I strongly recommend not getting caught up in the hype and evaluating your life priorities before considering this facility; and probably Crossfit in general.
When you go to a facility with an instructor, you would think they have your best interest and safety in mind; this is even more important in the Crossfit culture where the expectation is you just do what you are told and push yourself to the limit, and beyond.
Unfortunately I learned the hard way that when a lapse in safety gear is made, they will hide behind the waiver and pretend you never existed. My wodify account was even deleted immediately. This to a customer of two years, so who knows how a newbie would fare. I can't imagine it could be much worse though.
In June when it was extremely hot and humid, with sweat dripping from every pore, we had a WOD which included double-unders and kipping pull-ups. Before starting everyone noticed that there was no chalk and many people complained. The owner was there and confirmed no chalk. He still proceeded with the workout with no change. And of course, as good little crossfitters, we do what we are told. Anyone who has done Crossfit knows what I am talking about if they ever had the instructor give you freedom to choose. The group hesitates with a blank stare and there is silence as they don't know what to do with this gross departure from the norm. So immediately after starting the WOD, sweat is dripping everywhere and gripping the bar for pull-ups is like trying to hold onto wet ice. I get through maybe two rounds and the next thing I know I am sitting against the wall in a fog of confusion and the full hour has past and it's time to leave.
Apparently, I was completely knocked out for an extended period and with memory loss for an even longer period as I hit my head on the concrete floor which was only covered in thin, unpadded astroturf.
I also learned afterwards that someone there who has years of coaching, physical fitness training, and concussion experience strongly suggested and urged that they call an ambulance. That is how severe the hit and effects of the concussion were. Yet the personnel at Crossfit Amplify refused. And indeed 5 months later I am still having side effects. I experienced a complete loss of consciousness and loss of memory. If you research it, you will find that it is recommended to have immediate medical attention.
As I was still experiencing memory loss well after being driven home, I was at least fortunate to be driven to the hospital.
Are you feeling a little uneasy, as you well should? Do you think safety is important? Well the founder of Crossfit doesn't; in fact he even thinks you are a wimp, as his own comments in the NYT attest to:
"It can kill you," he said. "I've always been completely honest about that."
and
"But for Mr. Glassman, dismissals of his extreme workouts merely help him weed out people he considers weak-willed. "If you find the notion of falling off the rings and breaking your neck so foreign to you, then we don't want you in our ranks," he said."
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/22/fashion/thursdaystyles/getting-fit-even-if-it-kills-you.html
Indeed, I learned the hard way that gym owners' attitudes, especially at this one, reflect that of the person they license the name from.
Many other trainers and gym owners I spoke to afterwards have long known of this history of Crossfit; speaking of a litany of injuries and overtraining of the athletes. I just wish I had heard them before and listened. I urge you to, now that you have heard.
Because of their conscious disregard for safety, Crossfit Amplify nearly killed me. The bottom line is that it never would have happened had, at a minimum, proper safety equipment such as chalk been available. And when it wasn't available, other steps should have been taken. There was no acknowledgement of this lapse in safety and a complete disregard of human decency. read more
