At Fairway Park CrossFit, building meaningful connections with our members is at the heart of what we do. As one of the smallest CrossFit affiliates in the world, we’re proud of our tight-knit community. With class sizes ranging from just 2 to 10 people, we have the unique opportunity to genuinely get to know the individuals we coach. Unlike larger gyms, where it can be challenging to connect with every member, our smaller size makes it possible—and essential—to foster those relationships.
One of the reasons I wake up so early and stay at the gym so late is because I genuinely care about every single client who walks through our doors. Their progress, struggles, and victories fuel my passion for coaching. There’s nothing more motivating to me than seeing their faces at the gym, knowing they’re working toward something incredible. My goal is to help them experience the same joy and empowerment I’ve felt through my own fitness journey, particularly the sense of accomplishment that comes with losing weight and building strength.
So, how can we as coaches and staff build connections with our clients? It’s simple: get to know them. Ask about their lives—how old they are, what they do for work, whether they have a family, and what their hobbies are. The next time you see them in class, bring up something you remember from your conversation. That small act of remembering something personal goes a long way in building trust and connection.
Another way to strengthen relationships is to celebrate milestones and special moments. Tools like Google Calendar can help you track important dates, like birthdays or fitness accomplishments. Birthdays are especially easy to acknowledge, thanks to reminders on Facebook. We encourage you to use our private gym Facebook group to give shoutouts to members. When a client sees that their coach has recognized them publicly, it’s a powerful way to make them feel valued and appreciated. Highlighting their achievements in this way not only builds their confidence but also reinforces the sense of community we all cherish.
At CrossFit Fairway Park, building connections is more than just a nice thing to do—it’s a necessity. It shows our members that we genuinely care about them, which, in turn, strengthens retention and helps our business thrive. It’s a win-win for everyone. But I can’t do this alone—I need your help to continue fostering this sense of connection and belonging. Together, we can make our community even stronger.