CrossFit Membership Prices

Looking into membership prices for a CrossFit box?

How much is CrossFit a month?

You might be in for some sticker shock – it’s quite a bit more expensive than a traditional gym.

CrossFit rates are pretty high.

But, there are reasons for that – which we’ll explain.

We’re also going to give you some current price points – so you can do a bit of comparison shopping.

Lastly, we’re going to give you a few tips and tricks on how to get the best CrossFit experience for cheaper.

A CrossFit coach oversees a group of trainees performing the box jump. The group training aspect of CrossFit is a fundamental part of it’s effectiveness.

Average CrossFit Gym Membership Prices

We surveyed dozens of CrossFit boxes throughout the United States, and here’s what we found.

CrossFit – Average Unlimited Membership

Every box has an unlimited membership option. That means you attend as many classes as you want, and often special classes as well (such as Olympic lifting special sessions.)

We found that the average monthly price for an unlimited CrossFit membership is $186 (with no long term contract.)

Prices ranged from as low as $140 (Arkansas) all the way to $299 (New York City).

Prices in CrossFit are higher in dense metropolitan areas (New York, San Francisco, Seattle) – just like everything else.

It pays to shop around though. We did find significant price differences in many cities with multiple boxes.

Average Price for 3 Times a Week CrossFit Membership

“Unlimited” is a lot of CrossFit.

Perhaps you have a challenging job, family, or other commitments and would be better off with a 3 times per week membership.

This will save you some money – and nearly every box has this sort of option (some even have a 2 times per week plan.)

We found the average price for a 3 classes per week plan to be $154.

That’s a $30/mo savings over an unlimited plan.

Prices ranged from as little as $96/mo (Tennessee) to $230/mo (again – New York).

Average Price for CrossFit One on One Personal Training

CrossFit one on one training rates are in line with most personal training.

We found the average price was $75/hour – with discounts for purchasing blocks of multiple hours.

Average Drop-in Price for CrossFit

Traveling away from your regular box?

For some fun and adventure you can drop in to the local box.

Every box has a drop-in option.

We found the average price point for a drop-in to be $20.

The lowest price we found for a drop-in was $17, and the highest was $30 (guess where?)

Many boxes offer weeklong drop-in passes for a significant discount.

(But how much CrossFit can you realistically do in a week if you are on a business trip or family vacation?)

CrossFit is not cheap. But let’s examine why.

Why is CrossFit so Expensive?

Why does CrossFit cost so much?

Why is CrossFit so much more expensive than Planet Fitness or any other big gym chain (globogym)?

There’s two main reasons – in no particular order:

Skilled coaches
Small group classes with hands-on instruction

A CrossFit class needs at least one trained coach.

Compare that to a regular gym – where you wander about and do whatever you want – with NO supervision – and probably few results to show for it!

And the classes can only be so big – it’s not practical to have a 50 person class.

There aren’t really any large group classes in CrossFit – there is a limit to how many people a coach and assistant to keep an eye on.

(Compare this to your typical big gym chain – the cost of that facility is being spread out over thousands of members that workout with little to no supervision – many of whom show up once or twice a year.)

Further, because group classes (supervised by a skilled coach) are the main delivery vehicle of CrossFit – it means that gym space is not in use for a good portion of the day.

But the facility rent still has to be paid.

The group class method is all part of the CrossFit magic though – it helps instill a sense of camaraderie and makes working out fun.

Your fellow CrossFit trainees will cheer you on – and help you break through plateaus.

You’ll probably strike up more than a few friendships.

And you’ll probably be more motivated than at a regular gym – and that means actual results!

(The other side of this is that CrossFit uses highly effective exercises – and shuns most of the worthless things that go on in a regular gym.)

That’s what you are paying for.

What are you NOT paying for?

A fancy facility with carpet, mirrors, and potted ferns.

Expensive fitness machines (the barbells, plates, dumbbells, and rigs used in CrossFit are quite inexpensive – and you need NOTHING for much of the bodyweight calisthenics).

Air conditioning (Most boxes are very bare bones – but that’s all part of the fun.)

A CrossFit class using kettlebells for a workout — The equipment used in CrossFit isn’t particularly expensive. You are paying for small group instruction with a skilled coach or trainer.

How to Make CrossFit Cheaper

While surveying prices, we found quite a few smart ways you can save money on your CrossFit membership.

The first tip we’ve covered already.

Do you need that Unlimited membership?

Will you actually make use of all the potential classes?

Opting for a limited plan may be a better option.

Some boxes offer 2 classes per week and 3 classes per week options – at a significant discount.

Boxes in busy areas may offer “off-peak” or “mid-day” plans – that means you can attend during the day – but not at peak gym hours.

Have a very irregular schedule for attending the gym?

You may want a punch card plan. This lets you attend some number of classes – at any time of your choosing.

All those options can save you some money.

Secondly, many boxes offer discounted membership rates for the following:

Active Military
Retired Military
Full Time Student (College)
Teacher/Educator
Nurse
Religious Clergy
Medical Residents
First Responder – Law Enforcement, EMT, Firefighter

Not all boxes are created equal in discounts – so be sure to ask.

Many boxes also have couples and family discounts – so be sure to check in to that.

Most boxes will give you a free month for referring new members too, so get your whole squad on board.

Lastly, we found most boxes are “pay as you go” or “no contract.”

However, if you are willing to pay for 3 months, 6 months, or a full year up front you will get a sizable discount.

Just be sure you are ready to commit to that level of attendance before you sign on the dotted line…

Some boxes offer online programming options too.

But that’s really a whole different beast, because you don’t get any of the group vibe of CrossFit.

People using indoor rowers in a CrossFit box. — The supportive group training environment of CrossFit is effective for motivation – and results.

CrossFit Membership Prices – In Summary

CrossFit is more expensive than a traditional gym.

This is because of the group class focus, with individualized hands-on instruction.

It is more expensive – but it is also more fun (even addictive) and can potentially offer better results than a generic gym.

If you shop around, and buy the right plan you can save significant money.

Performing a snatch - one of the olympic lifts — CrossFit uses super-effective exercises, like the Olympic lifts. Shown here is the "snatch" – using power to move a heavy barbell overhead quickly.

Disclaimers

This website is not affiliated or associated with CrossFit, Inc. CrossFit is a registered trademark of CrossFit, Inc.

Tim

Tim is the founder of FitAtMidlife.com – an avid gym rat for 30+ years, he’s a reviewer of many, many shoes – and founder of the Speed Bag Gathering – the world’s only gathering of speed bag punching enthusiasts. See more gym reviews at Tim’s YouTube channel.