The Fitness Athlete Podcast Episode 2 - Injury risk in CrossFit: time to put this argument to bed
Dec 26, 2025
A lively debate on whether CrossFit is riskier than other workouts, backed by recent research. They pinpoint common injury areas like shoulders, low back, and knees. Practical talk on coach skill, programming, and when modifying training is actually a win. Tips for choosing a safe gym and why access to physical therapy matters for staying active.
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Shoulder Then Back Then Knee Are Top Injuries
- Shoulder, low back, then knee are the most common CrossFit injury regions.
- This profile mirrors weightlifting and powerlifting and contrasts with running, which favors hip/ankle issues rather than shoulder pain.
Use Injury Rate To Plan For Clinics And Gyms
- Use 3.1 injuries per 1,000 hours to set expectations for individuals and gyms.
- If an athlete trains ~300 hours/year (6 days/week) expect roughly one meaningful injury per year; a 100-member gym sees weekly injury symptom onset.
Partner With Physical Therapy And Keep Lifting
- Integrate resistance training and ensure access to physical therapy to reduce injury burden.
- Bruno et al 2025 suggests PT partnerships help 'put out flames' early and keep athletes exercising more consistently.