Shedding Some Light...
Recently, we’ve had an increasing number of people get in touch asking for a comparison between what we offer and what is offered by other gyms - a “why should I choose you over such and such?” email, basically…
People will always want to make something of an informed decision before signing up - it’s only natural and to be expected - but I have to say it is not fair of me to provide that comparison.
First of all, I am biased. I have a very clear idea of what it is that I want to offer / achieve and I have an excellent means of providing it / getting there. It is unlikely that other coaches and gym owners share my exact views, and it simply would not be fair of me to judge another gym based on my own biased ideals and requirements.
Secondly, I have never trained in most of these other local gyms nor have I met many of the coaches, and passing on secondhand stories has never been my thing…
Before I start I’d like to make one thing crystal clear: what follows is not an attack on anyone or anything, I am simply shedding some light on the great variation that exists between individual CrossFit boxes.
These are just a few examples taken from boxes that I personally have some spent time in… Some abroad, some in the UK...
Example 1: Birthday WoDs…
When a member has a birthday the entire gym do a special workout on that day… So someone turning 40 on the 20th of May (5th) could translate as 40 Wallballs, 20 Chest To Bars, 5 Rounds For Time… Just off the top of my head...
Some gyms love this - it builds community and is congruent with CrossFit’s hopper model.
Some gyms don’t like this, preferring instead to implement a consistent, well thought out program with proven results.
Pros and cons to both, and I certainly haven’t covered all of them, but I know which side I sit on…
Example 2: Kipping…
Some gyms are happy for everyone to kip their pull ups / dips / muscle ups / etc: kipping allows for more work to be completed in a given time, it is within the rules of the sport and is a vital skill for any CrossFitter looking to compete.
Other gyms require a strong base of strict pull ups / dips / muscle ups / etc first. Take pull ups, for example: if you struggle to pull your own weight or if you have compromised shoulder mobility, then maybe you shouldn’t be falling from a pull up bar, swinging through past what your range of motion can handle, bouncing off connective tissue with multiples of bodyweight [you’d be surprised at what velocity can add] and then trying to fling your chin back over the bar...
Again, pros and cons to both, I certainly have not covered all of them, but I know - and I’m fairly confident that you now know - which side I sit on...
Example 3: Atmosphere / Focus…
Some gyms are competition oriented... Many people will thrive in this environment, some will not.
Some gyms are business oriented... Many people get a kick out of packed out classes all sweating together, some people prefer a little more space and individual attention.
Some gyms are movement oriented... Many people will love this focus, but plenty will prefer the fast and furious approach.
Again, pros and cons to all types, and again, I haven’t covered all of them, but I know which one I prefer…
Summary:
Every CrossFit box is different, the same way every coach is different… And while we are a CrossFit gym, it is our version of CrossFit that we practice and promote, and it is not to be confused with anyone else’s…
Want to know if Blackbrook is right for you?
Dip your toe in... It’s the only way you’ll find out.
[Note: really proud of myself for not going off on a rant about pregnant CrossFitters Olympic Weightlifting… Which means I filled a page and half full of anger, realized it didn’t work well with this entry and deleted it…]
“Sit the f*** down and have a beer…”
~ Coach Collins
Copyright 2017
100kg sandbag carries... Left to right: Lauren, Danni, Ali...
Recently, we’ve had an increasing number of people get in touch asking for a comparison between what we offer and what is offered by other gyms - a “why should I choose you over such and such?” email, basically…
People will always want to make something of an informed decision before signing up - it’s only natural and to be expected - but I have to say it is not fair of me to provide that comparison.
First of all, I am biased. I have a very clear idea of what it is that I want to offer / achieve and I have an excellent means of providing it / getting there. It is unlikely that other coaches and gym owners share my exact views, and it simply would not be fair of me to judge another gym based on my own biased ideals and requirements.
Secondly, I have never trained in most of these other local gyms nor have I met many of the coaches, and passing on secondhand stories has never been my thing…
Before I start I’d like to make one thing crystal clear: what follows is not an attack on anyone or anything, I am simply shedding some light on the great variation that exists between individual CrossFit boxes.
These are just a few examples taken from boxes that I personally have some spent time in… Some abroad, some in the UK...
Example 1: Birthday WoDs…
When a member has a birthday the entire gym do a special workout on that day… So someone turning 40 on the 20th of May (5th) could translate as 40 Wallballs, 20 Chest To Bars, 5 Rounds For Time… Just off the top of my head...
Some gyms love this - it builds community and is congruent with CrossFit’s hopper model.
Some gyms don’t like this, preferring instead to implement a consistent, well thought out program with proven results.
Pros and cons to both, and I certainly haven’t covered all of them, but I know which side I sit on…
Example 2: Kipping…
Some gyms are happy for everyone to kip their pull ups / dips / muscle ups / etc: kipping allows for more work to be completed in a given time, it is within the rules of the sport and is a vital skill for any CrossFitter looking to compete.
Other gyms require a strong base of strict pull ups / dips / muscle ups / etc first. Take pull ups, for example: if you struggle to pull your own weight or if you have compromised shoulder mobility, then maybe you shouldn’t be falling from a pull up bar, swinging through past what your range of motion can handle, bouncing off connective tissue with multiples of bodyweight [you’d be surprised at what velocity can add] and then trying to fling your chin back over the bar...
Again, pros and cons to both, I certainly have not covered all of them, but I know - and I’m fairly confident that you now know - which side I sit on...
Example 3: Atmosphere / Focus…
Some gyms are competition oriented... Many people will thrive in this environment, some will not.
Some gyms are business oriented... Many people get a kick out of packed out classes all sweating together, some people prefer a little more space and individual attention.
Some gyms are movement oriented... Many people will love this focus, but plenty will prefer the fast and furious approach.
Again, pros and cons to all types, and again, I haven’t covered all of them, but I know which one I prefer…
Summary:
Every CrossFit box is different, the same way every coach is different… And while we are a CrossFit gym, it is our version of CrossFit that we practice and promote, and it is not to be confused with anyone else’s…
Want to know if Blackbrook is right for you?
Dip your toe in... It’s the only way you’ll find out.
[Note: really proud of myself for not going off on a rant about pregnant CrossFitters Olympic Weightlifting… Which means I filled a page and half full of anger, realized it didn’t work well with this entry and deleted it…]
“Sit the f*** down and have a beer…”
~ Coach Collins
Copyright 2017
100kg sandbag carries... Left to right: Lauren, Danni, Ali...
