Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Why simple measurement—not jargon—is the foundation of effective training
Speaking at FilFest 2010, Coach Glassman explains that fitness can be understood in simple, measurable terms: moving large loads, long distances, in short amounts of time. While the formal definition—increased work capacity across broad time and modal domains—is useful for scientists evaluating the methodology, coaches should avoid technical language when speaking with clients and instead focus on clear outcomes and general physical preparedness.
Coach argues that effective training is grounded in measurable, observable, and repeatable data. By tracking basic variables such as force, distance, and time with tools like scales, yardsticks, and stopwatches, coaches can evaluate performance objectively. He contrasts this with the fitness industry’s frequent reliance on complex biological terminology, which he criticizes as unnecessary jargon that obscures rather than improves real training results.
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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.
Why simple measurement—not jargon—is the foundation of effective training
Speaking at FilFest 2010, Coach Glassman explains that fitness can be understood in simple, measurable terms: moving large loads, long distances, in short amounts of time. While the formal definition—increased work capacity across broad time and modal domains—is useful for scientists evaluating the methodology, coaches should avoid technical language when speaking with clients and instead focus on clear outcomes and general physical preparedness.
Coach argues that effective training is grounded in measurable, observable, and repeatable data. By tracking basic variables such as force, distance, and time with tools like scales, yardsticks, and stopwatches, coaches can evaluate performance objectively. He contrasts this with the fitness industry’s frequent reliance on complex biological terminology, which he criticizes as unnecessary jargon that obscures rather than improves real training results.
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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.
