CROSSFIT INC. MAKES SOME BIG CHANGES...AGAIN
Another big change is coming to CrossFit Inc., and it's coming fast. Starting July 1st of this very year, CrossFit is essentially parting ways with all of their specialty courses. As CrossFit became huge over the past 8 years, CrossFit Inc. started offering specialty courses for athletes and coaches who wanted to improve in more specific skills. Gymnastics, weightlifting, endurance, etc were all offered courses that are being discontinued. CrossFit Inc. is instead of having these courses re-apply to be "CrossFit Preferred Courses", where the people running the course make all the decisions and stay affiliated as a preferred course at a rate of $5,000 per year.
Photo Courtesy of CrossFit Inc
Photo Courtesy of CrossFit Inc
Photo Courtesy of CrossFit Inc
I have very, very mixed emotions about this news. Listening to the people who actually run the courses, it seems like a good thing, at least a bit. AS it was running in the past, the course-runners had a 70-30 split of revenue with HQ. Now there is no split, just an annual fee. They are also talking about being freer to offer this course as they would like and having more freedom without the CrossFit guidelines.
Being separated from this a bit, I do question the approach. These people need to maintain positivity if they are to be successful and I respect that. But I can't help but sake the feeling that CrossFit is losing popularity, fewer people are signing up for these courses, and CrossFit is guaranteeing several tens of thousands of dollars in their pockets every year regardless of popularity.
Photo Courtesy of CrossFit Inc
Additionally, getting rid of the specific courses means that 2, 3, 4, 5, or more groups can approach CrossFit about running the same type of course. So essentially instead of gaining revenue from one gymnastics course booked all over, and covering costs of travel and hotel for the coaches, things will change. Now they can have 5+ different groups all paying HQ for the right to run the same course, while they pay out of pocket to be affiliated, to travel all over, and pay for their expenses. Meanwhile, HQ rakes in 25K just from those 5 groups, without doing a damn thing.
Genius? Sure. A good look? I'm not so sure. To me, I'll be honest, this sounds like a money grab. I hope these courses can be successful, they are great courses that share tons of knowledge. I have my doubts, but who knows, maybe this can be a happy ending for all. What are your thoughts on this most recent change by CrossFit Inc? Let us know in the comments below.
MORE FUNCTIONAL FITNESS
Looking for some pro-tips when it comes to dropping-in at a CrossFit gym? Read this.