# How CrossFit helped shape the macho fitness culture of Trump’s America

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/how-crossfit-helped-shape-the-macho-fitness-culture-of-trumps-america/
- Published: 2026-11-08T13:00:40+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-08T13:22:00+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/nov/08/crossfit-fitness-culture-trump-america
- Topics: Americas, Elections, Fitness, Health, Politics, World

## Key points

- CrossFit grew into a global fitness empire.
- Its intense style found popularity among military and police communities.
- Its founder faced serious allegations and public criticism.

## Summary

CrossFit grew from Greg Glassman’s training system into a global fitness movement that helped popularise a rugged, intensely masculine style of exercise. The article traces how that image later resonated with parts of right-wing politics and militarism in the US, while noting the movement did not begin with that purpose.

Glassman opened his first gym in Santa Cruz in 1995, combining weightlifting, gymnastics and sprint conditioning; CrossFit eventually expanded to 15,000 gyms in 160 countries. Author Calum Marsh says the programme was initially intended to be accessible to people with varied fitness levels, but its demanding workouts attracted military, police and emergency workers. Glassman later faced allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied, and criticism after racist comments about George Floyd and Black Lives Matter.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.