Crossfit goes mainstream

I remember the first time I heard about it. I was at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, and one of the head instructors asked me if the unit at I was used Crossfit for our training. I think my response was something like, " Maybe, we cross train a lot." I had no idea what he was talking about. I found out later that day, and our team and I were immediate hooked. That was in 2007. Back then Crossfit was for Navy SEALS and other snake eaters. Doing Kipling pull ups in a gym could get you kicked out, and thrusters would have a crowd gathering around you. I had coincidentally done my first kettle bell workout in San Diego about a year prior, and despite the lack of acceptance by the Globo-gym community, I somehow knew that within just a few years, Crossfit would no longer be the fitness world's dark horse - it would simply be how people exercise. By 2009, it was a pretty common sight at some military gyms, and some of the crazy weekend warriors had started to show interest. The boxes had started multiplying, and the Crossfit Games had grown from a backyard contest to a full-fledged international competition. And now, in 2012, Crossfit is poised on the verge of mainstream acceptance. Bob Harper is introducing it to the world through The Biggest Loser. Last year's games are now being shown as re-runs on ESPN2, thanks to their mega-sponsor, Reebok. And now, a Crossfit commercial just aired in the middle of the NFC playoffs. Just how the Crossfit integration will take place, I'm not sure. We may soon see Body Pump classes replaced with groups of folks doing "Fran" at your local Planet Fitness. (I kinda hope not.) Perhaps the present community will just continue to grow and stay true to its roots? Either way, I can't imagine it will be long before Crossfit is as common a phrase as "Spinning" or "Cardio." It's gonna be cool. I wonder what the fitness world will look like in five years? And I wonder what we'll do with all the leftover ellipticals?