Men's Health July 2, 2026 0 Comments

CrossFit vs Military Training: Which One Truly Pushes You to the Edge and Why It Matters More Than You Think

CrossFit—pretty much the Mount Everest of workouts, right? But here’s the kicker: is it really the absolute toughest way to push your body to the brink? I mean, who better to spill the beans than Josh Bridges—a former Navy SEAL and six-time CrossFit Games contender? Having carved out his own unique program now, he’s got stories and insights that go way beyond the usual sweat and pain. If you’ve ever wondered whether crushing it at the CrossFit Games compares to facing Navy SEAL selection (spoiler alert: one of them is a whole different beast), you’ll want to hang on every word. Plus, there’s gold in how to keep your strength even when injuries try to throw you off course and finding real joy in the grind. Ready to dive deep with some seriously hardcore, but surprisingly down-to-earth fitness wisdom? Let’s get into it. LEARN MORE.

1 min read

Ready to get into the best shape of your life? Get free weekly workouts and no-nonsense training insights delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up here and let the gains begin.

CROSSFIT IS HARD. But is it the hardest program to push the limits of human potential? Who better to answer that question than a former Navy Seal and six-time CrossFit Games athlete?

Josh Bridges has entered the chat. While he’s still heavily involved in fitness, he’s moved beyond CrossFit and developed his own program that models his unique training experiences. “I offer programming for whether you’re going into the military for military selection or maybe you’re not trying to compete but you want to be in shape and still want to scratch that CrossFit itch,” he says in the latest Men’s Health Strong Talk episode.

Competing at CrossFit Games and going through Navy SEAL selection are both mentally challenging and physically demanding activities. One, however, was more intense (and likely not what you expect). MH fitness director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S. gets to the bottom of it in his one-on-one interview with Bridges. The conversation also covers how to shift training after an injury without losing strength, finding joy in movement, and Bridge’s surprising takes on what’s overrated and underrated in CrossFit.

Want more deep-dive fitness wisdom from Samuel and other celebs and experts who’ve been on our Strong Talk podcast? Check out all our episodes here.

Watch Top Episodes

Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, MS is the associate health & fitness for Men’s Health and has previously written for CNN, Scientific American, Popular Science, and National Geographic before joining the brand. When she’s not working, she’s doing circus arts or working towards the perfect pull-up.