Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Results, functional movement, and the role of competition in training
In the concluding question-and-answer session of his presentation at the National War College at National Defense University, Coach Glassman addresses questions about trainer qualifications, program design, and effective methods for improving performance. He explains that the most meaningful qualification for any trainer or program is results, evaluated through three criteria: efficacy, efficiency, and safety. A program must produce measurable improvements, deliver those improvements quickly, and do so while minimizing injuries. While safety is essential, he cautions that prioritizing it above all else can lead to ineffective training. Properly coached strength and conditioning, he notes, generally carries lower injury risk than many traditional sports.
Coach also emphasizes the importance of functional movement, arguing that complex, natural movements—such as squatting—produce far greater benefits than isolated exercises. A knowledgeable trainer can identify and correct weaknesses through these movements without relying on separate assessment tools. He also highlights the motivational value of camaraderie and competition in training environments, describing simple methods that use friendly rivalry to push participants to perform at a higher level. In closing, he stresses that physical fitness is valuable for individuals in every role within the military, not only those in combat positions, and that improving foundational fitness across the force represents a significant opportunity for enhanced performance.
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The Glassman Archive is a comprehensive repository of Greg Glassman’s work during his leadership of CrossFit.
This collection preserves his original material and the foundational ideas he shared. We believe these insights are worth promoting and protecting. These lessons continue to inform his ongoing work with the Broken Science Initiative and MetFix.
Results, functional movement, and the role of competition in training
In the concluding question-and-answer session of his presentation at the National War College at National Defense University, Coach Glassman addresses questions about trainer qualifications, program design, and effective methods for improving performance. He explains that the most meaningful qualification for any trainer or program is results, evaluated through three criteria: efficacy, efficiency, and safety. A program must produce measurable improvements, deliver those improvements quickly, and do so while minimizing injuries. While safety is essential, he cautions that prioritizing it above all else can lead to ineffective training. Properly coached strength and conditioning, he notes, generally carries lower injury risk than many traditional sports.
Coach also emphasizes the importance of functional movement, arguing that complex, natural movements—such as squatting—produce far greater benefits than isolated exercises. A knowledgeable trainer can identify and correct weaknesses through these movements without relying on separate assessment tools. He also highlights the motivational value of camaraderie and competition in training environments, describing simple methods that use friendly rivalry to push participants to perform at a higher level. In closing, he stresses that physical fitness is valuable for individuals in every role within the military, not only those in combat positions, and that improving foundational fitness across the force represents a significant opportunity for enhanced performance.
------------------------------
The Glassman Archive is a comprehensive repository of Greg Glassman’s work during his leadership of CrossFit.
This collection preserves his original material and the foundational ideas he shared. We believe these insights are worth promoting and protecting. These lessons continue to inform his ongoing work with the Broken Science Initiative and MetFix.
