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In CrossFit, we use the phrase “The standard is the standard.” Now, what does that mean, and how does it pertain to the headline of this article? The most common use of the phrase is to portray a movement standard like squatting below parallel or full extension of a limb. There are several reasons why we have the movement standards for just about every movement done in CrossFit. One reason is that every movement goes through a complete range of motion in order to strengthen the body. Another reason is so that everyone is coached according to that same standard.
“The pursuit of excellence” is another mantra that every CrossFit coach applies to become better at their profession. We attend classes ourselves, and continuously learn from each other. This is the essence of being a gym with the word “CrossFit” attached to it; each and every affiliate has the role and responsibility of adhering to that standard. For instance, if I drop into another CrossFit gym anywhere in the world, as a CrossFit coach, I know what the standards are for each movement listed in the workout of the day. With a watchful eye, I’ll see the coach enforcing those standards according to each athlete’s needs and abilities. Meaning that, while not everyone has the ability to squat below parallel, the coach will demonstrate the standard, and then help each person improve their ability to meet that standard.
You see, being a part of a CrossFit affiliate means more than just having access to the name. It’s about being a part of a community around the world where the priority of coaching is to set the standard. We are a system of checks and balances to ensure that the best coaching in the world is provided. We share new ideas, data, results, and programming. Each affiliate is different and unique, but the standard remains. We not only represent our own CrossFit affiliate, but every single one around the world as well! The standard is the standard.
How does this pertain to other gyms that provide functional fitness? A functional fitness gym can provide similar programming and coaching, and also adhere to movement standards like a CrossFit gym. The coaches can educate themselves, obtain certifications, and even acquire CrossFit certifications (American National Standards Institute {ANSI} requires certifications be open to the public.). At first glance they might seem the same; however, since they are missing CrossFit’s system of checks and balances, affiliate collaboration, as well as the “buy in”, they are not required to provide the same standard of coaching.
What do I mean by the phrase: “buy in”? I believe it encompasses three different components that separates them from us.
First and foremost, to be a CrossFit affiliate we must pay “X” amount of dollars per year to have use of the name “CrossFit.” This means we can put it on our walls, our websites, our letterheads, our social media, etc. If a functional fitness gym uses the word “CrossFit” they open themselves up for litigation, and CrossFit will do what they need to to protect themselves, as well as their community, from “impostor gyms.” Because again, there is a standard we adhere to that other functional gyms do not require.
Secondly, the phrase “buy in” also means we are bought into the methodology of CrossFit. This methodology helped change the fitness world, and that’s precisely why functional fitness gyms are even in business. They all have their reasons for not affiliating, and I’m not here to judge those reasons. Having said that, the main reason TO affiliate is simply because you believe in the power that CrossFit and the methodology has to help change people’s lives. Without the word CrossFit, you may teach the methodology, but you’ve lost the power it provides. Hence, you are not bought into something that has the power to change millions of lives.
Lastly, to “buy in” as a CrossFit gym means you pay homage to that life-changing opportunity. There is no reward without risk. There is no glory without first learning to fail. Paying homage to something that provided your way of life is not only respectful, but it shows honesty. Honesty is one of the best virtues of a human being. Nobody wants to be associated with a dishonest person. If you walk into a functional fitness gym and ask this one simple question, “Do y’all do CrossFit here?” No matter the answer, it’s dishonest. They will either say “yes” (and can be sued for that), or they will lie and say “no, we do functional fitness” (which is CrossFit, without claiming or paying for the name). To be clear, CrossFit did NOT invent all the movements that are functional, nor were we the first to train them. Functional patterns have been around since the dawn of humans, and during certain periods have been trained in different ways. The unique methodology that CrossFit developed is, at its basis, functional movement patterns with intensity.
The definition of CrossFit is constantly varied, functional movements executed at high intensity. So, if the functional fitness gym down the street programs and coaches constantly varied, functional movements executed at high intensity and yet is not affiliated with CrossFit, then you need to question what they believe in. If they believe in the standards of the CrossFit community, the power of CrossFit, or the honesty of the methodology, then why not affiliate as CrossFit? Certainly raises questions, don’t you think?
When you come to X7 CrossFit, or another CrossFit affiliate, you are coming to the source. We teach the methodology as it’s intended. We coach the standards of movements to prevent injury. We pursue excellence through continued education and collaboration with other affiliates to better serve our athletes. We help change people’s lives because so many of us have a story of how CrossFit helped us become better humans. Not just because of the name, but because of an Ethos we follow. An ethos so strong that it permeates everything we believe in. A belief that we hold the power in our hands to help thousands, if not millions of people. A single functional fitness gym cannot provide the same opportunity to help as many people as CrossFit has. This is why we are X7 CrossFit!
Justin “Mertz” Mehrtens
CF-L3 Certified CrossFit Trainer at X7 CrossFit
USAW1
Owner of CrossFit Inspirit
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING:
THE CROSSFIT COMMUNITY: MORE THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS
By Nicole Carroll, GM of CrossFit Training and EducationFebruary 6, 2023
https://www.crossfit.com/essentials/magic-crossfit-community
HOW CROSSFIT CHANGED THE WORLD
ByStephane Rochet, CF-L3August 13, 2025
https://www.crossfit.com/essentials/crossfit-changed-the-world
Open a CrossFit Gym
https://www.crossfit.com/open-crossfit-gym
Understanding CrossFit
BY GREG GLASSMAN
