Lyndsey Lantz
September 4, 2014 01:42
For most of my life, I stayed in shape by playing team sports. I never got into a gym routine on my own -- working out alone, with no goal other than working out, bores the crap out of me. I missed camaraderie and the benefits of being in good physical condition, though, and I got to a point when I felt like my day-to-day was suffering (pinched nerves, back issues) due to a lack of consistent physical training. I'd heard snippets about CrossFit from co-workers -- mostly those that made it sound extremely cultish, but I was hesitantly intrigued anyway.
CFCOA was the first (and -- because it was awesome -- only) CrossFit box I looked into. Pete's down-to-earth demeanor and welcoming spirit hooked me right away... as did that glorious feeling of next-day-soreness following my intro session. That was a year and a half ago, and I haven't looked back since.
I enjoy the team-like energy that happens every time I go in for a workout, regardless of the time of day, who leads the class, or how many people show up. It's fun to never know quite what you're going to be doing on any given day (the latter is true of CrossFit in general, not just this box).
I'm one of a handful of vegans at CFCOA, and Pete and the rest of the trainers are nothing but supportive and encouraging. They are humble enough to realize we don't have all the intricacies of the human body figured out, and they encourage everyone to find what works for them. I've had numerous discussions about the pros and cons of meat/dairy/grains/etc., and I consistently feel as though everyone is open to learning and exploring. I've never felt mocked or less-than because of my dietary choices (which keep me progressing solidly, I might add).
To be fair, I haven't checked out other CrossFit gyms; to be honest, I don't have any desire to. This place feels like home, and new members are always welcomed with open arms. Come visit us.