Fitness entrepreneur Greg Glassman, the controversial founder of CrossFit, is once again in the spotlight, this time for his ties to the “manosphere” and his influence on fitness culture within political circles, particularly during Donald Trump’s presidency.
According to a recent report by The Guardian, Glassman’s reputation has been marred by multiple allegations of misconduct, including claims of fostering a toxic workplace rife with sexual harassment. These accusations first surfaced in a New York Times exposé that painted a troubling picture of the CrossFit founder.
Glassman denied these allegations, dismissing them as part of a coordinated effort to damage his company’s reputation. “The negative accounts were part of a collective effort to devalue the company and buy it for scraps,” a spokesperson claimed, pointing out Glassman’s controversial remarks linking the Black Lives Matter movement to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report also unveiled lavish spending habits from Glassman’s time at the helm of CrossFit, including hefty expenditures on private jets and frequent stays at luxury resorts. Glassman himself seemed unconcerned, stating, “The till was mine. I owned 100 percent of the company.”
Fitness has emerged as a distinctive part of modern political identity, particularly among right-leaning groups. Glassman cultivated a CrossFit culture that embraced military aesthetics, often naming workouts after fallen servicemen and featuring images involving military personnel, which appealed to a demographic yearning for traditional masculinity.
This connection to militarism and masculinity found footing within the Trump administration. Figures like defense secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized physical fitness as a military priority, mirroring CrossFit’s intense workout regimen.
Hegseth has championed fitness challenges, further embedding the idea of physical prowess in the political landscape. Alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr., they launched the “Pete and Bobby Challenge,” aligning fitness with Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” platform, indicating a fusion of politics and athleticism.
Calum Marsh, a noted author on this intersection of fitness and politics, remarked on the significance of perceived masculinity in shaping this movement. He noted that the cultural trend towards ruggedness resonates with values rooted in earlier Republican eras.
However, as recent political dynamics shift, some are warning that Trump’s appeal among male voters may be waning. Ross Morales Rocketto, a political consultant, pointed to a drop in Trump’s approval rating among men, particularly following the Republican party’s losses in the 2026 midterms.
“Trump went from 50 percent approval down to 40 percent, meaning he’s losing independents and concerned conservatives,” Rocketto explained, highlighting a potential disconnect between Trump’s messaging and the electorate’s response.
Rocketto described a segment of male supporters who initially found the Trump movement appealing for its provocative stance, but as dissatisfaction grows with Trump’s policies, they are reconsidering their allegiance.
Marsh has previously looked at how various fitness movements have been politically charged, noting that the industry often reflects broader cultural and societal tendencies, reinforcing exclusivity in the name of health.
For example, Marsh criticized the Pilates movement’s marketing strategies, which he argued perpetuate exclusivity and fail to address issues of diversity and accessibility.
The links between fitness and political ideologies reveal how personal identity can heavily influence public sentiment. Fitness enthusiasts, especially among right-leaning groups, often align their workouts with broader sociopolitical narratives.
This dynamic is not only indicative of the times but highlights the ongoing negotiation between personal beliefs and group identity that continues to shape American politics.
As the political landscape evolves, how figures like Glassman emerge within fitness culture could continue to influence public discourse and political identities, setting the stage for future narratives.
With the midterms looming and public sentiment shifting, the intersection of fitness, masculinity, and politics remains a rich field for analysis, challenging advocates and potential leaders to reconsider their approaches in a changing environment.
