586 Crossfit Asylum, Shelby Township

At their old gym, founders Dave Chisholm and Jim Dockeray sometimes intimidated fellow members who were unaccustomed to the duo’s intense, committed workouts. So the well-chiseled compadres decided to open 586 CrossFit Asylum, a challenging yet encouraging environment for hardcore, functional-movement-based exercises. Dave and Jim take students of all fitness levels under their muscly wings, teaching newcomers Olympic weight movements that form the basis of subsequent intensive workouts.

After protégés display a competence in squat, press, and deadlifts, they jump into the fun and furious WOD—or Workout of the Day—which blends body resistance with kettlebells, box jumps, and gymnast rings. Classes convene as early as 5:30 a.m. and promote enthusiasm and inspirational competition between members. With a wall-length spray-paint mural of their straight-jacketed mascot, 586 CrossFit Asylum harbors an alternative vibe, and its instructors sometimes pause workouts on Fridays to reenact scenes from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.