CrossFit History
Drag the timeline and discover the CrossFit History
1974
CrossFit’s Spark
A young 18 year old College student Greg Glassman, took his first training job as a gymnastics coach at the Pasadena, CA Y.W.C.A. He started to implement his training thoughts on his clientele as he realised what bodybuilding and endurance programs were both lacking, Greg Glassman found success with his efficient, high intensity workout pairing heavy fundamental movements with sprints.
1995
CrossFit’s Spark becomes a Flame
Greg Glassman is hired to train the Santa Cruz CA Police Department.
Greg Glassman opens the First CrossFit gym in Santa Cruz CA.
2000
CrossFit Inc
Coach Greg Glassman founded CrossFit Inc and the first affiliated gym was CrossFit North which opened in Seattle, Washington.
2001
CrossFit’s Flame becomes a Fire
CrossFit’s Web Site goes live allowing the world to become a smaller place where everyone can view the WOD (workout of the day) access the video library of workouts and exercise demos, and interact with each other via the discussion forums.
2002
CrossFit’s Journal is launched
April 1st, not wanting to fool anyone on this day, Coach Greg Glassman published the first CrossFit Journal article, Foundations, with the purpose, To define CrossFit and inspire and support our community. Till this day this remains the same.
The article went on to become a key part of the Level 1 Training Guide, the companion to the CrossFit Level 1 Seminar and the resource thousands of new CrossFit trainers turned to for answers.
October 2002 the article, What Is Fitness? Was published which placed Greg Glassman as the first to articulate fitness principles in a way that allowed measurable, observable and repeatable analysis of the safety, efficacy and efficiency of a fitness program.
2003
CrossFit launch the affiliate program
CrossFit launch the affiliate program
2005
CrossFit ‘’Performing the common uncommonly well’’
August 2005 Coach Greg Glassman published Virtuosity.
2007
The Games are Born
The CrossFit Games are held every summer and competitors travel from all corners of the world to battle it out to determine who is the Fittest on Earth! The prize fund awarded has risen as the sport of Fitness has grown increasing from $500 at the inaugural Games to now an incredible $250,000 for fittest male and female in 2011-2013.
2009
Affiliate Growth Explodes
By 2009 there are over 1000 CrossFit Affiliates worldwide, with approximately 2-3 affiliate applications daily.
2010
The BIG Move The BIG Deal
The CrossFit Games move location and are now held at the Home Depot Centre in Los Angeles, California. The CrossFit Games broadcast live streaming via the Web live.crossfit.com.
CrossFit sign a 10 year deal with Reebok.
2011
Reebok CrossFit Games Launch The Open
Athletes worldwide competed in 6 workouts over 6 weeks, posting their scores in real time and online anyone who is anyone could compete for a position among the fittest athletes in the world. In all, more than 26,000 athletes competed in the open, making it one of the largest sporting events in history.
Competitors had 2 options to validate their performances.
Option 1 to workout at a local affiliate, where they would be judged in person.
Option 2 submit video evidence of their performance to the entire community.
2013
CrossFit’s Fire is now a Roaring Blaze
Currently there are more than 6100 affiliates Forging Elite Fitness worldwide and counting.
2014
The Community Gets Stronger
The CrossFit Open continues to grow at an incredible rate, with more than 200,000 athletes registering worldwide. The Games season becomes more competitive than ever, and CrossFit begins to reach mainstream audiences through media coverage and documentaries.
Affiliates around the world continue to multiply, proving that CrossFit is no longer a trend, but a global movement focused on fitness, health, and community.
2015
A Worldwide Fitness Revolution
By 2015, CrossFit reaches a major milestone with more than 11,000 affiliates across the globe. What started as a small training methodology in California has now become the largest fitness community in the world.
The CrossFit Games continue to evolve, pushing athletes to new limits and inspiring millions to improve their own health and performance.
2016
CrossFit Keeps Growing
The number of CrossFit affiliates climbs to more than 13,000 worldwide. Boxes open in almost every country, bringing functional fitness to new cultures and communities.
CrossFit becomes not only a sport, but also a lifestyle, helping people of all ages transform their bodies and minds through hard work and consistency.
2017
The Open Becomes a Global Tradition
More than 380,000 athletes participate in the CrossFit Open, making it one of the largest sporting events on the planet.
From beginners to elite competitors, people everywhere test themselves in the same workouts, proving once again that CrossFit is truly for everyone.
2018
Peak of the Affiliate Network
CrossFit reaches its highest number of affiliates in history, with more than 15,000 gyms operating worldwide.
The methodology continues to evolve, and more people than ever discover the power of functional movements, intensity, and community.
2019
A New Competition Format
CrossFit changes the structure of the Games season by replacing Regionals with international Sanctional events. This opens the door for new competitions around the world to be part of the official path to the Games.
The sport becomes more global and inclusive, giving more athletes the opportunity to compete at the highest level.
2020
A Year Like No Other
The global pandemic forces CrossFit to adapt like never before. Gyms around the world temporarily close, and the community turns to home workouts and online coaching.
Despite the challenges, CrossFit proves its resilience. The 2020 CrossFit Games take place in a modified format, showing that fitness and community can survive even the toughest times.
2021
A Fresh Start
With the world slowly reopening, CrossFit returns stronger than ever. A new ownership brings renewed energy and commitment to the affiliate community.
The Open is reduced to three weeks, making it more accessible, and new competition stages like Quarterfinals and Semifinals are introduced.
2022
CrossFit for Everyone
CrossFit continues to expand with new categories, including Adaptive divisions, proving that fitness truly is for all.
Affiliate owners, coaches, and athletes work together to rebuild and strengthen the global community after challenging years.
2023
The Community First
CrossFit refocuses on its original mission: helping everyday people live healthier, fitter lives. More education for coaches and higher standards for affiliates are introduced.
The spirit of CrossFit remains stronger than ever inside gyms around the world.
2024
Raising the Standards
CrossFit continues to professionalize its events and affiliate network. Safety, coaching quality, and community support become top priorities.
New programs and initiatives help affiliates deliver even better experiences to their members.
2025
The Future of Fitness
CrossFit celebrates more than two decades of existence and continues to influence the global fitness industry.
With improved technology, education, and competition structure, the methodology remains at the forefront of functional training.
2026
Stronger Than Ever
More than 25 years after its creation, CrossFit is stronger than ever. Thousands of affiliates, millions of athletes, and an unbreakable global community continue to prove that CrossFit changes lives.
The mission remains the same: Forging Elite Fitness, one workout, one box, and one person at a time.