In House Vs Purchased Programming - The Debate

I was listening to a podcast recently where a discussion broke out around wheter CrossFit affilites should progrmme their own clsses or if it is better to buy progrmming in (there re a number of different providers such as Mayhem, PRVN, and HWPO).

At the gym I work at I have experienced a number of different things. Before I started coaching the programming was done by someone internally. When they left we moved to CAP programming, which was in place when I first started coaching and then since the start of last year they have been purchasing the main Programming through Mayhem. It is worth saying that the Hyrox Programming is done in house along with other specialist classes.

There is one very strong argument for why it is a great idea. How many of us can say that we fundamentally programme better than the people from the big camps, who have significantly more resource to it, more experience and the ability to gain much more feedback than we do on a gym by gym basis? In terms of that baseline of programming I think it's fair to say that the quality you get is fantastic (it certainly is from Mayhem anyway). I also look at it from a coach development angle. When I first started we were using CAP programming and without the coaching notes and videos I would have struggled a lot more. That's continued with Mayhem and it is an underrated form of coach development that happens daily through the planning process for each class. I can honestly say that I have never gone into a class worrying about the content, even when I have covered a class last minute. 

There are of course challenges to it, as there are with any programme written for a wider audience. Sometimes because of space or equipment limitations we have to adapt the programming to make it fit for what we have (to be fair to Mayhem they do give limited equipment and large class options which are really helpful). Still sometimes slightly bigger tweaks need to be made, but again I think that is to be expected. This is the same with any online programme you might get, for example if you get a generic running programme for a Marathon the likelihood is you might need to adapt it slightly. It's why the better, but more expensive option is to get a PT (or programme yourself if you feel comfortable enough to do so).

There is of course the opposite side of the coin to the benefits that should be discussed. Let's say there is a generic weakness across your membership, for example squat depth, or the majority of people have a deficiency when it comes to pull up volume. These things can be programmed for by the individual gym. Equally, the programming when written is always written with that gyms logistical challenges in mind which should remove the need to widely adapt it. I think the coach development point is an interesting one. Yes there is one school of thought that the coaching notes really support coach development (like I said that really helped me when I was starting out) but then to get the step beyond that, coaches need to experience programming themselves, creating those coaching notes and really getting into the nitty, gritty detail of programming through different cycles.

Given the balance I think it ultimately depends on the affiliate its self and the coaches that are there. Is there someone who is experienced at programming? Are there coaches who want to develop that? Do you have relatively generic space and equipment or are there things really unique about your gym? All things to take into account. From what I have experienced I think, for a lot of affiliates a mix is probably best. A core programme programmed by experts, adapted for the affiliate supplemented by complimentary programmes programmed by coaches in the gym for specific groups of people for specific reasons (i.e. A Hyrox specific programme, an intro class or a gymnastics class). The one negative to this which should definitely be considered is that programming is often given in smaller blocks, potentially even week to week for the majority of the programming, that makes the wider programming more difficult i.e. if you have a gymnastics program focusing on pull ups but the day before is a high volume day on the main programme for pull ups it might need to be changed. 

As I have said, there are pro's and con's to both. Not to sit on the fence but I think it is situation dependent as to what's best for each individual affiliate. Interested to know everyone else's thoughts though!

Andy