Went to local crossfit box...

[joenali]

And again I will complain about the cost. Tell me does this sound right... (HCOL). $299 for the first month of the foundations class (for one person, $600 for two people!!!) and then $165 a month for one person and then the second person would be $148. No discounts. To me that's insane. And I know many of you will argue that it is worth it, and I'm sure it is, but it's not worth it to go broke either!

I think we will both try out the free class and then decide from there. But there is no way that both of us can afford to go together. Maybe I won't be doing crossfit afterall!

If it doesn't work out for us, I might try to find a boot camp like class in our area that is cheaper. It also costs less to have personal coaching or semi-private lesson through the tri team I belong to. So I might consider that as well.

[finallykrisb]

I think that is outrageous for the foundations class, but the monthly membership (if that's unlimited) seems pretty comparable to what I've seen here and we're in a LCOL area.

[Deleted]

I would love to do it but the cost is crazy. I looked into here and it s $250 for the foundations and $215 a month plus I won't want to get rid of my regular gym membership.

I thought about getting a personal trainer.

[taratru]

Holy shit. That's a TON of money. $300 for one month? Just for the basics?

[joenali]

Jul 17, 2012 15:03:36 GMT -5 finallykrisb said:

I think that is outrageous for the foundations class, but the monthly membership (if that's unlimited) seems pretty comparable to what I've seen here and we're in a LCOL area.

I'm pretty sure she said unlimited classes. If I did do it,I would just have to make sure I go to get what I pay for! I agree the $299 seems very outrageous!

[Brie]

That sounds high to me, but I live in a LCOL. My box is $100/month for individuals, $170/month for couples, before discounts.

I know you're a teacher--do they have teacher discounts? A lot of boxes discount for teachers, military, and fire/policemen.

It's all about what you want to spend your money on, though. I'd have a lot harder time swallowing the cost of CF if I still wanted to race, which I know you presumably do. The nice part about it is that gear is pretty much nonexistent, and there are no race entry fees, so you don't have that as a hiddene expense--in the year I've been CFing, I spent $80 on a pair of minimalist shoes and $15 on a speed rope and that's it aside from the membership fees.

[joenali]

Jul 17, 2012 15:07:56 GMT -5 Brie said:

That sounds high to me, but I live in a LCOL. My box is $100/month for individuals, $170/month for couples, before discounts.

I know you're a teacher--do they have teacher discounts? A lot of boxes discount for teachers, military, and fire/policemen.

It's all about what you want to spend your money on, though. I'd have a lot harder time swallowing the cost of CF if I still wanted to race, which I know you presumably do. The nice part about it is that gear is pretty much nonexistent, and there are no race entry fees, so you don't have that as a hiddene expense--in the year I've been CFing, I spent $80 on a pair of minimalist shoes and $15 on a speed rope and that's it aside from the membership fees.

I asked about a teacher discount and they said at that particular gym they don't give teacher discounts. Lame!

[finallykrisb]

Jul 17, 2012 15:04:00 GMT -5 daisy0721 said:

I would love to do it but the cost is crazy. I looked into here and it s $250 for the foundations and $215 a month plus I won't want to get rid of my regular gym membership.

I thought about getting a personal trainer.

.

At my gym a personal trainer would be much more expensive for 3 sessions a week for a month than what I pay at CF. I paid $300 for 8 sessions with a PT.

[Susie]

Yikes, $$$.

But I imagine if that was my only exercise expenditure (i.e. I wasn't paying for all my bike related expenses, race entry fees, pool access to train, etc.) I'd feel more open to it. Doing triathlon, admittedly a $$ hobby, seems like it'd be tough to combine with crossfit from a financial perspective.

[joenali]

Jul 17, 2012 15:11:32 GMT -5 Susie said:

Yikes, $$$.

But I imagine if that was my only exercise expenditure (i.e. I wasn't paying for all my bike related expenses, race entry fees, pool access to train, etc.) I'd feel more open to it. Doing triathlon, admittedly a $$ hobby, seems like it'd be tough to combine with crossfit from a financial perspective.

I was thinking of doing crossfit for a few months in the off season just to do something different. But yeah, the costs combined do not make financial sense.

[Deleted]

I hate the idea of charging someone MORE for the first month for "Foundations Classes."

[Brie]

Jul 17, 2012 15:21:32 GMT -5 @sessalee said:

I hate the idea of charging someone MORE for the first month for "Foundations Classes."

Yeah, it does suck that it's kind of a barrier to entry, so to speak, but it makes sense. You'd need more instructors around to teach and supervise a class of newbies than you would need for a class full of vets who know what they're doing.

[emyinpink]

the prices in seattle are outrageous. and I definitely wasn't happy with the level of instruction for the cost. hence why instead of crossfit, I work out with a trainer every 2 or 3 weeks or so to get refreshed workouts, and then do weights with my sister.

[emyinpink]

Jul 17, 2012 15:56:54 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

The foundations price is pretty steep. At our box, before you can join regular classes, you have 2 options:
1-on-1 Foundation classes are 3 for $100.
6 group session On Ramp Class for $75.
We're in a HCOL area.

yea, the one I went to was way more than that. it was $120/class (required 6) for two people.

[juangela]

Jul 17, 2012 15:00:08 GMT -5 joenali said:

$299 for the first month of the foundations class (for one person, $600 for two people!!!) and then $165 a month for one person and then the second person would be $148.

That is a lot for the on-ramp class. One of the boxes near my charges nearly that much, then $195 for unlimited sessions monthly (and you have to pay BOTH in your first month!). That was part of my decision to go the box I go to...that, and my box is much smaller, much less expensive, and I LOVE my trainer.

It is really unfortunate that the cost prohibits people who are interested from participating. Are there any other boxes in your area?

[sugarbear]

Honestly, I don't think it's worth it.
You can find the WODs online for free every day. And you can watch videos about how to do specific exercises.

XFit's teacher / coach certification is so lax these days that anyone who has the money can open a box. I don't trust them (or at least, I don't give them a blanketed trust simply because they bought into XFit's licensing) to teach me how to properly execute an over head squat / kettle bell swing / rowing stroke.

(I know I don't post here much and this is probably unpopular, but I'll go ahead and say that I think the programming is pretty dubious too)

[emyinpink]

Jul 17, 2012 16:40:29 GMT -5 sugarbear said:

Honestly, I don't think it's worth it.
You can find the WODs online for free every day. And you can watch videos about how to do specific exercises.

XFit's teacher / coach certification is so lax these days that anyone who has the money can open a box. I don't trust them (or at least, I don't give them a blanketed trust simply because they bought into XFit's licensing) to teach me how to properly execute an over head squat / kettle bell swing / rowing stroke.

(I know I don't post here much and this is probably unpopular, but I'll go ahead and say that I think the programming is pretty dubious too)

you're not the only one

[kate1482]

My coworker was just complaining yesterday how crazy expensive cross fit was in her area. (she is in Ballard). They also required a three day a week commitment. I live in Bellevue and its $300 for fundamental class and $225 per month- yikes!

[trigal]

This is why I only have one expensive hobby.

[sadlebred]

I don't even spend that most months on my racing......

[suzyp]

Jul 17, 2012 15:25:03 GMT -5 Brie said:

Jul 17, 2012 15:21:32 GMT -5 @sessalee said:

I hate the idea of charging someone MORE for the first month for "Foundations Classes."

Yeah, it does suck that it's kind of a barrier to entry, so to speak, but it makes sense. You'd need more instructors around to teach and supervise a class of newbies than you would need for a class full of vets who know what they're doing.

I also wonder if they have had people take the basic classes, never to be seen again, so they charge more for them - kinda like WW and the "registration fee" so you don't just come to one class, get the handouts on the point values and roll. But $300 for the foundations class, even if it's unlimited seems high, even in a HCOL area. But I can't get worked up that they won't give you a teacher's discount. My box only gives military, fire fighters and police officer discounts.

[suzyp]

Jul 17, 2012 20:52:51 GMT -5 @theycalledherkate said:

Yeah, I'm with you. It was $135 a month EACH for us to go only TWICE a week. There was just no way. I can take expensive barre classes unlimited for that much a month (and I enjoy those more). I think if CF is the only thing that challenges you and you like the community aspect, that's great. But cost wise, it's ridic in my area.

I live in Houston too and this is a pretty normal rate, and not that bad if you break it up into how much you pay by class. I pay $135 for three days a week, but that's b/c my rate hasn't changed in 3 years - newbies are $165 for 3x a week. I paid $200/month for a 3x per week boot camp in Memorial Park. With a $10 discount if you signed up for three months at a time.

[nerdy]

I think that in a HCOL area, this isn't entirely out of the question. I do think the on-ramp classes are a bit much but we are LCOL. However, if there is another in the area that is cheaper for the on-ramp, I would see if you could do the on-ramp there and then move to the box you prefer. Usually, once you've done CF or taken the on-ramp course at one box, the next doesn't require a repeat.

[kate1482]

What's SealFit?

[foundmylazybum]

Jul 18, 2012 0:54:42 GMT -5 kate1482 said:

What's SealFit?

I don't see where this is posted but I have an idea and I'm dying laughing.


That cost is too high to keep me interested.
Krav Maga was like that too and it just was too much. Really fun but just too much money.

[hjohnson050711]

wayyy too high. the foundations class at our local cross fit is only $170 - that is the ONLY reason i am even remotely considering it

[lauren170]

That IS high. I am wondering if it is 1 on 1 coaching, and how many sessions. That is the only thing that would make it worth it, if it was basically personal training.

[heliocentric]

I just looked it up and it varies wildly here.

One place is $145/mo unlimited. I didn't see any additional or different rate for foundations.

Another is: $180 for 6 foundation classes and then $240 / month for unlimited (very slighty less if you pay for 3 or 6 months). That's nuts!

Another says "call for prices" which probably means they are expensive.

And yet another's website is so crappy that I can't even find any reference to cost.

Off topic, but I am surprised to see the class times. The latest classes start at 6:30pm and at some places it's even earlier. Not to mention how many have classes in the middle of the day. When do people do this? I would like to check it out, but the times are terrible for anyone with a job and a bit of a commute.

[breezy8407]

The cost has always been a big deterrent for me. (there are other things, but that's for another post ) There is a box along the running trail I frequent and it always looks fun/interesting. It would be close to home and convenient, but I just can't justify it.

A family friend has his own box and I would be willing to try since I know he has extensive trainer certifications beyond just the CF one. Personally, if I am going to shell out that much cash, the person training me better know a LOT more than me.

[Brie]

Jul 18, 2012 8:27:52 GMT -5 heliocentric said:

Off topic, but I am surprised to see the class times. The latest classes start at 6:30pm and at some places it's even earlier. Not to mention how many have classes in the middle of the day. When do people do this? I would like to check it out, but the times are terrible for anyone with a job and a bit of a commute.

I know at my box, the class times are based on trial and error. They started with a certain structure when they opened, and canceled classes with poor attendance and added sessions to more popular times.

My box does 5:30 am, 10 am, 6 pm, and 7:30 pm most weekdays. The 10 am class is usually SAHMs, and now that it's summer, teachers. But most people with a 9-5 job can make either the 5:30, 6, or 7:30 sessions.

A lot of places downtown here have lunch hour classes that are popular, too.