I learned a lot by joining a good CrossFit gym. I can now do my own thing, but that would have been daunting previously. The absolute worst thing about CrossFit

I learned a lot by joining a good CrossFit gym. I can now do my own thing, but that would have been daunting previously. The absolute worst thing about CrossFit is quality control. Not knowing anything to start makes it hard to find one. Ask them when you go in about mobilization/stretching/warm-ups and cool downs and how they are managed in the program (ideally baked in). Ask about how they handle skill progression and scaling exercises based on ability (they should talk about safety and form and not pushing to do the workout "as prescribed"). Ask how they can help when things become stiff or sore (they should want you to bring up this stuff and be able to give you suggested stretches and tips). Ask if they have a anything guiding their workout programming (they should have cycles they go through focusing on different skills or muscle groups). Ask if they do nutrition guidance. You might have to go to a few places before finding a place that has answers for all of these. The advantages are pushing harder than you will on your own, trying things you wouldn't have know to try, suffering with a small group of people and building a sense of community, and getting stronger and fitter. Edit, oh, and ask about class size to instructor ratio. Smaller is better. I think the sweet spot is sub 10 to one instructor. It allows them to really notice how you are doing and give one on one improvement help.