What a Random Gym Drop-In Taught Me About Coaching and Community

I just got done dropping into a typical commercial gym while on vacation in the Outer Banks. You know the setup: rows of dumbbells, a few fixed barbells, one or two squat racks, machines everywhere, a mezzanine packed with cardio equipment, and an isolated aerobics room tucked away with a few kettlebells, air bikes, and ski ergs. Ironically, that functional area was the last thing I found. But this isn’t really a review of the equipment; it’s about the experience of walking into a gym as a stranger.

I love dropping into gyms when I’m out of town. Nobody knows me. I’m just another face there to train. And what I really enjoy is observing the vibe—the staff, the trainers, the culture, the clientele. This gym, being in a tourist-heavy area, had a little bit of everything.

Let’s be honest: commercial gyms can be intimidating. Unless you’re the biggest, most confident person in the room, stepping into that environment takes guts. Between sets, I found myself watching the different types of people in there. Some walked in with uncertainty, while others took up way more space than they earned.

One young guy caught my eye. You could tell he was new. His body language screamed discomfort, but to his credit, he didn’t hesitate—he picked something and got to work. As his session went on, you could actually see his confidence grow. That’s the magic of movement, just getting started changes everything. On the flip side, there was your classic gym bro: oversized upper body, tiny legs, and a massive ego. The kind of guy who needs two benches and three machines just to “warm up.” He was loud, posturing, clearly there to be seen. Honestly, put him under a barbell with depth and control, and I’d bet he’d crumble.

Then there were couples, one coaching the other, eventually gaining enough confidence to branch off on their own. Older folks moving through machines at their own pace, just showing up and putting in work. I respect the heck out of that.

And while I had the itch to go help, I stayed in my lane. Time and place.

But here’s the point:

Walking through the door is the hardest part.

From there, it’s about movement. Movement breeds confidence. Confidence builds competence.

I’m so grateful for our community at CrossFit 8 Mile because those awkward, insecure moments aren’t faced alone. That’s what our coaches are there for. That’s what our members are there for. One of my favorite things is watching a veteran member go out of their way to introduce themselves to someone who clearly looks new or unsure. That human connection is what separates us from the typical access gym experience.

Places like Planet Fitness or Lifetime can work; motivated, self-taught people can thrive in those environments. But many don’t. Many fall off, not because they’re lazy, but because they’re lost. They don’t know what to do, how to progress, or how to stay safe.

Social media makes it worse: random workouts with no context, intensity with no foundation, and poor movement patterns that lead to injury. That’s where coaching changes everything. Not a buddy who likes to lift. A professional. Someone who’s dedicated their life to helping others move better, feel better, and live better.

If I were trying a new restaurant, I wouldn’t just drive around and hope to find it—I’d look it up or ask someone who’s been. Fitness should be the same. Get a coach. Get a guide. It’s the fastest, safest route to success.

Peers matter too. Whether it’s someone encouraging you on the floor, a training partner pushing you through your last reps, or just someone saying, “You’ve got this, keep going,” the right environment changes everything.

I’ll always be grateful for my journey, from member, to coach, to owner. Since starting CrossFit in 2011, I’ve watched the method evolve, the community mature, and the people who walk through our doors change their lives.

At the end of the day, it’s simple:

Show up. Walk in. Start moving.

Let confidence and competency grow from there.

If you don’t like the fitness you’re doing, find something that clicks. But whatever it is—go all in. Every training method, when done well, can produce results. But half-committing won’t. So find the program, the coach, or the community that gets you fired up—and chase it all the way.

Fitness isn’t just a phase. It’s a lifestyle.

And it starts with that first step through the front door

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Nick Carignan

CrossFit 8 Mile

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