Success in CrossFit, BJJ, or any serious gym isn’t about being the most athletic person in the room. It’s about paying attention and knowing what’s going on. Show up, stay consistent, and learn the flow so you can focus on improving instead of re-learning the basics. At Gym Force, we believe that simple awareness is a critical early step in creating a lifelong pursuit.
When you walk into a CrossFit gym or a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school for the first time, it is easy to feel out of place. The people around you seem to know exactly where to go, what equipment to grab, and how to move through the workout or drill. You might think they are naturally athletic, more connected, or just quicker to learn. The truth is simpler. They have been there longer and have learned the logistics.
The fastest way to make your new gym life easier is to simply know what in the hell is going on. You do not need to 'be good'. Nobody is in the beginning. You do not need to be in shape. You just need to pay attention.
That's the first step. Watch what is happening around you. Learn the class structure. Notice when the coach explains a movement and how the more experienced members prepare for it. The second step is showing up consistently. Familiarity comes with repetition, and that removes a lot of the uncertainty that makes beginners feel lost.
Nobody on their first day can tell you the difference between a hang power clean and a power clean. But after a year, you should be able to identify every basic movement, understand the starting positions, and know how to scale the workout for your ability level. At that point, if you do not, it is no longer the coach’s job to explain it every time. It is your responsibility to know it.
Some people pick things up quicker than others, but there are ways to speed up the process or to avoid falling behind. When it comes to CrossFit, there's a lot of things you can do. Use your time outside of the gym to look things up. Understand how to read a workout on the whiteboard. You should know your wall ball weight and height without asking. Know when a workout isn't timed or if you should be checking the clock. Sometimes these details vary based on the coach or the gym’s unique structure, situational awareness just makes every class a little more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is no different. The techniques can feel overwhelming, and in the beginning even when you do them correctly they might not work. Chokes do not choke. Sweeps do not sweep. That is part of the process. What you can do is control your own focus. Pay attention when your professor is demonstrating a technique. Drill it properly afterward. Keep your questions reasonable and take cues from the higher belts.
Many BJJ students benefit from keeping a journal. Writing down the details of a technique during or immediately after class will help you remember it later. Follow the dojo rules. Keep your gi clean and your nails trimmed.
If you just had a lunch heavy on garlic, take care of that before you roll with a breath mint.
And it shouldn't take six months to learn how to tie your belt.
These little things add up. They make you a better training partner. They free up your mental energy to focus on improving the thing instead of re-learning what the thing is every time you come in. They also prepare you for the day when you might need to find a new gym or school.
At Gym Force, we believe that showing up is only the first step. Understanding that you are there for more than just a workout is what sets great gyms apart. If you fall in love with your gym you also have to be ready to move on someday. You should be able to walk into your next gym or dojo with confidence.
And once you know how things work, you're more than just another noob, you're part of the group.
So show up. Pay attention. Figure out what is going on and enjoy the ride.