Travis Stevens, a two-time judo Olympian and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, has strong opinions about CrossFit, and they’re not positive. As an elite athlete actively competing in both judo and BJJ, Stevens has a packed schedule of high-level competitions, including the judo grand prix in Cuba, the grand slam in Moscow, and the world championships.
Stevens first heard about CrossFit years ago and has since observed its growth with increasing skepticism. One of his primary concerns is the lack of proper certification among many CrossFit trainers. “A lot of the people who run CrossFit gyms aren’t necessarily certified strength and conditioning coaches,” Stevens pointed out to Men’s Wellness. “They just go on a website, find the WODs of the day, and put their clients through it.”
Comparing fitness facilities to educational tiers, Stevens places CrossFit at the bottom of the hierarchy. He considers elite training facilities, like Mike Boyle’s gym where he trains alongside professional athletes, as the “Ivy League” of fitness. Commercial gyms like LA Fitness or Gold’s Gym fall into what he calls the “community college” tier. CrossFit, in his view, is “so far down the line in terms of helping people. It’s like trying to get an education by going to a library to read a few books.”
Stevens is particularly critical of CrossFit’s one-size-fits-all approach to fitness. He argues that different athletes have varying needs based on their sports and goals, whether it’s improving speed, strength, explosiveness, or flexibility. In contrast, CrossFit’s philosophy seems to be, “Pick up the ball, try to do what we’re doing, figure it out,” according to Stevens. This lack of structure and individualization is a major red flag for the Olympian.
The risk of injury in CrossFit is another significant concern for Stevens. He’s heard numerous stories of serious injuries, including broken backs and pulled muscles, which he attributes to the lack of proper form and supervision in many CrossFit workouts. “The idea is: pick up the weight, and as long as you get from beginning to end, it’s considered a win,” he explains, highlighting the potential dangers of this approach.
Stevens also takes issue with specific CrossFit exercises. He’s particularly critical of the kipping pull-up, which he doesn’t consider a real pull-up. “Your chin doesn’t go above the bar; you’re jerking yourself up,” he says. He’s equally baffled by exercises like weighted squats on stability balls, questioning the logic behind putting weight on one’s back while standing on an unstable surface.
Despite his criticisms, Stevens acknowledges CrossFit’s popularity, comparing it to the appeal of yoga or spin classes. He suggests that people might be drawn to the communal aspect and the immediate gratification of working out in a group setting. However, he believes this doesn’t justify the potential risks involved.
Given the number of injuries associated with CrossFit, Stevens goes as far as to suggest that it should come with a warning label when broadcast on ESPN, cautioning viewers not to attempt these workouts at home without proper guidance.
More recently Stevens opened up on a scary trajectory US Judo is on and revealed that youth is reluctant to get into Judo due to lack of even blue collar work options in the sport.
He criticized the U.S. judo system for its narrow focus on producing Olympic medalists rather than fostering a sustainable environment for long-term athlete development. In contrast, jiu-jitsu has flourished by promoting community-driven schools and offering entrepreneurial opportunities for practitioners. Stevens warned that unless judo adopts a more inclusive and flexible approach, its future in the U.S. is at risk.
