Conspirituality Podcast Summary: "Brief: The Cult of CrossFit"
Release Date: April 19, 2025
Hosts: Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, Julian Walker
Guest: Katie Rose Heymonic, Professor of Anthropology and Children and Youth Studies at Brooklyn College, CUNY
Introduction
In the episode titled "Brief: The Cult of CrossFit," hosts Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, and Julian Walker delve into Katie Rose Heymonic's comprehensive analysis of CrossFit as presented in her book, The Cult of CrossFit: Christianity and the American Exercise Phenomenon. The conversation explores the intertwining of cultural Christianity, community dynamics, gender issues, capitalist influences, and the scientific rhetoric surrounding CrossFit.
Understanding the 'Cross' in CrossFit
Katie Rose Heymonic begins by dissecting the very name "CrossFit." Initially misconstrued by many as merely referring to "cross training," she elucidates the deeper significance tied to Christian symbolism.
Katie Rose Heymonic [01:03]: "I never just assumed... it means cross training. When I received your book, it was a moment of like, oh my God and duh, it's right there in front of you. What is the cross?"
She connects the physical acts within CrossFit, such as the posture after a workout resembling crucifixion, to Christian undertones, suggesting that the culture promotes a form of modern-day martyrdom through intense physical exertion.
Cultural and Christian Influences in CrossFit
The discussion progresses to the cultural Christian underpinnings that pervade CrossFit. Katie highlights how elements like pain, suffering, and communal endurance echo early Christian narratives and values.
Katie Rose Heymonic [04:20]: "CrossFit is nothing if not about the pain and suffering of the workouts."
Referencing scholars like Judith Perkins and Ariel Gluckman, Katie explains that CrossFit taps into a historical consciousness where pain is not merely endured but is seen as transformative and meaningful, aligning closely with Christian doctrines of suffering and redemption.
Sacred Pain and Transformation
Furthering the exploration of pain in CrossFit, Katie elaborates on the concept of "sacred pain"—a notion where enduring physical hardship is viewed as a path to personal transformation and higher states of being.
Katie Rose Heymonic [04:27]: "In sacred spaces, pain is something to be cultivated as meaningful, as transformative, that it moves you from one state to a higher, purer state."
This framework situates CrossFit within a broader religious and philosophical tradition that valorizes suffering as a means of achieving personal and communal elevation.
Personal Experiences and Skepticism
Derek Beres shares his personal journey with CrossFit, highlighting his initial admiration for the community aspect but growing skepticism upon discovering the glorification of extreme fitness-related hardships, such as rhabdomyolysis ("rhabdo"), as rites of passage.
Derek Beres [07:18]: "...reading the New York Times reporting with Greg Glassman, the founder and former CEO, where he talks about how rhabdo was sort of a rite of passage. And that made me very skeptical."
Katie responds by acknowledging the intense culture of pain within CrossFit, contrasting it with her athletic background where training is purposeful and not about self-destruction.
Gender Dynamics and Misogyny in CrossFit
The conversation shifts to the gender dynamics within CrossFit. Katie discusses the empowering impact CrossFit has had on women, enabling many to achieve feats like their first pull-up or significant weightlifting milestones. However, she also uncovers underlying misogyny within the culture.
Katie Rose Heymonic [15:51]: "There is this undercurrent of misogyny... CrossFit couldn't praise the woman who won. They ridiculed the man instead."
She cites instances where female CrossFit athletes outperforming their male counterparts are not celebrated but instead undermine the achievements to maintain a hyper-masculine hierarchy.
CrossFit as a Cult
A central theme of the episode is whether CrossFit embodies characteristics of a cult. Katie clarifies her conflicted stance on labeling CrossFit as a cult, noting that while it exhibits some traits—such as a charismatic leader and a devoted community—it also represents a "beloved community" as defined by philosopher Josiah Royce.
Katie Rose Heymonic [16:57]: "I am very conflicted about calling CrossFit a cult. It's written about all over the Internet as a culture... it's about finding your purpose in the world and how do you live out a meaningful life."
She distinguishes CrossFit from traditional cults by emphasizing its inclusive, albeit intense, community-focused approach rather than manipulative or harmful separation from society.
Business Model, Capitalism, and Demographics
Katie delves into the capitalist frameworks that underpin CrossFit, highlighting its predominantly affluent and white demographic.
Katie Rose Heymonic [22:17]: "It's 86% white at the last statistic I could find."
She explains that the high costs associated with CrossFit memberships and certification barriers contribute to its exclusivity. The association with brands like Rogue Fitness, which emerged from within the CrossFit community, further solidifies its capitalist ethos without resorting to exploitative practices. However, recent shifts, including CrossFit's sale to private equity and declining gym numbers, indicate tensions within its business model and community loyalty.
CrossFit's Scientific Claims
A critical examination of CrossFit's use of scientific rhetoric reveals inconsistencies and misrepresentations. Katie critiques CrossFit's superficial engagement with scientific principles, particularly its misuse of physics and evolutionary biology to justify its training methodologies.
Katie Rose Heymonic [29:39]: "CrossFit doesn't use physics correctly... they use 'work capacity' as a scientific term."
She contrasts CrossFit's observational approach to science with the experimental, hypothesis-driven methods prevalent in contemporary scientific research, underscoring a lack of rigorous validation in CrossFit's claims about fitness and health.
Personal Reflections and Conclusions
Katie reflects on her seven-year immersion in CrossFit, acknowledging both the physical benefits and the cultural conflicts she experienced. While she appreciates the community and the personal achievements it fosters, she grapples with the underlying values that contradict her own, such as the prevalent misogyny and the militaristic undertones.
Katie Rose Heymonic [34:11]: "CrossFit didn't save me, so I could move on. It was something that I committed years of my life to it. And I tried to really understand it."
Her balanced perspective recognizes the empowering aspects of CrossFit while critically addressing its problematic elements, emphasizing the complexity of its cultural impact.
Conclusion
"The Cult of CrossFit" episode offers a nuanced exploration of CrossFit through an anthropological lens, dissecting its cultural, religious, and economic dimensions. Katie Rose Heymonic's insights provide a comprehensive understanding of how CrossFit operates as a community and cultural phenomenon, highlighting both its strengths and inherent contradictions. For listeners unacquainted with the episode, this summary encapsulates the intricate dynamics that make CrossFit a compelling subject within the realms of cult studies, spirituality, and contemporary fitness culture.