Exercise as a leisure activity hasn't really been around for a long time, and CrossFit has been around for an even shorter period of time. Because of that, we've missed out on an incredible opportunity: seeing how historical figures would do at CrossFit. So who're the best historical CrossFitters? Here are the rules I followed:

• Gotta be dead (obvi)
• No professional athletes (also obvi)
• Gotta be a confirmed, real person that actually existed

Let's do this.

Alexander the Great

There is nothing impossible to him who will try.


Where else to start than the famous conqueror, philosopher, and warrior Alexander the Great? Physically described as "short, stocky, and tough", he never lost a battle, and created an empire that spanned nearly the entire known world while he was alive. Between the physical toughness required to wage war for your entire adult life and the mental sharpness acquired from years of tutoring from Aristotle, the man would probably be fit as hell and a fiesty competitor.

Joan of Arc

I am not afraid...I was born to do this.

Joan of Arc was also a warrior who wore men's battle armor and was known for winning battles swiftly and decisively. Although she died young (only 19), she clearly had the mental toughness and physical endurance to compete. On top of that, imagine how much more phyiscally fit she would have been if she'd had the time to physically mature and peak.

Teddy Roosevelt

Speak softly and carry a big stick.

Teddy Roosevelt was a badass and there's no point questioning that. He's been described as "robsutly masculine", he was outdoorsy and pretty alpha as far as males go. He even served his first Presidency without a Vice President even though his predecessor was assassinated. The key to his fitness isn't mobility or endurance, it's strength and grit. 

Amelia Earhart

The most effective way to do it is to do it.

Amelia Earhart may be known for disappearing while trying to fly around the planet, but she clearly had a lot of endurance and mental toughness to even attempt what she was doing. Sure her hips might be a little tight from all the sitting, but she's coming at this whole CrossFit thing from a background of endurance. I can name at least one other female CrossFitter who's done that quite successfully: Sam Briggs.

Frederick Douglass

If there is no struggle, there is no progress.

If that quote doesn't accurately describe training and fitness, I don't know what does. Frederick Douglass showed off his mental fortitude and desire to succeed when he escaped from slavery after several failed attempts. He went on to fight for abolition, write several autobiographies, and become well known as a public speaker and activist. Writing is usually a painfully slow and trying profession and Douglass' commitment to excellence and acceptance of the need of sacrifice means he'd very likely be willing and able to train hard.