Dear Roots Crew,
Welcome to 2026!
In this month’s newsletter, you’ll find a rundown of all the things we’ve put together to make your upcoming year the best yet at CrossFit Roots.
From sound-mitigation improvements to open coworking access to new classes and a year-long nutrition progression, to continuing to push the envelope on program development, execution, and athletic development and support – we selected each of these efforts to improve your day-to-day experience here at the shop and beyond.
At the heart of each decision we make at the shop is a commitment to our athletes: will this improve their performance and health, will it also improve their experience at our small business? Our decisions are equally about what we choose TO do as about what we choose NOT to do.
We hope these decisions and efforts have a positive impact on you and your life in 2026!
Respectfully, and not written with AI,
Nicole
QUICK HITS
- Acoustic Improvements
- Membership Update: Coworking!
- Nutrition Challenge – Phase 1 Starts January 5th
- Shop Etiquette – 2026 Revisit
- Class Updates: Olympic Weightlifting, Strength, and (new) Endurance
- The 2026 CrossFit Open & Open Prep Classes
- Physical Therapy for the CrossFit Athlete
- Introducing the Great Attendance Challenge Winner
- Misfit Camp!
Clearer Sound, Better Experience
Since we moved to our new location in May of 2024 we have noticed that the acoustics of our space are less ideal. The echo throughout the shop affects communiation, understanding, the timeliness of class operations, and your experience.
We are excited to announce that we have hired the Sound [Isolation] Company to bring clearer and better sound to our warehouse space. You’ll see the improvements in February.
This doesn’t mean we’re turning the music down, but it will help you hear from across the room when you should push your knees out!
Membership Update: Coworking!
We are excited to announce a membership upgrade starting January 11th, 2026! – all recurring monthly memberships now include access to our coworking space!
Based on feedback, we have found that many people would love to have use of the space for 2-3 hours a few times a week. Maybe you need to take a call just before class (we have a phone booth), or maybe you have 90 minutes to kill between class and school pickup and want to punch out some work. Or maybe you come to the middle school session with your kid and want to bang out a few emails.
Whatever the reason, we want to help make your workout fit seamlessly into your day and reduce the extra trips and friction of driving from place to place.
We will send more details before we open the space on January 11th, but here is the general overview to get you started:
1. Be aware of others using the space and be courteous. It’s not your new dorm room.
2. Do not leave belongings in the space. If you work for a few hours and then go to class, take your belongings with you to the cubbies, even if you plan to come back.
3. It’s not a library zone. If you want absolute quiet while you work, please bring headphones!
4. Coffee is available for purchase (just scan the QR code), but please bring your own mug.
5. The space is for individual work.
If you have questions about using the space or are interested in a dedicated desk, send us an email at [email protected].
The #800g Challenge Starts January 5 – Are You IN?
Now is the time to sign up!
The #800gChallenge is a simple, straightforward and needed foundation on the path to health and performance. It’s the launching point for our yearlong effort of improving the way we eat.
Dates
• Monday, January 5 – Monday, February 2
Cost
• The Challenge is $39/month. Athletes will sign up for a monthly subscription to the challenge app to access the challenge, daily education, points logging, and more. You will need access to the app for two months.
• Additionally, athletes will do two InBody Scans at a discounted price of $50 for two scans (before and after the challenge.
Sign Up
• Sign up for the challenge HERE and then schedule your InBody scans HERE (January 6 & 7).
Want More Info?
• Watch the challenge overview video HERE.
Shop Etiquette – 2026 Revisit
Etiquette is defined as “the customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession or group.” At CrossFit Roots, we have a list of shop etiquette that we ask each athlete to know and commit to.
We want you to consider Roots your home away from home, and we also require a communal commitment to support everyone’s combined effort toward our in-person training experience.
Each item on this list ties back to improving your athlete experience AND the experience of others.
As we kick off 2026, we wanted to pass on a few athlete reminders:
- Please review our etiquette list. Thank you!
- As we enter into cold and flu season, we wanted to pass on a friendly reminder that washing your hands goes a long way (ask the docs and nurses at the shop). The kitchen sink is a great place to do this after class!
- Being on the waitlist does not mean you are in class or will be added to the class. If you are on the waitlist you must check with a coach about taking the class BEFORE class starts. Many factors go into adding an athlete from the waitlist, and in some instances, you will be told no or asked to attend a later class with space available.
- Come in clean, washed clothes. Wear deodorant. Heck, give your knee sleeves a good wash! Respect your fellow gym mates by maintaining personal hygiene as we train together.
Want some more background on the why behind etiquette at our brick-and-mortar training facility? Check out this article from 2017.
Class Updates
In addition to the workout of the day classes, we offer Strongman, Olympic Weightlifting, Strength, Gymnastics, and new/evolved for 2026 – Endurance! We’ve also added additional group classes to the schedule at prime times such as 4 and 5pm. Anyone with a club membership can reserve a spot in these classes.
Updates and new cycles for 2026:
Olympic Weightlifting will begin a snatch cycle in the new year. Based on class attendance, classes will be offered at 11:30am on Mondays and 5:00pm on Tuesdays.
Strength class will remain at its currently scheduled times and will dive into a front squat cycle alongside designated accessory work to support the development of this lift.
NEW for 2026, we are introducing Endurance at 5:00pm on Thursday nights. Just like our other specialty classes, this class puts specific focus to longer efforts that demand sustainable outputs. Whether you’re stoked on Skimo, earning your turns, or dabbling in fitness racing, adding this class to the foundation of a strong GPP program will yield great results for efforts out in the wild!
The CrossFit Open Starts Here
The 2026 CrossFit Open is coming FEBRUARY 26TH and registration opens January 14th.
We’re bringing back the best of the best: Intramural teams, weekly prizes, and tons of fun! The Open is for EVERYONE, and EVERYBODY at Roots participates – whether you’ve been doing CrossFit for a long time or just started.
Trust us. You don’t want to miss out.
Last year, 219 Roots members signed up for the fun – making Roots the 12th affiliate worldwide for Open participation. We’re proud of this but we’re most proud of the athletes who put themselves out there, signup, and throw down!
For now, here are the 3 things you need to know and be on the lookout for in the next couple of weeks:
1. Sign up for the Open on January 14th so you can be included in this worldwide event and the Roots Intramural Open.
Read this article that Nicole wrote for CrossFit.com to learn more.
2. Take the (NEW!) Judges Course. The judges MAKE The Open a huge success and deliver on the quality of the environment we aim to create. Read this article on how the Judges Course will make you a better athlete. Sign up and take the course here – you may recognize a few people!
3. Sponsor the Open: Do you own a local business and want to help us make the Open extra special and fun? From weekly prizes to athlete giveaways, we aim to make the Open extra awesome for everyone who participates. Email [email protected] if you’d like to learn more!
Starting January 16, Open Prep classes are BACK at 12:30 on Fridays! This replaces the 12:30 WOD for the weeks leading up to the Open.
Physical Therapy for the CrossFit Athlete — Fullswift Physio + Performance
As part of our efforts to support our athletes we are always on the lookout for professionals in the performance and health space who understand what we do here and support how we train.
We’re incredibly excited to welcome Kyle into the mix. Ideally, you never need PT… but if you do, you’ve got someone who truly gets CrossFit and athletes.
Our neighbors at Fullswift Physio + Performance have opened a satellite treatment office right here in teh shop. You’ll now see Dr. Kyle Rogus (Roots member and Fullswift clinician) offering performance physical therapy right here at the gym.
Whether you’re dealing with a nagging issue, dialing in mobility, or chasing a new PR, you’ll get one-on-one, hands-on care that matches the demands of your health and performance goals.
Fullswift is offering FREE in-person consults for Roots members. Visit the link, select the Roots location, and then scroll to Roots Members Free Consult.
Welcome, Fullswift — we’re glad to have you in the building!
Attendance Challenge Winner & 2026 Kickoff
22 members completed the 2025 Great Attendance Challenge by attending 225+ classes last year. Each one was entered to win a year of free membership dues at CrossFit Roots.
Here’s who attended 225 or more classes this year:
- Martha B
- Phoenix M
- Kelli R
- Aaron E
- Chris R
- Sarah W
- Katie W
- Allison S
- Ryan L
- Amy L
- Greg H
- Steve C
- Caitlin D
- Taylor H
- Khem S
- Austin M
- Ben W
- Josh H
- Cherilyn S
- Liz R
- Derek A
- Melissa G
One person was randomly selected, and the winner is {drumroll please!}…
What is the Great Attendance Challenge?
The Great Attendance Challenge was born in 2021 and has continued yearly. It’s simple. Each year, we challenge you to attend 225 group classes.
Why? Because consistency matters. A solid daily effort will make one of the most significant lasting impacts on your long-term fitness and health.
So here’s how it works.
Go to class. Sign-up in ZenPlanner. We’ll tally your progress throughout the year. When you hit 225, ring the cowbell, scream it from the top of the rig, and do a victory lap.
What else happens when you do hit that 225 mark?
We’re glad you asked.
For all of you who earn that magical number of 225 – we’ll enter you into a drawing to win BACK your previous year’s membership fees and credit them to the following year!
Here’s how to play:
Go to class:).
Let the Great Attendance Challenge of 2026 begin!
MisFit Training Camp
Are you a passionate CrossFit athlete? Are you hooked on strength and conditioning and looking to spend a weekend learning more? Or maybe you just started CrossFit and want to take a deep dive to maximize your efforts in the shop? Join us for an unforgettable weekend at the Misfit Athletics Training Camp here at CrossFit Roots!
Sign ups are live here and the event is January 30-February 1.
This immersive experience packs fitness, education, and community into every minute. Over the course of the camp, you’ll take part in multiple workouts, skill sessions, and lectures that tie together the mental, physical, and lifestyle aspects of CrossFit. Our expert coaching staff includes Misfit HQ coaches and special guest CrossFit Games veterans.
The camp’s inclusive environment allows CrossFit athletes of all levels to feed their passion and curiosity. Camp has the ability to uncover how such an intense sport can be equal parts challenging, fun, and endlessly interesting. If you buy-in to the magic of all of those things coming together, you can bring it home with you and realize that there is a much more sustainable way to approach your goals.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be surrounded by like-minded individuals and uncover the magic that happens when you fully invest in the Misfit Camp experience. All you need is an open mind and your workout gear!