There has been a big trend recently with Crossfit gyms using groupons to attract new members. Now i am not against attracting new members to gyms by any means, nor do I have a bias against the gyms I know using groupons, I just want to simply point out the cons to members and your gym on what is happening with groupon. Not only are members suffering, but the gym is gonna suffer as a whole as well. I have made a list of some little things to take into consideration before venturing out into the groupon gym world.
1. Members get what they pay for - When you take part in looking for the cheapest service in a any industry, then that is exactly what you will get. You pay 5 dollars for a car wash, you get a quick drive thru service, but if you take it to a professional detailing service, you feel like you got a brand new car after they are done with it. Its the same thing with getting a good trainer. A good gym will have a good standards for their coaches with some good credentials to back them up. If you have a gym that only has their Level 1 and opened up a gym recently with no real experience, you cant expect the best quality.
2. Money vs Quality members - If you are a regular member and have been a loyal customer, what do you think about the "grouponites" coming in and taking up gym space and some time away from your coach to really focus on everyone? I have talked to a couple of people who have tried the groupon method, and each one of them have told me that the quality in coaches where great. Either felt that they were the "outsider of all the friend groups" or "there was never any real coaching on the complex movements, we were just thrown to the wolves". From the members perspective I have heard anything from; "the gym became too crowded of new people coming and going with little involvement with coaches and the original members" or "there were new rules in place to try to keep some crowd control and this made it more difficult to enjoy my time there".
3. Grouponites vs Fast Results - The people that you see coming into your gym seeking those fast results will often be the same people with the groupons. People do not understand Crossfit, so they will seek the fastest and cheapest thing they can to "try it out". I love that term "try it out" because most people will say they TRIED IT OUT once or twice and didn't see any results. Those are the type of people that are attaracted to the cheap and easy things like groupon. But if you really know Crossfit and what it stands for, then you know its nothing close to EASY. So what happens to those that "TRY IT OUT"? Well they dont see the results in the time that there groupon is still active and then they get a look at the real price of the gym and thats when they stop the "TRY OUT". Now time has been wasted on the grouponites while missing out on those dedicated members.
4. New Crossfitters - When you are looking for a gym to start at, make sure to find the best quality you can to get the full understanding of what a good Crossfit gym and program has to offer. I mean if you are going to choose a place to cook your meal, will you choose the cheap and convenient McDonalds? or would you enjoy an nice Steak and Seafood dinner at a Morton's Steakhouse?
I met a guy who doesn't know much about crossfit, but his theory was, Crossfit is Crossfit no matter where you go. Just like you can go to any McDonalds anywhere in the world and get the same thing. I'm sorry, but i would say Crossfit Gyms are more like comparing universities to junior colleges at times, or some that were just put together quickly to gain money.
The Bottom Line - You can choose whatever you wanna do with your body and money, but at the end of the day, its your health that you are investing in. So the big question you should ask yourself is, what is your body worth to you? Do your research and make sure you find the gym that is the best fit for you.
1. Members get what they pay for - When you take part in looking for the cheapest service in a any industry, then that is exactly what you will get. You pay 5 dollars for a car wash, you get a quick drive thru service, but if you take it to a professional detailing service, you feel like you got a brand new car after they are done with it. Its the same thing with getting a good trainer. A good gym will have a good standards for their coaches with some good credentials to back them up. If you have a gym that only has their Level 1 and opened up a gym recently with no real experience, you cant expect the best quality.
2. Money vs Quality members - If you are a regular member and have been a loyal customer, what do you think about the "grouponites" coming in and taking up gym space and some time away from your coach to really focus on everyone? I have talked to a couple of people who have tried the groupon method, and each one of them have told me that the quality in coaches where great. Either felt that they were the "outsider of all the friend groups" or "there was never any real coaching on the complex movements, we were just thrown to the wolves". From the members perspective I have heard anything from; "the gym became too crowded of new people coming and going with little involvement with coaches and the original members" or "there were new rules in place to try to keep some crowd control and this made it more difficult to enjoy my time there".
3. Grouponites vs Fast Results - The people that you see coming into your gym seeking those fast results will often be the same people with the groupons. People do not understand Crossfit, so they will seek the fastest and cheapest thing they can to "try it out". I love that term "try it out" because most people will say they TRIED IT OUT once or twice and didn't see any results. Those are the type of people that are attaracted to the cheap and easy things like groupon. But if you really know Crossfit and what it stands for, then you know its nothing close to EASY. So what happens to those that "TRY IT OUT"? Well they dont see the results in the time that there groupon is still active and then they get a look at the real price of the gym and thats when they stop the "TRY OUT". Now time has been wasted on the grouponites while missing out on those dedicated members.
4. New Crossfitters - When you are looking for a gym to start at, make sure to find the best quality you can to get the full understanding of what a good Crossfit gym and program has to offer. I mean if you are going to choose a place to cook your meal, will you choose the cheap and convenient McDonalds? or would you enjoy an nice Steak and Seafood dinner at a Morton's Steakhouse?
I met a guy who doesn't know much about crossfit, but his theory was, Crossfit is Crossfit no matter where you go. Just like you can go to any McDonalds anywhere in the world and get the same thing. I'm sorry, but i would say Crossfit Gyms are more like comparing universities to junior colleges at times, or some that were just put together quickly to gain money.
The Bottom Line - You can choose whatever you wanna do with your body and money, but at the end of the day, its your health that you are investing in. So the big question you should ask yourself is, what is your body worth to you? Do your research and make sure you find the gym that is the best fit for you.
