Amazing True Story Of Cookeville, CrossFit’s Training Mecca

Only in CrossFit could this story happen. Cookeville, Tennessee is a very CrossFit story. 

In other words, one of the best things about CrossFit is the community. Similarly, it makes that the sport’s most talented town has a population of only 30,000 people.

CNN Sports with the story about CrossFit’s biggest little city.

“The reason for this mass migration to Cookeville, is Rich Froning. The 32-year-old Cookeville native dominated the sport from 2011 to 2014 — winning four straight individual CrossFit Games titles. Before making the switch to the team format, and subsequently going on to dominate that too.

Froning opened his gym — CrossFit Mayhem — in 2009, primarily for himself to train in, but soon the best in the world flocked to work out alongside him.

CrossFit stars such as Josh Bridges (fourth at the 2014 CrossFit Games), Dan Bailey (fourth at the 2015 Games), and Sara Sigmundsdottir (third at the 2016 and 2017 Games) have all made Cookeville their home at various times.”

The Cookeville saga continues.

“Froning’s team, CrossFit Mayhem Freedom who have won four of the last five CrossFit Games, also trains in Cookeville, as well as aspiring individual competitors such as Haley Adams — her sixth placed finish at the 2019 Games earned her the “Rookie of the Year” award — creating a unique competitive training environment.

“It’s just a constant competition in here,” Froning told CNN Sport ahead of his eighth CrossFit Games title (four individual and four team) earlier in 2019.

“When we push ourselves and we push each other, it just kind of elevates the whole group. And so it’s been fun to get those like-minded individuals together and to really push and see what we’re made of. It’s fun.”

What’s next for the CrossFit training world headquarters? Probably more titles. Also, more championships. Finally, more podiums occupied by CrossFit athletes with Cookeville connections.

Want more? Check out WATCH: Stefanie Cohen Interviews CrossFit Champion Mat Fraser here. Or read about Rich Froning Officially Announces Scott Panchik Addition To Team Mayhem here.