Letting Beauty Speak

If you ask 100 people to define beauty, you'll get 100 different answers. Most will falter and offer descriptions instead.
CrossFit athletes are now rejecting previous definitions of beauty and putting forth their own, a definition researched and confirmed in every workout and every rep.
"There are people who spend their entire lives allowing the reflection in the mirror to determine their self-esteem, submitting to a cultural judgment established decades ago. But in CrossFit gyms all over the world, mirrors are conspicuous by their absence. Fitness is gauged in reps, in speed, power, virtuosity. And beauty is measured in joy. And in pride," says narrator Marty Cej.
CrossFit presents a new aesthetic based on function, performance and confidence.
"I love the way that CrossFitters look because it's just so real," says three-time CrossFit Games competitor Ruth Anderson Horrell, pointing to an aesthetic that's born of a relentless pursuit of work capacity and the inner strength that comes from achieving it.
"It's beautiful to be fit, but I think ... anyone who carries themselves with confidence will be beautiful," says Michele Letendre.
Four-time Games competitor Austin Malleolo agrees: "If you want to look good, do stuff well, and do what life demands of you, and everything else will fall into place."
Video by Jon Gilbert and Marty Cej.
The CrossFit Journal -- (journal.crossfi...)
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CrossFit is the world’s leading platform for improving health and performance. In the 20 years since its founding, CrossFit has grown from a garage gym in Santa Cruz, California, into the world’s most effective program for improving health and performance through nutrition and exercise. CrossFit is the world’s leading provider of accredited performance-based training courses and certifications and has more than 125,000 credentialed coaches across the world. The program can be modified to welcome people of all ages and abilities and millions of people have already experienced CrossFit’s transformational benefits in more than 13,000 affiliated gyms across 158 countries. CrossFit also directs the CrossFit Games season, beginning with the annual CrossFit Open, through which athletes at every level compete worldwide, and culminating in the CrossFit Games, where top athletes compete for the title of Fittest on Earth®.
Learn more about CrossFit → www.crossfit.c...
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CrossFit® - Forging Elite Fitness®
The CrossFit Games® - The Sport of Fitness™ - The Fittest On Earth™

[@ItsCynder]

I'm 15 and I know I can do this .... People won't let me though and its hard .... So I train myself, I did weightlifting and that helped a lot with snatching, c&j, deadlifts and other weight training... Now I just go to my local gym and work as hard as I can every single day. I can't wait for the day that I can say I'm a real crossfitter , screw everyone who hates us. I can't wait for the day I can be in the games.

[@ItsCynder]

thanks guys!

[@jacksatterfield3447]

I grew up around crossfit sense I was 5 witch was before crossfit was a thing. My family has dedicated 11 years to giving people a fitter fresher life. This video discribes the sport of crossfit better then any other thing I have experisnce. It's the best video I ever seen I wish they would tell the name to the music though

[@D31NH4]

hope you're doing crossfit by now. I also would not be allowed to do it, cause here in Brazil is too expensive... but after years of waiting I'll finally start doing crossfit and I'll crush it

[@doomerbro4131]

CrossFit® exactly this is what i Love about crossfit! Greetings from germany.....

[@anaruedaq]

I don't know how many times I have seen this video, but every time I get encourage all over again to keep at it!!! I feel beautiful when I do crossfit and challenge myself every day!!!

[@missmimi6817]

Same here, specially after turning 51. Muscles are beautiful

[@valentinamatteis2458]

I love this video, A lot of people tell me because I'm only 12 that I shouldn't do crossfit because guys won't like me, but this video just makes me want to train so many more hours!!

[@Blackeyedfire]

Valentina Matteis it's wonderful that you're already into CrossFit at 12! Don't listen to people who say mean things- worthwhile people will think you're wonderful no matter what, and will hopefully celebrate you for your strength!

[@StanislavKozlovsk]

You're not going to look like a man unless you start using steroids, little girl

[@emeraldtegeler8614]

Gurl me too! Sorry im late, but im also 12 and I do crossfit like, at least every other day for maybe 2 hours or so! Its good to see someone else who is awesome.

[@donna8904]

Valentina, if "guys don't like" as they say it's because they feel weak. Follow your dream girl.

[@scottcorbett4175]

Valentina Matteis Any male who rejects a woman because he thinks their too fit is from the extreme shallow end of the gene pool. Ignore them. You can be too fat or too thin. You can never be too strong.

[@misspennygolightly]

I watch a lot of "beauty gurus." I'm also trying to regain the fitness I had prior to having three children. This is the best and most inspiring and realistic video I've seen on youtube. And, btw, my daughter saw me train to the point of grunting loudly with my PT the other day. Before we got all the way out the door she was asking when she could start training. And that moment was beautiful.

[@StanislavKozlovsk]

I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful and meaningful video.

[@missmimi6817]

Very inspiring

[@victorious592]

Wow! One of the best videos ever! A beautiful composite...women...men...body...mind. Some years ago, I walked into a gym for the first time. I saw people who were maybe 20 years older than me...looking younger than me. And it wasn't just about muscles...it was an attitude...a frame of mind. Their physical appearance while impressive was merely a byproduct. I just saw people who were determined to be the best they could be. I never tried to define it until now but what I saw was beauty. Like Sam says in this video " I like being strong".

[@priscilaesteva6635]

These people are so true and beautiful, inspiring, happy... I want to be like this. Ive been doing CrossFit for a year and its time to step up my game.

[@johanabrown77]

Priscila Esteva I’ve been doing CrossFit for a year as well and I feel like it’s step up time as well....let’s go!!!

[@suethought9827]

I'm a teacher and I show this video to my students (14 - 17 year olds) to let them know that beauty is not defined by what you see in the mirror or other people tell you but how you feel about yourself! It is so important, especially at that age, that someone tells them they are beautiful, they are worthy just the way they are and not to fall into the beauty trap that society sets with unrealistic standarts for both girls and boys. I should know, I struggled with body image issued for all my life ... untill I found Crossfit. I have only been at it for 5 month, and I don't look that different and there is so many things I still can't do but ... I feel F*ING amazing! I wear different clothes, I walk differently and my whole mindset has changed. And the last is really what sets Crossfit apart! It doesn't matter at what level you are, simply the fact that your body is capable of thing you never thought possible ... just for this reason you start loving your body.

[@billbrun8098]

khalipa puts it perfectly when he says "the beauty from the outside to the inside is the heart and the perseverance that crossfit athletes have"

[@symanthadonaldson9296]

LOVE this video I watch it twice before I go to sleep and once before I go to Crossfit!!!!!!

[@Horseloverbaddie-13]

Loved Andrea Ager at the end, always a big fat smile on her face when she's not grinding out muscle ups on the rings!

[@keys96]

I coached girls track and field for 6 years, and I tirelessly tried to inform them that, lifting weights, pushing your body to it's limit, and outworking the next person should be your focus. It was hard and difficult, but I got through to some. I do not do Crossfit, but I believe in what this video was saying. Fitness, movement, performance are the foundation. Everything will fall in line after that. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[@kasimirb5155]

I prefer a crossfit woman over a fashion model a hundred times!

[@pattyry]

LOve this! "To recognize and accept the body's gifts and shortcomings and impose discipline over them is for many where beauty begins... beauty is no longer fleeting, but becoming". More motivation to keep persisting every time I come into the box, YES!

[@zhiggins808]

Slow motion makes everything cooler

[@rebnae]

I love this video, so much. CrossFit has changed how I view myself, my body, and my life. Thank you.

[@20pearlsNcurls]

THIS is beautiful!

[@87PowerMan]

Videos like this make me happy that I joined the crossfit community and sport. Shared this on my facebook wall already so hopefully more people will have a better understanding of the principles and meaning of it. Crossfit is not only my new sport, but my greatest lifestyle change for the better.

[@aasimsubhan1937]

Its one way for people to find them selves to realize it doesn’t matter if you are a man or women or if you are old or young. What matters is that you try your best and work as hard as you can in every aspect of life whether it be in the gym, at home, at work.

[@vinnyhofx]

you guys do such awesome vids. As a digital marketing consultant, I can say without a doubt that the CrossFit community on social media is one of the best of all.

[@ZoePayne303]

I don't know how many times I've watched this video. This is amazing. Everything in it. The speech, the music, the quality of the images, the images chosen. I'm so happy you made this video, it inspired me so much. Moreover, it made me realize about the mirror thing which, for some reason, I hadn't. Outstanding work here.

[@HYPERLINER117]

austin malleolo's perspective and input is just amazing

[@JanThorCrow]

Beauty, is how the choice to expand our mental & physical prowess, expresses itself in our daily lives.

[@thatscoolbro1]

I really love watching this video there's not to many videos that I'll play over and over but I just can't stop watching this

[@loladeolaoye]

I actually shed as tear. so beautiful.

[@rif4357]

Beauty is in ones perception of self. If you want something go get it. If your happy where you are accept that. Stop wishing and start doing. You can be as beautiful as you want. If you want it you have to work for it.

[@RoguePT]

One of the best clips I've ever seen! For all of you out there that think beauty is on the cover of a fashion magazine!!

[@laughconnor]

These people work there butts off... I have so much respect for them!

[@DERRYCKKOO]

I could almost cry listening to this

[@up2top]

Many people who CrossFit are individuals battling their own limitations and disabilities. It's not about the Games. The competition is in the mirror looking back at you. The Games are an inspiration to those of us who will never qualify because we know what it's like to do battle in the same arena. We all know what it's like to push yourself to your limits and beyond. The Games athletes are performing at a higher level but we all know what it's like to leave everything you have on the field

[@sweetbabyrae2]

I just started crossfit. I used to be a long distance bike rider and over the last 4 years I've put on over 50 pounds. CrossFit is making me feel more like me every day. I'm back to dead lifted 120 pounds - I've lost reasonable amount of weight for the time period. My cross fit trainer knows my physical limitation (I have agitated plica syndrome in both knees) and works hard to help be work around it. Everything has a good and a bad side. To say you know, is just proving you know nothing.

[@celinek4527]

This video is the definition of beauty 👌🏽

[@gurkis35]

1:09 Is the best explanation.

[@ysphor]

kristian clever's smile defines beauty :)

[@bernicesandejas1111]

Can anyone tell me the name of the two pieces in the soundtrack in this video? Excellent choices for this clip.

[@chayilel9804]

Same reason Ali said he was so pretty and beautiful... Good vid with a plethora of explanations

[@drhploveboat]

that one woman described the way they look as "real," stating that she loved their physical appearance. yet it's odd but, for some reason that didn't seem like the appropriate word to me. I think it's because to me, saying that they look real, implies that they just naturally look, and perform this way. it takes hard work to be exceptional at anything, especially when it comes to training the human body to peek levels. that's something most people don't have the will or the drive to do.

[@krishnalord1]

I love this...if money was not a factor I would dedicate my life to this. :(

[@aasimsubhan1937]

Saying these athletes take drugs is a easy statement, something a person would say who is afraid of hard work who doesn’t know the meaning of a life style based on functionality, durability, reliability. We all like the easy way out to achieve the “great looking body”these are the people who hate on crossfit. Crossfit brings inspiration, a community where it doesn’t matter how you look, what age you are, what limitations you have.

[@mdmeXnyc]

Great stuff, great definitions, all inspiring. Sadly too expensive. Biggest downer of the "CrossFit - making life better" business is the EXTREME expense. Doing cross training on my own at the gym and challenging myself at each step is an amazing feeling, but the lack of being part of the community really feels it denies a big part of the experience as its defined here or how CrossFit has been created. The beauty of being human is experienced most deeply when sharing it with, and supporting, other humans in their achievements. Really terribly unfortunate that the beauty of Cross Training communities can't be experienced unless one can afford $250/mo. Those of us with tight life budgets, but who love to get fit and challenge oneself, will never be able to experience the most beautiful aspect of Cross Training - the other human beings that make it amazing.

[@flyingonward1]

4:25: "It puts you head and shoulders above the majority of the human population." This embodies the central problem of Crossfit. Crossfit is so awesome in theory, so impressive in practice - we can all learn from it and grow from it. But to say that people who do it are "above" people who don't is incredibly distancing and demeaning. We are all here together. Yeah crossfitters are beautiful, but so are overweight people. So are thin people. We all are. There is no "elite." We're all one.

[@nomadflbh]

Song please.

[@kt75705]

Love this. What're the song names by chance?

[@leandisaaiman2035]

I loved every second of it! Thanks for this video! Strong women are very inspirational! Admired by all! We belong in gyms! We have the right to work hard and get fit! I don't just want to go for a jog, I want a challenge! Weights challenge me! Thanks for the inspiration and motivation with this video!

[@walkonthedarxide9399]

Eating a 30" pizza, and then going to the gym dead-lifting 525 with a broken toe. That's beautiful!

[@ricardochakalsouzapqd.4592]

YOU GUYS ARE FANTASTICS, GREAT VIDEO...THANKS !!

[@maatu1]

Who is someone to call someone's life "pretend" as opposed to "real". To some people, that is what is their life and they are just fine with it. The soul of something is what you make of it. However, I mostly agree with you but I don't agree with putting down others to make your point more valid.

[@sandeepbaldawa9146]

single word..beautiful!!

[@bpresgrove]

Great video. Awsome message for everyone no matter who you are or what you do or look like.

[@Tunrida57]

Good to see this, but a bit sad to see some of the comments. I was brought up to be everything I could be as a woman.. and for me that includes six-pack and the biceps. I don't dress in a provocative way (generally jeans and a t-shirt) but have always had plenty of attention from men and even in my mid-forties I still regularly get positive and appreciative comments from men and women. Not surprisingly it is generally fit people who like fit people.. and that's fine with me!

[@victorandrew646]

this was absolutely great

[@CAIrondad]

1:35... love it!

[@karaokekingskingdom]

Thanks for making this, it's excellent, do you have anymore videos by the same guys?

[@Kaspaa]

I didn't want this video to end.

[@deliciousfewd]

I think what he means is anybody that simply -does stuff- is better off than somebody who doesn't. It's the same sentiment that I'm sure you hear people say when somebody first starts going to any gym, that "No matter how slow you go, you're still lapping people on the couch". I doubt he's trying to imply that crossfitters are better in any way, rather that active people are better and I think that's a hard idea to argue with.

[@andresbk93]

fitness is beauty !

[@shmana]

ask 100 people at the crossfit games to define beauty, they answer, "Rich Froning"

[@pgmorse]

Damn. Well done CrossFit. That was excellent.

[@Ronjels21]

I love this video! I watch this video every day. I just love it. Now I only wan't go to the gym, do what I want and forget all and do my atchievements. Please, more videos for more motivatnig.

[@dessouky]

I love when towards the end of the video you see Camille's beautiful smile :-*

[@zombieland6484]

I want to thank you for posting this bad ass video of really good looking people. I want to show this to every one at my place of business. Then slap them in the face and ask, WTF is their issue?

[@michaelwraight2432]

Amazing! So much to learn, this vid says it all Thanks !

[@RaymondTseng]

What a great message.

[@VendettaX1221]

Does Anyone know did the background music and what its called? Is it an original? I would really like out! very beautiful

[@DanielRobinson1]

beautiful video. thank you

[@FSUvinny]

That got me all verklempt! I love you, CrossFit.

[@LaBellaSiena]

Super inspirational

[@aldairsotuyoolguin8654]

Most amazing video!!!

[@mmid2]

you might want to watch event 1 from the 2013 games! If you are a division 1 swimmer you might recognize the chap who won that event!!

[@casiosx003]

really loved this

[@AndrewSmith-dk7qt]

0:57 HOLY SHIT!!!!! ASSSS, now that's beautiful

[@Sondaroe]

awesome video! really motivating

[@avnjgh0795]

but this is a good inspirational video comparing anothers just anouncing their product... i like the video

[@zacktelander]

6:10 andrea ager?

[@Urhoboman5]

Sorry I didn't respond sooner. But Jose pretty much covered it. There's a few more but those were the main ones.

[@micolo123]

This is so awesome! I want to get into crossfit to cut some body fat.

[@jeffersonhenley6787]

Beautiful, as defined in the video. *Tear*

[@fevermetalofadry]

Beautiful video. Thanks for sharing!

[@grenable]

even though i dont like that type of workout i admire those guys doing this impossible workout.but there is a trap when you try to define beauty

[@natreyes8152]

LOVED THIS VIDEO I love motivational videos like this :)

[@mathieum3047]

very inspiring video. However, in my opinion it is somewhat hypocritical to say beauty is about health and performance, while pointing the camera at all the physical aspects of the human body. I mean how many but shots were there ??

[@stevie6868]

As much as I find a lot of the crossfit athletes stunning, if you ask a crossfit audience what beauty is I'm not shocked to hear them say crossfit athletes.... Ask the audience at a fashion show what beauty is and it'll be the tall skinny women on a cat walk....

[@heybinu]

I totally agree. I noticed that as well. While we all have our definitions of beauty, it is more important to be accommodating of other views as well..

[@daniannie890]

I love this so much!

[@MichL_71]

I can't like this enough! ❤❤

[@notsosmartmart5402]

Love it Love it Love it !!!! x

[@briandawkings]

The human body is something amazing men.when i was arround 17 y was able to do 160 kg´s squats i used to be a triple jump athletics guy.i did it truly out of love cus my fam didnt really had that much money for me to be eating healthy or anything at times. sometimes i wonder what could have been if i had the oportunty to eat healthy and have some suplements. i could have been great. so all this to tell you one can achieve that Without juice.some might juice upbut they dont HAVE TO like u sugest.

[@789dude123]

This is one beautiful video

[@attrackatrack4107]

This video really inspire me to do crossfit! just one question. Please I beg you, somebody knows the name of the songs (especially the first track or song) thank you very much.

[@railzip]

I want a crossfit body!!!!!

[@dyarger]

Love this video!!!

[@pedrocarlosalmontetavera3423]

Brillante!!!!

[@MurtaghCathal]

Whats the name of the second song that is played in this video?

[@Imogenalton97]

every time they show them on the ergs it make me cry ;-(

[@rossakabossakarozay]

I did not comment on how these ladies have achieved their physique. The fact that achieving such physique is hard does not mean it is not beautiful.

[@dss103]

Dam I wanna start Crossfit soooo bad but i'm also an avid MMA practitioner and I plan on competing within a year. If only I could do both "sigh"

[@MrPalol]

Beautiful Video !

[@DubbyDominate]

Problem is in the UK, it's too expensive to do crossfit. Even gyms are ridiculously expensive how is the average man or woman supposed to afford it?

[@DubbyDominate]

+CrossFit® I dont have the money to afford to buy stuff to do it on my driveway, I need a gym where it's affordable to join n provides the necessary equipment to build myself.

[@petrpospisil6307]

it's not about equipment, it's about how badly you want it ;)

[@Charismablueprint]

DubbyDominate if you really want to do it, you'll find a way. I can think of numerous gym where you could offer to mop the floors to come in a few times a weeks. Find a way to be of service. Also if you can't afford a CF gym membership, you have bigger problems to think about. Be solution oriented and stop being a victim.

[@nathanhearn7509]

Dubby, As a UK CrossFit gym, unfortunately the rental for the spaces are much more expensive than other countries. That has to be passed on, as is sales tax (VAT) at 20%. Its not greedy gym owners. Apart from that, the membership is paying for your coach to have a salary. We have 6 full time coaches, their goal is to see you succeed. Your gym membership is paying for the expert advice you take from them in the pursuit towards your goal. If you use your membership, thats expert advice, on demand, whenever you need it. Tailored towards your mechanics, ability and goals. Its about value perception.

[@goodnotgreatt]

+CrossFit® For fuck's sack ! What's the music playing in the beginning ?

[@oceanlile]

i want an awesome body like these athletes one day! Gorgeous

[@DominicMunnellythisistheway]

Boom! Nailed it CrossFit

[@annatultz]

Rich Froning is beauty.