friendly and fun character to ‘follow around’. You might not feel like it on days like this, but you are a true leader to me!
CrossFit games is more focused on making money than making the community stronger and safer. They will see a decline of popularity and participation in events. Maybe they want affiliates / participants to pay more to pay for the safety department it should have had from the start of the games.
When the community turns on the cooperation, the cooperation will fail but the community will continue to grow!
The production absolutely sucks for the games and their reliance on spectacle killed the CrossFit feel
I will no longer be supporting the open / games. I’ll continue to do CrossFit at my gym.
Same here. It goes against my moral compass to support CrossFit leadership atm and their response to the Lazar investigation
I actually stopped back when Glasserman made those comments and also when the s€x harassment stuff came out. I still watch Craig's stuff and tune into the games but I don't really support anything from HQ itself. Just fell out of it.
Look up the no one cares spongebob meme
What I love about you and Jas: you are the goofiest, most loveable pair. What I also love about you: when you have a hot take on a situation, you don’t trash people but you say what you need to say in the clearest, most thoughtful and considerate way, without ever backing down from your opinion.
Thank you for this video Craig, I totally agree with you. I'm so glad you came online and voiced your opinion. I'll be continuing to do CrossFit and functional fitness competitions, but I'll not be participating in the open or re-affiliating my gym.
Registration for the Open is going to significantly decline next year.
"How does justice or meaningful change ever happen?"
Exactly. That's the point, Chase wants to drive out anyone who wants to see justice or meaningful change because he doesn't want it to happen. Its in the best interests of his and Crossfit HQ to brush everything under the rug and continue as if nothing happened. Keep raking in the profits, keep ignoring athlete concerns, keep anyone who protests silent.
We might not see a mass boycott but I think we'll see more athletes retiring earlier than they otherwise would, or quietly switching to different sports, or never joining the games despite being tempted to. HQ might have avoided a big break, but they've made the brand toxic and that'll have longer-term impacts.
I still love functional fitness, but haven’t set foot in a CF gym in three years. Train in my local commercial gym using Matt Fraser HWPO programme. Still love the training, have never been fitter and will still continue whether CF HQ survives or not. It does really suck with what is going on and I feel like it’s probably the time for someone else to take over who has some weight behind them, like Rogue.
It’s going to ruin me when Vellner goes, I wasn’t ready for Brent to be done.
I got out a few years ago, seeing the direction it was heading in. Both boxes in my Town have closed. I still do crossfit, but in a local gym. I am 54 years old and its the best, the community will continue on, long after the corporation is gone.
CrossFit is why you have your platform. The Open is a huge part of what made you so successful on UA-cam. Killing of the corporation will kill off the community, the 'functional fitness' comps may continue but the pathways producing the athletes will die eventually. We need those with a platform like yours to rebuild the global community, not tear it down over in-fighting following a tragedy.
You are great! Keep moving forward.
Thank you for saying what I am thinking. I also belive that CrossFit needs us more than we need it. Our training and well-beeing will continue.
Let's be real. Chase is out there talking his shit for one reason and one reason only. He's protecting his paycheck, period. People do and say a lot when they're afraid. Some curl up and wait for what happens next and others lash out and get aggressive. I agree that the community of Crossfit is most definitely NOT HQ. Never has been.
The changes to the 2025 Crossfit season is 100% a cash grab by Crossfit HQ. Funny how so many people in the Crossfit ecosystem get mad when I point that out, yet they can't seem to deny it. Look, Crossfit is owned by private equity and, as a result of that, must do whatever is necessary to provide a return on investment to the shareholders. By eliminating the Quarterfinals and the in-person semi-finals they have significantly reduced their costs. Couple that with what they will likely charge to participate in the Community Cup, Crossfit stands to increase their revenue during the 2025 season substantially by expanding the qualifying pool out of The Open to the top 1% of all registrants, versus only taking the top 25% on to the quarterfinals. It makes good business sense, but probably not looked at favorably by the community since Crossfit is pretending like they are making these changes "for the community".
Looking at Chase makes me sick…
I will not do open this year.
I support PFAA.
I love CrossFit and i cannot imagine my life without it and without the community.
I do not support HQ
I am sure you think George Floyd was a hero and you cried when Trump got elected.
This saying comes to mind in this situation: "great minds discuss ideas, small minds discuss people." People like Chase bully and talk about people while shouting community when they are actually desribing a cult. Its pretty clear that he is fearful of losing his income and possibly some power and influence that he and his OG community think they have over people like the rest of us. They have clearly shown us who they are in this situation. And 1000% Chase is not the man Luka is. In his dreams~! Luka stands for ideas and community and integrity, Chase is half the man that Luka is and sold his integrity a long time ago. I feel sorry for them becuase they can't find their own mojo in the space. They are counting on riding the CFHQ wave instead of making things happen on their own. Essentially sitting on their laurels you might say -to be satisfied with past success and do nothing to achieve further success. Anyway....Love your channel and your discussions and content!
It’s pretty disappointing to see CrossFit changing like this. CrossFit has changed my life. I love the methodology and relationships it’s built with my members. But I don’t agree with the people who are running the corporation. It seems like everything is all about the money. I will be de-affiliating this year. I longer want to give support while not being supported.
Being honest, when Hiller entered the scene I stopped watching these vids. I felt Hiller was a voice we needed to hear and felt channels like this were butt kissing HQ. Anyway fast forward, it’s an absolute breath of fresh air to come back and hear a level headed voice again, Hiller is off the map now.
Thank you for being real in a space that pushes fake news. Love you Legends! :)
A combination of removing the quarterfinals and the extremely poor and unsympathetic management means that I will not do the open 2025. Last year I got top 37%, so I was excited about getting into the top 25% and joining the quarterfinals next year. It's annoying that they change the format almost every year. It makes it hard to plan the competitive fitness journey, for the "above average but not top 1%"-crossfitters.
It's one of the things the pfaa was advocating for, continuity from season to season, so that athletes can plan their next season. It's especially important for up-and-comers, like you. Even continuity in movement standards would be a step forward, FFS. Announcing a new standard right before you have to do the movement is ridiculous.
CrossFit is not the community, it is a corporation that neglected us.
It’s like they think the athletes are a cog in the machine. Very disappointing what CrossFit leadership is doing
lolol I wonder if you would think this on your own vs just reiterating garbage rhetoric
Im in the space for a long time (Over 10 Years). Dont confuse the Method with the Games, CrossFit is not about the Games. If the Games die, they die. For me as an Affiliate Owner its no difference. We do the work CrossFit is good for, its good for the People doing it. They should pause the games for 1 Year at least and restart new, driven by the Afiliates and new Staff at the Games HQ.
I am not a cross fitter but have kept tabs on the sport for several years mostly just by watching the games, following a few athletes on social media, and of course, your UA-cam channel. So, needless to say I had no idea who this Chase guy was but when you showed the clip from his podcast my jaw dropped….and then his response to Luka, I nearly fell over. I’m shocked that someone can be so callous and insensitive. It’s really gross and sad.
If you had kept “tabs on the sport” like you said you would know who Chase is.
Out of Respect for Lazar I will never again do the Open.
Cool
Neat
Eso!
Think his brother might
Absurd.
The Crossfit gyms I have been to are all super fun, inclusive and great environments
Crossfit hq seems to be the alpha bro, toxic environment that Crossfit gets a bad rap for.
As consumers we vote with our money, that is how we make changes. Taking a year off and/or getting others to join us is how we make changes in the space.
Ps Brent for ceo of Crossfit!
GREAT VIDEO! Please keep being honest!
The Rogue was WAY more entertaining that the CrossFit games
Frankly I only do CrossFit to train for another sport. Every year I question whether it is worth participating in the Open as I know it is not something I will progress further into the season. This year I likely will not simply because I do not need the Open to get the training I need and HQ is showing more and more that they are more focused on making money from participants in the Games and the various monetary speed bumps that lead to the Games. I do not see how they are helping the local affiliates with that money and even increased the affiliate fee last(?) year with no support coming the other way.
Anxiety ridden Craig Richey is the best. I think it is his anxiety that gives his videos a touch of legend. cool vid.
Excellent video! Great way to express your opinions and thoughts objectively. As someone who is not a crossfit athlete, i absolutely enjoy watching the competitions and everything associated with them. Could you please explain to me what the problem (s) with headquarters is? What is the community looking for? And not just transparency (I think thats a blanket statement that doesn't really mean much.) Just wanting to know what the "disconnect" is. Thank you and you sir are a LEGEND
Really appreciate your calm, reflected, very considerate perspective on what’s happening. Your videos help a lot to navigate these weird times, thank you for that 🤍
Been doing CrossFit 8 years and this will be my first year not doing the open. Morally I can’t do it. There has been no justice, no accountability, no support for members of its community that is supposedly so important to them. It’s unacceptable. Maybe me not giving them $20 won’t make a difference but at least I will be able to sleep at night.
The problem with HQ or anyone Level 3 above (from what I’ve seen), it’s a culture of ‘don’t dare speak against CF and blindly follow everything they say’.
You legend💪 thanks for all the positivity.
I think it's time to start saying I do functional fitness instead of crossfit.
LOve the sport hate the corp! I won't be giving another $ to HQ.
Love you, Craig!
I am an old man who works out at home, and not a part of the crossfit community but love the Games, and have learned a great deal from the Crossfit Community. My son is a member of a Crossfit Affiliate and loves it. I think the tragedy at the games this year really shook everyone on numerous levels. The games are a distinct segment of Crossfit community but not the whole of Crossfit. I think that the issue is leadership that is not genuinely leading. Athletes and affiliates are trying to support and advance the Crossfit community including the games while leadership seems to be concerned only with protecting the business of Crossfit. There seems to be a disconnect between the athletes and affiliates vision for the future of Crossfit and what it can and should be, and what Crossfit HQ is doing. I think the solution rests with reaching the board of directors and investors. If the athletes and affiliates have no confidence in the leadership---then the board and investors need to address leadership.
CrossFit HQ doing it’s best to make things even worse 😢 I‘m sad that they are continuing this BS 😡
What was described was Not a “Community “ but a Cult. And “if he was referring to “His Country” is the U. S.; please direct him to me if you would. Because, I would like to have a conversation about Honor, Courage and Commitment. Ooorah!
Exactly that. Never questioning or criticizing and following blindly, and to the detriment of a large group of people is cult behavior, not community. And the CrossFit community is international, not just one particular faction of just one country. Thank you for your service! As of January of next year I'll be starting my 25th year of service in my own country.
@ Well Done. I had the Honor and Pleasure of Serving 32.
I appreciate you view and thought process.
Why doesn't the crossfit athletes re-brand and the PFAA start a new chapter of competition. Ran by the PFAA for the athletes.
❤ thanks Craig for doing this. I’ve been so torn about this. I love this community and I will not do the open.
Stopped doing the Open years ago . That crap video from that guy after everything that's happened just reinforced that decision for the very long foreseeable future. Craig you're a legend too. Don't know if anyone has told YOU that. You're a legend. Cheers.
Love that you said Davidsdotter the correct way =)
I don't do Instagram, when I listen to this rant by chase I think of this.
When someone keeps reiterating their point, it can feel like they’re unsure or lack confidence in their stance. It’s like they’re overcompensating to make sure you understand, which can ironically make their position seem weaker or less genuine. Plus, it can be a bit tedious for the listener. This is how your stance and position resonated Chase. In the future, if you have a point you passionately believe in, reiterate it in different perspectives and positions. Avoid repeating a similar statement over and over if you want to message to land effectively with a broader audience.
You're welcome
I think the pfaa should do their own games. For athletes, by athletes. The brand of crossfit has royally soiled itself since lockdown. Changing schedule and comp pathways yearly, dropping reebok and replacing with nobull (a limited style and high price ticket item for the average crossfitter). The original athletes in the space have moved on for many reasons, many being dave castro related. Athletes are not supported so they retire, and lazhar died which is incredibly sad. If crossfit were a uk business i think it may have been handled differently, sensitively and with positive changes made. Thanks to your channel and others like buttery bros keeping the positivity and realness in the space that was the spark from the start.
You think the PFAA embodies positivity? Even when they admitted to jumping at the opportunity to use the tragedy at the games to get what they wanted from CrossFit?
Christ I just want to give you a hug the now. Cause your not wrong but your fully immersed.
I don’t think it will ever break out of being a niche sport. It’s fun for the people who do it and it will continue to service them. But honestly I don’t have a single friend who watches the games, are interested in them, or even knows any athletes. It just has no mainstream appeal. The games have become increasingly hard to watch. It’s like all the worst parts of the Olympics. The events are too long and it kills the drama. I find myself fast forwarding through most of it because it’s 20 minutes of repetitive motions. Like all sports, it must become a better TV product.
You’re awesome, Craig
I am a member of a none crossfit affiliate an we still have an awesome community and participate in events so yeah dont need the crossfit corp at all 😊
Definitely care a lot more for the athletes than CrossFit HQ, but I am curious how well the athletes will get paid without participating in the events that made them athletes to begin with.
That's an April fool day. Best troll yet 😂
Classic corporate approach “ we are bigger and more important than you ( ie the customer / community ) so you tow the line or leave we don’t care someone else will fill your shoes” . They need “ communicate and collaborate “ they need the “ community “ to be the advocates of the “ thing “ and they need to be the “ trusted advisor “
Thanks Craig!
Strength erg, from what ive heard, seems slightly limited by the fact that the resistance/load is only there on the concentric portion of the movement.
That strength thing would be great for people in apartments with limited space. That Chase guy is a tool. It's not up to him to decide who should and should not remain in their community.
Think of it purely as a company. Has the trusted continued to showcase enough actions to elicit trust and continued success.
Great video as always Craig!
Sadly CF HQ know athletes need to money and they have the sponsorship to cover it all but I really think the PFAA has enough legend athletes to go to other comps to build a "new" Sport of functional fitness. I love the idea of a world championships over a season. Imagine 3-4 events (Wodapolza, Dubai, SID etc) then like a final like Rogue invational and earn points through the season etc. Would be amazing and possibly a truer "Fittest on Earth" athlete.
Honestly, think if someone like PFAA took the lead to create something different, ALL the athletes would follow and sponsors too, so the prize purse won't be low for too long.
After 11 years doing CF and owning/coaching affiliate, I'm, we done. sadly I don't love it anymore, HQ, community has changed, gyms have changed. Too many changes over the years. It's lost its charm for many many reasons. Time to move on.
I am a box owner.
I pay my affiliation fee because I teach CrossFit and I believe in the methodology.
The methodology and the games are different things.
We don’t believe in the games anymore. I don’t appreciate someone telling me how I should run my gym and communicate to my members.
Doing CrossFit, yes.
Participating in the open, no.
This is our way to support the sport without encouraging the poor leadership around the games.
Hyrox is the new CrossFit!
I haven’t paid for or done the open workouts since they changed to the 3 week version.
Crossfit's undying loyalty to Dave Castro will be it's demise. The sport has been struggling for years with Castro at the helm and now with Lazar's death, it's still refusing to acknowledge the problem. They have proven time and time again that they do not care about their athletes or the community. Crossfit as a sport and community has so much potential and good left to give but Crossfit the company only cares about money and Castro.
As a normal person, I'm definitely not giving Crossfit HQ my money. But I also haven't signed up for the open in 8-yearsso my actions are making no difference. I do the workouts, but that is because the box does a Friday night lights type thing.
As for the removal of the regional events - again - this will definitely cause a lot of regional level athletes to not pay and compete. I know one Regional level athlete, and she's great, but she also knows that the games are likely just out of reach. So what is her incentive? She now gets to do another series of workouts in her box just to not get to go somewhere? I guess she will save money, because she's definitely not making money from her Crossfit career, no matter how good she is. I also know some very strong athletes who were trying to get to regionals. But, based on what they heard from our mutual friend who did make regionals, there's little point. For example, the t-shirts they give you don't even hold up - falling to pieces soon after. So the best three athletes I know are incentivized to bow out, because even on a personal level - for the experience - the incentive is no longer there. You could very well see an open where the only people signing up are the ones that have a very strong case for making the games. What then? 100% of open participants make it? The whole system works based on thousands signing up. Everyone is de-incentivized to go through this process with Crossfit HQ.
Because of the games this past summer and the death, and CHQ brain dead response, I hope everyone boycotts. As I wrote in another comment, if you are one of those type that sign up "just to see how you compare with others around the world", get over it. Working out is supposed to be about your fitness improvement, not seeing how you compare to others. Signing up for the open unless you are a games level athlete and make your living from this is idiotic. As for Chase, I'm not in his Crossfit community. If I was, I'd leave. Chase and the other OG crossfitters have made a nice little living for themselves professionally covering up for the sins of CHQ. That's what they do. They defend, deny, depose as the saying goes. Not to be negative, but I think if you sign up for this open, you are a chump. Go find local competitions. Support unaffiliated competitions like Rogue, etc. But I am personally done with CHQ.
People want change but no one can tell you what to do
Love the fitness aspect of doing CrossFit , CrossFit the corporation is trash .
Let’s all workout and enjoy the people we meet and get to experience some incredible times and moments together .
🤙❤️🤘
Love the sport, but scared they have lost the community!
I'm still signing up and will encourage others to do the same. The open and Friday Night Lights are my favorite part of my brief history in CF.
i will just follow Chase's advice and stay away from whatever CFHQ spits out
I’ll say it. Hyrox.
No, thank you
Gross
Kristi OConnell (Eramo), her hubby, MOB, and the Buttery Bros have all done Hyrox. MOB (I think) was under an hour. Just another way to have fun with fitness.
#imwithluka I'm a big fan of the crossfit modality and I love hearing your take on everything, Jas, Katrin, Annie, Buttery Bros, DA.RI and SOOO many more. I watch the open and games for the athletes and support them. I don't watch to support HQ. Haven't for years. The 2024 games were completely shocking. I'm a paramedic in Ontairo, Canada and if I didn't do my job to my best ability, I'd be fired and most likely thrown in jail. I hope the lifeguards (or whoever they were on the paddleboards) find peace and improve their knowledge and skill set if they continue to do the job of helping others.
I don’t want to support a company that doesn’t align with my values so won’t be competing in the open going forward
Also saw that the prize purse is tied to Open registration... So the people that make it to the Games are obviously directly effected by Open participation. The Games athletes, say top 50 in each division and all that, are typically the only ones that can actually afford to go. So what happens when those top athletes, say, win their opens and semifinal and all that and then maybe decide to simply not perform to potentially only win hundreds of dollars?
I believe CF as an exercise theory and regimen will survive on its own without the corporation and the games. it's sound exercise science. The Corporation needs to figure things out or they'll start to bleed affiliates until there's nothing left.