While many of us enjoy the community aspect at CrossFit IoTA, it’s the greater CrossFit community where you’ll see the joys of being part of something special. If you had a chance to workout at or even have visited another CrossFit location, you’ll know that in general the CrossFit community is welcoming and supportive. Much like when you first stepped into CrossFit IoTA, total strangers are encouraging you to push yourself to the limit and you find yourself doing the same.
When many of us travel for work or pleasure, we don’t want to get out of our fitness rhythm so we’ll stop by a CrossFit box to “drop-in”. If you are planning on a visit to another box, here are some courteous tips:
ASK A CFI COACH – many of us have been to or know CFI members that have been to boxes in other cities or we have friends or family who live in other places that can provide references. Ask any one of us and we’ll give you our recommendations on which box we’ve had positive experiences at.
REACH OUT – A couple days before you intend to go, alert the box owner via email or phone that you’re interesting in stopping by and doing a workout. The box may have a special seminar or event planned, they may have parking consideration, or there may a special code to gain access into the building. Many box owners prefer and appreciate the extra notice so they can reach out to us to get a little background on your CrossFitting history, injuries, etc.
ARRIVE EARLY – Don’t expect to arrive 2 min before class starts and jump right into the warm-up! You’ll have to fill out a waiver and maybe pre-pay (more on that later). Don’t miss part of the warm-up because you’re doing paperwork. Try to arrive at least 10-15 before class begins so you can meet others and get the paperwork out of the way.
COMMUNICATE – If you’re nursing an injury or aren’t comfortable with a movement in the workout, let the coach know as soon as possible. Also inform them what workouts you’ve done over the past couple of days. For example, if you just did Cindy (pull-ups, push-ups, and squats) and the next day they’re doing Murph (runs, pull-ups, push-ups, squats and run), see if anyone else in their box doing another workout that the coach is okay with you joining in on.
BE FLEXIBLE – If everyone else is doing Murph, then Murph it is! Remember, you’re a guest so go with the flow
FREE YOUR MIND – Classes are ran a certain way at CFI because it’s the most effective way for our community to meet their goals. Other locations will probably have a different way of going about things for their community. It may seem different, but try it their way and see what works and doesn’t work for you.
GET COMFORTABLE – We want to introduce ourselves to new athletes and drop-ins, but you can take the initiative when you’re visiting another location. Introduce yourselves to the members and ask plenty of questions. You’ll be surprised how many great stories you’ll hear from members of other boxes
LET US KNOW – Post your workout on the CFI blog. As CrossFitters, we enjoy reading other people’s workouts and as coaches we enjoy seeing how you did. If you have a positive or even a negative experience at a box, please let us know privately so we can keep that in mind when someone else is traveling to that city.
PHOTO OP – Take a photo at the visiting box, with the members, with the coach…what ever you would like, and we’ll publish it on our blog or facebook page.
TRADE – Some CrossFit boxes hang or trade shirts from other boxes. So bring a new CFI t-shirt with you and see if you can swap it for one of theirs.
PAYMENT – Lots of CrossFit locations post a “drop-in” fee. Not all locations charge, but some do so be prepared to have the necessary fee handy. If they don’t charge you, help their business out by picking up a T-shirt, writing a review, sending them a thank you e-mail, etc.
