20 Motivational CrossFit Quotes

While we can—and do—expound on all the myriad benefits of CrossFit, no one around here would even try to tell you that achieving those benefits doesn’t take commitment and a lot of hard work. Part of the beauty of CrossFit training is that it pushes our discipline and determination, daring us to test the limits of our own expectations. Success in CrossFit requires you to commit to excellence…and shun mediocrity.

That’s never easy.

At the same time, it’s a journey we share, and everyone who’s on that journey understands the effort and mental fortitude that’s demanded. So when your determination starts to flag—and it happens to all of us from time to time—sometimes hearing from others can inspire us. We’ve collected a few great quotes—some specifically about CrossFit, some more general—to help give you that extra push when it’s needed most.

1. “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up again.” Vince Lombardi, Coach
2. “Don’t stop when you are tired, stop when you are done.” Marilyn Monroe, Actress
3. “Full effort is full victory.” Katrin Tanja Davidsdottir, CrossFit Athlete
4. “When you’ve got something to prove, there’s nothing better than a challenge.” Terry Bradshaw, NFL Legend
5. “During the hard times, it’s important to focus on the things you can change in that moment instead of what you should have or could have done differently.” Annie Thorisdottir, CrossFit Athlete
6. “In training, you listen to your body. In competition you tell your body to shut up.” Rich Froning, CrossFit Athlete
7. “Most people never get far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second.” William James, philosopher
8. “Without self-discipline, success is impossible, period.” Lou Holtz, Coach
9. “Failure is not an option.” Gary Cardone, Entrepreneur/CEO
10. “Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” Arnold Schwarzenegger, Former Mr. Olympia
11. “Typically the world’s best athletes are minimalists when it comes to their training. They work hard and fast with few exercises. They master the fundamentals and work with them for years. This is the secret that no one wants to hear.” Greg Glassman, Founder of CrossFit
12. “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” Mark Twain, Author
13. “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” Neale Donald Walsch, Author
14. “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” Confucius, Chinese Philosopher
15. “Be patient and tough; some day this pain will be useful to you.” Ovid, Roman Poet
16. “Never quit. It is the easiest cop-out in the world. Set a goal and don’t quit until you attain it. When you do attain it, set another goal, and don’t quit until you reach it. Never quit.” Bear Bryant, Coach
17. “Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t. ” Jerry Rice, NFL Great
18. “It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.” Muhammad Ali, Boxer
19. “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” Michael Jordan, NBA Star
20. “No one ever drowned from their own sweat.” Lou Holtz, Coach