I like to wear and encourage my coaches to wear comfortable clothes but not necessarily athletic attire. We have to demo the movements and it only takes one time of ripping a pair of jeans showing a squat to realize jeans are not the best attire to coach in.

Flip flops for sure!

While every now and then I like to rock the jeans and sweatshirt to go coach, it's an easy habit to fall into, and not one that promotes virtuosity or leads by example.

Going to be teaching squats? Butterfly pull-ups? Want to simply look the part? Grab some warm-up pants and a t-shirt you can move in! Barefoot always gets a lot of questions.

Do you find coaching barefoot comes to their distaste or perhaps they think of you as less professional, Dan?

It's an old habit to die hard for us.

Blair -
I don't think it's a habit that needs to die. I don't coach barefoot very much, even at the gymnastics center, as I don't think it's the best for spotting, etc.

Most comments I get are questions that lead to conversations about different lifting shoes, or lack thereof.

Most of the time I wear comfortable shorts or sweats and a tank top or CrossFit shirt. The few times I've made the mistake of wearing jeans or a skirt or confining shorts, I've had to demo something and felt like a total fool when I couldn't get full ROM/fell on my ass at the bottom of a squat. We're lucky in that casual athletic attire is practically required to do what we do. And I always bring a change of clothes in case I get an itch to do the WOD or some strength work.
I think it's necessary for us as trainers to set an example to our clients as to what's going to allow them the most freedom to perform full ROM in workouts. It's not really about showing them what's "appropriate" attire, because hell, if Joe Schmoe can perform a mature, full ROM squat multiple times comfortably in a straight jacket and Lycra hot pants, more power to him/her!
The one thing I would suggest for us trainers besides just being comfortable, is to be aware of logos and quotations and images on our shirts that some clients might find offensive. If I'm not going to wear a CrossFit shirt, I make sure I'm wearing a plain shirt, maybe with a pattern. And I'm never afraid to call people out on their running shoes if they're having problems staying on their heels in squats or presses. I simply point down at my chucks/bare feet when doing so :)
People's possible distaste or questions of proffesionalism disappear when they observe me or someone else half their size make a lift they can't make with ease due to flat shoes/no shoes.

I have my running flip flops and my regular flip flops.

It's proven that public perception
of professionalism in any feild is increased when the trade in question comes with a uniform. At Crossfit USA this means a shirt with the Crossfit USa logo and athletic shorts.

Thong and thigh-highs.

Chip, that's messed up. Control yourself.

Best,

Jon

I think a good looking body is number one. Then clothes that are clean and decent.

Since we're in Florida my normal attire is 95% of the time - Board Shorts, Sneakers, Crossfit t-shirt (ours or other affiliate)

The shoes by now are mostly all flat Asics that about 30% of our folks wear by now. Onitsuka Tigers are the best CF shoe I've ever had.

Sometimes I coach in flippie floppies when it's super hot.

Nice video of CF York - I remember when a photo of their box was posted here. With those four bay doors and trees around it, it's become a "goal" of mine to have a box like that someday.

In case anyone has trouble watching the video, here's the direct link to it: http://whtm.acc-tv.com/sites/whtm/news/stories/0509/video/052809crossfit.flv (if you paste that into the Downloads window of Safari, it'll download it automatically.)

I go with comfortable shorts (mostly board shorts), Crossfit T-shirt, and sneakers or Chuck Taylors.

Leo: "Flippie Floppies"? lmao

I love talking about clothes.

To train or coach, I wear my standard uniform of short shorts, tall socks and a CrossFit tee or tank. Doesn't have to be my own affiliate's tee, either. I've got a REALLY nice collection these days.

Todd - I'm on the boat!

If I was in MMA/UFC - that would be my entry song!

Silkies (SEAL running shorts) and a tee from another affiliate.

I was intorduced to the short shorts in January and find it hard to wear anything else, regardless of the strange a looks I get sometimes while being 6 1 205# and wearing these little tiny shorts! lol! I don't care!

Anoother affiliates shirt makes me feel as though I am doing my part to advertise for the CrossFit community, promoting better health and forging elite fitness!

~J~
Train Hard and Push Through "IT"!

Myself and all my coaches wear black or gray pants/shorts, athletic shoes, and a black or red CrossFit Rockwall coaching shirt. This way, when the coaches are training in the classes, and not coaching them, no one gets confused with who is in charge - the coaches always dress the part. Plus, it looks more professional when people drop in during the classes; they can immediately tell who is in charge and who to talk to for more info. But, sometimes on Friday I'll wear one of our t-shirts or another affiliate t-shirt.

As for footwear in the summer I like to go barefoot or Flip flops since my feet always hurt and they don't as much with flip flops or barefoot.

When I coach I don't necessarily wear athletic attire I will from time to time rock a pair of Lucky jeans but not often.
I always seem to have more shorts to coach in then pants...trying to slowly add to the collection.
jen

We have a very strict dress Code at CrossFit Havoc. Flip flops, shorts, and a t-shirt, and since I am the only employee/trainer, whatever I say goes 100% of the time.

I wear board shorts or running/soccer shorts and a good fitting T. About half the time it's one of ours, and the rest of the time its a generic CF or another affiliate (especially the local guys).

I wear shoes every day. Flip flops just seems a little more casual than what I am after. Since the hair is impossible to control, hat is part of the standard kit.

I think it's important to be aware of how your clients perceive your image, and not just what you think you're broadcasting.

Everyone has their style, and I dig it. But you'll never screw up by erring on the side of a little more put together or a tad less casual.

If the coach is on a tight timeline due to work, they sat in ACUs and just take off their tops. Otherwise, they are in board / athletic shorts, a CrossFIt t-shirt and Five Fingers / Nike Frees / etc.

Always shorts. Pants are a sign of weakness. T-shirt or Aloha shirt and a visor. Since I have a school based affiliate I have to wear shoes, Sambas or Puma 10's otherwise it would be my FlipFlops.

We are with Merle. Uniforms are good. We dawn our box logo-wear, shorts, and shoes whenever we teach. Trainers stand out to our new people and folks in class know who is running the workout.

Lululemon pants (that store has most of what should have been my retirement savings...). In the winter it's multiple layers of tanks and hoodies. In the summer, it's tanks or tshirts. Do any of the ladies rock just a sports bra when coaching? I feel like it's inappropriate somehow, but when we're doing stuff outside in the summer I'm always sweating my butt off and wish I could stip down like I do during a WOD.

For shoes, I was wearing my 5 Fingers all the time, but they have a definite funky odor to them now, despite how many times they've been washed. I don't want to submit my clients to the stench! haha... Mostly now I'm barefoot or in flipflops, which I can just kick off if I need to demo something.

No standard dress code for us though. It's just me, my husband, and another trainer so we just make up the rules as we go along...

Good to see York getting such good press. Missed yah saturday Jason!

Thanks all. For some reason, the mental picture of what many CF trainers wear in their affiliates just wasn't ringing a bell.

Sounds like I could get away with sandals and flipflops as I doubt I would have to run as a trainer but shoes maybe except for the lifting issues.

I generally wear athletic shorts, T-Shirt and Vibrams or Sneakers. I do not put much thought in to it. I just want to be sure I can move.

Always comfortbale shorts or sweats and a t-shirt. However with the foot attire I like to work on occasion. If I feel the need to run with a client for motivation, the flat new balance are always available in the office, If I'm working with a guy who thinks he looks good from his body building routine and is trying crossfit to try and prove something to himself I'll wear the lifting shoes so I'm as loud as possible and can put him in his place with the lifts. If it's a team session I prefer the comfort of flip flops, especially in this weather!

So I guess Melissa doesn't coach in Arm-Warmers... only trains in them.

I wear a beard. Civil war style. Now that the summer has rolled around, it's a little shorter.