Open Gym in Alexandria, VA
Reservation-based Open Gym in a fully equipped CrossFit and strength training facility in Alexandria, VA. Lift, condition, and train on your own schedule with professional-grade equipment and strict safety standards.
Our Open Gym membership is ideal for lifters, CrossFit athletes, and busy professionals in Alexandria and Northern Virginia who want flexible training times without sacrificing equipment quality, cleanliness, or safety. View our current Open Gym schedule to see available times.
Open Gym Memberships & Trials
Open Gym memberships include unlimited reservation-based access to designated Open Gym sessions, subject to our booking rules and equipment policies below.
- Unlimited Open Gym during available time slots
- Reservation-based access via the Sand & Steel Fitness app
- Clean, climate-controlled facility with premium equipment
Ready to try Open Gym?
Book an Open Gym Trial or View Open Gym Memberships
If you’re also interested in coached sessions, you can combine Open Gym with CrossFit or Personal Training memberships.
What You Get With Open Gym
Open Gym Amenities
- Central heat and air conditioning
- Towel service
- Shower and dressing room
- Brand new restrooms
- OptiClean HEPA filtration system
- Large ionizing fans to help reduce airborne contaminants
Open Gym Equipment
- Rogue kettlebells
- Rogue barbells and high-temp bumper plates
- Powerlifting equipment (racks, benches, specialty bars)
- Olympic rings and ropes
- GHD and other CrossFit-style equipment
- Lat pulldown, seated row, cable machine, 45-degree reverse hyper
- Cardio: rowers, Echo Bike, SkiErg, Woodway 4Front treadmill
Our location serves Alexandria, Old Town, Del Ray, Kingstowne, Springfield, and the greater Northern Virginia / DC metro area.
How Open Gym Works (4-Step Process)
Follow this process every time you attend Open Gym:
- Book your session online using the Sand & Steel Fitness app.
- Check in on the app when you arrive at the gym.
- Clean your station: replace equipment, remove all chalk, and wipe all surfaces you touched.
- Turn off the lights if you are the last person to leave.
Open Gym works best when everyone follows the rules and respects the space.
Reservation-Based Access
Open Gym is reservation-based. You must reserve your spot and check in when you arrive. This protects capacity, keeps equipment available, and helps us maintain a high-quality training environment.
Open Gym Space Designation
Open Gym space is clearly indicated in the Sand & Steel Fitness app:
- Front Only – you may use the front of the gym only.
- Back Only – you may use the back of the gym only.
- Full Gym – you may use the entire gym.
Chalk Policy
For safety and cleanliness, we do allow block chalk but we do not provide shared chalk. You are welcome to bring your own block chalk (pure magnesium carbonate).
- Allowed: personal block chalk (magnesium carbonate).
- Not allowed: liquid chalk, loose powder chalk, chalk balls.
We have various types of chalk and chalk bags available for sale up front.
Safe Barbell Handling Policy
Please review our full guide on safe barbell handling before heavy lifting:
Safe Barbell Handling – 10 Video Series
Our barbells and plates are very expensive. To keep membership prices reasonable, everyone must handle barbells correctly and follow all equipment rules listed below.
Open Gym Rules
Booking & Cancellation:
Booking window: 1 hour to 1 week before the session.
Cancellation window: 1 hour to 1 week before the session.
Red-taped barbells: Barbells surrounded by red duct tape require approval. Message Paul on Discord for the free barbell basics test.
Cleanliness: Clean all chalk and surfaces before leaving. Return equipment to its original position. Wipe bars, plates, handles, benches, racks, and attachments.
Lights: If you are the last person in the gym, turn off all lights including bathrooms and changing rooms.
No unauthorized entry: Do not allow anyone in without access. Hand them a business card from the front door.
Music: Personal headphones only. Do not adjust the stereo or attempt to play your own music.
Office equipment & cameras: Do not use gym computers. Do not touch cameras.
No slamming or dropping: No slamming medballs; sandballs may be slammed. Do not drop dumbbells, kettlebells, or plates on the Cybex machine.
Respect weight limits: Follow posted limits on all cardio machines.
InBody Scans: Not included with Open Gym memberships.
No horseplay: No throwing objects or unsafe behavior.
No boxes under pull-up bars: Prohibited for safety.
Protect the floors and equipment: Do not drag bikes or benches. Ask a coach if unsure how to move equipment.
Personal items: All belongings must be stored in a cubby. No items on the floor or equipment.
Equipment Policies
- Rip Trainer/tubing must attach via metal hook or padded holder. Do not wrap tubing around itself or posts.
- Sandballs are not for medball cleans or wall balls.
- Do not roll, throw, or slam plyoboxes. Carry and set them down gently.
- Remove handles from jump ropes before putting them away.
- Do not drop empty barbells from any height.
- Do not drop barbells with only 10s or 15s on the bar.
- Do not let barbells crash to the floor when unloading.
- Minimum barbell weight: 35 lb (15 lb bar + two 10s). If too heavy, scale to dumbbells.
- No plyoboxes under pull-up bars; thumbs must wrap the bar.
- Only one pull-up band at a time. Bands must go around knee, not foot.
- For chalk-based movements (T2B, push-ups), use a mat under your hands.
Safeties for Lifts
- Use safeties for back squats and bench press.
- Do not use safeties for cleans, snatches, overhead squats, push press, or jerks.
- Safeties are optional for all other lifts.
Slamming and Dropping Weights
Do not drop:
- Dumbbells
- Kettlebells
- Weight stacks
- Empty barbells
- Barbells with less than 25 lb per side
No slamming of:
- Medicine balls
- Dynamex balls
Slamming allowed for sand-based equipment:
- Sandbells
- Sandbags
- Sandball
Cardio Equipment Weight Limits
Do not allow any client above these limits to use the listed cardio equipment:
- Echo Bike: 325 lb
- Woodway treadmill: 375 lb
- Concept2 tower: 475 lb
- InBody scan: 500 lb
Open Gym FAQ – Alexandria, VA
Do I need to reserve Open Gym sessions?
Yes. Open Gym at Sand & Steel Fitness is reservation-based. You must reserve your session and check in when you arrive.
Can I use all of the equipment during Open Gym?
Yes, you can use the equipment in the designated Open Gym area for your session, as long as you follow all safety and equipment policies. Certain barbells marked with red tape require prior approval.
Is Open Gym coached?
No. Open Gym is self-guided training time. If you prefer coaching, consider our Personal Training or CrossFit memberships.
Who is Open Gym best for?
Open Gym is best for experienced lifters and CrossFit athletes who are comfortable training independently and want flexible training hours in Alexandria, VA.
