Impact of CrossFit Super Bowl Commercial?
Rumor has it that there is going to be a CrossFit commercial aired during the Super Bowl. Talk about publicity, right? It seems that CrossFit is going viral these days. Reebok. Bob Harper. The Super Bowl? With exposure as vast as one aired during the Super Bowl, it’s inevitable that opinions will be just as varied. So how do you feel about it?
I’m always fascinated to hear the variety of opinions that people have around anything that seems to be ‘up and coming.’ There will likely be the die hard CrossFitters, doing it for more years than the phase probably existed, that will argue that CrossFit is something that shouldn’t be commercialized. But why not? I’m simply playing devil’s advocate for an argument I’m not even sure people will make. But why not spread the word and drive consumer buy-in on something that you and I know is one of the most amazing, life-changing and incredible work-outs available? Sure, sure, there is the possibility that the bigger it gets, the bigger the chance of CrossFit boxes that don’t fit the model of what HQ had envisioned will crop up. But so will the number of amazingly talented trainers and coaches. And the number of boxes for people to join. And the number of people getting fit through CrossFit. And perhaps, just perhaps, it will have an impact on the raging epidemic of obesity in the United States. Nutrition and CrossFit go hand in hand, so it’s not totally far fetched. And I’m not insinuating that one commercial can change the world…but if it could, why not let CrossFit be the one to do it?
This is going to be a debate that will last forever. As an “Old School” Coach that has been around since the begining and a part of the 4th affiliate in the world, I am not so much upset about the commercialization of the program but the “Sell-out” mentality of the program.
If anyone thinks that a Reebok isn’t going to change the initial vision and grass roots intent the CrossFit is founded on, you are fooling yourself. Corporations don’t buy into any program because of what it stands for, it buys into programs to make them theirs and to make money. That’s why it is called Reebok-CrossFit and i have heard through the grapevine (Whether true or not, I don’t know) that Reebok has planned to build “Reebok-CrossFit” gyms and turning our beloved boxes into Globo-gyms, the same gyms we ridicule in our teaching.
It will be a sad day if this happens and CrossFit will lose its identity. Will this be the beginning of another X-games? I don’t know, but I think it’s already in the making. I have seen CrossFit change from the dreams that Lauren and Greg Glassman had back in 1993 to this, now corporate, fitness program that in 5 years was started by Reebok.
I guess my question is…. Why not Innov8?, they were the “Shoe of CrossFit”, Why not ADIDAS?, Why not Vibram 5 Fingers, Why not one of our equipment companies that have been promoting CrossFit for years?. I’ll tell you why…… $$$$MONEY$$$$$, Reebok laid it down and now they will demand ownership and you can quote me on that.
CrossFit is a business and i understand that, it’s part of how I make my living. I also know that CrossFit is going to grow and it has grown without the help of corporate ownership. CrossFit is going to be nothing more than another 24 hour fitness, Wal-mart, and McDonalds and I can proudly say that “I WON’T BE A PART OF IT”!
Coach Robert Roos
All Pro CrossFit
[email protected]
Forgive the typos, I was trying to reply to this and watch the Super bowl….
Coach Roos
Thanks for your reply…and you’re right, money is a necessary evil that can change things for both the good and the bad. I guess folks like us can just keep pushing on and stay true to the original CrossFit roots. Keep up the good work and thanks again for your insightful response.
– CF Modig