CrossFit books are out there, but many fans don’t know where to start. We’ve compiled this list of seven must-read CrossFit books which are incredible reads, whether you’re a fan of the sport, an ambitious amateur, or an elite competitor. Yes, this includes casual gym-goers.
The sport of CrossFit has grown beyond elite competition to a fitness lifestyle for those looking to kick butt late into life. These CrossFit books are a great inspiration for everyone.
Chasing Excellence
Author: Ben Bergeron
Summary: Whether you’re a fan, an athlete, looking for excellence as a leader, business owner, or in your family life, there is something in Chasing Excellence for everyone. Ben Bergeron is a former CrossFit Games team athlete, multiple-gym owner (CrossFit New England, CrossFit Tilt), and part-owner of more than five other businesses. He still manages to co-host the Chasing Excellence Podcast and coach elite athletes like Cole Sager, Amanda Barnhart, and Katrin Davidsdottir.
In his first foray into authorship, Bergeon nailed it. The book delves into what it takes to successfully manage time, prioritize what’s important, and stay healthy while you do it. As far as CrossFit books go, this is the place to start.
Dottir: My Journey to Becoming a Two-Time CrossFit Games Champion
Author: Katrin Davidsdottir and Rory McKernan
Summary: Katrin Davidsdottir was the second woman in history to win two consecutive “Fittest Woman on Earth” titles, in 2015 and 2016. Along with Annie Thorisdottir and Sara Sigmundsdottir, Katrin is a part of an Icelandic wave in the sport, which has placed an athlete from the small nation on the CrossFit Games podium every year for a decade.
In this book, co-written by former CrossFit Games media host Rory McKernan, Davidsdottir discusses her childhood, how she found and fell in love with the sport, and why this book is just a step in her long journey.
There’s much to be learned from Katrin, from her mindset to her resiliency in a sport that is constantly evolving.
First: What It Takes to Win
Author: Rich Froning and David Thomas
Summary: Rich Froning was the first ever CrossFit athlete to win four-consecutive Fittest on Earth titles, a feat which was documented by the CrossFit-helmed Froning documentary. This book takes a look at his childhood, how he found the sport, and how he stays so dominant.
Even after retiring from individual competition, Froning has remained dominant in the sport, helming his CrossFit Mayhem Freedom team to the podium five more times. This means the last decade of the sport has had Froning on a podium every year, and never lower than 2nd place.
As Many Reps as Possible
Author: Jason Khalipa
Summary: Jason Khalipa has spoken of the AMRAP Mentality for years as a gym owner and businessman. The idea is simple: task yourself to a focused period of time to get as much high-quality work done as possible. Remove the distractions and focus on the task at hand. It’s this approach that has benefited the 2008 CrossFit Games champion, both on and off the field: where he’s now the owner of the NC Fit Collective, one of the largest collections of CrossFit affiliate gyms on the planet.
While Jason’s work to help gym owners with best practices has been the focus of his recent efforts, the AMRAP Mentality can be scaled to fit any business model and even implemented in your personal life.
How I Became the Fittest Woman on Earth
Author: Tia-Clair Toomey
Summary: Following Annie Thorisdottir and Katrin Davidsdottir, Tia-Clair Toomey became the third woman in the history of CrossFit to win two “Fittest on Earth” titles. She then returned in 2019 to pave the way as the first woman to ever win three. Much like Katrin Davidsdottir, Toomey is still a young competitor with many years ahead of her in the sport. How I Became the Fittest Woman on Earth is very much a tale of her life to date, and has great guidance for younger athletes looking to grow competitively and as good human beings.
Constructing The CrossFit Games
Author: Dave Castro
Summary: Dave Castro has been a permanent fixture as the Director of the CrossFit Games since their first event more than a decade ago. Castro gets a bad rap for the punishing test of fitness he plans, but this former Navy SEAL is a deeply analytical and generous leader. Learn about the countless hours and brainpower that goes into building the momentous annual events that are the CrossFit Games.
Cracking the CrossFit Open: How to Outperform Your Peers in Every Workout
Author: Oliver Norris
Summary: The CrossFit Open is an annual event which stack-ranks hundreds of thousands of thousands of CrossFit athletes who perform the same workouts, which are released each week.
Until 2017, there was very little out there as to resources for understanding and training for the annual CrossFit Open event. Oliver Norris did the work of breaking the event down from an analytical perspective to build a cunning guide to help you understand the design and purpose of the Open’s 5-week test of fitness.
