Have you ever dropped into another CrossFit gym while traveling?
If you haven’t, a “drop-in” is when you pay a day rate to take a class at a local CrossFit gym while you’re out of town—assuming you already belong to a gym like ours (and yes, “box” is still the unofficial CrossFit term).
For Katelyn and me, dropping into gyms has always been one of our favorite things to do on vacation. It’s something we loved long before owning Vegvisir and something we’ll always make time for. Owning a gym haschanged our perspective a bit, though. Now, at some point after walking in, one of us usually thinks:
“What does this gym do really well that we could bring back to our community?”
But beyond the coaching lens, dropping in is an awesome learning experience as an athlete. Here’s why.
Every CrossFit Gym Is a Different Take on the Same Recipe
Imagine asking ten people how to make a hamburger.
Everyone agrees you need a patty and a bun—but after that? Chaos. Mayo vs. mustard. Cheese or no cheese. Lettuce and tomato are “essential” to some and completely unnecessary to others.
CrossFit gyms are exactly the same.
Every box agrees on the foundation: constantly varied, functional movements performed at high intensity. That’s the patty and the bun. But how that gets expressed varies wildly. Some gyms use sandbags all the time. Some lift heavy daily. Some program the snatch regularly…and others barely touch it.
Just like burgers, it’s fun (and tasty) to experience different philosophies on what makes the “perfect” CrossFit class.
CrossFit Makes Making Friends Ridiculously Easy
As a Vegvisir athlete, you already know how to move well and build habits that support long-term health. What you might not realize is that you also speak a very specific subculture language.
There are over 15,000 CrossFit gyms worldwide, and no matter where you are—Brazil, France, Egypt, China, Australia—we all understand the same truths:
- The Assault Bike is awful
- Burpees are worse
- Thrusters guarantee a slow walk to the car
- The fan is premium real estate
- The last person working out deserves the loudest cheers
Because of that shared experience, walking into a CrossFit class instantly gives you common ground. A simple comment like, “Those hang cleans look spicy today,” can quickly turn into, “You have to try the brunch spot down the street.”
And if you come back the next day? Boom. You’ve got a familiar face and a mini home away from home.
Dropping In Puts Your Fitness Into Perspective
At home, we train with the same people, in the same space, with the same equipment and coaches we trust. We know who we usually pace with, who we chase on the leaderboard, and what our normal rhythms feel like.
Then you drop into a new gym.
The coach runs class a little differently. The barbells feel strange. You don’t recognize anyone. Suddenly, your usual benchmarks disappear—and that’s a good thing.
Training in a new environment forces you out of autopilot. You might push bigger sets, move differently, or pick up techniques just by watching the athletes around you. Sometimes you realize you’re fitter than you thought. Other times you uncover a weakness worth working on. Either way, you learn something.
There’s Always Something to Learn From Other Coaches
This is hands-down my favorite part of dropping in.
Fitness is massive. No coach—no matter how experienced—knows everything. Everyone has strengths, blind spots, and unique perspectives. That’s why I’m always paying attention when I train at another gym.
For example, our banded hip warm-up came from a back squat warm-up I experienced at CrossFit 88 in Park Ridge, IL. Coach Dede introduced a routine that took the hamstrings through three extreme end ranges before applying it to squat presses with a band.
That day, I hit a 20-pound PR on my back squat. No joke. It was the first time my hips and femurs felt relaxed enough to keep me upright the entire lift. Now we use that warm-up regularly when we see athletes with similar mobility limitations.
And that’s just one example. Moments like that have happened countless times over the years—because great coaches are everywhere.
At the very least, even if you don’t learn something technical, you’ll learn whether you liked or didn’t like an experience. That information alone is valuable.
So if you get the chance while you’re out of town, give a drop-in a shot.
Just remember to email or call ahead—24 hours’ notice is ideal, but even a couple of hours is usually enough. Go in with an open mind, be respectful of their space, and have fun.
Have a wonderful day, and we’ll see you in class.
To talk with a coach today, click the link found HERE to schedule your No Sweat Intro