By transforming affiliates into health homes, we're not just creating new healthcare delivery points—we're revolutionizing how communities approach wellness.

This model recognizes that true health transformation happens through consistent support, education, and human connection—elements that CrossFit affiliates naturally excel at providing.

To fix our broken healthcare system, we don't need more hospitals or sophisticated technology. Instead, we need to return to the fundamental power of community-based care. Affiliate Health Homes represent this return, offering a scalable, sustainable model that puts human connection at the center of health creation.

Hancock Health has pioneered this approach by integrating CrossFit and functional fitness into their healthcare system. Starting with 900 members in December 2020, they quickly grew to over 6,300 members in one facility and 16,000 across three locations—a 200% growth. Their cash-pay, membership-based model has generated over $65 million in long-term contract value. Notably, 60% of their wellness center members initially have no other connection to Hancock Health services. This creates valuable upstream engagement, with many members eventually choosing Hancock for their healthcare needs, generating about $25 million in annual pull-through revenue. The impact is clear: their county's health ranking improved from 27th to 3rd healthiest in Indiana, placing them in the top 4% nationally. This success shows how merging traditional healthcare with community fitness can transform both health outcomes and healthcare economics.

The CrossFit affiliate acts as a vital extension of Hancock Health's physician network, offering wellness services and accountability that traditional clinical settings can't match. Through structured classes, performance tracking, and community support, members receive coaching and motivation that bridges the gap between medical advice and lifestyle changes. The CrossFit methodology's emphasis on functional movement, measurable results, and community has driven Hancock Health's success, creating a preventive care model that enhances traditional medical services while supporting lasting health changes.

While Hancock Health showcases a large-scale success in Medicine 3.0, Affiliate Health Homes can work at any scale. Individual CrossFit affiliates can partner with local healthcare providers to create similar community impact. This grassroots transformation doesn't need massive infrastructure or corporate backing—just dedicated coaches, engaged healthcare providers, and a shared vision for community wellness. As we shift toward preventive, community-centered healthcare, these local partnerships between affiliates and providers will become Medicine 3.0's foundation, building a nationwide network of health homes focused on prevention, community, and sustainable wellness.

If you missed the conversation with Hancock Health, watch the YouTube video!

In a recent interview, Tom Brandt shared his journey from military service to becoming an influential figure in the CrossFit community at the University of Munich. As a former German military officer who now serves as a civilian at the university, Brandt brings a unique perspective to the intersection of fitness, science, and community health.

Brandt's CrossFit journey began in 2010 during his sports science studies, where he worked as a personal trainer. His passion for Olympic lifting emerged in 2012-2013, leading him to dedicate several years exclusively to weightlifting. This background influences his favorite CrossFit workout choice - Isabel, which consists of 30 Olympic lifting repetitions. While primarily focused on strength training, he maintains a balanced approach to fitness, including weekly running sessions on Saturday mornings.

One of the most compelling aspects of Brandt's story is his involvement with CrossFit at the university level. What started as a student project has evolved into a significant presence on campus. The university's CrossFit box, established around 2010, has grown far beyond its humble beginnings. Today, it serves as a platform for bringing science-backed fitness concepts to diverse populations, including military personnel and, perhaps more surprisingly, sedentary and overweight individuals who might not typically consider CrossFit accessible to them.

In his current role, Brandt is working to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical application in fitness. He's involved in organizing health days that feature both poster and oral presentations, making scientific information more accessible to those outside the academic community. This initiative represents a broader mission to integrate evidence-based practices with CrossFit methodology, creating a more inclusive and scientifically grounded approach to fitness.

Brandt's work exemplifies how CrossFit can evolve from a grassroots movement into a comprehensive health intervention. His ability to combine military discipline, academic rigor, and practical fitness experience makes him a valuable contributor to both the university community and the broader CrossFit ecosystem. Through his efforts, the University of Munich continues to demonstrate how academic institutions can play a crucial role in validating and advancing fitness methodologies while making them accessible to diverse populations.

Dr. Tom Brandt and Dr. Annetta Schmidt will present our Grand Rounds this month, sharing their research from the University of Munich and highlighting the upcoming CrossFit Health Day in Munich on May 23rd. CrossFit DACH is organizing this event, bringing together thought leaders to educate healthcare professionals and affiliate owners about using CrossFit methodology in health interventions.

Visit this LINK for the full schedule and if you’re in the regions, register to attend!

Provider Spotlight:

Tom Brandt, PhD

Written by Jenn Pishko, MSNE

CrossFit in the Workplace Health Promotion

Written by Thomas Brandt, PhD

In this edition, we highlight recent research that underscores the versatility of CrossFit as an effective tool for workplace health promotion. While CrossFit is often perceived as an extreme, high-intensity training method reserved for elite athletes, new scientific evidence challenges this notion. Research - including the findings of Meier et al. (2022) and Brandt et al. (2022, 2023, 2024) - demonstrates that CrossFit can be adapted for individuals of all fitness levels, with beginners and experienced athletes training side by side while experiencing comparable physiological demands.

The MedXFit study, conducted at the military affiliate CrossFit Kokoro (figure 1), further supports this by showing that CrossFit is not only suitable for fit individuals but can also successfully engage sedentary employees, improving multiple measures of fitness crucial for long-term health. Based on this, we’ll explore how these findings contribute to a growing body of evidence supporting the applicability of CrossFit for individuals of any fitness level, particularly in the field of workplace health promotion.

CrossFit: A training methodology for everyone

More Than Just High-Intensity Training

CrossFit is often mistakenly equated with pure high-intensity exercise that always pushes athletes to their limits. However, according to Meier et al. (2022) CrossFit is far more nuanced. Instead, a typical one-hour CrossFit session blends periods of moderate and high effort, incorporating both aerobic and anaerobic components in a structured manner. On average, athletes spent 14.1% of the training time at intensities ≥91% of HRmax, 15% at 81 – 90% of HRmax, 17.5% at 71 – 80% of HRmax, and 22% at 61 – 70% of HRmax. The largest portion of training time, 31.4%, was spent at intensities ≤60% of HRmax. Heart rate responses during different CrossFit sessions are displayed in figure 2.

Similar physiological responses despite varying fitness levels

Meier et al. (2022) additionally compared the acute physiological demands in CrossFit athletes of different experience levels. Interestingly, the authors found no significant difference in these metrics between beginners and experienced CrossFit participants. This means that, despite variations in skill and fitness level, CrossFit training places similar relative demands on both groups.

Key Findings:

  • Heart rate responses were comparable between beginners and experienced CrossFitters during identical workouts.

  • This suggests that CrossFit workouts are naturally self-regulating. Consequently, a beginner will lift less weight or scale movements, but their relative intensity remains in the same physiological range as that of an advanced athlete.

  • As a result, beginners can safely train alongside more experienced individuals without feeling left behind or engaging in workouts that exceed their capacity.

Why is this important for workplace fitness?

  • Workplace health intervention should not segregate employees based on fitness level, requiring separate training sessions for beginners and advanced participants.

  • CrossFit eliminates this barrier by enabling a diverse group of employees to train together, possibly fostering team cohesion, motivation, and adherence.

  • Employees might feel less intimidated, as they see colleagues of all fitness levels participating in the same session.

This ability to integrate individuals with different fitness levels into a single training session makes CrossFit an ideal choice for inclusive workplace health initiatives.

The MedXFit Study - CrossFit for inactive, sedentary employees

The MedXFit study evaluated the effects of CrossFit training in previously inactive, sedentary employees. Within this one-year, controlled intervention study participants trained CrossFit for 60 minutes twice per week at the military affiliation CrossFit Kokoro during their working hours. An overview of the study design is displayed in figure 3.

Key Findings:

While workplace health interventions often struggle to engage inactive individuals, CrossFit’s coached, scalable, and community-oriented approach made it more accessible and appealing.

  • Great training adherence indicated the potential of CrossFit for facilitating long-term behavioral maintenance.

  • Motivation for behavioral change and maintenance was primarily driven by enhanced physical and psychological capability.

  • CrossFit participants benefit from motivational factors such as challenge, a feeling of competence, and social interaction.

  • After 12 months of CrossFit, participants significantly improved their mobility by 61%.

  • Strength in the core, upper body, and hip musculature increased by 24% to 65%.

  • Intensity and frequency of back issues were significantly reduced after the CrossFit intervention.

These results underscore CrossFit’s effectiveness as a workplace health intervention promoting long-term physical activity. For some employees who previously struggled with exercise adherence, participation in the MedXFit study may have been life-changing.

From sick to fit - A life-changing transformation through CrossFit

To demonstrate the potential impact of CrossFit on an individual level, we will further examine a remarkable transformation observed in a MedXFit study participant.

The participant was a 41-year-old male PhD student, who had been overweight (BMI: 41.3 kg/m2) and sedentary for years. Prior to participation, he exhibited several risk factors including high body fat percentage, elevated blood pressure, impaired mobility, and an overall unhealthy lifestyle (figure 4).

CrossFit motivated him to change his behavior and achieve his fitness goals. According to the participants, the training atmosphere and scalability were key factors for his behavioral change:

"Right from the start, there was a nice atmosphere during training. The trainers actively responded to the participants and adapted the training individually.”

Key findings:

  • His body weight dropped from 142.9 kg to 113.7 kg (BMI: 32.9 kg/m2).

  • He substantially improved his strength, mobility, coordination, and stability.

  • His annual health check-up in 2021 showed a normal blood pressure (124/80 mmHg) for the first time in at least five years.

  • He became a CrossFit coach himself and now helps others achieve their goals.

  • He consciously perceived the change induced by CrossFit.

“I feel stronger now. My endurance increased, and I can perform even complex movements like muscle-ups or snatches now. I feel fitter while mountain biking and less fatigued after a tour.”

This case demonstrates the potential of CrossFit-based workplace fitness programs to drive sustainable lifestyle changes in employees who would otherwise remain inactive and unhealthy.

CrossFit: The future of workplace health promotion?

Given the scientific evidence supporting its inclusivity, effectiveness, and scalability, CrossFit presents a compelling alternative to traditional workplace health interventions.

Why employers and health professionals should consider CrossFit to improve fitness and health in inactive, sedentary employees:

  1. Adaptability for all fitness levels: Individuals of varying fitness backgrounds can train together without compromising safety or effectiveness.

  2. Time efficiency: Structured one-hour sessions fit easily into busy schedules while delivering comprehensive fitness benefits.

  3. Holistic approach to health: Unlike many other workplace interventions that focus solely on fitness, CrossFit promotes broad adaptations, including but not limited to improvements in strength, endurance, coordination, and mobility.

  4. Great engagement and adherence: The social, team-oriented aspect of CrossFit, along with intrinsic motivational factors, facilitates long-term behavioral change and maintenance

As workplace health initiatives evolve, organizations seeking an evidence-based, engaging, and effective fitness solution should strongly consider CrossFit.

Final Thoughts

The latest research confirms what many in the CrossFit Medical Society already recognize: CrossFit is far more than an extreme sport for elite athletes — it is a powerful, adaptable tool for improving public health and fitness.

By enabling individuals of all fitness levels to train together safely and effectively, CrossFit has the potential to bridge the gap between medicine, fitness, and workplace health promotion.

We encourage healthcare providers, corporate wellness leaders, and CrossFit coaches to continue exploring how CrossFit can be integrated not just to enhance athletic performance, but also to promote long-term health, prevent chronic disease, and revolutionize workplace health strategies.

If you’d like to discuss implementing CrossFit-based health promotion programs in corporate settings, we invite you to connect with us.

Stay strong, stay healthy, and keep moving forward!

Brandt, T., Heinz, E., Klaaßen, Y., Limbara, S., Mörsdorf, M., Schinköthe, T., & Schmidt, A. (2022). MedXFit—Effects of 6 months CrossFit® in sedentary and inactive employees: A prospective, controlled, longitudinal, intervention study. Health Science Reports, 5(5). https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.749

Brandt, T., Heinz, E., Klaaßen, Y., Limbara, S., Mörsdorf, M., Schinköthe, T., & Schmidt, A. (2024). The MedXFit-study – CrossFit as a workplace health intervention: a one-year, prospective, controlled, longitudinal, intervention study. Frontiers in Public Health, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1304721

Brandt, T., Schinköthe, T., & Schmidt, A. (2023). CrossFit Motivates a 41-Year-Old Obese Man to Change His Lifestyle and Achieve Long-Term Health Improvements: A Case Report. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk8020058

Meier, N., Sietmann, D., & Schmidt, A. (2023). Comparison of Cardiovascular Parameters and Internal Training Load of Different 1-h Training Sessions in Non-elite CrossFit® Athletes. Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise, 5(2), 130–141. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42978-022-00169-x

“Joining CommunityCare through CrossFit Medical Society has been a great experience! Their team is responsive, organized, and genuinely supportive—I was fully crowdfunded at the start of this year for a recent unexpected medical event, which included surgery. It was quick and seamless. My responsibility for this surgery was only $500, compared to the 12K out of pocket I have experienced in the past with traditional health insurance. You can trust it.”

In 2021, Ashleigh Todd had to have shoulder surgery.

She had health insurance. In fact, she paid more than $400 per month in premiums for the assurance that should she require healthcare, it’d be paid for. Well — after her $12,000 deductible was met, that is.

But even after she’d met the deductible, Ashleigh was responsible for a copay of 30%. Her total financial responsibility for the event was between $16,000 and $20,000.

“I’m still paying off that bill right now,” she said.

Just a few months ago, in February 2025, Ashleigh tore the biceps tendon in her other shoulder, requiring surgery to reattach it.

Thankfully, this time, she was part of CommunityCare.

Ashleigh, 41, is a CrossFit Level 2 Trainer at CrossFit Believe in Warrensburg, Missouri, and the owner of Well Fed Health. For her first three years as a full-time coach, she purchased her own private health insurance, shelling out big bucks every month in return for next-to-zero transparency.

“With traditional insurance, it just really seems like a free-for-all,” she said. “You can’t get any information about what you will be billed.”

So when she heard about CommunityCare — a community-powered alternative to health insurance that aligns with her values, costs far less, and provides financial clarity — she was all in. And after her February injury, she had the chance to experience CommunityCare in action firsthand.

Ashleigh checked into an orthopedic urgent care clinic on the Monday after her Friday incident, initiating the health event in CommunityCare’s virtual care platform. By that afternoon, she’d received a call from her Care Advocate, Lizzie, who worked with her to manage next steps — including gathering estimates and finding the right place for imaging and surgery within the three-week window necessitated by her injury.

By the time Ashleigh went under the knife, she’d already been reimbursed for most of the $7,000 cost of the operation. Her total financial responsibility? Just the $500 Member Commitment amount.

The experience was in stark contrast to the 2021 procedure that saddled her with nearly 20 grand in debt (after billing insurance to the tune of $90,000). And that’s just considering one health event. For an even wider vantage point, let’s do some math.

At $400 per month, Ashleigh paid $4,800 per year in premiums alone under her old health insurance plan (copays raise that number substantially). As part of CommunityCare, Ashleigh pays the monthly $55 advocacy fee plus the monthly crowdfunding amount, which is variable depending on need and capped at $140.

That means that even with Ashleigh’s $500 responsibility for her February health event and even if every month’s crowdfunding amount hits the max (an unlikely occurrence; for perspective, January’s amount was $85, February was $75, and March was $70) Ashleigh’s looking at a total spend of $2,840 for the year.

That’s nearly $2,000 less than what she paid toward health insurance premiums — not even including copays or deductibles.

“It kind of puts things into perspective,” she said, recalling the surprise bills she’d received for rehab after her 2021 injury.

With CommunityCare, “everything outlined in the manual is what happened for me,” Ashleigh said.

“I’ve been trying to tell all my coaching friends to sign up!”

Support the CFMS Scholarship Fund

If you plan to sign up for CommunityCare, we encourage you to use this special code during your enrollment: CFMS25

Every enrollment will contribute $250 to the CFMS Scholarship Fund. This supports our student members who are looking to get there CrossFit Level 1 and continue to teach and coach others through the CrossFit Methodology.

We want to highlight the kickoff of the Ruck Race League by Bill and Kari Anne Anthes. The Ruck Race League offers a groundbreaking approach to community fitness that extends beyond traditional gym boundaries. By combining the simplicity of rucking with structured competition, participants engage in meaningful challenges while building connections across different locations. The league's special appeal lies in its ability to unite people who might never meet in person, creating a virtual community bound by shared goals and experiences. Through monthly challenges and online score submissions, members track their progress, celebrate achievements, and push their limits in a supportive environment. The format encourages both individual growth and team spirit—participants can compete against their personal records while contributing to their gym's overall standing. This blend of personal achievement and community involvement creates a unique dynamic where every weighted step becomes part of a larger shared journey. Whether rucking through urban streets, forest trails, or neighborhood paths, you're connected to a network of like-minded individuals working toward similar goals. The Ruck Race League transforms a potentially solitary activity into a collective experience, proving that strong communities are built one step at a time.

The RRL kicked off in April, and there's still time to sign up and get moving. To learn more, check out the website. Many affiliates are using this competition-based approach to introduce rucking into their boxes and welcome community members, making it an entry point for more people to join the affiliate.

Connect With Us:

  • Every Tuesday connect at 2:30 pm ET to get your questions answered.

    Just hop on this ZOOM call.

    This is for enrolled members of CommunityCare AND anyone else who wants to ask questions, get real time feedback from peers, and even dig into the issues plaguing are current health insurance system.

  • Dr. Thomas Brandt will be joined by Dr. Annetta Schmidt to share their latest research coming out of the University of Munich.

  • Affiliate Owners join us for a day of education and connection. Roundtables, Mastermind Discussion, Health Home Education and more! Email us if you want to join!

  • We’re heading to Nashville to talk shop with any owners and coaches who want to join us. These events re full of fun and tons of take aways.

    Email us if you’d to attend.

  • We’re heading to Idaho Falls for an in-person CME event. If you’re a healthcare provider and want to learn more about the CrossFit Methodology then save the date for the FREE event.

Podcasts and Information

Catch the latest CrossFit Podcast?