Functional-fitness facilities, especially CrossFit gyms, are not known for their machines. "We are the machines!" is a catchphrase touted by many.

But at CrossFit Justice in Milford, Michigan, athletes are bringing back the tech—not via elliptical, but with heart-rate monitors.

It's not all that different from the "classic" CrossFit workouts you might be used to. But at CrossFit Justice, you're more likely to find athletes dutifully responding to heart-rate-driven coach cues to get the right stimulus for the workout—and less likely to find someone puking in the corner.

Two-Brain Radio host Mike Warkentin sat down with CrossFit Justice owner Chris Follick to get the details on how heart-rate training works and how it benefits the affiliate as a sales and retention tool.

Links:

CrossFit Justice
Gym Owners United

Timeline:

2:46 – How CrossFit Justice came upon heart-rate training. 

4:01 – What it costs to implement heart-rate training in the gym.

6:42 – What a typical class looks like.

9:03 – Coaching an athlete via heart-rate training.

11:07 – Benefits for the clients.

12:36 – Benefits for the business.

13:46 – How heart-rate training yields improved performance. 

15:11 – Selling heart-rate training to new clients.

17:44 – Selling it to the old-school crowd.

21:10 – How the shift changed the membership at CrossFit Justice. 

22:17 – Not another Orangetheory.

24:29 – What to expect if you shift your gym to heart-rate training.