During Open Gym Sessions, no programming is scheduled. Members are encouraged to take advantage of the facility and perform their personal workouts as desired.
Many of you have probably seen “Open Gym” on the schedule at your local CrossFit gym but you’re a little worried about going and doing a workout by yourself. You are not alone. First off, open gym times at most CrossFits are supervised but not necessarily coach led. Unlike a regular CrossFit class, you’ll be on your own to warm up and work out. So where do you start?
Say Hello – Chances are you won’t be the only at open gym so introduce yourself to others. Whoever is there might want to join you in a workout, work on some weaknesses or just become your new best friend. Exercise is always better together so be open to it.
Warm Up – No matter what type of workout you’re doing you should properly warm up before you do anything. Get a little sweaty. Work some range of motion. Then start with some movement prep for whatever comes next. Not sure what to do? Ask a coach or complete the warmup on the whiteboard.
Make Up A Workout You Missed – Check our website and complete the warmup, lifting, WOD, whatever, from a day you missed earlier in the week.
Work On Your Weaknesses – Yes, we all have them! While this sounds very logical, most people when given their choice of workouts will pick something they are good at. That’s a big mistake. Pick a movement that gives your trouble or you had a hard time with and spend some time with it. Can’t get double-unders? Spend 20-30 minutes practicing.
Get Some Help – Do you have a specific goal in mind besides general fitness? Planning to do a weightlifting competition or a obstacle course race? Ask a coach to come up with some specific programming that will help you crush your goals. Sure, there will usually be an added cost with this but it will make a big difference having a focused plan from an experienced coach.
Congrats! Taking time to work on things you’re not good at or making up workouts you missed says a lot about you and how seriously you’re taking your fitness journey. Follow the steps above, get to as many classes as you can and there’s not stopping you.
(Description courtesy of our friends at Apache CrossFit)