Diablo in Paris. Worst Hour? Murph. NorCal & Community Cup. Hinderman. DriveFit 25.1. CF Failure? Supplements & Mental Telepathy TWA 5.05.25

“BEST HOUR OF THE DAY” VS. “HOLD THE STANDARD”:  As the owner of a CrossFit gym, my goal is to deliver “the best hour of the day” for every member—a workout that’s challenging, rewarding, and shared with a supportive community. Some members come to push their limits, chase personal records, or master new skills while others come simply to get a good workout – all while enjoying the camaraderie that defines our gym’s culture. However, upholding the standard for proper movement mechanics is non-negotiable for our coaches. Poor form risks injury, undermines long-term progress, and erodes the trust we’ve built. This creates a tension: how do we ensure safety and quality without dampening the energy and excitement that members crave?

Stringent coaching intervention is often where this conflict surfaces. When a coach corrects form mid-workout—say, adjusting a member’s squat depth or halting a sloppy snatch—it can feel like a buzzkill, especially if the member is chasing a PR or caught up in the group’s intensity. As a coach, I’ve seen members bristle at these moments, interpreting corrections as criticism rather than care. Yet, letting subpar movement slide isn’t an option. A single injury can sideline a member, disrupt their progress, and shake confidence in our coaching. My job is to ensure our coaches strike a balance: correcting with clarity and encouragement while preserving the member’s sense of accomplishment.

To navigate this, we follow CrossFit’s tenet of “mechanics > consistency > intensity” and we prioritize education and communication. We talk about it often in our weekly meetings. Coaches are trained to frame corrections as opportunities for growth, not failures, and to celebrate effort alongside technique. For example, scaling a workout to maintain proper mechanics can still deliver a killer session, and we make sure members feel that win. By fostering a culture where quality is a shared value, we align the “best hour” with high standards, even if it means tough coaching calls.

Ultimately, keeping members happy while holding the line on movement quality comes down to trust. We’re asking for our members to trust our process. Our interventions come from a place of expertise and care, not ego or rigidity. We invest in building that trust through consistent coaching, transparent communication, and a community that cheers progress in all forms—whether it’s a new PR or a perfectly executed deadlift. When members see that our standards elevate their experience rather than restrict it, the conflict fades, and we deliver on our promise: the best, safest, and most rewarding hour of their day.

 #itsup2us