Success Stories

It’s crazy to think that my CrossFit journey started exactly a year ago from today. If you would’ve asked me back then if I could see myself doing pull ups or squatting 285 lbs, I would’ve laughed at the question. Fast forward a year later and not only am I capable of pull ups but so much more than I ever could’ve imagined.

There are a lot of stigmas associated with CrossFit regarding the risk of injury and attitude of the community – all of which had crossed my mind before joining CrossFit Route 7. Although I was very athletic in high school and played intramural sports in college, I wasn’t sure my body could handle the workouts and on top of that, with the worry of being injured or not welcomed. Nonetheless, I dragged myself to attending an information session for a 6-week body transformation challenge to find out for myself what CrossFit was all about. The rest is history.

During my talk with BJ Peyton, I shared how my college lifestyle had reduced my level of physical activity (apparently Beer Olympics didn’t count) and how I slowly was starting to feel less confident in myself. To my surprise, I found out I wasn’t the only one in this boat. BJ explained that a lot of people around my age were dealing with the same feelings and many found success by just starting with the CrossFit Foundations beginners program. I left the box that day with newfound hope that I could turn things around, especially since beach/music festival season was right around the corner.

Foundations not only eased me into the box but also introduced me to other athletes and welcomed me into the CrossFit community. The conditioning was amazing. I was learning proper lifting techniques and getting my body prepped for the next step. I’ll never forget the first day I finished Foundations with BJ on a Friday night. Typically, my Friday nights included me and my closet friends at local bars Spider Kelly’s or Whitlows in Arlington for happy hour. Now I found myself doing burpees and snatching weights with the latest Mega Workout Mix playing in the background. Talk about a complete 180. I could feel myself having more energy at work, a more positive attitude and the best part, seeing results! I wasn’t the only one seeing results either. Even my friends and family members started noticing positive changes and it made me want to work that much harder. There is no better feeling than finishing a WOD, lying on the ground panting and saying to yourself, “Yeah, I just did that.” It’s something you need to experience for yourself and few things come close to that feeling.

Since then, there’s no workout class I’ve found more challenging and rewarding than the WOD at CrossFit. I had tried other studios and gyms but fell short of my goals and with hundreds of dollars out of my pocket. Every WOD is new, exciting and strengthens you mentally as much as physically. Just today it was awesome to workout next to coaches like owner Tucker Jones and having everyone else cheer you on to finish. I firsthand can attest that the CrossFit Route 7 staff does everything in their power to teach correct form to avoid injuring yourself and are the most welcoming group of people. No matter at what stage of your physical prowess you are in, CrossFit will take you to the next level both mentally and physically. I’m only a year in and have been in the best shape of my life and only getting stronger. CrossFit has changed my life in the most positive way and this is just the beginning!

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.