Flexing Design Muscles with CrossFit Web Design
By now, you’ve probably heard something about CrossFit. Televised competitions, specialized gear from Reebok and celebrity athletes have done a lot to raise awareness for the sport. At its core, CrossFit is a no-frills strength and conditioning program. With more than 35,000 certified trainers and 6,000 affiliate gyms, it’s safe to say that CrossFit has grown a lot since its start in 2001. And CrossFit 26 in St. Louis is part of that growth.
Health and fitness are about improving, but most health and fitness websites need some work of their own. When we started working with CrossFit 26, we wanted to build something that would raise the bar in the industry.
CrossFit Web Design
We knew we had to find a balance between catering to current members and to those curious about CrossFit. For those already familiar, there’s a big space dedicated to the WOD, Workout of the Day, so athletes can get an idea of what to expect in the gym every day. Calls to action encourage those new to the sport to contact CrossFit 26 and get involved.
When it came to design, we made heavy use of photography to show the gym and the community that exists within it. For example, action shots are paired with environmental photography, giving a sense of the barebones, grittiness typically associated with CrossFit gyms.
From Competition to Community
CrossFit is definitely competitive, and that can be intimidating. But it’s also a supportive community – we wanted to highlight that for those interested in joining. Trainers are shown in workout gear as well as street clothes to convey the sense that these are real people, not superheroes or intimidating athletes.
Through messaging and design, the site helps promote the CrossFit community and CrossFit 26’s place in it. As the front end works to promote, the backend was built in WordPress to take the work out of making WOD, membership and other informational updates.
To see how it all came together, visit the site. And who knows? You just might end up in the gym with our own Jesse McGowan.
