Word. I was highly skeptical/cynical at first and had a lot of preconceived notions about what I'd encounter. Thus far has not proven true. I started at 1x/week with zero expectations and making minimal effort in class just to get myself in the routine, and have started to increase how often I go and how much effort I put in now that I'm a little more comfortable. If it weren't for the 5-10min of waiting in the lobby before class I would recognize zero people, often I don't even know who's to my immediate left or right during class.

No meathead gym bros peacocking, no thinkfluencers filming their butts, no personal trainers going drill sergeant on you. I think I heard once from the coach "you can go for a heavier weight, this should be harder to do!" and I just said "I'm just trying to get into the routine of showing up and moving" and they were supportive.

Mind you this is in a new studio in a far less type-A city, YMMV in the DMV :)

I'd never been to a gym/class of any sort but signed up for Orange Theory when they opened near me. Seems intimidating at first but you can kinda make it as intense or as chill as you want, moment-to-moment. What I like about it is that it's fast paced enough that truly nobody is worried about anyone but themselves. I will occasionally notice someone going extra hard or just sitting there panting, but really I'm just worried about me.

A few months in and I'm just barely getting to the point I actually want to go, because I kinda have my own rhythm there now and don't totally feel like a fish out of water. It definitely doesn't seem like the sort of "anti CrossFit" you're asking for but in my experience it's way more choose your own adventure than advertised.

This dude is 100% the guy that harassed OPs daughter