SOP-01: New Member Foundations Onboarding

This SOP ensures every new member receives a consistent, high-quality onboarding experience through the Foundations Course that maximizes retention, safety, and community integration.

Applies to all new members who have not completed a CrossFit-style foundations program elsewhere. All coaches responsible for onboarding must follow this procedure.

• Boxes with structured onboarding see 40-60% higher 90-day retention

• Foundations courses priced at $149-199 filter committed members and cover coach labor costs

• 4-session over 2 weeks is the industry gold standard for movement introduction

• Wodify, Zen Planner, and PushPress all have onboarding workflow features

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New Member Signs Up

|

v

Has CrossFit Experience? (6+ months at another box)

|--YES--> Schedule Regular Class + Movement Assessment

| (30-minute private session, $0-35)

|

|--NO--> Enroll in Foundations Course

|

v

Schedule First Foundation Session

|

v

Complete All 4 Sessions

|

v

Pass Movement Assessment?

|--YES--> Graduate to Regular Classes

| (Celebrate publicly, assign buddy)

|

|--NO--> Schedule 1-2 Additional Private Sessions

($65/session, coach discretion)

|

v

Graduate or Continue Private Training

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Phase 1: Pre-Arrival (24-48 hours before first session)

• Send within 2 hours of enrollment

• Subject: "Welcome to [Box Name] - Your Foundations Journey Starts [Date]"

• Include: what to bring, what to wear, parking instructions, waiver link

• Attach: New Member Handbook PDF

• Call to action: "Reply to this email with your #1 fitness goal"

• Create member profile in gym management software

• Set membership start date (day after Foundations graduation)

• Add to new member communication segment in email platform

• Send app download instructions (SugarWOD, Wodify, etc.)

• Assign primary onboarding coach based on schedule compatibility

• Notify coach via email/Slack with member background and goals

• Coach reviews member's goal response before first session

Phase 2: Session 1 - Welcome and Air Squat/Press Series (60 minutes)

Script: "[Name], welcome to [Box Name]. I am [Coach Name], and I will be your guide through Foundations. Before we start moving, let me show you around. This is where you will check in, here is where we keep [equipment], bathrooms are here, and this whiteboard is where we post daily WODs. Any questions about the space?"

Script: "Before our first session, you shared that your #1 goal is [goal]. That is exactly why we are here. Over the next 4 sessions, you will learn the foundational movements safely and effectively. By the end, you will feel confident walking into any class here. This is not a test - there is no failing Foundations. This is about building competence and confidence."

• Teach points of performance

• Practice 3 sets of 5 reps

• Common faults and corrections

• Scaling options for mobility limitations

• PVC pipe progression

• Midline stability teaching

• 3 sets of 5 reps

• 3 rounds: 5 air squats + 5 shoulder presses

• Teach WOD structure and pacing

• Cool down and first session celebration

Phase 3: Session 2 - Hinge and Pull Series (60 minutes)

Script: "How did you feel after Session 1? Any soreness? Any questions? Today we are adding two more fundamental patterns."

• PVC pipe to dowel to empty barbell progression

• Hip hinge mechanics

• Neutral spine preservation

• 5 sets of 5 reps

• Rowing technique and damper setting

• Stroke rate and pacing

• 500m practice piece

• 3 rounds: 5 deadlifts + 250m row

• Practice transitions and setup

Phase 4: Session 3 - Push and Pull Bodyweight (60 minutes)

• Full range of motion standards

• Scaling: incline push-up, knee push-up, band-assisted

• 3 sets of 5-8 reps

• Ring row mechanics

• Pull-up scaling options

• 3 sets of 5-8 reps

• 3 rounds: 5 push-ups + 5 ring rows + 5 wall balls

Phase 5: Session 4 - Core and Graduation (60 minutes)

• Quick review of all 6 movements

• Address any remaining questions

• Form check on each movement

• Medball clean teaching

• Extension and landing mechanics

• Introduction to the clean and snatch as future skills

• "Baseline" style WOD combining all learned movements

• Time the workout and record in member profile

• This becomes their benchmark for future comparison

Script: "[Name], congratulations. You have completed Foundations and are officially ready for regular classes. I am proud of your progress. Here is what happens next..."

• Explain class booking process

• Introduce them to 2-3 regular members who attend their preferred times

• Schedule their first regular class (ideally within 48 hours)

• Take a graduation photo for social media (with permission)

• Give them a Foundations completion certificate or shirt

Phase 6: Post-Graduation (First 30 Days in Regular Classes)

• Coach sends personal text or email

• "How are your first few classes going? Any questions?"

• Assign a "veteran buddy" who attends similar class times

• Buddy reaches out to introduce themselves

• Coach schedules 10-minute check-in

• Review original goal, assess progress, set next 30-day goal

• Document in member profile

Foundations Sales Conversation

"The Foundations Course is $199 for 4 sessions over 2 weeks. This is not an upsell - this is how we ensure your safety and success. Every movement is taught progressively, every question is answered, and by the end you will walk into any class with confidence. Members who complete Foundations stay with us 40% longer. Can I get you registered for [specific start date]?"

Handling "I Already Know How to Work Out"

"I absolutely believe you have fitness experience, and that is great. What Foundations covers is specifically our movements, our standards, and our culture. Even experienced athletes learn our box-specific approach. The movement assessment takes 30 minutes and is complimentary. Would [day] at [time] work?"

Post-Graduation Handoff to Class Coach

"Coach [Name], [New Member] just graduated Foundations. Their primary goal is [goal]. They are still building confidence on [movement]. Please give them extra encouragement and cueing during their first few classes. Thanks for welcoming them to the community."

• Gym Management: Wodify, Zen Planner, PushPress (onboarding workflow features)

• Communication: Mailchimp or gym software email automation

• Movement Standards: CrossFit Level 1 Training Guide

• Tracking: SugarWOD for benchmark recording

• Templates: Welcome email template, graduation certificate, 30-day check-in form

• Version 1.0: Initial release

• Review scheduled: Quarterly

• Owner approval required for any modifications

Clozo Academy Proprietary Curriculum. The CrossFit Boxes Growth System.