Affiliate Roundup, Part 3: “First Impressions”

It takes more than just a Level 1 Certificate to run a successful CrossFit affiliate. In this series, learn about the various ways affiliate owners and trainers evolve and plan as they work to lead the fitness industry.

In Part 3, the conversation continues as CrossFit Inc.’s Tyson Oldroyd discusses the importance of first impressions with Pat Burke of MBS CrossFit, CrossFit Verve founders Matt and Cherie Chan, Nicole Christensen of CrossFit Roots, and David Tittle of CrossFit Low Oxygen.

First impressions matter. What potential clients see when they first walk in is just as important as sound coaching. One simple way to make a good first impression is to invest in the cleanliness of your facility, Christensen says.

“It’s a care factor,” she explains.

“If it appears clean and tidy and stuff, then all of a sudden there’s also a mindset of safety and caring,” Cherie says.

This isn’t a new idea: CrossFit Founder and CEO Greg Glassman talked about it in the 2010 CrossFit Journal video “How Clean Is Your Bathroom?”

The more effort your put into your affiliate the more you—and your clients—will get out of it.

“The goal is excellence,” Oldroyd says.

Video by Mike Koslap.

4min 44sec

Additional reading: “New Year’s Newbies” by Andréa Maria Cecil, published Feb. 22, 2016.