I'm going to get right down to it.
How to tell if you're at a shitty crossfit gym:
1. Your coaches know better than to follow the gym's programming.
If your coaches refuse to take class with you (not because they believe they are a beautiful and unique snowflake that needs beautiful and unique programming) because the programming at your gym is not beneficial, you should not do this programming either.
2. You keep getting injured, or your friends are injured, or your coaches do not teach recovery/mobility methods to help with inflammation.
Sometimes injuries do happen. I'm not denying that. But most of the injuries I hear about are due to improper technique perpetuated over time, lack of knowledge or effort on mobility and recovery, and also lack of well-rounded programming to support technique work. For example, please strengthen your hamstrings- your cleans, deadlifts, snatches, and squats will thank you.
3. You only had to take 3 beginners classes to "learn crossfit."
You are a beginner for a lot longer than 3 classes, and you need to be treated as such and programmed for with that knowledge. Advanced students need advanced coaching, cues, and drills. Beginner students need instruction. A lot of it. If you are a beginner, make sure you are getting beginners coaching; needless to say, if you are advanced, make sure you are still getting coaching.
4. Your gym offers classes for students who "don't want to get bulky from weightlifting."
This is fine, but this is not crossfit. This is your gym taking the easy way out to get your money. Go to bootcamp. Crossfit was started as an idea that went against the mainstream with the philosophy that you can lift weights to get the results you want, and the results you need. Lifting weights is really good for you. It is your gym's responsibility to know this, teach it correctly so that it remains healthy, and not feed you bullshit to get more members.
5. Your gym sells so much shit to you all the time that it has lost its humanity.
Ever gone to the mall and had to leave because everything was so flashy, overpriced, and unnecessary to your life? That's how I feel in some crossfit gyms. Go to the gym to do work, not buy stupid shit you don't need. In my opinion, your gym's #1 product should be its coaching, programming, and community. If it's not, go somewhere that will fulfill you in a more substantial way.
6. You are learning "competition crossfit."
Stop learning shitty technique in order to go faster when you don't have the fundamentals down yet. Learn proper technique, get fitter, develop your muscles, and eventually you'll go faster. Duh. At some point in your workout, you will most likely sacrifice some of your form for intensity. But if you don't have any form in the first place, you're going to break down completely and probably die.
There are a million really GOOD crossfit gyms, and if you need help finding one, I have a million recommendations. But stop giving your money to shitty crossfit gyms. You are going to get hurt, you're not going to progress, and you're giving crossfit a bad name, a methodology that I care a HUGE amount for. Save Crossfit and go to a quality gym.
Concerns and comments welcomed and appreciated.