We have something at the gym called an NSI (No-Sweat Intro). It’s a chance for someone to schedule an appointment, come see the space, hear what we’re all about, and for us to learn about their goals so we can build a health plan together – if it’s the right fit.
I can’t tell you how many people walk into the gym still not really knowing what CrossFit is.
And honestly…that’s okay – because neither did I when I started…
Almost 18 years ago, a friend called me and said, “Hey, there’s a gym down the street that does CrossFit, and they run beginner sessions. Want to sign up with me?”
I said sure – and that was that.
There was no NSI.
There was no “Here’s what you’re getting into.”
There was no onboarding or structured introduction to movements or etiquette.
Back then, most CrossFit gyms were just figuring it out as they went. We were grouped together, and coaches taught whatever seemed important that day. It worked – especially for someone like me.
I’m the youngest of five girls. I grew up on a horse farm doing hard work every day in the barn. If my sisters dared me to climb a rafter and flip, I did it. Ride a horse bareback and jump something? Sure. I was fearless, competitive, and always chasing the next challenge – which made me a perfect candidate for the “throw yourself into it and figure it out” CrossFit era.
But CrossFit back then required:
- Fearlessness
- Competitiveness
- A willingness to train extra outside of class just to learn movements
We even had to ask when we could graduate into the full classes from the beginner classes.
The community existed, but we weren’t really introduced to people. We weren’t taught gym etiquette. It was very different from what we know today.
Now, when someone sits across from me during an NSI and I ask: “Do you know what CrossFit is?”
…and they answer “No,” I smile — because 18 years later, that is still perfectly okay.
I love explaining what CrossFit truly is:
- Smart, scalable training
- Coaching for all fitness levels
- Strength, confidence, and skills built over time
- And most importantly – community
What I love even more is that we now offer a better way to start – through our Kickstart program.
Kickstart allows new members to:
- Learn the foundational CrossFit movements in private sessions
- Understand our training methods
- Build confidence before stepping into group classes
- Learn gym flow, etiquette, and terminology without pressure
Even better – everyone’s journey is different.
Some people decide to stay longer with 1:1 personal training, and others, after 3 Kickstart sessions, are ready to jump straight into group classes.
Both options are perfect because neither path is rushed.
Both are built around what the athlete truly needs – not what the gym demands.
That’s what NSI and Kickstart do for us today: they turn a confusing fitness world into a guided, supportive starting line which is something I didn’t have 18 years ago…but am incredibly proud to offer now.
