Monday, August 3, 2015

Dear Crossfit - Welcome to Professional Sports

It’s not about being the fittest person on earth. It’s about money. And, sure - maybe a little about being fit. But mostly, it's about the money.

My medical knowledge extends to the BandAids and knock-off Neosporin I have in my bathroom cabinet, so I will not claim to have any understanding of the programming of Crossfit games.

But I do know pro sports.

Why do NFL players suffer concussions? Because these guys, coming in at roughly 6'5'' 250, are paid to lay them out. Again. And again. And again.

Why does the NBA have forty days of playoffs after an 82 game season and before the finals?

Why does MLB have 162 games - no one knows, that's ridiculous. I do know why this year's home run derby was more scintillating than years passed, though. Rather than watching ball after ball sail over home plate, players had four minutes to hit as many home runs as possible. It was intense. It was exciting. Did it accurately crown the major league's best homerun hitter? Maybe, maybe not. But it was the first time in ten years I watched the whole thing.

ESPN is not just catering to a particular sport’s aficionados; it's catering to casual sports enthusiasts who will change the channel if it is not entertaining.

Did anyone watch the NBA Finals? The Cavs were dropping like flies. Kyrie Irving breaks his knee because his body was so banged up. He’s not calling the commish, crying that the season is too long. He's recovering so he can play next season.

And why do the players keep playing, through nagging injuries at risk of more severe ones? Because they want to win. Because they’re competitors. And because they're getting paid.

It’s a two way street, and Crossfit athletes are not complaining about the improved ratings and increased volume of the prize pool or sponsorships.

The distinction lies here: This is not a local gym. This is not a regional Crossfit competition. This is professional. It involves money, and money changes everything.

Crossfit gyms are not programming their classes as if the students were elite athletes, and as a Crossfit athlete, I do not treat these classes as if I were elite. I have never puked during a workout, and I have never pushed myself to the point of injury. I take an extra second to breathe when I need one and drop the weight when I am not feeling strong. The risk is just not worth it. I hear my body say, “hey Anna, not a good idea,” and I listen. If 275 grand were on the line, I might tell my body to shut up, but that is my choice.

Sports like football and even baseball have been determining the balance between the sport and player safety for nearly a century, so I sense this discussion will not go away anytime soon, and I believe it is a good one to have.

It will be interesting to see how Crossfit handles the balance of money, entertainment, and the sanctity of a sport that is still, in many ways, defining itself. Perhaps the powers that be will figure out that perfect programming to effectively judge performance, provide entertainment and generate revenue, and keep the athlete free of injury.

Until then though, to casual viewers: just like following an NFL workout regiment is not the NFL, a Crossfit gym does not mirror elite Crossfit competition. Most gym trainers genuinely want you to improve and better your life through smart fitness and community.

To the professionals: I respect you for choosing to compete - you are beasts - but I will not pity you for that choice.