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Learning to Breathe Fire: The Rise of CrossFit and the Primal Future of Fitness
The absorbing, definitive account of CrossFit's origins, its explosive grassroots growth, and its emergence as a global phenomenon.
One of the most illuminating books ever on a sports subculture, Learning to Breathe Fire combines vivid sports writing with a thoughtful meditation on what it means to be human. In the book, veteran journalist J.C. Herz explains the science of maximum effort, why the modern gym fails an obese society, and the psychic rewards of ending up on the floor feeling as though you're about to die.
The story traces CrossFit’s rise, from a single underground gym in Santa Cruz to its adoption as the workout of choice for elite special forces, firefighters and cops, to its popularity as the go-to fitness routine for regular Joes and Janes. Especially riveting is Herz’s description of The CrossFit Games, which begin as an informal throw-down on a California ranch and evolve into a televised global proving ground for the fittest men and women on Earth, as well as hundreds of thousands of lesser mortals.
In her portrayal of the sport's star athletes, its passionate coaches and its “chief armorer,” Rogue Fitness, Herz powerfully evokes the uniqueness of a fitness culture that cultivates primal fierceness in average people. And in the shared ordeal of an all-consuming workout, she unearths the ritual intensity that's been with us since humans invented sports, showing us how, on a deep level, we're all tribal hunters and first responders, waiting for the signal to go all-out.
From the Hardcover edition.
One of the most illuminating books ever on a sports subculture, Learning to Breathe Fire combines vivid sports writing with a thoughtful meditation on what it means to be human. In the book, veteran journalist J.C. Herz explains the science of maximum effort, why the modern gym fails an obese society, and the psychic rewards of ending up on the floor feeling as though you're about to die.
The story traces CrossFit’s rise, from a single underground gym in Santa Cruz to its adoption as the workout of choice for elite special forces, firefighters and cops, to its popularity as the go-to fitness routine for regular Joes and Janes. Especially riveting is Herz’s description of The CrossFit Games, which begin as an informal throw-down on a California ranch and evolve into a televised global proving ground for the fittest men and women on Earth, as well as hundreds of thousands of lesser mortals.
In her portrayal of the sport's star athletes, its passionate coaches and its “chief armorer,” Rogue Fitness, Herz powerfully evokes the uniqueness of a fitness culture that cultivates primal fierceness in average people. And in the shared ordeal of an all-consuming workout, she unearths the ritual intensity that's been with us since humans invented sports, showing us how, on a deep level, we're all tribal hunters and first responders, waiting for the signal to go all-out.
From the Hardcover edition.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
156 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
February 27, 2014
From the ages of 19 to 34, I worked out religiously 3-5 times a week. The last couple years, however, I let myself gradually slip out of the habit. After all, that's 3-5 more hours a week I could be reading. However, my girlfriend read up on CrossFit and told me we were going to start going a few times a week.
Since I was still reasonably fit for a couch potato, I figured I could handle it. I could not. It kicked my ass in less than 20 minutes and I was sore for three days, something that never happened to me in over a decade of lifting weights nearly every day. After that, I was more than a little intrigued about the torture we were paying for. Then this book popped up on Netgalley.
Learning to Breathe Fire tells the story of CrossFit and the science behind how it works. It talks about key figures in CrossFit history and explains why health clubs nerf everything and why they are largely ineffective at getting results. It also covers the CrossFit games.
It was pretty enlightening. I thought the people at CrossFit Warrior RX were just torturing me for fun the first couple of times. The science behind it sounds accurate. It made sense to me that we were doing workouts that blended cardio and strength training to spend maximum energy in a relatively short amount of time. The 20-30 minute workouts of the day (WODs) sure seem more efficient than lifting weights and doing cardio for a hour.
One thing I found interesting/terrifying were some of the workouts I might have to endure at some point. Like Fran, 21-15-9 reps of thrusters and pullups, which frequently makes people puke. Or Karen, which is 150 wall balls.
If I had to gripe about something in the book, it's that maybe it went a little too deep into the stories of the notable figures in CrossFit history. They were inspirational but I felt like I was watching a CrossFit infomercial after a while.
For someone who wants to see immediate results with the minimum time spent at the gym, CrossFit is the way to go and if you want to learn all about CrossFit, this is the book to read. Four sweaty stars!
Since I was still reasonably fit for a couch potato, I figured I could handle it. I could not. It kicked my ass in less than 20 minutes and I was sore for three days, something that never happened to me in over a decade of lifting weights nearly every day. After that, I was more than a little intrigued about the torture we were paying for. Then this book popped up on Netgalley.
Learning to Breathe Fire tells the story of CrossFit and the science behind how it works. It talks about key figures in CrossFit history and explains why health clubs nerf everything and why they are largely ineffective at getting results. It also covers the CrossFit games.
It was pretty enlightening. I thought the people at CrossFit Warrior RX were just torturing me for fun the first couple of times. The science behind it sounds accurate. It made sense to me that we were doing workouts that blended cardio and strength training to spend maximum energy in a relatively short amount of time. The 20-30 minute workouts of the day (WODs) sure seem more efficient than lifting weights and doing cardio for a hour.
One thing I found interesting/terrifying were some of the workouts I might have to endure at some point. Like Fran, 21-15-9 reps of thrusters and pullups, which frequently makes people puke. Or Karen, which is 150 wall balls.
If I had to gripe about something in the book, it's that maybe it went a little too deep into the stories of the notable figures in CrossFit history. They were inspirational but I felt like I was watching a CrossFit infomercial after a while.
For someone who wants to see immediate results with the minimum time spent at the gym, CrossFit is the way to go and if you want to learn all about CrossFit, this is the book to read. Four sweaty stars!
June 7, 2014
If you're a Crossfitter and want to learn more about the origins of your favorite cult, read this book.
If you're not a Crossfitter and you want to understand what the hell we Crossfitters are up to, don't read this book, go start crossfitting and then come back later and read this book to shake the mosaic pieces into place.
Either way you probably won't be able to put it down. JC mixes history, science, and participant narratives into a great read that makes you want to set it down only long enough to go hit your next WOD even harder.
I love the description of the experience o fa WOD from page 16 (of the hardback): "By round five, the depletion of every metabolic pathway, muscle fiber, and neural circuit has all internal diagnostics on the blink. There isn't even an abstract notion of heroic effort, or any abstract notion -- the part of your brain that tells stories is off line. There is only the raw impetus to finish somehow…"
This book is destined to find its way into every Crossfitter's library, and perhaps some cultural anthropologist's reading lists too.
If you're not a Crossfitter and you want to understand what the hell we Crossfitters are up to, don't read this book, go start crossfitting and then come back later and read this book to shake the mosaic pieces into place.
Either way you probably won't be able to put it down. JC mixes history, science, and participant narratives into a great read that makes you want to set it down only long enough to go hit your next WOD even harder.
I love the description of the experience o fa WOD from page 16 (of the hardback): "By round five, the depletion of every metabolic pathway, muscle fiber, and neural circuit has all internal diagnostics on the blink. There isn't even an abstract notion of heroic effort, or any abstract notion -- the part of your brain that tells stories is off line. There is only the raw impetus to finish somehow…"
This book is destined to find its way into every Crossfitter's library, and perhaps some cultural anthropologist's reading lists too.
July 4, 2014
THere's some good stuff in here on how crossfit runs its game and business, but mainly it's just an over glorification of crossfit.
November 10, 2023
Като бяхме малки нямаше друг популярен фитнес, освен бодибилдинга (културизма) - във времената на мутрите с дебели вратове, всеки тийнейджър мечтаеше да е голям и мускулест и понеже това също така бяха и времената на пиратските видеокасети, всеки искаше да е голям и мускулест като Арнолд и Силвестът Сталоун.
Съответно, разбира се, изданията тогава бяха всичките насочени към културизма - имаше няколко вестника и списания, в които изобилстваха не само снимки на огромни, напомпани батковци, но и интервюта с тях, резултати от състезания по културизъм по света и у нас, диети, програми, съвети как да станем като тях.
Разбира се, всички тия вестници и списания имаха не толкова образователна, колкото мотивираща роля - в края на краищата, "тайната" на доброто телосложение и храненето за него е доста проста и не е никаква тайна, дори е непрекъснато повтаряна както в гореспоменатите издания, така и написана чисто, черно на бяло във всички книги за културизъм които също се издаваха тогава.
Но истинската "тайна" на доброто телосложение (и доброто здраве, макар тогавашните издания да не се занимаваха особено с това) е това да продължиш да правиш тия простички неща всеки ден (добре де, може и през ден), всяка седмица, всеки месец, година след година. И това е, което повечето хора не могат да правят и заради което се отказват и провалят. Не го искат достатъчно, липсва им мотивация.
Да четеш за големите, които са по-добри от теб но са тръгнали от дъното, за да постигнат успехите си, е мотивиращо и те кара да искаш да си като тях -такава е човешката природа (или по-скоро мъжката природа, доста от жените малко нещо се демотивират от "прекаления" успех на околните). И затова тия списания и вестници въртяха постоянно едни и същи неща, описваха тренировки и диети, историите на културистите, как им минават дните, как тренират със злоба и страст, а аудиторията четеше и тя тренираше със злоба и страст, а често и с бионабол.
Минаха години и други видове фитнес взеха, слава богу, да навлизат в общественото внимание по света, а даже и у нас и да поизместват фокуса от напомпаните релефни мускули малко повече към все пак цялостно физическо развитие и здраве.
Кросфит, макар малко да позагуби ускорение в последните няколко години, си остава огромната вълна, която заля света и го накара да погледне отново с добро око на щангите, на щангистките и разни нетрадиционни упражнения, да се поотдалечи от всякакви машини и скрипци и да вкара малко функционални движения в цялата тренировка.
Настоящата книга, до която най-после стигнах в това ревю, е романтично, надъхващо описание на това какво е кросфит от къде идва и накъде отива, инжектирано богато с описания на история на различните упражнения, имената им и картинни разкази на хора, които повръщат от прекалено интензивни тренировки но веднага след това се връщат и хващат пак щангата/въжето/медицинската топка, защото няма такова опиянение, като това да чупиш бариерите на собствените си възможности.
Та както казах, ролята на тая книга, също както и на гореописаните културистични вестници и списания, е главно мотивираща. Ако си луд фен на кросфит и функционалните тренировки, тя ще те запали още повече. Но ако не си, си е тегава отвсякъде. Все пак, има ограничено количество пъти, в които човек може да прочете това горното за повръщането, преди да му омръзне, а всяка от главите съдържа практически едно и също.
Съответно, разбира се, изданията тогава бяха всичките насочени към културизма - имаше няколко вестника и списания, в които изобилстваха не само снимки на огромни, напомпани батковци, но и интервюта с тях, резултати от състезания по културизъм по света и у нас, диети, програми, съвети как да станем като тях.
Разбира се, всички тия вестници и списания имаха не толкова образователна, колкото мотивираща роля - в края на краищата, "тайната" на доброто телосложение и храненето за него е доста проста и не е никаква тайна, дори е непрекъснато повтаряна както в гореспоменатите издания, така и написана чисто, черно на бяло във всички книги за културизъм които също се издаваха тогава.
Но истинската "тайна" на доброто телосложение (и доброто здраве, макар тогавашните издания да не се занимаваха особено с това) е това да продължиш да правиш тия простички неща всеки ден (добре де, може и през ден), всяка седмица, всеки месец, година след година. И това е, което повечето хора не могат да правят и заради което се отказват и провалят. Не го искат достатъчно, липсва им мотивация.
Да четеш за големите, които са по-добри от теб но са тръгнали от дъното, за да постигнат успехите си, е мотивиращо и те кара да искаш да си като тях -такава е човешката природа (или по-скоро мъжката природа, доста от жените малко нещо се демотивират от "прекаления" успех на околните). И затова тия списания и вестници въртяха постоянно едни и същи неща, описваха тренировки и диети, историите на културистите, как им минават дните, как тренират със злоба и страст, а аудиторията четеше и тя тренираше със злоба и страст, а често и с бионабол.
Минаха години и други видове фитнес взеха, слава богу, да навлизат в общественото внимание по света, а даже и у нас и да поизместват фокуса от напомпаните релефни мускули малко повече към все пак цялостно физическо развитие и здраве.
Кросфит, макар малко да позагуби ускорение в последните няколко години, си остава огромната вълна, която заля света и го накара да погледне отново с добро око на щангите, на щангистките и разни нетрадиционни упражнения, да се поотдалечи от всякакви машини и скрипци и да вкара малко функционални движения в цялата тренировка.
Настоящата книга, до която най-после стигнах в това ревю, е романтично, надъхващо описание на това какво е кросфит от къде идва и накъде отива, инжектирано богато с описания на история на различните упражнения, имената им и картинни разкази на хора, които повръщат от прекалено интензивни тренировки но веднага след това се връщат и хващат пак щангата/въжето/медицинската топка, защото няма такова опиянение, като това да чупиш бариерите на собствените си възможности.
Та както казах, ролята на тая книга, също както и на гореописаните културистични вестници и списания, е главно мотивираща. Ако си луд фен на кросфит и функционалните тренировки, тя ще те запали още повече. Но ако не си, си е тегава отвсякъде. Все пак, има ограничено количество пъти, в които човек може да прочете това горното за повръщането, преди да му омръзне, а всяка от главите съдържа практически едно и също.
March 18, 2019
A look at the origins of CrossFit and its rise, before the Mat Fraser era, the movement of the Games to Madison and 2019's tumultuous changes to the direction of HQ. An exciting account of the sport of fitness, that while written by a devotee (or cult member, as some might have it) is one with serious authorial chops: Herz is a former NYT columnist, rock critic for Rolling Stone and tech writer for Wired. If you're already a CrossFitter, you'll enjoy this origin story; if you're not, it's pretty much impossible to resist walking into a box and trying it after reading this propulsive history.
July 20, 2019
EXCELLENT BOOK. Very well written. Whether you're a CrossFitter or not, this book will take you into the depths of how it all began and why CrossFitters continue to multiply year after year. An incredibly wonderful asset to any CrossFitter's library, but an even more educational eye-opening thought-provoking piece for anyone in the fitness industry and/or just anyone curious enough to want to learn the truths and finally put the assumptions behind.
January 15, 2019
In a nutshell, Learning to Breathe Fire is an ode to CrossFit.
I'm an avid CrossFitter myself, so I did find this book entertaining, inspiring, and motivating. I loved the first third of the book, especially the chapters on the science behind the maximum effort and CrossFit's origins.
However, after the first few informative and well-organized chapters, Learning to Breathe Fire becomes extremely repetitive, a bit pointless, and way over the top. In fact, I'm a bit surprised that J.C. Herz is an accomplished journalist, because her book is sorely lacking in journalistic objectivity: every prominent CrossFit figure in her book is basically deified and any opposing views or concerns regarding CrossFit are brushed off rather than objectively explored. I get it, I love CrossFit too, but nothing is THAT perfect. It looks like J.C. Herz has been paid to write a propaganda or something.
I'm an avid CrossFitter myself, so I did find this book entertaining, inspiring, and motivating. I loved the first third of the book, especially the chapters on the science behind the maximum effort and CrossFit's origins.
However, after the first few informative and well-organized chapters, Learning to Breathe Fire becomes extremely repetitive, a bit pointless, and way over the top. In fact, I'm a bit surprised that J.C. Herz is an accomplished journalist, because her book is sorely lacking in journalistic objectivity: every prominent CrossFit figure in her book is basically deified and any opposing views or concerns regarding CrossFit are brushed off rather than objectively explored. I get it, I love CrossFit too, but nothing is THAT perfect. It looks like J.C. Herz has been paid to write a propaganda or something.
September 9, 2014
Reading this book made me want to run straight to the nearest Crossfit box, or at least go bust out a set of burpees. A very evocative description of the spirit and drive of Crossfit.
January 22, 2016
3.5 stars. Interesting origin story about Crossfit but too rah rah for me. Genesis of Rogue and their manufacturing was particularly fascinating. The author totally drank the kool aid.
January 14, 2025
More like 3.5 stars. Sports journalism is a pretty specific thing, and if you’re into it, there’s some pretty good stuff in here. Unfortunately, from a book standpoint, the author tends to substitute flowery writing for deep analysis or interesting questions. Would’ve been cool to get a deeper understanding of the business, or why some athletes are better than others. It’s also an interesting choice to pretend that there’s no steroids in the sport in light of the decision not to drug test.
July 22, 2019
A really interesting and in-depth look at the origin of Crossfit, the Crossfit Games, and Rogue Fitness manufacturing. The prose is particularly nice, and the book digs quite a bit deeper than other books I've read. It's not a particularly critical take on the subject, but it's a riveting read.
June 27, 2020
I can’t think of many activities more controversial than CrossFit when discussing/exploring personal fitness regimens. Its practitioners tend to proselytize with a fervor bordering on religious fanaticism, while the mainstream fitness establishment does alot of head-shaking and hand-wringing over safety and injuries. The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle, at least that is what drove me to give this book a chance. I am not a CrossFitter, but I have friends and relatives who are. Many of them incorporate it as a part of a normal and balanced lifestyle. A few have taken it to extremes. This book tends to give a large amount of attention to the people who fall into the “extreme” category. The one issue I had with the books was repeated chapters that waxed rhapsodic about superstars in the sport, or broke down performance in CrossFit games with excruciating detail. Quite frankly, I didn’t care as I wasn’t aiming for a “Who’s Who” of the sport when I picked up the book. Mentally, I tuned out at each one of these chapters (and there were many).
What I did find value in with this book was the philosophy behind CrossFit and the research/data put in to developing its characteristic workouts known for their focus on gymnastic and Olympic weightlifting principles. I will say the science certainly appears sound to a layman, and the variety of workouts combined with community support and competetiveness set it apart from the typical gym experience. That said, I also recognize that dangerous things can happen when a governing body for a sport exercises little oversight and has a certification process which seems laid-back compared to other sports. After reading this book, would I be willing to give CrossFit a try? Sure, I’m actually considering participating in a Murph workout at a local box next Memorial Day since I safely know how to do all the movements involved in that gauntlet (though I expect it will still kick my ass). I don’t think CrossFit is inherently any less safe than other athletic endeavors I have participated in (ice hockey comes to mind), but I do think to avoid injury, there is an onus on the athlete to do their research in finding a good box with knowledgeable trainers, and for the athlete to know their own limits and honor them by scaling up responsibly (e.g. a novice should not get ahead of themself out of an abundance of pride/competetiveness and try to hit the same weights/reps as a veteran during a WOD).
What I did find value in with this book was the philosophy behind CrossFit and the research/data put in to developing its characteristic workouts known for their focus on gymnastic and Olympic weightlifting principles. I will say the science certainly appears sound to a layman, and the variety of workouts combined with community support and competetiveness set it apart from the typical gym experience. That said, I also recognize that dangerous things can happen when a governing body for a sport exercises little oversight and has a certification process which seems laid-back compared to other sports. After reading this book, would I be willing to give CrossFit a try? Sure, I’m actually considering participating in a Murph workout at a local box next Memorial Day since I safely know how to do all the movements involved in that gauntlet (though I expect it will still kick my ass). I don’t think CrossFit is inherently any less safe than other athletic endeavors I have participated in (ice hockey comes to mind), but I do think to avoid injury, there is an onus on the athlete to do their research in finding a good box with knowledgeable trainers, and for the athlete to know their own limits and honor them by scaling up responsibly (e.g. a novice should not get ahead of themself out of an abundance of pride/competetiveness and try to hit the same weights/reps as a veteran during a WOD).
March 6, 2015
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of CrossFit and some of the key names from games gone by.
It really does sound as though it was never intended to be the huge global industry that is has become and that is more due to the success of the techniques and effects of training which spread by word of mouth and not due to clever marketing.
It also makes most of the people involved sound very genuine. There is clearly an interest for those at the top in ensuring that everyone gets results. To sit there and collect their money and focus on the games while neglecting the grass routes would be a very short term strategy.
As someone who has been aware of CrossFit for a few years and been training off and on for about a year, with more intensive training in the last 2 months I was sometimes sucked in by the negativity and scepticism towards those at the top, something I now believe is unfounded. A number of elite athletes, special forces soldiers, firemen, police, swat, DEA, recreational athletes, executives, housewives have all been among those to derive huge benefits from CrossFit with some branches of the military adapting their training to focus on CrossFit with less lengthy endurance. CrossFit makes people stronger and faster and results in far fewer injuries and longer terms issues than lengthy endurance marches/runs.
I do believe that those who compete and go on to win the CrossFit games are blessed with excellent genetics, dedication to training and clearly have the time (or make the time) to train. I don’t believe that I will ever be as good as them, but I can still be the fittest version of myself as right now I am not reaching anything like my genetic potential. An ordinary person could still find themselves among the top 5% or perhaps even 2% of the population gaining in strength, power, skills, mobility, speed and short term endurance. Throw in some longer runs and they could be one of those people excellent at everything.
The book has nothing that I could easily identify as training tips, it is really just an interesting story of CrossFit, its history and some of the key people involved with HQ or as competitors.
It really does sound as though it was never intended to be the huge global industry that is has become and that is more due to the success of the techniques and effects of training which spread by word of mouth and not due to clever marketing.
It also makes most of the people involved sound very genuine. There is clearly an interest for those at the top in ensuring that everyone gets results. To sit there and collect their money and focus on the games while neglecting the grass routes would be a very short term strategy.
As someone who has been aware of CrossFit for a few years and been training off and on for about a year, with more intensive training in the last 2 months I was sometimes sucked in by the negativity and scepticism towards those at the top, something I now believe is unfounded. A number of elite athletes, special forces soldiers, firemen, police, swat, DEA, recreational athletes, executives, housewives have all been among those to derive huge benefits from CrossFit with some branches of the military adapting their training to focus on CrossFit with less lengthy endurance. CrossFit makes people stronger and faster and results in far fewer injuries and longer terms issues than lengthy endurance marches/runs.
I do believe that those who compete and go on to win the CrossFit games are blessed with excellent genetics, dedication to training and clearly have the time (or make the time) to train. I don’t believe that I will ever be as good as them, but I can still be the fittest version of myself as right now I am not reaching anything like my genetic potential. An ordinary person could still find themselves among the top 5% or perhaps even 2% of the population gaining in strength, power, skills, mobility, speed and short term endurance. Throw in some longer runs and they could be one of those people excellent at everything.
The book has nothing that I could easily identify as training tips, it is really just an interesting story of CrossFit, its history and some of the key people involved with HQ or as competitors.
Want to read
June 15, 2014I just won this book free as a goodreads giveaway! I am waiting to read it. Thanks.
July 31, 2018
My background: once upon a time as an adult I ran marathons, I used to cycle as a commuter, so I was generally fit for someone who was never in competitive sports in my youth. I also hiked, backpacked, and had a combat deployment (as a civilian, but I did use the opportunity to do workouts in body armor. I told my CO that although I was not told to, I wanted to be comfortable in body armor before I needed it.) A few years back, realizing that my running had dropped down, I joined my son in taekwondo, and last year, as I approached black belt, I added dumbbells to my TKD and bodyweight training.
Where is CrossFit in this? It's definition of fitness is constantly varied, functional movements delivered at intensity, with a goal of preparing an athlete for the unknown and the unknowable. And the means to do this are metabolic conditioning, gymnastics, and strength training. And my experiences in the TKD dojang of trying to outdo the teenagers that dominate those venues in bodyweight fitness and conditioning workouts has a hint of this. Also switching from marathon runs, to rucking in body armor, to fitness tests (conditioning) also hints of this. And as I read the book, I realized that this is what I wish I knew many years ago as I pounded out long miles on weekend mornings.
This book is a book of stories of different ways people came into CrossFit. While there are a number of the alpha-male military and first responder types, the pride and joy of the book comes in the stories of the non-testosterone pumped types who were part of CrossFit. Women, and the not-so-macho who came into this because they were looking for a way to be fit because of a scare or a desire to change their life. And they get hooked on something that had the benefits of team sport (camaraderie, competition, cheering), without the downsides (sidelines, put downs). And a culture where people were equally setup to struggle and succeed, and cheered when they struggled with integrity and grew with it. The book has many stories that are variations on "that which does not kill me makes me stronger" as the stories of workouts that left people knocked out on their backs and realizing that this is the kind of push they want and this is where they could get it. In particular, attention is paid to women in CrossFit. How the focus on effort and encouragement to be strong over looks makes CrossFit atmosphere more attractive than other sporting environments. And how even from the beginning, the philosophy of strength and intensity to the limit of the athlete applied to the women involved, so that they could use women as exemplars when introducing CrossFit to alpha males in military or law enforcement who were surprised that they were left on the ground. And the book also has a chapter on the pressures society puts on women, to not have strength as a goal and how those who stay in CrossFit have to fight those types of pressure.
The book is a cheerleading of CrossFit. And although I am not in CrossFit myself, I definitely see how this is both different and probably a better view of fitness than any other. It is very different than sports biographies that focus on the superstars (although there are plenty) as CrossFit is really geared at the street level fitness, of individuals who want to be a little better than they are now, in every dimension of physical activity. A very good inspirational read for anyone with those types of goals.
Where is CrossFit in this? It's definition of fitness is constantly varied, functional movements delivered at intensity, with a goal of preparing an athlete for the unknown and the unknowable. And the means to do this are metabolic conditioning, gymnastics, and strength training. And my experiences in the TKD dojang of trying to outdo the teenagers that dominate those venues in bodyweight fitness and conditioning workouts has a hint of this. Also switching from marathon runs, to rucking in body armor, to fitness tests (conditioning) also hints of this. And as I read the book, I realized that this is what I wish I knew many years ago as I pounded out long miles on weekend mornings.
This book is a book of stories of different ways people came into CrossFit. While there are a number of the alpha-male military and first responder types, the pride and joy of the book comes in the stories of the non-testosterone pumped types who were part of CrossFit. Women, and the not-so-macho who came into this because they were looking for a way to be fit because of a scare or a desire to change their life. And they get hooked on something that had the benefits of team sport (camaraderie, competition, cheering), without the downsides (sidelines, put downs). And a culture where people were equally setup to struggle and succeed, and cheered when they struggled with integrity and grew with it. The book has many stories that are variations on "that which does not kill me makes me stronger" as the stories of workouts that left people knocked out on their backs and realizing that this is the kind of push they want and this is where they could get it. In particular, attention is paid to women in CrossFit. How the focus on effort and encouragement to be strong over looks makes CrossFit atmosphere more attractive than other sporting environments. And how even from the beginning, the philosophy of strength and intensity to the limit of the athlete applied to the women involved, so that they could use women as exemplars when introducing CrossFit to alpha males in military or law enforcement who were surprised that they were left on the ground. And the book also has a chapter on the pressures society puts on women, to not have strength as a goal and how those who stay in CrossFit have to fight those types of pressure.
The book is a cheerleading of CrossFit. And although I am not in CrossFit myself, I definitely see how this is both different and probably a better view of fitness than any other. It is very different than sports biographies that focus on the superstars (although there are plenty) as CrossFit is really geared at the street level fitness, of individuals who want to be a little better than they are now, in every dimension of physical activity. A very good inspirational read for anyone with those types of goals.
November 22, 2021
The most significant fitness movement of the last decades, CrossFit challenges common nutritional and exercise guidelines pushed by the American Hearth Association and the US Dept of Health, which have been outdated or influenced by economic interests for over 50 years.
Doing CrossFit without injuring yourself requires 3 things: Knowledge, skill and judgement. You have to know how to do the movements correctly, you have to master the movements with light weight first and you have to be aware of your body, and if you can't maintain good form, you need to slow down or ratchet down the weight.
It revisits the origins of the modern gyms and how they have been deliberately designed to not require any coordination, accuracy, agility or balance, with some classic machines, such as the Elliptical, perfectly designed as an instrument of junk exercise, making virtually impossible to achieve any kind of intensity.
One of the best lines, imho, is: "The greatest adaption to CrossFit is between the ears", meaning your will power, your confidence and determination are qualities required to go through many of the WODs and they will increase as a result of pushing yourself through your limits.
I specially liked the "CrossFit Way":
..."Pursue virtuosity in functional movement,
Believe unconditionally in yourself and the ability of others,
Learn new skills- Teach the to a friend,
Forge an indomitable body and spirit,
Apply character traits learning's the gym to life:
Perseverance, Honesty, Integrity, Resilience, Courage, Loyalty, Respect, and Service.
Be humble.
Encourage others"...
As an interesting fact, I didn't know that when the film "300" came out, the studio released workout videos of the actors doing CrossFit.
Maybe it's no surprise, that early adopters of the "sport of fitness" were the military and police departments, as well as martial artists (jiujitsu, MMA and Krav Maga), as it demands courage and an appetite for discomfort, it presses the whole body person (body, mind and spirit) against the whetstone of strain and fatigue, and people must choose to stay there until they are sharp. It changes people.
Doing CrossFit without injuring yourself requires 3 things: Knowledge, skill and judgement. You have to know how to do the movements correctly, you have to master the movements with light weight first and you have to be aware of your body, and if you can't maintain good form, you need to slow down or ratchet down the weight.
It revisits the origins of the modern gyms and how they have been deliberately designed to not require any coordination, accuracy, agility or balance, with some classic machines, such as the Elliptical, perfectly designed as an instrument of junk exercise, making virtually impossible to achieve any kind of intensity.
One of the best lines, imho, is: "The greatest adaption to CrossFit is between the ears", meaning your will power, your confidence and determination are qualities required to go through many of the WODs and they will increase as a result of pushing yourself through your limits.
I specially liked the "CrossFit Way":
..."Pursue virtuosity in functional movement,
Believe unconditionally in yourself and the ability of others,
Learn new skills- Teach the to a friend,
Forge an indomitable body and spirit,
Apply character traits learning's the gym to life:
Perseverance, Honesty, Integrity, Resilience, Courage, Loyalty, Respect, and Service.
Be humble.
Encourage others"...
As an interesting fact, I didn't know that when the film "300" came out, the studio released workout videos of the actors doing CrossFit.
Maybe it's no surprise, that early adopters of the "sport of fitness" were the military and police departments, as well as martial artists (jiujitsu, MMA and Krav Maga), as it demands courage and an appetite for discomfort, it presses the whole body person (body, mind and spirit) against the whetstone of strain and fatigue, and people must choose to stay there until they are sharp. It changes people.
September 24, 2022
As CrossFit continues to proliferate across the globe, its origin story has only increased in relevance, and no one could tell that story better than J.C. Herz does in Learning to Breathe Fire. She draws us into the lives of the founders, the gym owners, and all manner of athletes in vivid vignettes that fully capture the spirit of this cult-like fitness revolution. She reveals, both rationally and viscerally, the redemptive storm which rages in an athlete’s mind during a functional workout that is all-consuming. As she does so, she tempts us, the reader, to abandon our comfort in search of that intensity—that primal ferocity—with the power to reforge our very being.
”On the other side of the mental noise and shock and fear of failure that makes you want to cry is a place where your heart-beat is still pounding, but more slowly… the still place where all force can be applied to the point of a knife.”
Although much has changed since this book’s publication in 2014, Herz’s profound insights remain valid. In fact, they’re fundamental. The dramas and restructuring that have occurred more recently can be easily understood after scanning through any journal article in 15 minutes, but no other book I’ve read so perfectly conveys why this uprising began, who sacrificed their sweat and tears to mold it, and how it can rescue us from the quivering jowls of civilization.
”Functional control of complex, full-body movements and the requisite strength of will and conviction come from the same part of the brain.”
Read it, then find a Box, drill through the “curtain of raw emotion,” and uncover your true nature.
”On the other side of the mental noise and shock and fear of failure that makes you want to cry is a place where your heart-beat is still pounding, but more slowly… the still place where all force can be applied to the point of a knife.”
Although much has changed since this book’s publication in 2014, Herz’s profound insights remain valid. In fact, they’re fundamental. The dramas and restructuring that have occurred more recently can be easily understood after scanning through any journal article in 15 minutes, but no other book I’ve read so perfectly conveys why this uprising began, who sacrificed their sweat and tears to mold it, and how it can rescue us from the quivering jowls of civilization.
”Functional control of complex, full-body movements and the requisite strength of will and conviction come from the same part of the brain.”
Read it, then find a Box, drill through the “curtain of raw emotion,” and uncover your true nature.
December 9, 2014
We read to see things differently, to explore worlds that, for whatever reason, we can't get to right at the moment. I've been doing CrossFit for over 3 and a half years now, and the past year I haven't been CrossFitting much - work and life have had louder (and sometimes more attractive) priorities. A friend who's been CrossFitting for a year or two now because I got him into it (despite his stubborn bullheadedness), he mentioned the Art of Manliness podcast to me recently that had J.C. Herz as the guest. I listened to it, and immediately loved it. Other AoM podcasts are fabulous too, I quickly discovered. Mainly, I loved J.C. Herz's voice in the matter - she's not an idiot any more than I am, she's not a firebreather type (or at least not by default), but what she was saying reminded me of some of the reasons why I fell in love with this crazy thing called CrossFit.
So I picked up her book, and the first chapter opened my eyes to something new. Hunh, here I thought I was doing the right thing by taking it easy when I go in to the gym sporadically, afraid of how much I know it'll hurt if I work too hard at it, afraid of how sore I might be the next days afterwards if I push too hard. (However, listening to one's body is important and in general, I firmly believe in "do what works" - both short-term and long-term). I've been avoiding the gym because I know I've gotten out of the rhythm, out of the habit, and each metcon WOD will suck that much more, I know. I know how much it can hurt, and that knowledge is crippling. However, I've also known the joy and pride that comes from accomplishing something that you didn't think that you could do, and I've known what it feels like to triumph over oneself, and to watch others do the same. Those last parts, I haven't seen much in my sporadic attendance - I have to show up, first of all. (When I started CrossFit, I was 41 and mostly able to walk after a crippling lumbar disc herniation the prior year and have never considered myself to be an athlete-- when I attend CrossFit regularly, I'm often the strongest girl at the gym.)
But it seems that I've been missing an essential point - the intensity of working really hard for a little while is the point, and doing it in the company of others makes the pain and suffering not as bad. The scientific benefits to the body of working out really hard for a short amount of time are, frankly, amazing, particularly when compared to slogging things out for hours over some medium-energy workout. I love that I can get better results in shorter time, if I'm just willing to work hard and endure some unpleasantness. It's not all that bad, but it can look bad and crazy when you watch it from afar.
Learning to Breathe Fire reminded me of why I love CrossFit - the challenge, the inspiration, the power of community, the seeming insanity of it, how bonding it is and how it can break down walls between people, and how powerful simple acknowledgement and positive feedback can be. Reading the book has got me re-fired up to get back into working out, and I've gone as many times to the gym in the past week as I have in the past number of months (yes, really.)
I've heard about Glassman and Amundson and Khalipa before (I go to Khalipa's NorCal CrossFit - Khalipa taught my on-ramp class in fact*), and it was engaging to hear more of their backstories. I watched the CrossFit Games in person in 2011, despite not really knowing anyone at my gym and feeling incredibly insecure because I didn't yet look like a CrossFitter. Not sure if I look like one now, although I've managed to drop some extra pounds since then. Along the way I've consulted with a sports psychologist, because I wanted to know what it's like to think like an athlete so that I can be more like them. I've worked on my goats (running, ugh), and improved them some.
The other day, I did a hero wod (Barraza) that involved my favorite movement (deadlifts) and two of my least liked movements (running and burpees). I scaled the Rx weight a bit to 165, and I thought I'd have to remove some weight during the wod, because I haven't been working out much this year - but I didn't, and I did solid sets of three deadlifts the whole wod (an 18 min AMRAP: 200m run, 9 deadlifts, 6 burpee bar muscle ups (ok, so they were just burpees for me, another scaling). I was the strongest girl in class, although the slowest too (my metcon needs work). I used the running and burpees as recovery time (hah! I laughed at that mental triumph, how I never would've thought that running time could be my downtime). Never mind the numbers, doing that workout made my body feel so good through and through - it was refreshing to feel so in tune with the deadlifts, to realize yet again that my body areas that I've frequently thought of as my worst (thighs, butt, and wounded back) are indeed assets of considerable strength and ability. (Back in grade school, they teased me and called me Bubble Butt -- which I now know is a fabulous thing, but I didn't know that back then.)
This may all sound stupid and lame and boring to you, but the experience of doing more than I thought I could and doing well at something that I never dreamed I could do well at is more inspiring and amazing to me than any words on a page or screen can ever fully communicate. Doing all of that while being in my 40's, holding a stressful job at a startup, being a homeowner, grieving over my Dad who passed away last year, and enjoying my first boyfriend in ten years (a triumph in and of itself) - it's hard to describe. One of thing things I love about CrossFit is how it redefines what's possible for people in general, and particularly it redefines what's possible as we age and as we deal with stressors and challenges. CrossFit isn't the only game in town that redefines what's possible, but it's one of the few that do that and can fully engage you and get you fit and feeling good in your body.
p.s. It was comforting to learn why it can be so hard to count how much weight is on a bar during a workout, despite having an affinity and ability with math. Page 13 explains why (thank you! I thought it was just me being silly or stupid).
* I fell down when I tried a deep squat, and Jason pulled me up - I was mortified (I was not small), but he had nothing going on about it at all. It turns out that the ability to do a deep squat is a muscle-based, strength thing, a technique - I always had thought I couldn't do it because my butt was too big. hah! go figure.
October 2, 2018
Though I've been an amateur, mostly self-taught 'CrossFitter' for several years, I am only recently meeting this larger community halfway. I found Herz' book a long time ago yet have only now read it, and I find myself wondering what took me so long.
I waffled between a four and five-star rating, not because of the writing quality but because as the book progress, Herz progressively shorter chapters to introduce one of the community's more famous "firebreathers" then quickly launch into a commentary on modern medicine, "globo-gym" membership models, or the food industry. I struggled through these editorials at first, then came to expect and appreciate them as Herz focused on elements of the massive fitness industry that have proven counterproductive yet remain effective in their twisted incentives.
Ultimately the book is fun, enlightening for anyone who is a CrossFitter or who is interested; it's also entertaining for anyone interested in personal sports stories. Recommended all around.
I waffled between a four and five-star rating, not because of the writing quality but because as the book progress, Herz progressively shorter chapters to introduce one of the community's more famous "firebreathers" then quickly launch into a commentary on modern medicine, "globo-gym" membership models, or the food industry. I struggled through these editorials at first, then came to expect and appreciate them as Herz focused on elements of the massive fitness industry that have proven counterproductive yet remain effective in their twisted incentives.
Ultimately the book is fun, enlightening for anyone who is a CrossFitter or who is interested; it's also entertaining for anyone interested in personal sports stories. Recommended all around.
July 9, 2020
If you couldn't guess where I was heading with the growing number of CrossFit books on my Read list, yes, it's official, the kool-aid has been drunk, freshly minted CrossFitter right here. *waves* Helloooo!
And, this book is AMAZING! I read it after joining my local box and it does a fantastic job of articulating the appeal and addictiveness of CrossFit, which is difficult to explain to people that haven't experienced CF first hand. I was curious about CF for a year or so before I finally signed up, and before I did I couldn't get my head around why anyone would want to put them through so many reps of anything. If you're similarly curious, have a read. I also found the history of the Games and the early coach and athletes' stories really interesting. I'd recommend the book for non-newbs too, I'm sure you'll find yourself nodding along in agreement at many passages. Loved it!
And, this book is AMAZING! I read it after joining my local box and it does a fantastic job of articulating the appeal and addictiveness of CrossFit, which is difficult to explain to people that haven't experienced CF first hand. I was curious about CF for a year or so before I finally signed up, and before I did I couldn't get my head around why anyone would want to put them through so many reps of anything. If you're similarly curious, have a read. I also found the history of the Games and the early coach and athletes' stories really interesting. I'd recommend the book for non-newbs too, I'm sure you'll find yourself nodding along in agreement at many passages. Loved it!
August 25, 2017
I was loaned this book by Coach Lewis from CrossFit Llanelli and genuinely feel like they've managed to capture exactly what CrossFit is all about. It's written beautifully, almost poetically in parts. There's a saying among some of the ladies at my box; "if you know, then you know" and this book is written by someone who gets it.
It made me fill up several times in the same way watching someone get their first box jump does. That deep down, fierce bubble of empathy-pride. It deals with emotions that are too big to manage, too primal. I think I need to get my own copy, because there were lots of sections I wanted to highlight - something I never ever do with books.
An incredible read borrowed from a life-changing, deeply thoughtful coach. Go out and find your tribe today!
It made me fill up several times in the same way watching someone get their first box jump does. That deep down, fierce bubble of empathy-pride. It deals with emotions that are too big to manage, too primal. I think I need to get my own copy, because there were lots of sections I wanted to highlight - something I never ever do with books.
An incredible read borrowed from a life-changing, deeply thoughtful coach. Go out and find your tribe today!
May 2, 2019
Overall: I didn't expect to like the book as much as I did. Historical in method, yet entertainingly stitched together like an old storytold over a fire pit or bottle of rare whisky. A good, fun read which gets emotional at times.
"Learning to breathe fire" is a mid-depth history of how Crossfiters came to be as well as some of its greatest moments/personas. I expected it to deliver straight forward details through the years, but the book weaves the bulletpoint history of a sport/organization/cult through the lives of its members. It plays out like a great documentary, constantly referring back to where we've come from but from someone else's point of view.
You should read this. 3..2..1..GO!
I would recommend this to: crossfiters.
"Learning to breathe fire" is a mid-depth history of how Crossfiters came to be as well as some of its greatest moments/personas. I expected it to deliver straight forward details through the years, but the book weaves the bulletpoint history of a sport/organization/cult through the lives of its members. It plays out like a great documentary, constantly referring back to where we've come from but from someone else's point of view.
You should read this. 3..2..1..GO!
I would recommend this to: crossfiters.
November 5, 2021
I've been a CrossFitter for six years so I obviously drank the Kool-Aid and believe this is an incredible sport for everyone (I was never athletic before; CrossFit has changed my life in every way for the better). The parts about the science behind the workouts, the different kinds of muscle fibers, etc. was absolutely fascinating. That chapter underscores why intensity is important and has motivated me to bump up the intensity of my workouts a lot! I also liked the part about nutrition.
It probably had more detail about the first generation of CF athletes than I needed to know, but I still enjoyed reading about the earliest Games and how the sport has grown over time.
A must-read for anyone who does CrossFit!
It probably had more detail about the first generation of CF athletes than I needed to know, but I still enjoyed reading about the earliest Games and how the sport has grown over time.
A must-read for anyone who does CrossFit!
March 26, 2024
Disclaimer: I jumped into the CrossFit bandwagon 9 months ago so I am pretty hyped with the topic.
I found this book very entertaining. Some chapters discuss the science behind why CrossFit works which was enlightening. In general the chapters are inspiring, to the point that I find myself pushing harder at the box because of them.
At times the narrative is a bit confusing, more so when there is a lot of back and forth in a temporal line.
The author at times draws strong parallelism between CrossFit and religion. This is hard to swallow for an agnostic like me, but I imagine it would be as well for a religious person.
I found this book very entertaining. Some chapters discuss the science behind why CrossFit works which was enlightening. In general the chapters are inspiring, to the point that I find myself pushing harder at the box because of them.
At times the narrative is a bit confusing, more so when there is a lot of back and forth in a temporal line.
The author at times draws strong parallelism between CrossFit and religion. This is hard to swallow for an agnostic like me, but I imagine it would be as well for a religious person.
January 24, 2019
There is something about knowing what you did, but not quite being able to express what it felt like or how you processed through the thing ... but this book captures EXACTLY what CrossFit is about. It takes some of those intangibles and makes sense of them and puts it in (mostly) plain language so that those outside the box can attempt to understand the 'crazy' things we do in CrossFit.
An excellent read and highly recommended to all CrossFitters, as well as anyone even remotely interested or concerned about what 'those crazy people' are doing.
An excellent read and highly recommended to all CrossFitters, as well as anyone even remotely interested or concerned about what 'those crazy people' are doing.
April 5, 2021
CrossFit isn't my cup of tea but this was incredibly well-written sports book that's one of the best odes to any sport that I've read so far. Herz delves deep into the history, CULTure and big personalities. The author is a true-believer though which is the only thing that holds me back from giving this book a 5/5 as she mostly just dismisses the criticism of the Crossfit business and culture. This was a real engaging page- turner though and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in sporting cultures, tribalism and/or Crossfit in general.
April 20, 2024
This is a great story to read even for someone with many years Crossfitting. I've been doing CrossFit for 9 years and I learned so much about the early days and years when it first started that I never knew. It was also fun reading about movements and workouts I am familiar with and have done as well as learning more about the first athletes and the first Games. Highly recommend for anyone at any level of CrossFit as well as for someone who has never tried it before. Very motivational and inspiring.
August 7, 2017
Very readable!
I, of course, drank the Kool-aid before I read this book, and have been doing CrossFit for 7 weeks now. This book is very well written, and really pulls you in to the stories a out some of CrossFit's most famous athletes. I found the discussion about the mental aspects of CrossFit training to be particularly interesting and relatable.
A very good read for anyone participating in, or even just interested in CrossFit!
I, of course, drank the Kool-aid before I read this book, and have been doing CrossFit for 7 weeks now. This book is very well written, and really pulls you in to the stories a out some of CrossFit's most famous athletes. I found the discussion about the mental aspects of CrossFit training to be particularly interesting and relatable.
A very good read for anyone participating in, or even just interested in CrossFit!
March 12, 2020
I really enjoy Crossfit myself and this book gave me what I was looking for in terms of the history of Crossfit, the major players, the reasoning behind it, etc. I learned a lot from it and enjoyed a lot of the stories. That being said, it felt like I was being fed a lot of koolaid in this book. The author tries a little too hard to make every aspect of Crossfit sound badass and it was a little cringey at times for me to read.
November 13, 2022
Great story telling! I have been a crossfitter for about 5 years and amazed at the athletes around me.This book gives insight into its origins and what makes the fire breathers tick. Thoroughly enjoyed reading about some of the historic performances. It was inspiring and motivating. Is it an unbiased perspective? Maybe, maybe not but idc, whatever Crossfit the brand is, the athletes are still amazing. I wish it would have shared more about the women of crossfit but still a good read.
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