You're wondering if all CrossFit's are the same. The answer is No!
CrossFit affiliated facilities are individually owned and operated, we are not a franchise. Basically, all CrossFit affiliates are free to "do their own thing". Our affiliation with CrossFit is based on our passion for quality training and programming and love of functional movements done at high intensity.
What does this mean for you?
You should check out the facilities and the coaches.
Some affiliates may greatly exclude one specific modality such as weightlifting or gymnastics. The experience and skill level (not the same thing) of coaches and trainers also vary. What do you get with your membership? Do you have to rearrange your schedule to be able to workout, or can you train at times that are convenient for you? Are there workshops or community events? Are you just paying for someone to tell you what to do (definitely NOT the same as someone showing you what and how; and getting you to understand why). Is there real coaching going on? Are you learning new skills and moving forward? Is there ample time for you to work on skills and techniques that matter to you outside of your scheduled training time?
So again, we are all similar, but can be vastly different. Choose what fits you best and your goals. No matter what, we are glad you found CrossFit. Done correctly, it is the BEST strength and conditioning programming around!
If you are new to the methodology of CrossFit it's important to understand what a quality program should look like. When searching for an affiliate take a good look at their programming, talk to some of the other members, research them online. This will give you a good indication of what they are all about.
What should you be looking for specifically?
Look for regularly programmed strength days, and the ability to add more strength work into your training should you desire.
You need quality instruction and time to practice and develop certain skill sets, namely gymnastic movements but also certain tedious exercises like Double Unders.
Met-Con's (Metabolic Conditioning workouts, kinda like 'cardio') should be short and intense, and not regularly longer than 20 minutes.
Coaches/trainers should be knowledgeable and experienced in training others and should put their athletes first.
Look to see what kind of adaptations their program elicits, and which athletes they've taken the furthest, not just their personal accomplishments.
Look for trainers that ask you for your goals, and give you individualized advice on how to best reach them - fitness is not a one size fits all approach.
Look for a positive environment, full of people who are there to help each other. People like you that celebrate each others successes and value hard work and dedication.
Most importantly look for a facility where they seriously believe in their service and where people practice what they preach.
Book your intro session online today and find out what we're all about.
If you like what you see, try us for 90 days, you've got nothing to lose!
