CrossFit Legend Dead at 50—What We Know So Far

The CrossFit community mourns the loss of one of its’ strongmen. "Pick up heavy things all the time, and you're gonna get strong," he said in a training video. Today the heavy lift is mourning.

On April 4, Rob Orlando died. Orlando, 50, was an affiliate owner of CrossFit Hybrid Athletics, where he led some of the toughest workouts for 15 years. He shared a passion for physical fitness and community, creating the CrossFit Strongman specialty course, which was a change-up on programming to help athletes regularly learn to play new sports.

He competed at the CrossFit Games four times over the years.

Fans will remember that he designed infamous “Pig,” a large, heavily weighted box, weighing between 300 and 500 lb, used at the CrossFit Games since 2013.

A Positive Leader

Orlando was always offering tips and pointers to help athletes gain confidence and strength.

“The beauty of the movements that we deploy is that they don’t have to be taught; they just have to be remembered. Your body has been hard-wired to do this, to pick things up, to push, pull, drag, and press,” Orlando said in one training session.

His Surprising Diagnosis

Over a year ago, Orlando was diagnosed with stage IV cancer, called neck squamous cell carcinoma, affecting his jaw and the lymph nodes in his neck. He had just achieved a PR ofo 1,525lb a few days before his devastating diagnosis.

Friends contributed to a GoFundMe account while Orlando was receiving treatment. There's a cold deadlift challenge that gyms can participate in to help his family with medical expenses.

Here's how it works, per the GoFundMe message:

Each gym or individual interested in participating will set up a barbell with weights (one for men, one for women, if applicable). When you arrive at the gym, put your bag down and lift the bar. Add weight and do this everyday until you cannot successfully lift the bar anymore. When you have successfully lifted your max, donate a certain amount per pound or KG lifted into the Go Fund Me.

Fan Reactions

“Awh man!! I remember watching all his videos back in the day. I started Crossfit back in 2010. He was one of my most inspiring persons to watch. Prayer sfor his family. Greatly missed. Rest in paradise.” - @Mr360ryan

“Rob is truly a legend in the CrossFit empire. I always looked to him for his physical prowess but also the way he communicated in such a positive way to everyone he interacted with. And always with a smile…RIP and thank you for your legacy.” - @Bear-Cat_2019

"I had the pleasure of Rob coaching my Strongman Cert a long time ago in Rochester NY! I'll never forget Rob and what he taught me!! God speed Rob! RIP Coach!" - CaptainMani13rob orlando crossfit