That's it. I've had it...

[Phaedrus49er]

Let me preface this by saying I may hit an insurmountable roadblock with this idea, but be that as it may, the effort will be made...

I've been at work for almost five hours this morning, sitting on my ass, listening to scanners, and throwing out traffic reports for three different organizations. As is usually the case, I've spent a lot of time surfing the Net, piddling around here and there, and letting my mind wander to things not related to work.

About an hour ago, something snapped, and since then, I've been feverishly reading through the CrossFit forums for ideas and guidance. I spend 3-6 days each week doing something I like but don't love. I spend five evenings a week doing something I REALLY like but still don't quite love. Neither of these things does anything for me personally beyond provide some mental distraction and a paycheck. I like radio a lot, and if I can continue to do part-time evening work like I do now, all the better, but overall something has to change.

I've decided to pursue the possibility of a CrossFit facility in Charlotte. Here's what I potentially have in place:

--Facilities - When I was boxing during the winter, Joe (the owner and trainer) worked out of a converted garage, and since he and I got along pretty well, I think he might be agreeable to me bringing people in there. He has a very modest weight room, so even if people aren't interested in his boxing services, he still gets the foot traffic, and maybe he can start charging people for just using the gym rather than asking for boxing fees, too. Also, there's a school across the road with a track and field that are rarely used, so if I can't just use them outright, maybe I can work out something where I do some volunteer work for them in exchange for the usage.

--Funding - Not much needed if Joe lets me use his place. I may see if we can outfit hit other garage (which actually has vehicles in it) with some bars, rings, and ropes, and I have plenty of room on the VISA(s) to get that going.

--Advertising - Nothing yet, but seeing how Joe doesn't have (and, IMO, could use) a website, maybe I can work out a deal with him to set up a joint website, and he could offset some/all of the costs (relatively cheap anyway). He also doesn't really advertise anywhere else, either, so we could split costs there to cross-promote.

--Time - Developmentally, no set timeline. Just get it up and running. Personally, a helluva challenge considering the typically 50- or 60-hour work week I have to put in right now. I should be able to eat some costs upfront for a few months if I can get time off the midday job and if I can get some of my creditors to take, well, credit card payments [img]smile.gif[/img]

Now, if Joe decides this isn't the best idea, I'm not sure what I'd do after that beyond setup a free website and do some WOD modifications for no equipment beyond sandbags, a jump rope, a medicine ball, and some box jumps (my backyard deck has several levels that can accommodate just about any jumping ability). Figure I'd just get some rubber mats to put down out back and leave it at that until it gains some interest or dies completely. Obviously, I can't charge without gaining affiliation first, but I'll take tips [img]smile.gif[/img]

Anyway, that's the newest, latest, and greatest. Isn't it too soon to be having a mid-life crisis? I mean, I did buy a motorcycle, too... hmmm...

[nanook]

Good luck. You should go to Crossfit.com and e-mail Greg or Lauren Glassman. They can get you started on the road to afilliation.

[Phaedrus49er]

Yeah, I looked into that. I'm not ready to drop $500/year plus $1000 + expenses (certification seminarfor) for affiliation when I don't have anything to affiliate yet. Right now, it's just me, so I have no clue if anyone else is doing CF or is even interested. Might put some feelers out on Craig's List. I've also been in contact with Lynn Pitts in general, so I'll probably run this by her as well. Thanks man.

[Phaedrus49er]

So Joe has been MIA so far this week, but if I remember correctly, he's pretty lenient on collecting dues and fees, so hopefully the first few visits will be free. If not, they won't cost much. This also puts any chances of a website on hold, but I'm not losing hope for getting that funded unless Joe flatly says no.

I've started lurking in Charlotte area chat rooms to see if I can drum up some interest, but that's slow to say the least. Regardless, onward.

[FishrCutB8]

It sounds like you've decided to quit cutting bait and go fishing...

[Phaedrus49er]

I'm honored to have been likened to your namesake. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Having the damnedest time making contacts. I've privately spammed users semi-close to Charlotte that I found on both this forum and the CrossFit forum. I'm debating eating the $150 startup costs for a decent website (I'd feel much better having paid support than something free like Geocities, plus I can make it a catch-all website since I have this, a reading group, and my personal site all needing hosting), but I'll wait a few days to see if Joe returns my call (he likes to randomly leave town every now and then).

I dunno. I've never attempted to start something up like this, so I guess my first challenge is spawning and harnessing interest since facilities and webspace aren't too much of an issue. Speaking of facilities, I'm thinking of contacting the owner of this property in east Charlotte to see if he'd be willing to sublet a portion of the building, but that'll wait a few weeks at least.

[Buk]

What about starting with a Blog site. That is how a few of the Crossfit affiliates have started, some still that way; Crossfit Boston is one example.

One possible recruting option that I have thought of is checking with the local Fire Departments and rescue squads to try to drum up some interest. Martial Arts instructors may also be a good resource for identifying clients/partners.

What level are you trying to take this to. Are you building a place to work out, or are you going to be running group classes and training individuals? Are you going to have trainers?

Are there any local gymnastics gyms or clubs? Partner with a gym and convert an old racquetball court? You could also go after high school/club(local rugby club) athletes that don't strength train already(most soccer coaches don't train or condition properly). But most of these groups would probably be interested in credentials and "professional" trainers.

[Phaedrus49er]

UPDATE - Joe just called back, and we're meeting Friday afternoon to talk more about it. He's willing to provide his facilities--and even put in a climbing rope and maybe some wall ball amenities--if he feels good about the whole thing. THAT'S something I need to work on: pitching CrossFit. I've never had to explain it. I just do it.

Blogging - Great idea, though in conjunction with the above, it turns out Joe has been looking to get a website published. One of his clients is willing to help him, but she sounds like she doesn't really know much about doing that, so this might be the ticket to a CF Charlotte web presence.

FDs etc - I know the public information officer for the CFD pretty well, so there's my contact for that. I have to wait until he comes back from the Gulf before I can talk to him, but I'm pretty sure the FD is a little slammed right now between their regular work and the two hurricanes.

Local facilities - Everything convenient to anything is a big-box gym except for Joe's. High schools might get creeped out if I approach them with no certification saying I want to spend an hour a day with their athletes [img]smile.gif[/img]

Level - In my perfect world, this would become my livelihood, but I know that I'm months or even years away from that. For now, I just want to find one or two other people in the area who either already do or want to do CF. Ultimately, I want to be forced to move to bigger digs due to the growing numbers. I imagine it'll start out with one-on-one stuff, then hopefully move to group sessions, but by that point, I would've sprung for seminars, certification, and affiliation.

Great stuff, man, keep it coming.

[Buk]

Take Joe a copy of the Crossfit Journal 1 "What is Fitness"

Maybe don't approach the high schools, approach the coaches. Explain the benifits of strength training for their sport, dispel the myths about bulk and speed and crap. Find a good coach that you can work with as a conditioning/strength training assistant. Do you have a lot of experience training/coaching/teaching?

Might be best to go ahead and start working on some certifications though. Maybe some exercise or physiology classes. Off season and summer speed/strength and conditioning camps can be very popular. And if you have a business or gym name behind you along with some certs its not creepy, it is your business.

[K-Court]

Good luck with this, Ben. Your enthusiasm jumps off the page.

[Phaedrus49er]

Buk, you think that over the "Foundations" PDF?

I still know some people at a high school about 30 minutes from here, but it'd be a start. I've coached two years of wrestling in my past plus a year of high school English, so I'm not worried about instruction.

As for certs, I know I can get a piece of paper for an eight-hour Saturday and $150 (ACE, I think), but hey, it's something. Meanwhile, I can work on others (ISSA first, then in time, NSCA). However, those will have to wait for now given my lack of free time and money. Maybe Joe will give me his backing (he was a top-rated boxer in his younger years).

I only hope I can stay behind this thing with enough energy and enthusiasm to make it something viable, worthwhile, and hopefully profitable. If this became my income, man, talk about having it made.

Already got two bites from people sort of near here. One is 3 hours west, but he's an collegiate assistant basketball coach, so definitely an SOS possibility, plus he's willing to bring equipment with him. The other is about 20 minutes south with a power rack, KBs, and sledge packed into a tiny shed. With Joe offering to put up a climbing rope, his small gym, and my sandbags, we're quickly getting somewhere.

On your suggestion, Buk, I went ahead and set up CrossFit Charlotte. If it takes off or if Friday goes well with Joe, then I'll look into a snazzier setup. This'll work for now. Time to go polish up my sales pitch (which did, does, and will suck; I'm no salesman). [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Buk]

Yeah, "Foundations" may be better. I don't have any of my journals at work, but one of them that was pretty good was about designing a workout template within the Crossfit parameters. It involved 3 day cycles with a focus workout, couplet workout, and mixed mode workout; all cycling through weight lifting, cardio(Crossfit style), and gymnastics.

If this became my income, man, talk about having it made.

Ask any gym owner, this is not easy. And "having it made" in its most common form is not how they would describe it. It is great to make your livelyhood with something that you enjoy doing, but most gym startups are not cash cows.

I wish you luck, and will be excited to hear about updates.

[Phaedrus49er]

To me, having it made isn't necessarily financial. If I can make ends meet doing work I absolutely love--that I get up in the morning and can't wait to get to, unlike now--THAT is having it made. I don't want to be rich. I want to be happy.