Are you looking for the perfect CrossFit gym in your area? To help you with your search, we’ve gathered up some of the major details you need to find the box that fits your needs. So, keep reading to find out answers to frequently asked questions – like how much a membership will cost, what you can expect in your first class, and common mistakes to avoid.
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What’s the Best CrossFit Gym In Your Area
While we are currently working on compiling information on individual boxes in different cities, we do already have some cities researched and posted. These include:
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Nashville, Tennessee
- Yuma, Arizona
More cities will come as we gather more information.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joining A Crossfit Gym
Can I try it out before I buy a membership?
Yes. Most boxes do offer a free no-sweat intro so you can try out the facility and decide if it’s a good fit for you. The no-sweat intro gives you the opportunity to see the facility, meet the members, chat with the coaches, and find out for yourself what it’s like to be a part of a fitness family.
CrossFit is not a solo journey. Instead, it is all about being part of a team and competing in group activities at your own fitness level. Remember, you aren’t competing against the other members, you’re trying to beat your own numbers and constantly improve.
During your intro session you’ll typically receive:
- A baseline fitness assessment
- An overview of the unique CrossFit training methodology and class options
- A tour of the facility
- Information on how to transform your health, fitness, and lifestyle
How much does a monthly membership cost?
The answer to this question varies based on location of the gym, whether you’re buying an individual or family membership, and how many days a week you plan to workout.
Generally speaking, an individual monthly membership for three times per week usually costs around $100. For an unlimited membership – where you can work at as often as you want – you should be prepared to pay around $150 per month.
Remember, these prices do vary based on location.
Some boxes only do month-to-month memberships, but others do offer the option of one-year memberships with a discount when you pay up front.
What are the drop-in rates?
If you’re visiting from out of town – or if you don’t want to commit to a monthly membership right away – most boxes offer a one-day and one-week drop-in rate. Single visit drop-in rates are usually between $15 and $20, and the one-week drop-in rates are between $60 and $100, depending on how many visits you plan on making during the week.
Some boxes offer a 10-visit punch card for around $125.
What will your first class be like?
Most boxes have something for every athlete, no matter what your age or fitness level. If you see a class you want to try, but are worried it might be “too tough,” don’t worry. Every box will scale every exercise to your ability. As your skills improve, so will the intensity of your workouts.
CrossFit consists of constantly varied, high intensity, functional movement geared to optimize your fitness in all capacities. In the CrossFit Group Classes, you’ll learn to challenge yourself to do things you never thought you could.
You’ll learn proper mechanics, stability, balance and agility – which all improve your everyday life. No matter your age or fitness level, all movements are designed for scalability. All the box will require from you is effort. They will start you at a level appropriate to your current fitness capabilities by varying the weight load, volume, and intensity.
You will perform a WOD – or Workout of the Day – that is scheduled for the day, and that could include weightlifting, gymnastics, and functional movements.
Can I see a sample WOD?
Of course! You should know that CrossFit comes with its own lingo, like EMOM (Every minute on the minute) and AMRAP (as many reps as possible). But, I will show you a WOD without all of the fancy words.
Helen is a WOD that features three rounds of three exercises, and you want to complete this as fast as you possibly can. The three exercises are:
- A 400 meter sprint
- 21 Kettlebell Swings – 1.5 pood*
- 12 Pull-Ups
*Pood is a kettlebell measurement. 1 pood equals approximately 36 pounds.
The classifiers for Helen are:
- Firebreather (top athlete): Less than 7 minutes
- Excellent: between 7 and 7 ½ minutes
- Good: between 7:31 and 8 minutes
- Fair: 8:01 or more
Like most of the benchmark CrossFit workouts, Helen is going to be a true test the first time you attempt it, so you shouldn’t expect to get a great time. Honestly, your first goal for Helen should be to finish. You are going to be dealing with pain and you will want to stop. But, you have to keep pushing.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When you’re new to the world of CrossFit, there are common mistakes people make. So remember to look out for:
- Too much too fast – Ease into it. It’s a marathon, not a sprint
- Not asking questions – If you don’t know something, don’t be afraid to ask
- Not taking a break – CrossFit is pretty awesome, and you might fall in love with it quickly. But, that doesn’t mean you go every day. Let your body rest and acclimate to the new lifestyle.
- Not breaking bad habits – Going to the gym is great, but if you don’t stop your bad eating habits or make other bad health choices, you won’t get the best results.
When you are looking for the perfect CrossFit gym for you, you want to keep in mind pricing, and pay attention to the size of the gym and the equipment available at the facility. You also want to take a look at the class schedule to make sure they have options that work for you.
You also want to pay attention to the overall feeling you get when you are in the box. Do you feel comfortable? Do you like the coaching style? Do you get along with the other members?
CrossFit is a lifestyle that requires a commitment of both your time and money. You want to feel good about that, and should never choose a box where you don’t feel like you are joining a new family.
