Duluth Is Hosting Its First-Ever CrossFit Level 1 Seminar
Wednesday, Feb 25th, 2026For the first time ever, Duluth is getting its own CrossFit Level 1 Certificate Course. March 7th and 8th, right here at CrossFit Aerial on Garfield Ave.
If you've been thinking about getting your CrossFit L1 — or you didn't even know it was an option — this is worth paying attention to. Until now, the closest course has been down in Minneapolis. That's a 2.5 hour drive, a hotel room, and a weekend away from home. Now you can do it 10 minutes from your house.
What is the CrossFit Level 1?
The L1 is CrossFit's foundational certification course. It's two days of classroom instruction, hands-on coaching breakouts, and real workouts. You'll learn the CrossFit methodology from the ground up — movements, programming, nutrition, and how to actually coach people through it.
The course is taught by CrossFit's own seminar staff — Level 4 certified coaches who travel the world running these courses. These are some of the most experienced coaches in the entire CrossFit ecosystem.
And here's something people don't always realize: you don't have to be a coach to take the L1. It's open to everyone. Plenty of people take it just to deepen their own understanding of training and nutrition. If you've been doing CrossFit for a while and want to understand the "why" behind the programming, this is how you get there.
What you'll actually do over the two days
Classroom lectures covering the foundational movements, the CrossFit methodology, nutrition principles, and programming. This isn't death-by-PowerPoint — it's interactive, with real discussion.
Small-group breakout sessions where you get hands-on with the movements. Seminar staff work with you individually on mechanics and walk you through what effective coaching actually looks like.
Workouts. You'll do them. You'll coach them. You'll see how to scale for different ability levels in a group setting. This is where the theory becomes practice.
After the course, you'll take the L1 test online at your own pace. Pass it, and you're a CrossFit Level 1 Certificate holder — eligible to coach at any CrossFit affiliate worldwide.
Why this matters for Duluth
There are a lot of people in the Northland who've thought about getting their L1 but couldn't justify the trip to Minneapolis or Chicago. Weekend courses fill up, travel adds cost, and life gets in the way.
Having a course right here in Duluth removes all of that. We've already got members and coaches at CrossFit Aerial planning to take it. If you've been on the fence, this is probably the most convenient opportunity you'll get.
The details
- When: Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8, 2026
- Where: CrossFit Aerial, 316 Garfield Ave, Duluth, MN
- Cost: $1,150 (register through CrossFit)
- Who: Open to everyone — current coaches, aspiring coaches, athletes, or anyone who wants to learn
- CEUs: 14 Continuing Education Units (ACCME accredited)
Spots aren't limited by us, but CrossFit does cap seminar sizes and courses in smaller markets tend to fill faster than you'd expect. If you're thinking about it, don't wait on this one.
Questions?
If you want to know more about the course, check out CrossFit's official L1 page. If you want to talk to someone who's been through it, swing by the gym or reach out to us. We've got coaches on staff who can tell you exactly what to expect.
Duluth's first L1. Let's go.