Can CrossFit Change Healthcare?

“Glassman is on a quest to disrupt health care and solve the growing ancrisis of chronic disease related to diet and inactivity. And he wants to do this one CrossFitting doctor at a time.” — 'CrossFit is amassing an army of doctors trying to disrupt health care,' VOX

The connection between lifestyle and health is well established. Experts believe that up to 70% of an individual's health is determined by lifestyle factors and the choices we make. But using that knowledge to drive better outcomes is a major challenge for many providers and patients.

Traditional healthcare’s broken systems don’t give providers the time or resources to give patients anything beyond broad diet and exercise recommendations. CrossFit CEO Greg Glassman is hoping to improve on that relationship by training doctors directly, and hopefully earning their recommendations.

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Combining CrossFit and healthcare

Glassman believes CrossFit is an opportunity for providers to connect their patients with a program that aggressively supports healthier lifestyles.

At CrossFit gyms, members engage in HIIT (high-intensity interval training) classes run by trainers who act more like drill sergeants than coaches. But, as VOX writer Julia Belluz noted, “what really set the class apart was the sense of community ... At the end, I felt strong and uplifted. It wasn’t hard to see why CrossFit has spread so quickly, and why so many people are hooked.”

Behavior change is the key to better health

Glassman’s instincts support our belief that the key to better health lies in behavior change. CrossFit gyms appear to offer the sort of community support we believe is essential to driving positive lifestyle choices.

Creative solutions like Glassman’s are needed to help revamp the way healthcare works. But driving behavior change doesn’t have to happen in a gym. We’ve seen firsthand how providers and health coaches can empower patients to change their behavior.

At an on- or near-site care center, providers and health coaches work collaboratively with patients. These dedicated care teams support patients through empathetic listening and help them set SMART goals that reflect their barriers to better health.

Just like CrossFit’s positive community inspires members to keep coming back to the gym, clinic care teams support patients through exceptional clinical experiences and a sense of accountability. As an added benefit, care teams address behavior change from a whole health perspective, driving better outcomes for a patient’s psycho, social, and physical well-being.

Want to learn how dedicated care teams and a coach approach drive behavior change at an on- or near-site care center? Check out our FREE eBook: Sick Care Is Doomed to Failure.