Chandler Smith’s 6th place finish at the 2024 CrossFit Games highlighted his evolution into one of the sport’s notable athletes. Standing 5ft 8in tall and weighing 195 lbs, the 32-year-old athlete demonstrates strength with a 225 kg back squat and endurance with a maximum of 85 pull-ups.
Initially starting his athletic journey in American football, Smith transitioned to wrestling in college before discovering CrossFit at West Point Military Academy. Despite facing challenges, including an asthma attack during qualifiers and military deployment, he has consistently improved his performance. This is evident in his recent achievements, including ranking 72nd worldwide in the 2024 CrossFit Open and securing 7th place in the 2023 CrossFit Games.
This comprehensive profile examines Smith’s physical statistics, athletic background, competitive achievements, and training approach that have shaped his CrossFit career.
Physical Stats and Background
At the United States Military Academy, Chandler Smith’s physical prowess stands out through his impressive measurements and athletic capabilities. Standing 5’8” (173 cm) tall and weighing 195 lbs (89 kg), Smith’s build reflects years of training and athletic development.
Smith’s athletic build showcases remarkable strength benchmarks. His power is evident through a 495 lb back squat, 635 lb deadlift, and 305 lb snatch. Furthermore, his endurance capabilities are demonstrated by completing a 5k run in 18:58 minutes and achieving 85 consecutive pull-ups.
Smith’s journey in sports began with a strong family foundation. His father, specifically, was an NFL player who subsequently became a professional strength and conditioning coach. Primarily focused on American football in his early years, Smith faced a significant turning point when his height plateaued in ninth grade.
Rather than letting physical limitations define his path, Smith adapted and excelled. He participated in track to enhance his speed, although he discovered his natural inclination toward slow-twitch muscle fibers. Altogether, his most significant athletic shift occurred when he embraced wrestling in high school. This decision proved instrumental in developing his comprehensive athletic abilities, as wrestling demanded a combination of:
- Technical proficiency
- Cardiovascular endurance
- Physical strength
- Mental discipline
Smith’s wrestling experience laid a solid foundation for his future athletic endeavors, teaching him the value of well-rounded physical development. His early sports involvement shaped not only his physical capabilities but also his approach to athletic training and competition.
Chandler Smith CrossFit Journey
Discipline and determination marked Smith’s journey through West Point Military Academy, where he chose the institution for its rigorous challenges and leadership opportunities. Primarily drawn to the Army’s active involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, Smith saw this path as an opportunity to develop his leadership skills while maintaining his athletic pursuits.
At West Point, Smith excelled by exceeding academic, physical, and military performance standards. His dedication to fitness found a new outlet as he incorporated CrossFit into his training routine. Meanwhile, his wrestling background provided a solid foundation for this new training methodology, which he recognized as beneficial for both his military preparation and athletic development.
The transition to competitive CrossFit emerged naturally after Smith’s 2015 graduation. His first milestone came in 2016 when he qualified for CrossFit regionals. However, military deployment and a subsequent injury temporarily halted his competitive progress. Nevertheless, Smith’s determination remained unwavering as he continued training wherever his military career took him.
His persistence paid off when he made his CrossFit Games debut in 2019. Moreover, while serving as an Army platoon leader, Smith demonstrated remarkable adaptability by maintaining world-class fitness standards. This dual commitment to military service and athletic excellence shaped his unique approach to training.
The military influence on Smith’s CrossFit journey proved both challenging and beneficial. His creative training methods, developed while balancing Army duties, fostered a distinctive edge in competition. Consequently, after retiring from active duty, Smith chose to pursue CrossFit full-time, marking a new chapter in his athletic career.
Competition Performance Timeline
The competitive journey of Chandler Smith began with his first CrossFit regional qualification in 2016. Following military deployment and recovery from injury, Smith made his CrossFit Games debut in 2019, securing 15th place.
Smith’s inaugural Games performance in 2019 resulted in a 40th place finish. Notably, this achievement came ahead of his original goal of qualifying for the 2022 Games. The athlete’s determination shone through as he balanced military service with competition preparation.
Smith’s breakthrough came in 2020 when he secured 6th place at the CrossFit Games. His performance trajectory continued upward with these notable achievements:
- 2021: 59th place overall
- 2022: 20th place finish
- 2023: 39th place worldwide
Primarily competing as an individual athlete, Smith faced significant challenges, including an asthma attack during the 2022 Granite Games. Yet, his resilience prevailed as he continued through the competition.
Since transitioning to full-time training, Smith’s performances have shown remarkable consistency. In 2024, he achieved 72nd place worldwide in the Men’s division. Additionally, his versatility as an athlete emerged through team competitions, where he secured 2nd place with CrossFit Invictus in the 2024 Team division.
Smith’s competitive journey reflects continuous growth, essentially transforming from a military athlete to a professional CrossFit competitor. His recent accomplishments include ranking 16th in the North America West region and securing 4th place with CrossFit Invictus.
Chandler Smith’s Training Approach
His experience at the CrossFit L1 certification reinforced this approach, where he practiced movements with PVC pipes to perfect his technique. Indeed, even with his ability to handle a 305-lb snatch, Smith acknowledges that mastering basics remains crucial for athletic development.
Smith prioritizes compound movements as the foundation of his strength training. The back squat stands as his primary strength-building exercise, which he considers essential for any training phase. Accordingly, his programming emphasizes full-body development through varied training methods, particularly incorporating:
- Olympic weightlifting for power development
- Rowing for cardiovascular conditioning
- Gymnastics movements for core strength and grip endurance
Smith’s programming style reflects his diverse athletic background, primarily focusing on consistency over intensity. His approach combines structured strength work with varied conditioning elements. Through his CrossFit L1 experience, Smith gained valuable insights into scaling workouts for different skill levels, simultaneously improving his own movement efficiency.
The athlete’s training philosophy emphasizes sustainable progress over quick gains. “People vastly overestimate what they can do in a day and underestimate what they can do in a year,” Smith explains, highlighting the importance of long-term commitment. His programming incorporates elements from wrestling and military training, creating a comprehensive approach that addresses both strength and endurance requirements.
Smith’s workout structure typically includes fundamental CrossFit movements while maintaining strict form standards. For instance, when programming bodyweight workouts, he insists on proper depth in squats and full chest-to-floor push-ups. This attention to detail, coupled with his emphasis on basics, demonstrates his methodical approach to athletic development.
Final Words
Chandler Smith’s journey from military service to CrossFit demonstrates the power of adaptability. Standing 5’8” tall, Smith has proven that physical dimensions need not limit athletic achievement, evidenced by his remarkable progression from regional qualifier to top CrossFit Games competitor.
Smith continues to improve his performance year after year. This dedication shows clearly through his achievements, from his breakthrough 6th place finish at the 2020 CrossFit Games to his recent success with CrossFit Invictus.
Chandler Smith CrossFit: FAQs
Q1. How tall is Chandler Smith and what is his weight? Chandler Smith stands at 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall and weighs 195 pounds (89 kg).
Q2. What is Chandler Smith’s athletic background? Smith started with American football, transitioned to wrestling in college, and then discovered CrossFit at West Point Military Academy. His diverse athletic background includes track and field as well.
Q3. When did Chandler Smith first compete in the CrossFit Games? Chandler Smith made his CrossFit Games debut in 2019, finishing in 15th place overall.
Q4. What are some of Chandler Smith’s strength benchmarks? Smith’s impressive strength is demonstrated by his 495 lb back squat, 635 lb deadlift, and 305 lb snatch.
Q5. How does Chandler Smith approach his training? Smith focuses on mastering fundamentals, emphasizes compound movements for strength development, and combines structured strength work with varied conditioning elements. He prioritizes consistency over intensity and incorporates elements from his wrestling and military background.