During the first week of August, thousands of CrossFit Games fans will travel to Madison, Wisconsin, to watch the fittest few vie for the title of Fittest on Earth at the 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games. But the Games are much more than a spectacle of the best athletes in the world. The annual event is the largest gathering of the CrossFit community, and a chance to experience the best of CrossFit with seminars, meet-and-greets, and lots of fitness.
One of the greatest aspects of our sport is the majority of fans actively participate in CrossFit. They may have even done a version of the test the Games athletes are doing.
There are over 12,000 CrossFit affiliates around the world, and seven live in Madison, Wisconsin, the home of the 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games. Take a look at a few affiliates that are accepting drop-ins and learn how to join a class and get your workouts in while you’re at the Games this year.
For a full list of affiliates in Madison, visit https://map.crossfit.com/.
Gym Etiquette
You are a guest when you’re visiting an affiliate. Be sure to follow proper gym etiquette and respect the gym’s rules.
Graphic by Erin Garcia
CrossFit Recursive
History of the Affiliate
CrossFit Recursive opened in 2014, joining only a few other CrossFit affiliates in Madison, with the goal of getting people off the couch and into a CrossFit gym for the first time. Over the years, their philosophy hasn’t changed; CrossFit Recursive seeks to provide beginners with a space to learn and improve their fitness.
Gym owners Nikole and Dirk Gessler have grown the gym over the last nine years, welcoming many visitors into their gym each year during Games week.
Photo courtesy of CrossFit Recursive on Instagram
Location
600 Williamson St # K2
Madison, Wisconsin
53703
“We are located right on the bike path, a block from Monona Terrace, and just a few blocks from the Square and State Street. We have a parking lot with space available in the front and side, and easy street parking. There is also parking in the back after 5 p.m. (and we have a back door).”
How to Drop In
Group Class
CrossFit Recursive highly recommends visitors take group classes. It’s the best way to meet new people, learn from different CrossFit coaches, and experience the CrossFit Recursive community.
The one-hour classes will run all week from 5:30-9 a.m. and 4:30-6 p.m. Morning classes will also be available on the weekends. You can view the full schedule HERE.
Photo courtesy of CrossFit Recursive on Instagram
Open Gym
Open gym is also available for visitors and Games athletes looking to train before and during Games week in two-hour blocks. You can view the full schedule HERE for all open-gym times.
Pricing
1 class – $25
2 classes – $45
3 classes – $65
4 classes – $85
How to Register
All visitors must sign up for a class or open gym ahead of time on Zen Planner. You will be prompted to sign a waiver and pay the drop-in fee during registration. Classes are capped, so be sure to register early.
Please arrive 10-15 minutes before class begins, and T-shirts will be available for purchase!
Contact
You can learn more about CrossFit Recursive below:
For questions, contact CrossFit Recursive at:
- Email: info@crossfitrecursive.com
- Phone: (608)-204-0004
CrossFit Big Dane
History of the Affiliate
CrossFit Big Dane owner Barrett Danz was a gym teacher in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, when he found CrossFit in 2010. He noticed a parallel between gym teachers and CrossFit coaches.
“There's a lot of similarities except, you know, people wanted to be at one and not at the other,” Danz said. “And I was like, ‘Wow, I could be a gym teacher, but for adults, and they actually want to be there.’”
In 2014, at 25 years old, Danz moved to Madison to open his first CrossFit affiliate — CrossFit Big Dane — because of how active the city was.
Over the years, CrossFit Big Dane’s community-driven mission has evolved to promote longevity and fun.
Photo courtesy of CrossFit Big Dane on Instagram
Location
813 Post Rd
Madison, Wisconsin
53713
How to Drop In
For the third year, CrossFit Big Dane will be partnering with GOWOD to provide celebrity coaches and CrossFit programming during the week of the 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games.
GOWOD will be covering every visitor’s drop-in fee at Big Dane during Games week. Stay tuned for a link to register for classes on CrossFit Big Dane’s social media at @bigdanecollective.
If you want to drop in to a class at CrossFit Big Dane prior to Games week, please email them at frontdesk@crossfitbigdane.com. Do not purchase a drop-in through their website, as they will have multiple options for drop-ins based on the days and times you will be visiting.
Photo courtesy of CrossFit Big Dane on Instagram
Purchase Swag
CrossFit Big Dane has an Etsy store with all of the affiliate’s swag. You can purchase T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and more HERE.
Stay Informed
The best way to stay informed about what’s happening at CrossFit Big Dane is to follow them on social media:
You can also check out their website to learn more about the affiliate.
Contact
For questions, you can reach out to CrossFit Big Dane at:
- Email: frontdesk@crossfitbigdane.com
- Phone: (608) 819-6544
CrossFit Sanctify
History of Affiliate
CrossFit Sanctify is the city of Madison’s first CrossFit gym and has been affiliated since November of 2010. Owners Josh Earleywine and Paule Saevre started the affiliate in a small garage-like space that could hold only around 10 people, and in only two years, they were outgrowing the space.
“There was a lot of interest (in 2012) in this new thing called CrossFit, so I think the gym really grew to the point that we needed a new, bigger space,” Brandi Rogers — CrossFit Sanctify’s Director of Communications and Marketing — said.
Since opening day, CrossFit Sanctify has upgraded its space twice to accommodate the growing community.
Photo courtesy of CrossFit Sanctify on Instagram
Location
4535 Helgesen Drive
Madison, Wisconsin
53718
How to Drop In
CrossFit Sanctify offers seven classes daily from Monday through Friday and two classes on Saturday mornings. You can view the class schedule HERE.
To attend a class, please sign up ahead of time. Although class sizes will be increased to accommodate an increase in drop-ins during Games week, class sizes may still be capped.
Are you a Games athlete looking for a space to train? CrossFit Sanctify is offering up their gym for free to help support the athletes vying for the title of Fittest on Earth. Just send them an email or give them a call (no DMs) to let them know when you would like to train. You can find contact information below.
Photo courtesy of CrossFit Sanctify
How to Register for Class
To register for class, find the “schedule” tab on CrossFit Sanctify’s website and click on the “drop in” button. You will be prompted to select the class you would like to attend, create an account, and sign a waiver.
Pricing
1 class: $20
3 classes: $50
Unlimited week: $75
You can pay the drop-in fee when you sign up for class or if you prefer to pay in cash, you can sign up online and show up to class early to let a coach know you are paying with cash.
Special Event
Comptrain will be leading a few of the 6:30 a.m. classes during the week of the 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games. You can register for this class just as you would for any other class on CrossFit Sanctify’s schedule. Follow the registration instructions above.
Contact
For questions, you can reach out to CrossFit Sanctify at:
- Email: info@crossfitsanctify.com
- Phone: 608-441-0888
The 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games Fan Experience
There is nothing more powerful than bringing our global CrossFit community together in Madison to experience the competition, fun, and camaraderie that is CrossFit. Whether fans choose to spend their days cheering on their favorite athletes, working out, exploring the Madison area, or enjoying a combination of everything the Games has to offer, all are guaranteed to leave with fond memories to inspire them all year long.
Check out the article below for a list of resources and activities you can use to make sure your festival experience is unforgettable and fun.