Fandom has been recognized as a bonding mechanism, with World Cup enthusiasts and fantasy football league participants establishing ongoing relationships. However, the majority of individuals I heard from formed bonds through athletic activities. Some mentioned the spontaneous formation of clubs in their neighborhoods, like the Colorado hiking group. Yet, many respondents to the April questionnaire I conducted about moving away from organized religion shared their experiences of replacing weekend worship with activities such as SoulCycle, CrossFit, or Orangetheory. They found friends and even some spiritual solace in these activities (for the record, I am an Orangetheorist and a SoulCycle dropout, although I can’t say I’ve ever felt a metaphysical connection to either).
Jeffrey Johnson, a resident of Illinois just north of St. Louis, first discovered CrossFit from an individual he met during a church mission trip to Haiti. He and his wife tried different churches but found them too exclusive, leading them to cease attending services. However, they discovered community and more in CrossFit, a group class involving high-intensity exercises and weight lifting. Johnson expressed, “The one thing I feel out of CrossFit is, it’s kind of goofy, but it’s unconditional love. Like, my coaches, even if I don’t hit the mark, whatever that mark is, they still care for me.”
Casper ter Kuile, the author of “The Power of Ritual: Turning Everyday Activities Into Soulful Practices,” examined CrossFit and SoulCycle while studying at Harvard Divinity School. He noted the mutual support experienced by CrossFit enthusiasts, a sentiment similar to Johnson’s. CrossFitters document their fitness goals on a whiteboard, and regardless of the goal’s scope, “goals are honored with the same amount of dignity and celebration.” There’s a sense that individuals have the agency to achieve their goals, with the community actively involved in their success. Additionally, like religious worship, CrossFit also involves evangelizing and outreach efforts.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that CrossFit, much like certain religious organizations, can alienate individuals who disagree with conservative-aligned beliefs. In 2020, the founder of CrossFit, Greg Glassman, stepped down from his position after making inflammatory remarks about George Floyd and Covid. Natalia Mehlman Petrzela also shared her experience of breaking up with the “cult” of SoulCycle, exposing troubling aspects involving entitled star instructors and profit-driven businesses.
Nevertheless, there are several positive aspects to glean from group fitness. Ter Kuile and Angie Thurston published a paper called “How We Gather,” highlighting encouraging findings. They observe a general shift away from organized religion in American culture and emphasize secular organizations that foster deep bonds through what they describe as “powerful, surprising, and perhaps even religious” ways. These organizations embody six key qualities: community, personal transformation, social transformation, purpose finding, creativity, and accountability.
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