Rich essentially did what Jordan did for the NBA or Connor did or UFC, he got casual fans interested in CrossFit and grew the fanbase, he was essentially the face of CrossFit. As a matter of fact when I discovered CrossFit it was 10 years ago when a friend sent me a video of Rich Froning doing a workout
Just found your channel. I absolutely love it!!! I live for this stuff. I vote Fronning all day. Buuuuuuuut he is my idol, so I'm biased. That Friendly Fran performance by Fraser is displays a scary level of fitness. Again, amazing work! Keep it up!
Thanks, Im glad you liked it! Froning is my idol too. But im glad you can still appreciate Mats performances as well, your right that friendly fran is insane. Let me know what kind of videos you would like to see in the future!
Froning was better. Fraser was a weightlifting specialist, won a junior national championship, while Froning never touched a barbell until he was 21 and he still beat Fraser when they faced off on a max C&J attempt. Froning always had another gear when needed
Looking at event wins doesn’t take into account how many times May could sandbag events because he was so far ahead. He’s been open about gaming that system whenever he could.
I think this is a very fair analysis. The only thing I'm left wondering about is how much better Rich would have been had he had another elite great like Mat pushing him to an even higher level. We'll never know.
Who is the GOAT is in the eyes of the beholder but I loved your varied and thorough analysis. 2 Exceptional humans, for sure. Having said that, the first comment here is also on point.... TIA! :D Now how to compete these three... hmmmmmm :D Thanks anyway
one other thing to mention is that when Rich was competing the other athletes werent dedicating to the sport like they were during Mat's time. Shows what Rich did for the sport which was getting people interested and dedicated.
Matt was competitive in the endurance events of which Rich never was is the most telling part. Also, in 2015 at the open (Ranch) Rich was retiring but still the defending champion. There was a Clean and Jerk workout after the event b/w Matt and Rich. You could easily see Matt crushed Rich and especially obvious was the technical aspects and ease of which Matt could lift. I knew then no matter what Rich will never beat Matt at anything again. Also, as you mentioned the mental aspect. Rich stopped in 2014 due to the mental strain. He was only 27 and very rarely do people quit that early in their careers. Could Rich mentally deal with someone who was manical at winning at all costs? To the point they wore protective gloves to prevent any injury while cutting steak? Ya not a chance.
Since both stoped competing, CF become boring 🥱 Both Legends, but RF for me simply the best, just because of his versatility and continuous competing in teams, cycling, etc
Rich's the GOAT. He's the guy that built crossfit into the sport it is nowadays. Fraser is a beast, probably better competitor but the impact is completely differente.
I started crossfit when froning won its first game. And I also saw Fraser compete.....perhaps Froning left a good legacy but in terms of performance and dominance who was best Fraser by far.
These answers are absolutely insane. The sport only progressed as time went on. Fraser is far and away the most dominant male competitor in the individual category that CrossFit as a sport has ever produced.
Completely agree with the fact they never competed in their prime so it's hard to debate on their fitness alone. Although Rich was "in his prime" in 2018-2020, he was burnt out from competing as an individual and probably would have fallen. He's definitely talked about knowing what it was going to take to compete as the sport grew past 2014, but he wasn't willing to make that sacrifice. Mat would have crushed him, unfortunately. But you can't deny what Rich did to actually grow the sport. Without him, CrossFit might not have been as popular, and Mat would have probably been a really fit engineer 🤣Plus before Rich went team, no buddy talked about the Team Competition. The Team Competition is now legitimately competitive, and a lot of Team Competitors that compete now could make the Games as individuals. Rich > Mat Great content brother. Better analysis than Talking Elite Fitness (hot take) 🤣
Idk men, I wasn't in the Rich fronning era, but Mat just dominate every events. Each live competition is was certain that mat was on the top, and the others competitors just compete for the second place
Froning, not even close. His accomplishments are 100x more than just First Place finishes like Mat and Tia. The magnitude of impact Rich has had on Crossfit as a whole isn't even on the same scale as Mat/Tia.
I respect this detailed take but respectfully I think Mat is the GOAT and its not even close • Personally I do not think Teams titles or impact on the sport is really relevant to the debate of the 'Greatest' individual • One thing not mentioned here is how the level of competition has SKYROCKETED. Your other video about Amanda at the Games in 2010 highlights this. Yes Froning could only beat who was infront of him, but the reality is any of Mat's competitors in any year would have dusted Rich in 2011. Probably any semifinals athlete from 2024 would win the 2011 games by landslide. • Obviously its speculation but I think Froning would have been an average CF games athlete post 2014, and that's why he retired. It's not a hot take whatsoever to say Mat could have won as long as he wanted to. • My actual hot take is Medeiros winning 2 titles in the early 2020s is a better achievement than Froning winning 4 in the early 2010s. Love the videos though. Keep em coming!
I have watched a lot of GOAT debate videos across many sports.
This is by far the best. Excellent analysis.
Rich essentially did what Jordan did for the NBA or Connor did or UFC, he got casual fans interested in CrossFit and grew the fanbase, he was essentially the face of CrossFit. As a matter of fact when I discovered CrossFit it was 10 years ago when a friend sent me a video of Rich Froning doing a workout
Fraser for me, he just took things to another level training and competing wise
The answer to the question is Tia.
I love your videos! Thank you for taking the time to make them.
I LOVE your style of videos. So well structured arguments, thorough research etc.
Please keep it going, mate :)
The Greatest / Best analogy at the end was perfect!
So good video! So on point! You couldn't say it any better!
Just found your channel. I absolutely love it!!! I live for this stuff. I vote Fronning all day. Buuuuuuuut he is my idol, so I'm biased. That Friendly Fran performance by Fraser is displays a scary level of fitness.
Again, amazing work! Keep it up!
Thanks, Im glad you liked it! Froning is my idol too. But im glad you can still appreciate Mats performances as well, your right that friendly fran is insane.
Let me know what kind of videos you would like to see in the future!
Great video, man! Appreciate the impact on the culture. Rich has always been a great example AND member of the CrossFit community. Froning = 🐐
Analysis of the strength of their respective fields would be interesting too
Awesome video!
Thank you!
This was an awesome video. Deserves more views and attention. The goat answer is Froning. Not even close.
Froning was better. Fraser was a weightlifting specialist, won a junior national championship, while Froning never touched a barbell until he was 21 and he still beat Fraser when they faced off on a max C&J attempt. Froning always had another gear when needed
The GOAT is Tren
Yeah-the difference. . . Froning would have turned around and picked up the 10 lb. Bag.
Looking at event wins doesn’t take into account how many times May could sandbag events because he was so far ahead. He’s been open about gaming that system whenever he could.
This is so cool!
I think this is a very fair analysis. The only thing I'm left wondering about is how much better Rich would have been had he had another elite great like Mat pushing him to an even higher level. We'll never know.
I wonder the same thing bro
I wonder the same thing bro. I think Rich left some effort in the tank since he could afford to
Froning
Who is the GOAT is in the eyes of the beholder but I loved your varied and thorough analysis. 2 Exceptional humans, for sure.
Having said that, the first comment here is also on point.... TIA! :D Now how to compete these three... hmmmmmm
:D Thanks anyway
one other thing to mention is that when Rich was competing the other athletes werent dedicating to the sport like they were during Mat's time. Shows what Rich did for the sport which was getting people interested and dedicated.
Matt was competitive in the endurance events of which Rich never was is the most telling part. Also, in 2015 at the open (Ranch) Rich was retiring but still the defending champion. There was a Clean and Jerk workout after the event b/w Matt and Rich. You could easily see Matt crushed Rich and especially obvious was the technical aspects and ease of which Matt could lift. I knew then no matter what Rich will never beat Matt at anything again.
Also, as you mentioned the mental aspect. Rich stopped in 2014 due to the mental strain. He was only 27 and very rarely do people quit that early in their careers. Could Rich mentally deal with someone who was manical at winning at all costs? To the point they wore protective gloves to prevent any injury while cutting steak? Ya not a chance.
To me Froning is the GOAT but it can go either way
Since both stoped competing, CF become boring 🥱 Both Legends, but RF for me simply the best, just because of his versatility and continuous competing in teams, cycling, etc
Rich's the GOAT. He's the guy that built crossfit into the sport it is nowadays. Fraser is a beast, probably better competitor but the impact is completely differente.
I started crossfit when froning won its first game. And I also saw Fraser compete.....perhaps Froning left a good legacy but in terms of performance and dominance who was best Fraser by far.
Rich is great and paved the way. Fraser is the goat.
Rich fronting would win against Fraser. When Richwas pushed he always pushed back harder!
These answers are absolutely insane. The sport only progressed as time went on. Fraser is far and away the most dominant male competitor in the individual category that CrossFit as a sport has ever produced.
Completely agree with the fact they never competed in their prime so it's hard to debate on their fitness alone. Although Rich was "in his prime" in 2018-2020, he was burnt out from competing as an individual and probably would have fallen. He's definitely talked about knowing what it was going to take to compete as the sport grew past 2014, but he wasn't willing to make that sacrifice. Mat would have crushed him, unfortunately.
But you can't deny what Rich did to actually grow the sport. Without him, CrossFit might not have been as popular, and Mat would have probably been a really fit engineer 🤣Plus before Rich went team, no buddy talked about the Team Competition. The Team Competition is now legitimately competitive, and a lot of Team Competitors that compete now could make the Games as individuals.
Rich > Mat
Great content brother. Better analysis than Talking Elite Fitness (hot take) 🤣
They're both amazing but Froning also won the games when the softball throw was an event.
Can’t be the GOAT unless you beat the GOAT
you clearly don't know how the NFL works then lol
Without Froning there would be no Fraser.. Fraser is great because Froning was great. So its gonna be Froning for me.
I always go back to when Froning beat Fraser in max clean and jerk in the open
Bigger field with tougher competitors, harder events, more difficult scoring systems… Fraser for sure
Fraser was very lucky for his 5th games win, he only had to beat 5 over 10 events in aromas…it will always be Froning for me..
CrossFit exploded after Froning but is dying after Fraser, so that alone tells me it's Rich. Great analysis though!
Fraser é o papa troféu. Fronning é a “ideia”
Idk men, I wasn't in the Rich fronning era, but Mat just dominate every events. Each live competition is was certain that mat was on the top, and the others competitors just compete for the second place
I saw both eras and let me tell ya, it would have been one hell of a battle between those two
i love both athletes but its gonna be froning for me
Rich is the biggest, bascally a sport embassador, but Fraser is the best, peak Fraser was another level of dominance and fitness
Can't talk "GOAT" without mentioning Tia
Everyone here knows that a peak Matt would smoke Froning.
Mat is the better athlete, but Rich is better for the sport.
Froning... hands down..
Froning, not even close. His accomplishments are 100x more than just First Place finishes like Mat and Tia. The magnitude of impact Rich has had on Crossfit as a whole isn't even on the same scale as Mat/Tia.
I respect this detailed take but respectfully I think Mat is the GOAT and its not even close
• Personally I do not think Teams titles or impact on the sport is really relevant to the debate of the 'Greatest' individual
• One thing not mentioned here is how the level of competition has SKYROCKETED. Your other video about Amanda at the Games in 2010 highlights this. Yes Froning could only beat who was infront of him, but the reality is any of Mat's competitors in any year would have dusted Rich in 2011. Probably any semifinals athlete from 2024 would win the 2011 games by landslide.
• Obviously its speculation but I think Froning would have been an average CF games athlete post 2014, and that's why he retired. It's not a hot take whatsoever to say Mat could have won as long as he wanted to.
• My actual hot take is Medeiros winning 2 titles in the early 2020s is a better achievement than Froning winning 4 in the early 2010s.
Love the videos though. Keep em coming!
That last take is HOTTT
Froning is the Big Z of Crossfit, is that what you saying?
Froning, obviously.
Froning goat His times were more difficult
🤘 *Promosm*
This is just cool content... fuckin awesome, bruh!