Before
After
Member Profiles
Chris Bohlin
What your fitness level was before starting?
I told Darin, Miles and Tina that I was "fitness illiterate," and it's true. As a kid, I was asthmatic and never played sports. I had never run a mile in my life. I met my coaches at physical therapy, four years after lower back surgery. I had always considered myself "in shape with clothes on" and was never concerned about my own fitness level. I honestly thought people that "worked out" were gluttons for punishment.
What has training at the box meant to you in both body composition and your fitness goals?
Four years after back surgery I was pretty weak, not very active and as Miles would say, "squishy." My goals started with eliminating back pain to maybe seeing my abs. I never knew they were there! I just wanted to look more trim. I had no idea I had thirty-five pounds that would fall off. I went from running a twelve minute mile to running a 7:28 six months in to CrossFit. I couldn't even get to pull-ups in my baseline test, then completed a WOD with 100 pull-ups just a few months after starting. Currently, I'm working on strength building and endurance. Honestly, I'm just kinda tired of seeing coach Miles beat all my times by half…so I'd like to see how much closer I can get to his times this year!
What is different about CrossFit Fort Worth from other gyms?
Well, I've never belonged to another gym, but I can assure you it's no LA Fitness. To me, the coaching and the camaraderie of the athletes makes all the difference. You really have to be up for a challenge to be a CrossFit athlete. You have to embrace that there's always room for improvement and know that pushing yourself comes with the territory. I do enjoy that whenever I mention to other "fit" people that I CrossFit, the conversation inevitably turns to "Oh, well, I don't do pull-ups, so I can't CrossFit," or "I hate to run," or "I lift weights for a couple hours three times a week." Or, more than likely "Isn't everybody that CrossFits kind crazy?" CrossFit really is "elite fitness."
What you like most about CrossFit Fort Worth?
The coaching staff and the athletes take you for who you are and still push you to the next level. You approach each WOD on your own terms. Although you're competing in a heat with other athletes, you ultimately measure your successes or failures agains yourself. And, watching that success has been really satisfying for me.
Why you would recommend others to train at CrossFit Fort Worth?
You truly can't find a better group of athletes all in one place. The coaches know you as well as you do and the athletes are your competition, your guides and your cheerleaders all rolled into one. It just comes down to the people.
What is your next goal?
I'm working on the stamina (and the courage!) to attempt a Spartan race. I'd love to know I went from "fitness illiterate" to Spartan material.
Corey Doyle
What your fitness level was before starting? I considered myself to be in good shape. I ran a 5k about 3 to 4 times a week, lifted weights at a globo gym 3x a week and played basketball about once a week. I was very diligent about it, but I was beginning to get bored with my training. Then I hurt my knee and things went down hill from there.
What has training at the box meant to you in both body composition and your fitness goals? Doing the Food Challenge helped me realize how important good nutrition is for body composition and performance. It has helped me drop my body fat. In fact, my wife says she has never seen my abs like this before, even when I was 20 years old. I am now 39.My strength has greatly improved and my capacity for heavy work is dramatically higher based on my lifting weights and times in METCON type workouts.
What is different about CrossFit Fort Worth from other gyms? The Coaching and attention to each athlete is phenomenal. You can't get that level of instruction and expertise at any other gym. At the globo gyms, you get trainers with little or no training who look like they just left Dairy Queen! CrossFit gives you total fitness not just one aspect. Everyone at CrossFit wants to see you improve and we all work together to do our best.
What you like most about CrossFit Fort Worth? I enjoy the camaraderie that develops between the athletes. It is like a big fitness family! You hold each other accountable, work together and look forward to training together. I also like the dedication of the coaches. They will help the athletes from any fitness level reach their goals in a safe and efficient manner. You won't find a more dedicated and educated owner and group of coaches.
Why you would recommend others to train at CrossFit Fort Worth? The personal instruction, the expertise of the coaches, the dedication to safety, the relationships, the measurable improvements, and improved functional movements on a daily basis. This biggest recommendation that I can give is that I am sold on CrossFit and getting my CrossFit certification.
What is your next goal? My next goal is to continue with strength and cardio goals, and also get my knee and running form to a level where I can run longer distances and then do a triathlon.
Troy Landrum
What was your fitness level before starting at CrossFit Fort Worth? I was definitely out of shape! I would take some walks around the neighborhood and occasionally run on the treadmill for a few minutes a week. I really did not do much exercising due to lower back pain that I had for a couple of years.
What has training at the box meant to you in both body composition and your fitness goals? CrossFit was introduced to me as a way to eliminate my low back pain. So, I thought I would give it a try! After just a few months of core strengthening, my back pain subsided and has been pretty much non-existent since then. My wife and kids also say my physique has improved. I feel like I'm stronger and more fit now than I was when I was a teenager. By the way, I am 43!
What is different about CrossFit Fort Worth than other gyms? Your not just a number at the box! The coaches and the other members really care about you and they want to see you improve and meet your goals. Training at CrossFit Fort Worth is truly about elite fitness and helping to people to be their best physically, mentally, and spiritually.
What do you like most about CrossFit Fort Worth? The encouragement, motivation, and training that we receive there is second to none! The classes also develop great camaraderie with the other members. It is a great COMMUNITY of people to be involved with!
Why would you recommend others to train at CrossFit Fort Worth? The value of membership is incredible! Where else can you get this much on-going training and support for so little? The coaches recognize that not everyone can train at the same level, so workouts can be scaled to anyone's abilities.
What is your next goal? I want to increase my strength level, improve my Olympic lifting, and get better at double unders. "Quitters never win and winners never quit."
Athena Lee
What was your fitness level before starting at CrossFit Fort Worth? I considered myself to be "fit" before I started CrossFitting, but boy was I wrong! I have shot competitively for the last 18 years. I have dabbled in exercise for years to include Bikram Yoga, personal training, aerobics, swimming, and etc.... I knew I needed to work on my upper body strength and back for competition and general fitness.
What has training at the box meant to you in both body composition and your fitness goals? CrossFit is the only form of exercise that I have stuck with for over a year! What usually happens for me is that once shooting season is over (October to March), I stop exercising and go into hibernation. And then I always regret it at the start of the next season. I will always find an excuse not to exercise, but CrossFit and the community keep me motivated. Since starting CrossFit, I have lost 15 lbs and my strength and body composition has changed for the better!
What is different about CrossFit Fort Worth than other gyms? I am so fortunate to have found the coaches and CrossFit FTW. The box is my home away from home. I travel from Houston every week to work in FTW, so while I am here, the box is my family. I love the community at the box. Everyone strives to be better and help each other. The coaches are amazing and are able to tailor training to each athlete's ability. Never have I met such a great, dedicated group of people who encourage and make each other better.
What do you like most about CrossFit Fort Worth? The people that I work out with and the amazing coaches! The friendly competition is fun and motivating.
Why would you recommend others to train at CrossFit Fort Worth? Quality and excellence of the box!
What is your next goal? Finish top 25 overall in the next US Nationals, Oct 2010. The best finish I have ever had was in 2002 at 33rd. I also want to finish in the top 30 overall in the next World Championships. Best finish I have had in the past was 49th overall in 1999. These placings would be out of male and female athletes.
Peter Dyer
What was your fitness level before starting at CrossFit Fort Worth? Besides doing "Buns of Steel"and Jane Fonda workouts off and on...wait a second, let me start over. I used to frequent globo gyms about three days a week and threw in some sporadic running. I also tested out programs like P90x. It was difficult to stick to some of the programs due to the lack of support or results. Although, I gained muscle, I could never incorporate diet, cardio, and strength at the same time. Going through the motions was a terrible way to live.
What has training at the box meant to you in both body composition and your fitness goals? I competed in the food challenge and that enlightened me. I would not say I am a hardcore paleo junkie, but it has definitely made me aware of all the choices we have available. I lost 10 pounds during the food challenge and then another 10 later. I feel better than I have in years!
What is different about CrossFit Fort Worth than other gyms? Well the first day, Darin had me wax his car, something about this, "wax on, wax off," thing. Then there was the painting and the chopsticks and the catching of flies...after that, he told me the force was strong in me and I was ready for training. (the following statement is not endorsed by CF FTW) On a serious note, CF FTW has it's own three C's! Challenge, competition and community. It is a place where you challenge yourself everyday. There is also competition among yourself and others withint your classes. Then there is the best part, the community. We are all friends that challenge, compete and encourage one another. I've met some great people at the box. Try to find that in another gym!
What do you like most about CrossFit Fort Worth? The coach to athlete relationship. The fact that someone is observing your movements, development and cares about your fitness success, is something you cannot find elsewhere! The coaches here do the work they prescribe.
Why would you recommend others to train at CrossFit Fort Worth? Evidenced based results! I am stronger and faster than I have ever been. I have lost over 20 lbs.
What is your next goal? I want to continue to break my personal records. I also want to defeat C. Doyle in every WOD! I think the first goal may be the most attainable. I think it is important to show the community that you can stay fit after the age of 30. I hear it everyday and I have even said it myself, "there is not enough time to exercise.""Well folks, turn off the TV." My goal is to spread the word!
