Success Stories

After almost a year of trying to convince myself to get into the gym, I finally took the hardest step and walked through the door of CrossFit Route 7 and signed up. What convinced me was the great stories and results that I had heard about from CrossFit Route 7 and their fitness programs.

I started with the Foundations program and it was no where near as easy as I thought it might be.  I did not have any experience working out or getting into a workout routine.  By joining CFR7, it forced me into a schedule and made me accountable for my progress.  After the Foundations and one month of attending the main CrossFit WODs, I saw significant changes in my body that encouraged me to sign up for a year!   When I started the journey, I was almost 200 pounds and was not able to do more then 10 push ups. After almost a year I have  dropped about 25 pounds and can see a huge difference in my body and my stamina.  It was  was not easy, but with all help and support from  all the coaches and members at CFR7, I was finally able to get where I am at now. If you are looking for real results and a great place to workout, I would definitely recommend CFR7! It may not be easy,  but if you are dedicated and push yourself,  the coaches at CFR7 will help you achieve your goals. I am really  grateful to be a part of the CrossFit Route 7  family, and want to extend a HUGE thank you to all the coaches – you have really changed my life!

After seeing an advertisement on Facebook I decided to give CrossFit a shot and signed up for the Foundations program. I liked the Foundations program, the instructors, and the people, so I signed up for a membership afterwards. I could only commit to something short-term, so I signed up for a 3 month membership. They have varying membership lengths and tiers to accommodate your needs, and as long as you can get there 3 times a week, it’s worth your while.

Prior to joining CFR7, I had been able to run off and on, and lift off and on, but never put it all together to consistently over the long-term ever really get in shape. CFR7 has become a routine for me, and workout by workout as the weeks have ticked by, I’ve noticed results in my body. Classes are an hour long and you get a lot of bang for your buck. Instructors give you more than adequate attention on proper technique. CFR7 is perfect for me, for getting a quick workout meaningful workout in a few times a week after work. The members are also very accommodating and not intimidating . There are various skill levels, and you will not feel out of place no matter how in-shape or out of shape you are.

Lastly, they encourage nutrition and offer diet/nutrition programs for members that are interested. While I haven’t signed up, I have heeded their advice and cleaned up my diet quite a bit. I’m the healthiest I’ve been in ten years thanks to CFR7 these last few months. I highly recommend them if you have the willingness to make a commitment one hour 3x/week towards a healthier lifestyle.

CrossFit helped me throughout my pregnancy, during labor and postpartum. 

I joined the CrossFit Route 7 community in the fall of 2016, with about a year and a half of CrossFit experience under my belt. I came in thinking I had a good understanding of what CrossFit was all about, and how most boxes operated, but boy was I wrong. CrossFit Route 7 is by far the best box I have been a part of in all categories. The coaches are knowledgeable, the facility is clean and spacious, the equipment is top-notch, the hours are accommodating, and most importantly, the community is welcoming. Bj not only knows how to run a gym, but he also knows how to be a great person. He cares about everyone, and he makes sure you know it.

Everyone here at CFR7 wants to better themselves through the help and encouragement of others, and my inspiration is drawn from those around me. Sure I love reaching a new goal, but seeing someone else reach theirs makes me even more eager to reach the next. One of the things I love most about CrossFit is that anyone can achieve personal greatness if they just put in the work. There’s no “Arc Reactor” (Iron Man Reference), no “Michael’s Secret Stuff” (Space Jam Reference), there’s just the requirement to show up and workout (real life reference). The people here at CFR7 certainly show up, and they certainly put in effort. When I walk into the gym everyday, I am instantly inspired by everyone around me to work hard and to challenge myself. I am challenged mentally, physically, and emotionally in every workout, and I know that everytime I’m lying on the floor exhausted after a wod, I’m one step closer to my goal of being the best version of myself.

As far as my history goes, I was a distance runner and soccer player through high school and college. I had maybe touched a barbell once during that entire time. Needless to say, I wasn’t your first choice to move heavy objects…or even slightly more than average weight objects…but I could run really far! Trust me it was all the rage. Anyway, when I started CrossFit I was hitting new personal records (PRs) left and right. It’s easy to gain strength when you’re basically starting from nothing (picture drawing some of those cute little biceps on a stick figure). But by the time I came to CFR7, I had reached the oh-so-scary “plateau”. I was much stronger than before, but my never-settle attitude wasn’t about to let me become content. Through the intelligent programming and personalized coaching at CFR7, I have since left the plateau, targeted my weaknesses, and am on my way to the next level. Some recent PRs of note are a 270 lb front squat, 365 lb deadlift, and chaining 7 unbroken muscle-ups together. I also recently completed “The Seven” hero wod RX, which is a feat that if you told me a year ago I would do, I would’ve called you crazy. I’ve also taken a full minute off my “Jackie” time and “Annie” time, and completed the “Memorial Day Murph” wod RX for the first time this year. All since joining CrossFit Route 7.

I’m humbled that I was asked to share my story, but if you haven’t noticed by now, I couldn’t have done any of this without the amazing people I’ve met in my time at CFR7. I look forward to what lies ahead, and encourage anyone thinking about giving CrossFit a try to come to CrossFit Route 7! You won’t be disappointed.

I think working out throughout pregnancy is important, as long as it’s safe for you, especially considering after the baby you can’t/don’t have time to lol.  My goal was to work out 3x a week throughout the entire pregnancy, but I managed to do up to 5x a lot of weeks.  It  was very difficult for me in the beginning because there is a lot of competing advice on what you should/shouldn’t do.  The whole “work out at a conversation pace” is kind of impossible with crossfit haha.  What worked well for me was to tone down the intensity, take breaks when I thought I was starting to breathe too heavy, and stop doing any crunching movements after the 1st trimester.  I probably took it a little too easy the 1st trimester, but I had a miscarriage two months prior to this pregnancy so I just wanted to be extra sure.  The biggest thing is to listen to your body, which I thought was terrible advice going into the pregnancy because I wanted some concrete rules, but it really is true.   I think this topic is really important and isn’t something I really thought about until I had to!  If anyone has any questions I would be happy to answer them.

I have been a member of CFR7 for the past 5 months, and it has been the first exercise program I have stuck with in the last 4 years. After completing grad school and starting a full-time job I struggled with my health. I grew up playing sports, and once school ended I didn’t have an outlet anymore. I tried going to the gym on my own, and at home workouts, but I would get bored and quit after a few weeks. I had no motivation to exercise on my own. I knew I needed to try something else, I just didn’t know what. That’s when I saw the New You Challenge on Facebook. My cousin actually owns a CrossFit gym, so it was always something I was curious about, but never thought I’d be fit enough or strong enough to do. I saw that the program was only 6 weeks, so I decided to give it a try. It was the best decision I could have made. I love how every day is different and incorporates both cardio and strength. Being able to exercise with a group while at my own pace and ability is the perfect fit for me. I have more energy, feel healthier, my clothes fit better, and I feel strong. After the challenge ended I signed up for a year membership, and consistently come 4-5 times a week.

My two favorite things about CrossFit are the community and the coaches. Everyone has been so welcoming since day one. I never felt out of place or like I didn’t belong. Everyone encourages one another to complete the workouts and I like the accountability it provides. I also can’t say enough about the amazing coaches. They are all very knowledgeable, and even when a class is full they make sure my technique is still where it needs to be. Coach BJ is always there to greet me with a smile and Coach Ashley is always motivating me and encouraging me to just keep moving.

If I could give one piece of advice to people considering CrossFit it would be don’t be intimidated. Everything is scalable and before you know it you’ll be doing exercises you didn’t think your body was capable of. Prior to starting CrossFit I had never tried weightlifting, and now it is what I look forward to the most. It took me a solid month to understand and execute a clean, but after 5 months I hit 140 on my clean & jerk and couldn’t be happier. I still have a long way to go (especially on gymnastic movements), but my goal is to keep improving on my technique, strength, and to always give 100% every workout. I can’t thank CFR7 and the coaches enough for introducing me to a community and program that I enjoy and am proud to be a part of.

Physical Transformation

20lb & 20 inches lost J

For years I have struggled with my weight and trying to find an exercise program that not only motivated me, but that I enjoyed going to. I was a swimmer all throughout my life and once I stopped swimming I didn’t know what to do. I tried just running and then joining a gym, but I would always fade out and get bored. When I was swimming I could eat anything I wanted, but once I stopped, I still had the same appetite but not the same exercise regimen. I had heard so much about CrossFit and swore to myself I would never do it, but then the New You Challenge popped up on my Facebook and I decided to give it a try. I began my journey in March with the New You 6-week challenge.

I quickly learned how hard CrossFit was, but it challenged me and was different every day. I am not the strongest or fastest person and sometimes I can be down on myself about that. CrossFit allows me to modify, but still be able to push myself. By the time I finished the 6 week challenge, I had lost 16 inches total and 10 pounds. I made sure to commit to the three days a week, but I also did (and still do) Pure Barre once a week and try to go on walks or hikes as well. My goal after that was to at least maintain or keep losing, which I have been able to do. I consistently come 3 days a week, even being in grad school, being a teacher, and coaching swimming. Some days I don’t get home till 8:00pm, but I have been able to find at least one class time that fits with my crazy schedule. I have become stronger and feel better about myself. I never thought I would be able to lift weight like I do now!

I still have a lot of work to do especially since there are some things that I still just don’t understand how to do, like double unders. It took me a little while to realize that it’s okay if I don’t get something, I just need to keep practicing and ask for help. Everyone has been so welcoming and I have learned so much from the coaches. I can’t wait to see what the next 6 months have in store!