Where you travel will determine your ability to locate Crossfit affiliates worldwide. At times there will be no Crossfit affiliate at which to train, so you will need to come up with another solution. In other instances there may only be one or two options streamlining your decision making process. On other occasions locating a Crossfit box (that’s a gym for you non-Crossfitters) will be extremely easy. There may be so many options you don’t know which one to choose. You may have friends who know something you don’t. I have written this article to show you the evaluation process I use when looking for Crossfit affiliates while traveling. It is my hope that the provided framework will assist you in locating a Crossfit affiliate that works with your training goals and travel itinerary.
Sometimes the Possibilities are Nonexistent
Crossfit has become increasingly popular in many corners of the globe, but it hasn’t made its way to every country on the planet. In general, your options will be much more limited when you travel through rural areas and remote countries. Sometimes there will be no gyms to train in, let alone a Crossfit box, and you’ll just need to make due. If that’s the case, refer to my upcoming Fitness & Travel article for training suggestions when on the road.
Crossfit Immersion in Coral Springs, Florida
Sometimes the Possibilities Are Endless
On the flip side, it is so easy to locate a Crossfit affiliate in New York City or other major metropolitan areas throughout the Western world that all you need to do is close your eyes and throw a rock. Please don’t take the rock throwing saying literally, and locate Crossfit affiliates worldwide by utilizing the Official Crossfit Affiliate Map.
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
If you are traveling somewhere that presents you with a variety of boxes to choose from, it is necessary to determine what location has the best training facility to suit your individual and/or group needs. Factors like time, location, cost, and condition of the facility, as well as the experience of the staff should all be taken into consideration. If possible do research prior to your trip, so that you don’t need to spend time when you are on the road.
With 15 possibilities in Singapore, choosing where to train took some time to research. I must have wasted at least an hour comparing websites, sending emails and making phone calls before making my final decision. Outlined below is the framework that influenced my decision making process. I used the same criteria when visiting a friend in Florida later the same summer and will continue to do so wherever I travel. Now let’s breakdown my criteria and start the evaluation process.
Training session at Innervate Crossfit in Singapore
Factor # 1 – Training Schedule (& Time)
One of my main concerns (if not my primary concern) when locating a box is finding one that fits my time table. Is there an attraction that is only open at a particular time? Is there a particular time of day that you want to train? If so you should find affiliates that are open during your desired training time. After working out my sightseeing itinerary, I noticed I was free during the mornings. Many of the locations only had evening classes, so that reduced the number of affiliates that met all of my requirements. Fortunately, a few did fit with my schedule.
Factor # 2 – Location (& Time)
Another concern should be the location of the gym in relation to your lodging. You probably do not want to spend an unnecessary amount time traveling to and from the gym. That will result in a loss of time you could be sightseeing. You may need to sacrifice time in order to meet your other criteria, but you should not revolve your entire day around training unless that is your primary concern. I have friends who work in the fitness industry. When they are traveling they hit the gym not only to work, but also to network with other people in their business field. Unless you are a fitness professional, I would recommend that you attempt to save time by choosing a location that is close to your lodging.
Some training toys at my home Crossfit gym in Ridgewood, New York
Factor # 3 – Quality of Training Facility & Coaches
If you consider yourself a serious athlete, then your primary concern is probably finding the best training facility and experienced coaches. This will take more research, but should not take very long at all. Search the internet and look for reviews. Look at the box’s website. They post their workouts of the day (WOD) and can give you a good idea about the level of training you will receive and the expectations of the coaching staff. There should be a section about the experience of the coaches. Pictures of the facilities should be provided that give you a sense of the type of equipment they have and how they maintain the box. In my personal experience, I have usually found a correlation between the quality of the website and the quality of the Crossfit affiliate. It seems to me that in general, the better the site, the better the quality of the facilities and coaches.
Factor # 4 – Cost
If you are reading this I am assuming you are a Crossfitter and are familiar with the higher cost of gym fees and dues compared to traditional gyms. Generally speaking, Crossfit affiliates will charge a guest fee of $20 – 25 USD. At times they may waive the fee entirely as was the case for me in Singapore the day after the SG50 celebration. Make sure to calculate transportation costs into your expenses. Some locations may not be easily accessible by public transportation, and the cost of a roundtrip taxi may deter you from choosing a particular location. Run the numbers before making your final decision.
Factor # 5 – Recommendations
When possible it is always beneficial to obtain advice from friends and other athletes who have already traveled and trained in the area you are planning on or presently traveling through. They may be able to point you in the direction of just what you’re looking for. They may also be able to steering you away from locations where they had a bad experience. Based on their recommendations you may have to do substantially less research so if you know someone who has trained at a Crossfit affiliate close to your future travel destination make sure you speak with them.
Strongman Training Anyone?
Putting It All Together – How I Chose Where to Train
In an ideal world I am more concerned about the quality of the training facilities and coaches than anything else. However, when I’m on the road, time is always my most precious resource. I need to make sacrifices. It is always culture and history before lifting weights. Here is how I combine the factors mentioned above to reach a final decision.
First, I determine what time I want to train based on my sightseeing itinerary. Then I identify the affiliates with a schedule that fits within my free hours. Additionally, I look at reviews and check out the rest of the website seeking out pictures of the facilities and the coaching staff bios. The facility is always more important to me than the quality of the coaches. I know what I need to do and will not be there long enough for a bad coach to negatively impact my progress. The hardest step is when I need to compare my options based on the research. Finally, I narrow my choices down to 2 or 3 affiliates if possible and email them about my desire to train at their facility. Then it’s out of my hands while I wait for responses.
Don’t forget to pack your wrist wraps before hitting the road!
Conclusions
People work out for different reasons. Whether you are into Crossfit, Olympic powerlifting, traditional bodybuilding, or step-aerobics, make sure you remember why you are traveling. It’s probably not to work out in a gym all day long and then miss out on visiting the many sites, sounds and tastes of a new cultural experience. Be realistic with yourself about your training goals while you travel. Don’t overdo it so much that your trip becomes a week of working out in Thailand instead of the week on the beach with some training sessions mixed in. Use the recommendations to help you locate a Crossfit affiliate and devise a plan for when the best time to train is without missing out on anything new and interesting during your vacation. Happy Training & Happy Trekking!