Tell us what you think
Something I’ve been mulling for a while is what kind of format produces the best results. There are two models for Crossfit gyms. The open format which we use, and the class format. There are advantages and disadvantages to both which I want to discuss here in order to get your feedback.
Open Format: Most gyms in the area are like us. We have open hours and people come in at their convenience. Trainers are basically sheepdogs, guiding people along and correcting technique as needed. The chief advantage of this system is that it allows people to come to the gym when it’s convenient for them. It also allows more people to use less equipment. The disadvantages are that you get less instruction and you workout directly next to someone less often.
Class Format: Most Crossfit gyms elsewhere do this. There are set class times which people sign up for. The trainer monitors the warm-up then instructs the group on technique and movement standards. The class moves en masse through the WOD and starts it together. Afterward, the trainer leads or monitors the cool-down. The advantage of this is that you get more instruction and get to workout in a group every time, the trainer also makes you do a cool-down which is the most neglected part of the workout. The disadvantage is that it requires you to commit to a starting time, before or after which you can’t workout.
I am leaning towards switching to a class format. I believe that it will produce the best results for all of you. More instruction means better understanding of movements. Group training means better workout intensity (even if you’re nowhere near the skill of the other people, you will still do more simply by working out next to them). A guided class means you will do your cool-down which will decrease muscle soreness, facilitate recovery, and improve flexibility thereby decreasing injury.
But I am unsure how this would fit your schedules. Would a set time be too inconvenient? I know there are people who have to juggle work and family and can only make it in sporadically or in between start times. The more I think about it the less of an issue I think this is, but I want to put it out there for feedback.
So let us know what you think. If we go ahead with this change, we’d probably start on Monday May 4th.
Morgan,
I would highly suggest a class format. Here are a couple of points I would like to bring up.
- With a class format, you can still have open gym. Perhaps members will need to go through the beginner program or to have been a member for X amount of time before they have the privilege to use the open gym.
- More instruction coupled with a higher focus on technique and movement will breed better athletes.
- Working out with people on the same timer at the same time increases competition and acts as a motivator.
- Starting a WOD at a certain time opposed to on your own accord is an over looked aspect of physical preparedness. For example, if you plan to compete at any competition they will have you start at a certain time with everyone else and not when it is convenient to yourself.
Rita and I will be leaving mid to late May so we wont be able to take advantage of the new format for very long. If the class format just doesn’t work you can always revert back to open gym.
Morgan,
Could you give us an idea on the times that you would offer the classes?
Thanks
Warm-up at the top of the hour, be ready to start by 10 after. If there is a strength portion, then met-con starts at around 30 after. So classes would be at 6,7,8 and 9am, 12:30,3,4,5,and 6pm. If someone were late, they might still be able to warm-up and join the group for the met-con.
Thanks for clarifying that for me. I think it might be worth trying. A little peer motivation never hurt anybody.
Would you still allow people to come in and work on strength separate from that days WO?
Sorry about all the questions I just have a lot of schedules to work around, as I’m sure many of you do too.
I will never stop someone from coming in to work on a weakness, with the obvious condition that the class gets priority over space and equipment. But you know how we roll, we’re cool.
I think classes would be great, but for us 9-maybe 5′ers in the Army it is hard to get anywhere on time. Maybe if you just had classes during the day and then an open gym from 5-7.
can i go to different class times?
my schedule has me coming in at different times during the week.
i see the benefits of it and would enjoy the format. i just can’t go to the same one every day.
Yes. I’m totally into this idea. But Rob’s comment about coming in at different times during the week would apply to me also.
Thanks for the desire to continuously improve and for soliciting feedback from your members. : )
Regan did the class style in FL. Their website allows you to sign up for any time slot online, but daily, so no one can “hog” the 7AM time-slot for 80 weeks in a row.
I have a completely ridiculous schedule so, whether the WOD is at a random time or set time, it is knowing how long I need to be there that determines whether I can come or not. I hate it when I don’t come in and find out the next day the WOD was 16 minutes and I could’ve made it work. Or conversely, I’ll come in and feel rushed by time constraints, or guilty that I’ve come at 6:15 and the WOD is an hour long and you will have to wait for me (Sorry Lisa!!!)when you want to be leaving I’m sure.
So, yes, allowing people to schedule their visits at the hour it is most convenient on any given day sounds great. We can meet different people this way too.
Thanks!!
I think at first we will let anyone join any class and as we go we may need to establish some sort of sign-up. I don’t see why there would be a problem with alternating when you come in.
Kristina, are you signed up for beyond the whiteboard? Pat S will be updating that at the start of the week so you’ll be able to look ahead.
I like the class idea, working out with others on the same clock does give healthy competition. I also like our open gym format. So, needless to say I am ambivalent about the whole issue. What I do worry about is the space. I know the pull-up area got pretty full with 4 or 5 of us doing the work-out at lunch time together, and others had to wait. I guess if there was a large group and two trainers then splitting up and rotating might work? I bet we will all still find a way to come not matter what you decide Morgan.
I have to say that I am particularly fond of the open gym format. There are a great many things in my life that conform to a strict schedule and my workout is an unscheduled luxury for me. With that being said, I am prepared to stay the course and will make whatever format you choose work for me.
I really like all of the benefits of the class format, but I also worry about the logistics.
From a purely selfish standpoint, the on-the-hour starts may be problematic for me. I leave work at 4:30 and it takes about an hour to get to the gym, give or take 15 minutes. So, on most days, I would have to wait 15 to 45 minutes to start with the 6:00 class. Bummer. Clearly, it is not all about me, or even a little bit about me, but since you asked…
Morgan, I appreciate you soliciting input on changes like this. Regardless of what you decide to do, I suspect most people will follow where you lead…I know I will.
I vote for the class schedule, but not for having to sign up for a specific time
I think the class idea sounds fun – but not particulary convienent for some of us. I like knowing that if I end up at the office 15 minutes longer than I planned, or get the kids off to school late, I can still work out and I think the class schedule would make that difficult. If you do go to the class format…maybe the evening ones could be on the half hour for those of us who can’t make by 5:00 but 6:00 is too late…
I agree with what chris said. I think most would benefit from a class style. I too worry about how many people will be working out in each class. I think a sign up of some sort would be best to ensure access to weight/ trainers is optimal.
Morgan,
I really enjoy the flexibility that the open format allows (i.e. showing up at my convenience, doing a different WOD, ect..). Like you stated, some of the disadvantages of this are less instruction and often skipping out on parts of the warm-up or cool down. Taking that into consideration, in the ideal world, I believe the class format would produce better results.
For me, the main concern I have with the class format is that I live in a less than ideal world where people drive slow in the left hand lane, use the self-checkout line with more than 15 items, and I have to work in order to support my Paleo eating habits. With that in mind, it would probably end up being the 6:00pm class or bust with me every day, and I suspect that at least once or twice a week I would end up not making it into the gym in time.
Removing my personal issues from the equation, I believe that a class format could benefit more people, more (both fitness and community wise), which would obviously be better for the gym as a whole. As other people mentioned (and I also experienced when visiting some CrossFit gyms in California with the class format), I think the main challenge is in having enough equipment available for everyone. It’s no fun having to scale a workout simply because of availability.
Selfishly speaking again (ME, ME, ME!), I would definitely be a proponent of the class format while still having open gym flexibility (either at certain times of the day or by giving priority of equipment to those in a class). In a way though, it almost seems like the gym already works that way to some degree or another, as there are often be 3-4 people starting a WOD together.
The last thing I will throw in here is the question:
As a trainer, in what format do you feel you can train us better in?
In the long run, I think that will almost gauge the success of one format over another more than anything else.
I vote class. I should probably do a better job of motivation myself, but I definitely found myself pushed harder in the class format. The other class members know your strengths and weaknesses because they work out right alongside you, so they know when you are really pushing yourself and accomplishing something new, or when you could maybe be giving a little more. I think what I’m getting at is that it felt like more of a team environment, which for me, was a great motivator.
We (Brad and I) vote OPEN format! We LOVE the open format because of our schedules. One thing that I boast about CF is that you can get in and get out in 30 if you need to. The class format doesn’t seem to allow for this. It seems that it will take an entire hour with lots of transition, waiting, etc. That is why we quit personal training…we saw better results in less time.
With that being said, we are addicted and will keep coming back for more punishment but may have to figure out schedules….(as you know kids change your schedule a lot!)
Thanks for a great gym!!!!
I like the class format idea with open gym for those who can’t arrive on the hour. As long as there isn’t waiting around for equipment during the class it should work just fine. Saturday mornings always work and they are a class format.
Also, a class format would save Morgan from having to repeat directions multiple times and would probably educate members better on proper technique.
hmmm….as a member of about 4 months I don’t feel I’ve done enough – say snatch pulls, squat snatches, etc. or with enough consistency to remember which is which so a class structure would leave me guessing & maybe doing movements incorrectly. I like the idea of structured classes a lot so maybe someone like me should start at the beginning classes which weren’t available when I started. What do you think? Anybody?