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How Many People Do CrossFit?

By: CrossFit Fortify
CrossFit is a fitness regimen that was created at the beginning of the 2000s. It is promoted as a physical exercise philosophy and a competitive sport. It is well-known for its incorporation of elements from high-intensity interval training (HIIT), weightlifting, plyometrics, powerlifting, gymnastics, calisthenics, and other exercises. Workouts consist of exercises like push-ups, squats, weighted lifts, and their variations. They are effective because of the emphasis on the element of the load, distance, and speed. In the past, it has been criticized for causing unnecessary injuries to athletes, but that hasn’t exactly stopped people from doing it. So, how many people do CrossFit?

It is estimated that approximately 4 million people do CrossFit in 15,000 gyms which are located in 120 countries all over the world. 

The reason why there are so many people who practice CrossFit is that it is hugely beneficial for a full spectrum of ages and capabilities. There are classes for children which help them develop balance, skill, and coordination. Sports spirit and competition are also important elements of CrossFit. It also helps tackle high blood pressure, which founder and creator Greg Glassman believes is a lifestyle issue, and shouldn’t be treated with medicine, but rather with exercise and proper nutrition. 

How many people do CrossFit?

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Ever since CrossFit first made an appearance, it has been growing in popularity. There are many reasons for it.

One of the reasons is a sense of belonging. CrossFit creates an in-group feeling because it is performed in groups, in a small gym called a box. All members support and encourage each other. It makes you socially motivated to go to the gym, see your friends and feel like a part of the team. 

Another reason why people stick with CrossFit is because of data. Every individual athlete has their own data about progress and that helps them compare themselves not only to others but to their past selves. 

Spending a lot of time with such a group makes you become more like its members. You become more aware of your health, fitness-minded, and focus more on personal growth. 

On the other hand, some people don’t feel comfortable with CrossFit. There is this idea that CrossFit is too cult-like. These people don’t like the group aspect of CrossFit, and instead of motivating, they find it to be too pressuring. 

Another reason why some people choose not to practice CrossFit is that they think that it is dangerous. There is some truth to that as the injury rate is 3.1 per 1000 hours of training, which makes it more dangerous than rugby. 

There are some ways you can reduce the risk of injury. Make sure you are keeping the correct form. You should keep your lower back from rounding and watch out for increased forward translation of the knees during squats and deadlifts. If the rounding of the back occurs, it causes a huge load on the muscle and the ligaments in the lower back. The same thing happens to knees if they move over the toes as you squat, the load on the knee becomes too big.  

If you are thinking about starting CrossFit, you should learn CrossFit slang. Some of those words are 
  • WOD, which stands for the workout of the day.
  • EMOM, every minute on the minute.
  • AMRAP, as many reps as possible.
  • Box is a CrossFit gym with the bare necessities to perform workouts.
  • Ladder is a series of exercises where you increase the number of reps by 1 each time they are performed.
  • Zone Diet is the diet based on macronutrients that CrossFit endorses.
  • SQ stands for squat. 
  • PR means a personal record, it refers to when you reach your personal best in an exercise. 
  • Hero WOD are workouts named after first responders who have died in the line of duty. They are programmed to be especially difficult as a way to remind CrossFitters of the sacrifices that those heroes made for their country.

If you decide to join the CrossFit world, you will be joining a worldwide community. The community has around 4 million members, which is approximately the population of Los Angeles. Out of those 4 million people, roughly 50% are male and 50% are female. The majority of people who do CrossFit are between the ages of 25 and 34, followed by 35 to 44. That is because people around that age start settling into adulthood and want to regain or maintain their youthful figure. People who are between the ages of 18 and 24, 55 and 64, and 65+ are least interested in doing CrossFit. 
 
Around 40% of CrossFitters have post-graduate degrees, and the annual income of over 50% is $150,000. That is because the careers you pursue with your post-graduate degrees pay better.

Around 60% of all CrossFitters have children. 

Is CrossFit Losing Popularity?

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With so many different types of diets and workout regimes, it is normal to wonder if CrossFit is losing its popularity.
Judging by the consumer research on Google, CrossFit is showing explosive growth, unlike other traditional big gyms chains which are remaining flatlined. 

One of the reasons for its steady growth through the years is that everyone from elders to top WWE wrestlers can do it.

Another reason is that CrossFit games are televised on CBS, which devotes a significant amount of time and effort into promoting the games. These games might spark an interest in viewers and inspire them to look up CrossFit gyms in their neighborhood. 

CrossFit includes a lot of verbal motivation during exercise and that makes it more likely that you will finish every exercise instead of giving up if you think it’s too hard. 

For most people, it’s easier to push themselves to workout if they have a set schedule and a group to motivate them. Since CrossFit offers you to be a part of a community, it is more likely that you will be more successful in reaching your goals. 

Unlike most workouts, CrossFit is time-efficient. It only lasts an hour from start to finish, which makes it more appealing. 

You can find a bunch of success stories on the internet written by people who do CrossFit, which in a way proves that it works. It is easier to commit to it if you can see that it works how it benefits others.

How many CrossFit gyms are there?

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While the traditional big brand gyms have remained relatively flatlined, CrossFit gyms show explosive growth. There are around 15,000 CrossFit gyms in more than 120 countries worldwide. Approximately 7,000 of them are affiliate gyms. Even though monthly membership fees are not cheap and often exceed 150 dollars, the estimated failure rate of opening a CrossFit gym is 2%. 

CrossFit gyms are different than traditional gym chains. There is no pool, steam room, sauna, treadmills, or mechanical equipment. Sometimes there aren’t even any mirrors on the walls. 

The high price of monthly fees is justified by noting the individual attention each member receives from coaches because the experiences are closer to having a personal trainer than working out at a traditional gym. 

Equipment in the CrossFit gym consists of barbells with bumper plates, climbing ropes, rowers, and gymnastic bars, and rings. There is chalk everywhere because athletes use it to soak up sweat on their hands and therefore have a better grip on the equipment. Workouts are led by trainers who have to attend a CrossFit certification class. 

The business model of a CrossFit gym is that they are affiliates. The corporate office charges 3,000 dollars per year to own a gym with the CrossFit logo and name, but there is no revenue share. CrossFit certification costs 1,000 dollars and coaches have to complete a weekend course. The startup cost for an affiliate gym is around 30,000 dollars, which includes salaries, rent, and equipment costs. 

For a medium-sized gym, the up-front price of the equipment is 5,000 dollars and after that 1,000 dollars per month for maintenance. Rent depends on location and can cost anything between 3,000 and 6,000 dollars a month. Most CrossFit gyms, if well managed, will turn a profit within the first year.

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fit-man-doing-a-crossfit-exercise
By CrossFit Fortify 24 Nov, 2020
There is always at least one body part that we think could look better, or we just need to lose or gain 10 more pounds to look the way we want. A lot of people turn to CrossFit because of this reason, and they’ve seen some great results.
sign-pointing-to-the-gym-location
By CrossFit Fortify 19 Nov, 2020
Don’t let yourself be fooled by social media or photos on the internet. You can start CrossFit regardless of your shape. It might be a bit hard in the beginning, but all the exercises will be modified, and you will quickly get in better shape.
crossfit-trainer-explaining-an-exercise-to-a-class
By CrossFit Fortify 12 Nov, 2020
CrossFit has been on the rise ever since it was founded in 2000, accelerating at an explosive rate. With over 4 million CrossFit fans and 15,000 gyms all over the world, it is hard not to ask ourselves if CrossFit trainers make a fortune.
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