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Caught Our Eye

CrossFit lobbying against Big Soda's research influence

Posted by Keturah Hetrick on Nov. 29, 2016

CrossFit, a high-intensity gym chain with a cult following, is turning to the federal in its battle to keep Big Soda out of academic research.

The gym chain has hired the Podesta Group to lobby on "conflict of interest rules and regulations related to academic research funded by government agencies," the lobbying firm recently disclosed.

Earlier this fall, CrossFit company founder and CEO Greg Glassman spoke at a Capitol Hill event, sponsored by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), calling for lawmakers to keep soda manufacturers from influencing academic research on health issues. According to a CrossFit press release, Glassman "has focused his efforts on chronic disease prevention," including type 2 diabetes, since the chain's founding.

Critics, however, allege that the company is motivated not by health concerns, but by its ongoing skirmishes with soda-sponsored fitness groups, according to U.S. News and World Report.