Why does Crossfit cost so much?

There are a couple answers to this.

• We’re a high-value service.  We believe that our trainers should make a living wage and be able to make coaching a career.  That doesn’t happen when you pay them minimum wage.  If you want quality, you’ve got to pay for it.
• C’mon, we don’t cost that much.  One current member stopped going to Starbucks to cover the cost of her membership.  Most people don’t blink an eye at spending 200 per month on a smart phone which they use for phone calls, text messages, and Angry Birds.  All of which can be done just fine on a $10 Tracfone.  I’m not saying to throw out your iphone, just that it’s a matter of priorities.
• The closest comparable service to us is personal training which is easily twice as expensive as our regular membership.
• Consider this- you will pay for your health one way or another.  Either you pay for good health now, or you pay for bad health later when you’re sick after a lifetime of neglect.

I’ve heard Crossfit is hard, I’m afraid I can’t do it.

You’re probably right.  Better to not try something hard.

What is the difference between Crossfit and bootcamps?

Generally speaking bootcamps are done outside, for limited duration (say, 8 weeks then repeat), and don’t involve much equipment.  More significantly, bootcamps tend to use a lot of technically simple movements.  By contrast, Crossfit doesn’t avoid technically difficult movements.  We teach everything.  If you come here, you’re going to learn gymnastics skills and Olympic lifts and running technique and how to climb, etc.  We also have an integral strength program, meaning we don’t spend all of our time doing cardio-only workouts, we want to make you stronger as well as leaner.  This isn’t true of all bootcamp programs, just in general.

Is Crossfit good for losing weight?

Yes.  Although our primary aim is to improve performance (move better, move more, move faster), your body composition will follow.  How many butterballs do you see at the top echelon of athletic performance?  There is an unfortunate myth that you need to do hours of “cardio” in order to lose fat.  Any trainer who tells you this is either lying  or an idiot.  You are much better off by training short, intense intervals and supplementing with strength, skill, and mobility work.

I just want to lose weight, I don’t want to gain any muscle or be strong. (This was actually said to me.)

Crossfit won’t make you skinny, it’ll make you fit.  You will grow a butt and thighs here.  That’s a good thing.  Your hands will get callouses and you’re going to get bigger shoulders and arms.    We’re not interested in indulging some sick body image.    Get in here, work hard, have fun, and let your body be the shape that lets you do that.

What diet do you recommend?

The umbrella term we use is “Paleo” although we don’t particularly care what Paleolithic man ate.  We want a diet that enables us to look, feel, and perform the way we want.  We emphasize a diet of high quality foods, free from things that are inflammatory, energy dense, and nutrient deficient.  We typically recommend that our members try 30 days of living grain, legume, sugar, and dairy-free.  Then slowly add foods back in and see how you feel.  You don’t really know until you try it, and after you try it you can make informed decisions about what you eat.  We have quarterly gym-wide challenges to help with this, along with resource packets, and lectures.

I’m already a badass, can I just come do my own thing?

No.  At least, not yet.  We’ve got to see that you really do know what you’re doing before we turn you loose in the gym.  Some high-level athletes who are training for a particular event (Ironman, BUDS) may have needs we don’t address in the program and we’re able to work with them on an individual basis.  But we don’t let strangers off the street come in and do their thing.

I’m pregnant / just had a baby, is Crossfit right for me?

Maybe.  It depends on what your activity level was previously.  A reasonably fit woman shouldn’t have any extra difficulty learning Crossfit.  If you have a risk of miscarriage, then no, this isn’t for you.  Have the baby and then come in.  We LOVE kids.  Seriously, it’s part of the culture here.  We have an enclosed kid jail, and often let them play in areas of the gym which aren’t being used by adults.  We also have an awesome kids program so parents can come get their groove on while the kids do theirs.  Afterward you can share war stories on the drive home.

I have a bad shoulder/ knee/ back/ whatever.  Will Crossfit work for me?

It depends.  We’ve had some incredible success “fixing” people, but that’s not the case for everyone.  You’ll need to come in so we can screen you and evaluate what we can truly do for you.

My schedule changes all the time, can I come in whenever?

Yes and no.  Come in when you need to, but we do need people to commit to a primary class time and try as much as possible to come at that time.  This is so that we can manage the size of classes and maintain the quality of service.

I travel a lot and often don’t know when I’ll be leaving.

We are super cool about freezing memberships when you’re gone.  This is Tacoma, every 5th person is military; we’re good at accommodating screwy schedules.  All you have to do is let us know when you’re leaving and we suspend your membership.  Super easy.