How We Became "The OGC"
Have you looked at CrossFit gyms in Vacaville and wondered why - or even how - our prices are so low, comparatively? There's a great reason for that - CrossFit OGC is a cooperative.
There is no owner of this box. We are the owners, the members. Maybe you, reading this, are also an owner. Maybe you are interested in CrossFit and doing your due diligence by trying to compare prices. If so, HELLO! Nice to meet you! Please take a moment to read about us.
Our story is not only unique, but incredibly special and we think it's deserving of it's own page on our website.
Not too long ago about 40 of us found ourselves with no gym to work out in. And for a while, we would meet in each other’s garages to work out together. On Mondays we would meet in Coach Abe’s garage. On Tuesdays we’d meet In Coach Melissa’s garage. On Wednesdays, someone else…you get the picture. Soon we realized that hopping from house to house, lugging our barbells and plates was not going to work and we needed to come up with a better solution.
We decided to meet, formally, to plan a way to start our own gym. Our goal was fitness, of course, but mainly we wanted to keep our community together. We wanted our own box. We wanted our gym to be built for the community by the community. That night, those of us who met voted on a board of directors and we hit the ground running. We started by looking for a rental property that could house all of us and allow for room to grow. Soon we found the perfect spot and while it was exactly what we needed; how would we go about doing this? Who would pay our rent? How would we purchase everything a CrossFit gym needs? What about a rig? We knew our small building needed a loft for more space, but who would build it and how? And again, where would we get the money from this?
If you guessed that it was those 40 members you are correct. Everyone did something or helped in their own way. The people who knew how to build, built our loft. Those who had painting skills, came with their sprayers. We all went home and emptied our garages, borrowed trucks, came to each other’s homes and loaded thousands of pounds of bumper plates into the backs of trucks and minivans. Yes, every barbell you snatch, every kettlebell you swing, and every bike you love to loathe was selflessly donated and delivered by a member to 807 Davis St. Some people brought pizzas for the workers. Some people donated money. Some babysat the kiddos so the parents could assemble squat racks. Someone took inventory while another person cleaned the bathroom. Some laid the flooring. Others decorated the kid’s room. Every barstool in the loft, refrigerator, and box fan was donated. The popsicles in the freezer that, even today, never seem to run out - donated. The TVs, the computer, the speaker - donated. Two of our coaches drove to southern California to secure our rig and bring it to us…that was a great day! Our sign on the door was made by a member with a Cricut machine. We all gave something, and we all worked. Hard. And then finally, after a lot of long days and sore muscles, we were ready to open our doors.
Eventually, CrossFit approved our affiliate gave us the green light. So we started a membership process and that day 40 outcasts signed up for a membership at CrossFit OGC. And the rest is history.
Because our gym was created by us and for us, we take pride in it and there’s hardly ever a need. We take turns cleaning the facility and the equipment. When the barbells need to be serviced, someone comes on a Sunday and services them. When we have a maintenance issue, there is always someone to help…because it’s ours.
In the end, this is how we can keep our prices low. Our money goes back to our gym and our community instead of into someone’s pocket. We can serve our community through its own means. Because of this, we can offer a military and first responder discount to those who deserve one (many of our coaches and members are active military or prior service as well!). Students can pay a discounted rate. And we can still afford to keep up with the best equipment and safety standards.
We are always excited and happy to see new faces walk through that big roll up door. So, If you would like to join our box, we would love to have you. Come over and try us out for free. There are no egos here. Just community and fitness.
See You on the Floor!