Learning to Breathe Fire: The Rise of CrossFit and the Primal Future of Fitness
More of a life philosophy than an ­exercise regime, CrossFit has skyrocketed in popularity over the last decade. Herz takes readers on a journey through CrossFit history, beginning with founder and gymnast gone feral Greg Glassman’s idea of a highly intense, functional fitness regime that is measurable, observable, and repeatable. Today, CrossFit has thousands of affiliates and an international competition that is televised on ESPN. Herz intertwines the narrative with passionate descriptions of workouts that push participants to the brink of exhaustion, highlighting men and women who have reached the pinnacle of CrossFit competition. Ironically, some of the greatest personal achievements don’t involve winning but simply completing the workout and using every bit of emotional and physical effort. CrossFit’s workouts of the day are described throughout as well as the fiercely loyal subculture that has evolved from shared moments of agony and triumph. Although this book will appeal to the CrossFit faithful, general readers will find interest in Glassman’s libertarian views on franchising and his scathing opinions of globo-gyms and machine-based fitness. --Craig Clark