With the holidays a few days away, some of you will be traveling and looking for a CrossFit gym to “drop in” to. Those of you who are staying here will probably see some new faces of out-of-towner drop ins at EDCF. Dropping into a gym while you are visiting from out of town is a fun way to see how another gym works, experience new coaches, and keep up your fitness! There are some unwritten rules about dropping in that you should know about before you do it…
- Let the gym know ahead of time. Go on the gym’s website to see what their drop in policy is. Email the gym at least a day in advance telling them that you are coming. Include that you have CrossFit experience and what class(es) you would like to drop into. Don’t try calling them as many CrossFit gyms don’t have receptionist and aren’t the best at calling people back. Don’t just show up unannounced and expect a spot in class. This is my biggest pet peeve!
- Arrive early. Get to the gym at least 5-10 minutes before your scheduled class. You will probably have to fill out a waiver. It is also good to meet the coach and tell them about any restrictions you might have. Ask if they will run the warm-up or if you are expected to warm-up on your own. This is also a good time to familiarize yourself with the workout beforehand.
- Expect to pay. A lot of gyms have a drop in rate especially if they are in a touristy area. Ask how much it will cost per class/week. If there is no rate then it is customary to buy a shirt and/or leave a Facebook/Google review.
- Do not ask to do your own programming. Take this opportunity to experience another gym’s programming and coaching style. Enjoy the fact that you are on vacation and have the chance to get a workout in and meet new people!