CrossFit founder Greg Glassman on transgender policy, China expansion and its new rules

Greg Glassman does not mince words.

The founder and current chief executive officer of CrossFit, the world’s largest fitness chain, is unapologetic and refreshingly unpolished during interviews.

He swears, wears his heart on his sleeve and pulls no punches in defending the fitness regime that has as many followers as detractors, most notably the mainstream media who are still dismissive of the workout style some 18 years after its founding.

CrossFit, which now has more than 15,000 “boxes”, as the gyms are known as around the world, has gone from its garage start-up roots to one of the health world’s most talked-about sports. As each box is independently owned and operated as affiliates in the country they are established, CrossFit has been able to push through an international expansion that exceeds other outlets such as Planet Fitness, Anytime Fitness and 24 Hour Fitness. CrossFit now has gyms in more than 120 countries.

It has also benefited immensely from the rising popularity of the CrossFit Games, which crowns the “fittest person on the planet” each year.

Glassman, a California native who is 62, took time to chat with the South China Morning Post about everything on his mind when it comes to CrossFit’s place in the fitness world.