🤔 What Really Shapes Your Gym’s Culture? CrossFit OGs Explain

COMMUNITY

What Really Shapes Your Gym’s Culture? CrossFit OGs Break It Down

“There’s no drama at my gym.” 

We’ve heard that before. And, at most CrossFit gyms, there are likely minimal conflicts. Day-to-day spirits are high, most members get along, and enjoy a regular sweat sesh together. 

• However, it’s hard to imagine a gym without one or two rep-shavers, (somewhat) friendly AM-versus-PM rivalries, and even a few borderline toxic personalities. 

A recent episode of the Not In My Box podcast (created and hosted by Danny Lehr, founder of Caffeine and Kilos and an affiliate owner) featured a discussion between Lehr and two CrossFit OGs, Wes Piatt and Blair Morrison, about gym vibes. They explore the theme that gym culture isn’t an accident; it’s the product. 

They begin the conversation by asking whether certain behaviors are acceptable or unacceptable at their respective gyms. 

• Dogs at the gym? Unanimously acceptable. 

• Doughnuts after a workout? A 50/50 split. 

• A member wearing AirPods during a workout? Unanimously unacceptable. 

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One Gym Owner’s Quest to Redefine CrossFit in the Philippines

Gretchen Que has long found the Philippine culture somewhat polarizing. 

On the one hand, physical fitness has always been a strong part of the Filipino lifestyle, she told the Morning Chalk Up. On the other hand, “community and family gatherings centred around food are also a strong part of our culture.”

This is what led her to want to become an affiliate owner. 

• “CrossFit gives Filipinos the perfect balance of community, fitness, and after an hour, you can get back to family and friends without missing a beat,” said Que, who started CrossFit in 2019 as she wanted to become a better rock climber, surfer, diver, and Spartan racer.

Last August, her dream came true when she, along with three other managing partners, found the perfect location to open Enderun CrossFit in Taguig, Philippines.