Constantly Varied, Functional Movements, Performed at High Intensity.... But Wait, There's More
CrossFit is a fitness program that produces measurable outcomes through lifestyle changes, centered on training and nutrition. Workouts consist of varied, high-intensity, functional movements, and are the most fun and the most effective when done among friends at a local CrossFit gym.
If you are reading this, you are either preparing to or have already spent a great deal of time in a local CrossFit gym. By being familiar with gym etiquette, you are laying the foundation for a strong community by modeling respect for the other athletes, the coaches, the equipment, and the space. This article, based on the CrossFit Fury Code of Conduct and “Gym Etiquette” featured in the first Fury Focus Newsletter, serves as a primer for navigating the world that is a CrossFit Gym.
PLEASE BE ON TIME
Reserve a spot in a class, then remember to sign in to class. Coaches will start classes on time so come prepared for class. This means different things to different athletes. You know what you need to be ready to go. Lookup the workout (in the CrossFit Fury App) your past benchmarks/1 rep max/70% of heavy single when relevant. Have any of your personal equipment (knee sleeves, wrist wraps, belts, water bottles) squared away and ready to go.
The coaches’ commitment to you is that they will come excited and prepared for the day’s class. They will have reviewed all facets of the workout from warm up through the mobility session. They will have planned some relevant options for those who may need to modify a movement. The coaches will provide a class that is professional, organized, and well-coached.
INTRODUCE YOURSELF
If there is a new member attending your class, make them feel welcome. If there is a person in your class you have never met because you are a morning person and they typically come in the afternoon,introduce yourself. Receive drop-in athletes warmly.
PAY ATTENTION TO THE COACH'S INSTRUCTION
Please pay close attention when the coach is explaining the workout and its specific movements. Refrain from loading barbells, grabbing equipment, practicing movements, or chatting with other athletes when the coach is talking. Remember, you may have heard the instructions for the movement a hundred times, but it may be the first time for the newer athlete standing next to you.
Be coachable! Everyone needs a coach. If you need help, ask for it. Coaches are here to help make you better. No matter your experience level, you still need coaching, and you will absolutely benefit from working on the fundamentals.
Successful gyms are built upon two pillars: excellent coaching and a strong community.
BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS
Be conscious of the athletes around you. Respect their area. If they have set up a rower or an Echo bike for the workout, do not swoop in and use it if they are not on it. If you choose a particular bar of the rig, don’t take someone else’s bar just because it’s closer and they are not there. Stick to your equipment.
Understand the flow of the workout and don’t make yourself an obstacle. Face out on the rigs. Do not walk in front of other athletes while they are lifting. It is distracting, dangerous, and disrespectful. Give them space and cheer them on. Do not drop bars from overhead; loaded bars can hop off and take out someone’s ankle in an instant. Understand the space needed for an athlete to do double-unders or swing a kettlebell. Use the clips (with the only possible exception being bench presses) with barbell movements.
TREAT THE EQUIPMENT/FACILITY WITH CARE
Chalk stays in the buckets. Please do not take a chunk over to where you are lifting and toss it on the mat. Do not use it to mark off your rounds on the floor or on the rig. Rowers are stowed standing on end. Make sure to fold the arm of the screen down are release the handle from the hook and gently allow it to retract before stowing. When rowing, please do not allow the handle to go crashing into the chain return area. When utilizing the Ski Erg please do not allow the handles to retract violently on their own. Wall balls are stowed on their appropriate racks. Mind the labeling on the racks and ensure you are putting it back in its correct place. When returning a wall ball post workout, ensure the weight label is facing out so subsequent athletes know what weight wall ball they are grabbing.
Do not drop equipment unless it is for a safety reason. Do not drop kettlebells, dumbbells, or any other equipment. Do not drop empty barbells... EVER. NEVER EVER! Dropping barbells causes serious damage to them. Dropping barbells with only 10 or 15 lbs plates will crack and destroy those lighter plates. Always keep your weight under control.
Wipe down all equipment after use with the provided clean supplies. Ensure paper towels, tape, Band-Aids, and empty water bottles end up in the trash. The expectation is that you take care of your stuff. The desired behavior is you leave the gym better than you found it. Fury prides itself on having one of the nicest and cleanest CrossFit boxes in the West Valley. Everyone has a part in keeping it that way. Set the example, model the behavior, and others will do the same.
"NO ONE IS DONE UNTIL EVERYONE IS DONE"
A community is not a passive thing. Its members need to invest in it for it to exist. A community is a shared asset, created by the investment of its members. The more you put in, the more you take out. The Fury community is more than just a group of people working out together. It’s a supportive and inclusive network of individuals who motivate each other, hold each other accountable, and often form lasting friendships. This strong sense of community is one of the reasons why many people love CrossFit and stick with it.
Anything is possible with a little hard work and determination. Be optimistic, have fun, and push yourself and others to do better. Effort always earns respect. It was once said, “Ego is not your amigo.” Check your ego at the door; somewhere a high schooler is warming up with your PR. Don’t be afraid to be uncomfortable. Challenge yourself. “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
Learn to count. Try to complete every rep with good form and full range of motion no matter the time it takes you. Train with integrity and the results will follow. Maintain standards. Be accountable to yourself. Utilize the CrossFit Fury app to track your goals, your workout times, and your PRs.
No one is done until everyone is done. Show support to your fellow athletes when they are pushing hard during a workout, coming up against the time cap, or going for a PR. DO NOT clean up your equipment until everyone is done with the workout. If you finish the workout quickly, encourage others, hop on a bike, grab a foam roller, or simply relax but do not touch your equipment. The class convenes as a team, warms up as a team, lifts as a team, starts the workout as a team, finishes as a team, and cleans up as a team.
Welcome to the Community.... Bob Rentfro
Bob Rentfro, and his wife Tyleen, have been active members of the Fury community since 2011. Both are consistently involved in community events and volunteer at local competitions, fundraisers, and social gatherings.
