CrossFit’s bold positions on health and fitness have brought us into conflict with the entrenched interests of the fitness, nutrition, and food and beverage industries. These entities include the National Strength and Conditioning Association, the American College of Sports Medicine, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, as well as their partners at The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo/Gatorade, The Kellen Company, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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They have launched and funded numerous efforts to restrain and regulate CrossFit Affiliates. They have engaged in repeated scientific misconduct and fraud, lobbied for legislation that would criminalize the daily practices of CrossFit Affiliates and trainers, and covered up the corporate partnerships that fund their work, at times in contravention of federal law.
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CrossFit has successfully fought back, calling out their corruption of the sports, health, and nutrition sciences, suing them for their lies and misconduct, informing policymakers of their schemes, and advocating against their proposed legislation. While our adversaries’ agenda is covert, our mission in these CrossFit Battles could not be clearer: to keep fitness legal.
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Here, those battles are laid out in the context of CrossFit’s exponential growth to provide a deeper understanding of the past, present and future.
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May 2005 \nCrossFit Inc. is first to disclose that inappropriate use of intensity can lead to catastrophic physical trauma known as rhabdomyolysis, introduces Uncle Rhabdo.
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Oct. 1, 2005 \nCrossFit Founder Greg Glassman repeats rhabdo warning for 2nd consecutive month in CrossFit Journal, says exertional rhabdo can “disable, maim and even kill.”
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Dec. 27, 2005 \nGreg Glassman notes ACSM Fellow Francis O’Connor’s casual remarks on rampant hyponatremia, injury and death in marathons: “Were CrossFit to present the same risk factor as the marathon, we’d be burying people every SINGLE week.”
July 12, 2008 \nACSM spokeswoman and University of Massachusetts kinesiology professor Priscilla Clarkson supports lawsuit against CrossFit affiliate, claims CrossFit can result in rhabdo.
2010 \nACSM reveals its vested interest in personal-trainer licensure at the state level.
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Sept. 13-14, 2010 \nConsortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP) hosts workshop for military doctors, fitness-industry professionals to talk about high-intensity training; e.g., CrossFit.
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July 2011 \nACSM publishes report on rhabdo incidents in University of Iowa football program. Author cites a CrossFit Journal article on rhabdo, says team can learn from CrossFit.
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November 2011 \nCHAMP publishes consensus paper circulated throughout Pentagon. CrossFit Chief Scientist Jeff Glassman calls it ”unscientific, manufactured hit piece.”
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April 2012 \nGreg Glassman, other CrossFit representatives have tense meeting with CHAMP consensus paper authors. Glassman vows to reveal truth of their malicious intentions.
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Sept. 8, 2012 \nCrossFit Journal publishes Jeff Glassman’s line-by-line critique of CHAMP paper.
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Sept. 9, 2012 \nUnder alias “Sports Doc,” CHAMP paper author Francis O’Connor comments on Jeff Glassman’s critique to say paper’s intent was never to be “evidence based document.”
February 2013 \nNSCA Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (JSCR) publishes ahead of print fraudulent study on CrossFit that includes falsified injury data.
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Feb. 28, 2013 \nWashington, D.C., City Council introduces personal-trainer licensure. Nine states do the same. ACSM, NSCA and ACE—under moniker CREPS—lobby for the regulation.
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April 23, 2013 \nCrossFit representative contacts Steven Devor to note inaccuracies with the JSCR study that claims 16% of participants dropped out because of “overuse or injury.”
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May 23, 2013 \nCrossFit representative emails NSCA to note falsities in Devor study that was done in partnership with CrossFit 614. NSCA does not respond.
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October 2013 \nCrossFit representative calls JSCR editor and CHAMP paper author William Kraemer to explain errors in Devor study. Kraemer says peer review is “good enough.”
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November 2013 \nJSCR publishes sham Devor study. Outside Magazine, Military Times among media organizations that point to study as evidence CrossFit is dangerous.
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Feb. 10, 2014 \nESPN publishes “CrossFit Debate Not Going Away.” It questions methodology’s safety, citing Kevin Ogar’s paralysis at non-CrossFit event.
Feb. 19, 2014 \nGreg Glassman spotlights corruption in exercise science, calls for action: “It’s time to drive Big Soda out of fitness and by extension, the health sciences.”
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March 26, 2014 \nCrossFit 614 owner Mitch Potterf sues Devor study authors and publisher for fraud, misrepresentation, false light invasion of privacy, defamation.
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May 12, 2014 \nCrossFit sues NSCA for false advertising, unfair competition, declaratory relief.
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July 27, 2014 \nESPN says CrossFit is dangerous, then tries to bolster claim via interview with CrossFit critic Mark Rippetoe, who cannot accurately define CrossFit’s methodology and intent.
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Aug. 6, 2014 \nGreg Glassman on personal-trainer licensure: “A hail mary effort to achieve exactly what can no longer be achieved in the marketplace—keep the truth about diet and exercise hidden.”
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August 2014 \nACSM/PepsiCo-owned Gatorade advice to drink as much as tolerable kills 2 high-school football players. They are among more than 12 who die of hyponatremia.
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December 2014 \nJSCR publishes study relating “recent emergence of intensive training protocols” to increased rhabdo cases without a shred of evidence.
Feb. 24, 2015 \nPotterf sues Ohio State University, Devor for academic misconduct.
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Spring 2015 \nCrossFit campaign forces Gatorade to revise hydration guidelines: Drink when you’re thirsty, don’t when you’re not. ACSM later clarifies guidelines, downplays hyponatremia.
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June 29, 2015 \nClinical Journal of Sport Medicine publishes consensus paper from 16 top scientists who busted hydration myths at CrossFit’s hyponatremia conference.
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July 17, 2015 \nGreg Glassman unearths more Big Soda corruption of health sciences, points to Global Energy Balance Network (GEBN)—a collaboration between Coca-Cola and ACSM.
Aug. 14, 2015 \nThe New York Times Editorial Board notes GEBN is “latest effort to put a ‘science based’ gloss on industry positions.”
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Oct. 29, 2015 \nJSCR issues nonsensical erratum on Devor study; says injury rate should not be considered factor, change “does not affect the overall conclusion of the article.”
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Nov. 8-19, 2015 \nGreg Glassman rallies 9 California affiliates to support state warning label on sugary drinks that would expose Big Soda corruption, including licensure lobbying.
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Mid-November 2015 \nAfter mounting pressure from CrossFit and affiliates, Washington, D.C., City Council scraps personal-trainer licensure.
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Nov. 30, 2015 \nGEBN abruptly announces immediate end to operations.
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May 2, 2016 \nNSCA sues CrossFit, Founder Greg Glassman and two employees, alleging trade libel, defamation, use of unfair business practices.
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Sept. 21, 2016 \nFederal judge rules CrossFit can proceed to trial with NSCA lawsuit.
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Oct. 18, 2016 \nOhio Court of Claims judge signs settlement between Ohio State University and Potterf, awarding him $145,000.
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May 26, 2017 \nFederal judge imposes sanctions on NSCA—including forensic analysis of its servers—after it provides documents in California case it withheld in federal suit.
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July 31, 2017 \nJSCR retracts Devor study, relenting afterfederal judge rules the injury data was false.
May 17, 2018 \nState court awards CrossFit attorneys’ fees, expenses based on NSCA misconduct. It also orders NSCA to pay for forensic analysis of its servers.
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June 14, 2018 \nIn yet another blow to the NSCA, its insurer, National Casualty Co., sues to dodge coverage in both suits.
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Oct. 4, 2018 \nCrossFit sues U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over donations CDC, NIH foundations receive.
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Nov. 29, 2018 \nNSCA asks court to dismiss its defamation suit against CrossFit, calling it a “business decision” and citing “unusual and extraordinary” expenses related to court sanctions.
CrossFit’s bold positions on health and fitness have brought us into conflict with the entrenched interests of the fitness, nutrition, and food and beverage industries. These entities include the National Strength and Conditioning Association, the American College of Sports Medicine, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, as well as their partners at The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo/Gatorade, The Kellen Company, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
They have launched and funded numerous efforts to restrain and regulate CrossFit Affiliates. They have engaged in repeated scientific misconduct and fraud, lobbied for legislation that would criminalize the daily practices of CrossFit Affiliates and trainers, and covered up the corporate partnerships that fund their work, at times in contravention of federal law.
CrossFit has successfully fought back, calling out their corruption of the sports, health, and nutrition sciences, suing them for their lies and misconduct, informing policymakers of their schemes, and advocating against their proposed legislation. While our adversaries’ agenda is covert, our mission in these CrossFit Battles could not be clearer: to keep fitness legal.
Here, those battles are laid out in the context of CrossFit’s exponential growth to provide a deeper understanding of the past, present and future.
May 2005 CrossFit Inc. is first to disclose that inappropriate use of intensity can lead to catastrophic physical trauma known as rhabdomyolysis, introduces Uncle Rhabdo.
Oct. 1, 2005 CrossFit Founder Greg Glassman repeats rhabdo warning for 2nd consecutive month in CrossFit Journal, says exertional rhabdo can “disable, maim and even kill.”
Dec. 27, 2005 Greg Glassman notes ACSM Fellow Francis O’Connor’s casual remarks on rampant hyponatremia, injury and death in marathons: “Were CrossFit to present the same risk factor as the marathon, we’d be burying people every SINGLE week.”
July 12, 2008 ACSM spokeswoman and University of Massachusetts kinesiology professor Priscilla Clarkson supports lawsuit against CrossFit affiliate, claims CrossFit can result in rhabdo.
2010 ACSM reveals its vested interest in personal-trainer licensure at the state level.
Sept. 13-14, 2010 Consortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP) hosts workshop for military doctors, fitness-industry professionals to talk about high-intensity training; e.g., CrossFit.
July 2011 ACSM publishes report on rhabdo incidents in University of Iowa football program. Author cites a CrossFit Journal article on rhabdo, says team can learn from CrossFit.
November 2011 CHAMP publishes consensus paper circulated throughout Pentagon. CrossFit Chief Scientist Jeff Glassman calls it ”unscientific, manufactured hit piece.”
April 2012 Greg Glassman, other CrossFit representatives have tense meeting with CHAMP consensus paper authors. Glassman vows to reveal truth of their malicious intentions.
Sept. 8, 2012 CrossFit Journal publishes Jeff Glassman’s line-by-line critique of CHAMP paper.
Sept. 9, 2012 Under alias “Sports Doc,” CHAMP paper author Francis O’Connor comments on Jeff Glassman’s critique to say paper’s intent was never to be “evidence based document.”
Sept. 20, 2012 Jeff Glassman dismantles O’Connor’s remarks via now-famous Comment No. 44.
February 2013 NSCA Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (JSCR) publishes ahead of print fraudulent study on CrossFit that includes falsified injury data.
Feb. 28, 2013 Washington, D.C., City Council introduces personal-trainer licensure. Nine states do the same. ACSM, NSCA and ACE—under moniker CREPS—lobby for the regulation.
April 23, 2013 CrossFit representative contacts Steven Devor to note inaccuracies with the JSCR study that claims 16% of participants dropped out because of “overuse or injury.”
May 23, 2013 CrossFit representative emails NSCA to note falsities in Devor study that was done in partnership with CrossFit 614. NSCA does not respond.
October 2013 CrossFit representative calls JSCR editor and CHAMP paper author William Kraemer to explain errors in Devor study. Kraemer says peer review is “good enough.”
November 2013 JSCR publishes sham Devor study. Outside Magazine, Military Times among media organizations that point to study as evidence CrossFit is dangerous.
Feb. 10, 2014 ESPN publishes “CrossFit Debate Not Going Away.” It questions methodology’s safety, citing Kevin Ogar’s paralysis at non-CrossFit event.
Feb. 19, 2014 Greg Glassman spotlights corruption in exercise science, calls for action: “It’s time to drive Big Soda out of fitness and by extension, the health sciences.”
March 26, 2014 CrossFit 614 owner Mitch Potterf sues Devor study authors and publisher for fraud, misrepresentation, false light invasion of privacy, defamation.
May 12, 2014 CrossFit sues NSCA for false advertising, unfair competition, declaratory relief.
July 27, 2014 ESPN says CrossFit is dangerous, then tries to bolster claim via interview with CrossFit critic Mark Rippetoe, who cannot accurately define CrossFit’s methodology and intent.
Aug. 6, 2014 Greg Glassman on personal-trainer licensure: “A hail mary effort to achieve exactly what can no longer be achieved in the marketplace—keep the truth about diet and exercise hidden.”
August 2014 ACSM/PepsiCo-owned Gatorade advice to drink as much as tolerable kills 2 high-school football players. They are among more than 12 who die of hyponatremia.
December 2014 JSCR publishes study relating “recent emergence of intensive training protocols” to increased rhabdo cases without a shred of evidence.
Feb. 24, 2015 Potterf sues Ohio State University, Devor for academic misconduct.
Spring 2015 CrossFit campaign forces Gatorade to revise hydration guidelines: Drink when you’re thirsty, don’t when you’re not. ACSM later clarifies guidelines, downplays hyponatremia.
June 29, 2015 Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine publishes consensus paper from 16 top scientists who busted hydration myths at CrossFit’s hyponatremia conference.
July 17, 2015 Greg Glassman unearths more Big Soda corruption of health sciences, points to Global Energy Balance Network (GEBN)—a collaboration between Coca-Cola and ACSM.
Aug. 14, 2015 The New York Times Editorial Board notes GEBN is “latest effort to put a ‘science based’ gloss on industry positions.”
Oct. 29, 2015 JSCR issues nonsensical erratum on Devor study; says injury rate should not be considered factor, change “does not affect the overall conclusion of the article.”
Nov. 8-19, 2015 Greg Glassman rallies 9 California affiliates to support state warning label on sugary drinks that would expose Big Soda corruption, including licensure lobbying.
Mid-November 2015 After mounting pressure from CrossFit and affiliates, Washington, D.C., City Council scraps personal-trainer licensure.
Nov. 30, 2015 GEBN abruptly announces immediate end to operations.
May 2, 2016 NSCA sues CrossFit, Founder Greg Glassman and two employees, alleging trade libel, defamation, use of unfair business practices.
Sept. 21, 2016 Federal judge rules CrossFit can proceed to trial with NSCA lawsuit.
Oct. 18, 2016 Ohio Court of Claims judge signs settlement between Ohio State University and Potterf, awarding him $145,000.
May 26, 2017 Federal judge imposes sanctions on NSCA—including forensic analysis of its servers—after it provides documents in California case it withheld in federal suit.
July 31, 2017 JSCR retracts Devor study, relenting afterfederal judge rules the injury data was false.
May 17, 2018 State court awards CrossFit attorneys’ fees, expenses based on NSCA misconduct. It also orders NSCA to pay for forensic analysis of its servers.
June 14, 2018 In yet another blow to the NSCA, its insurer, National Casualty Co., sues to dodge coverage in both suits.
Oct. 4, 2018 CrossFit sues U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over donations CDC, NIH foundations receive.
Nov. 29, 2018 NSCA asks court to dismiss its defamation suit against CrossFit, calling it a “business decision” and citing “unusual and extraordinary” expenses related to court sanctions.
CROSSFIT INC. BATTLES: A TIMELINE