There are currently six CrossFit affiliates in Japan, with three more expected to open in 2013.
There are more than 5,000 CrossFit affiliates worldwide. While the bulk of these are located in North America, CrossFit is beginning to gain traction in many other regions. Asia, in particular, is experiencing sudden growth. Currently, there are six locations in Japan: CrossFit Asia, CrossFit Kyoto, CrossFit Roppongi, Shogun CrossFit (Kadena Air Base), CrossFit Torii Beach (military base) and Chikara CrossFit — a sign that Japan has started to embrace CrossFit.
Having heard about CrossFit from their friends and family in the United States, Australia and Europe, expatriates were primarily the only CrossFitters in Asia. However, in Japan fitness industry professionals slowly started picking up news of CrossFit through trade magazines, events and colleagues overseas. About two years ago, several mainstream gyms started to incorporate key phrases such as "functional movement," "high-intensity interval-training" and "tabata" into their classes.
Soon after, CrossFit was featured in mainstream Japanese fitness magazines such as “Muscle & Fitness” and “Tarzan.” CrossFit was slowly discovered by locals through affiliate videos online or from recommendations from friends and family training overseas. With only a sprinkle of affiliates in Japan, those who were interested in the CrossFit methodology began training in parks or in their homes. The growth of CrossFit in Asia has reflected the growth elsewhere.
Exciting times in Japan
Current affiliates find it exciting to be a part of the affiliate community during these early stages of growth. As pioneers in this region, there is a responsibility to healthily share CrossFit to locals. Japan has a history of fitness fads growing and dying out quickly, and the affiliate community has the important task of helping people understand CrossFit, while fostering the strong community it is renowned for. All of this great community work, coupled with stories of success has resulted in a steady growth in Japan. CrossFit Kyoto just celebrated its first anniversary gathering members together at a local burger joint. In Japan's capital, Tokyo's first independently owned affiliate, Chikara CrossFit, continues to grow in its third year, and this year welcomed a move into a full-time studio to cope with growth in membership numbers. Chikara also welcomed Dr. Romanov and his son, Severan, for a Pose Seminar in early October. Seminar participants included 14 Japanese-speaking and nine English-speaking athletes. Chikara CrossFit coaches provided simultaneous translation for Japanese participants. By 2013, three additional locations will be open — CrossFit Daikanyama, CrossFit Heart & Beauty in Tokyo, and CrossFit S.S.C in Hokkaido.
Spreading the Language of CrossFit
As the popularity of CrossFit continues to grow across the globe, and in Japan, it’s important to continue sharing what makes CrossFit special — the community. However, the language barrier can make it difficult. Chikara CrossFit owners believes being part of the community is not just about interacting with the people at your gym, but also sharing and learning from the global community. Chikara CrossFit is developing a series of CrossFit resources in Japanese to make the information more easily accessible to locals. Their aim is to continue creating Japanese subtitles for the videos that CrossFit posts on CrossFit.com and other sites. By doing so, they will not only be supporting the growth of CrossFit in Japan, but also any other Japanese speakers.
Establishing a Strong Community
The growth of CrossFit in Asia has led to the connection of all CrossFitters, whether they train at affiliates, local gyms or on their own. The Games season has also brought these people together, and with a growing number of people talking about CrossFit, popular social media outlets have been crucial to the sharing of information and advice for those with no direct access to affiliates. Having CrossFit information presented in Japanese has also made it more accessible to those who only speak the local language, helping to spread CrossFit’s reach.
