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Testimonials...
We don't want you to just take our word for how good CrossFit is. We have asked a few of our members to write something about their personal CrossFit journey and how it has helped them with their fitness, health and life in general.
Monica Greco, Age 46
CrossFit is like nothing I have experienced before. The atmosphere at the box is completely different to what you find in your typical gym. 'Going to the gym' meant overcoming boredom, alienation and a vague sense of ridiculousness at running on a treadmill and interacting with machines, especially whenever the sun was shining outside! By contrast, at the box each time I go I feel I reconnect with my body and my environment and connect with other people. I am slowly but surely reclaiming long lost pleasures: running, jumping, pulling, lifting, moving! The workouts are always different, always challenging, yet thanks to suitable scaling mysteriously doable... even by me. All this thanks to a wonderful team of coaches who really know and love what they are doing. I have never felt more welcome, thank you CrossFit Connect.
David Bloomfield, Personal Trainer, Age 25
As a personal trainer I thought that I had all the knowledge and fitness that I would ever need. I would do my standard Globo Gym workouts smugly content in my self-assured bubble that I was a lean, mean, fat burning machine. I lifted some small weights and stuck religiously to the same set patterns of training for months at a time, always thinking the next strength/weight loss/size gains were just around the corner. I didn't know how much of a dead end I was stuck in, truthfully.
Joining the guys at Connect was a combination of the most humbling and amazing experiences of my life. I'd never worked so hard, had so many fitness goals passed so quickly or been taught so much in such a short, enjoyable period. The training was top notch with Dave, Holly and Barney really taking the time to get everyone sharp on their technique and their progressions whilst still maintaining challenging intensity levels. A huge thanks to Holly for being so patient about teaching me the Snatch, a graceful movement that she has really helped me improve at.
I gained muscle, power, strength and speed, as well as improving my flexibility. I went from thinking that I knew it all to the sudden enjoyable realisation that I had huge challenges in front of me, something that really got me excited for training.
This new excitement, combined with the excellent workout programming, the super friendly community feel of the box and the excellence of the coaches, has made me a CrossFit fiend for life. I am moving away soon but am so grateful that I now have the high standards of Reebok CrossFit Connect to take away with me and carry to other boxes around the world. Big thanks to all the guys at the box and keep on doing what you are doing, it works.
P.S. Paleo treats at the box were the real reason for me coming back time and time again! Have to steal those recipes!
Jon Wilde, Mechanical Engineer, Age 32
I started CrossFit 8 months ago and at that point in time I was probably the fittest I had been all my life. I had started running and had completed a 1/2 marathon (2:07 so pretty slow!) and I trained karate 3-4 times a week as well. I was proud of my achievements so far but knew I was at the bottom of the slope still and needed a way to climb higher.
To begin with it was tough. I couldn’t train as often as I wanted to and needed long recovery periods. It was never demoralising though as the group at Connect are like a mini family, full of support and reassurance that it will get better… and it does!
It never becomes easy (there is always scope to grow – for me this is a must in everything I do) but it does start to become possible and very enjoyable.
Three things stand out:
1. The quality of coaching is second to none. There are always enough trainers to give you the right level of assistance and pointers regarding posture and encouragement. We all know we can trust in what they say. They are there for you when you aren't at the box too. Need advice? Just ask.
2. The group as a whole, and it does feel like a group/family now rather than just training, are brilliant. We are all growing together. There are always new people joining who quickly become part of the ‘box’ and seem to improve so quickly!
3. The final thing is the variety of the workouts. A great mix of high intensity cardio and weight training. You’ll become stronger, fitter and faster without doubt.
Chris Harrison, Creative Director, Harrison & Co. Brighton, Age 42
If you are anything like me then you will have once thought that becoming fitter, stronger, lighter and faster was the type of thing other people do. Then you discover CrossFit and you realise that physical fitness is well within your reach. The workouts are the most fun you will ever have in the pursuit of fitness and better health. The Reebok CrossFit Connect coaches are some of the most committed and passionate people you will ever meet. It's their continuous encouragement and support that makes the box such a special place. They will have you doing things that you thought you'd never be capable of. Like anything, it takes time, patience and commitment – but if you are willing to make that investment, the benefits will amaze you.
Simon Welling, Age 32
I didn’t know it but I had been looking for CrossFit my whole life. I was never any good at football or rugby, not bad at cycling, not a natural runner etc etc. But I did know that I could lift heavy objects more easily than my friends and enjoyed doing so. Fast forward to 2011 when I was looking for a new way of exercising and I stumbled across CrossFit Connect. After spending hours looking at YouTube and seeing what it was all about I joined Connect and have enjoyed each and every session. I would go every day if I could! The mixture of exercises and scalability means anyone can try and excel at it, not least because of the fantastic coaches and atmosphere at the box. I can safely say I will never do any other type of gym activity again. Anyone that joins will never leave!
During my time at Connect I have lost over a stone and become faster, fitter and stronger; almost like me version 2. I challenge anyone to come along and not enjoy it. Yes it is really hard sometimes but the rewards are there if you want them. All you have to do is turn up!
Kathryn Wines, Vetinary Practice Managemnet Consultant, Age 42
I have been going to Reebok CrossFit Connect now for two months and I have to say it is the most friendly, welcoming and fun place to exercise that I have ever attended. The coaches are all very professional and approachable, they are genuienly interested in the goals you want to achieve and are endlessly motivational. I have already seen a huge improvement in my fitness and after many years of trying different sports and types of exercise I am pleased I have finally found CrossFit and even more pleased that I found CrossFit Connect. Great coaches, great atmosphere and great members. Thanks very much.
Marta Prokop, Project Manager at American Express, Age 31
I honestly can't praise you guys enough! I love sport and fitness and I tried different things over the past few years like Capoeira, a bit of Thai Boxing, been a member in a few gyms too, but I have never experienced the atmosphere and vibe as amazing as the one here at "The Box". What is even more shocking to me is the overall change to my strength and endurance after just 3 months of doing CrossFit in comparison to a year of a weight training in the gym! I'm 31 and I'm fitter then when I was in my 20's. I have never pushed myself as far as I do here at the box. This is also mainly thanks to an attentive and experienced coaching crew at Reebok CrossFit Connect who always have time for me and motivate me in my training. Can't think of a better place to be a member of.
Matt Leach, Fish Wholesaler, Age 42
I joined Reebok CrossFit Connect in August 2011 and in my first year I have found it to be the best fitness facility that I have found in my 42 years, for a start it’s a year later and I’m still going!
What makes it so great?
Unlike the normal gym experience where you turn up, train in your own secluded word and soon become de-motivated. The box is completely different.
For start there is a real sense of community. When participating in a WOD the other guys in the class are encouraging you to get that last pull up or press up. When you’re finished everyone has a shared feeling of "that was hard but we all got through it aren’t we great!"
But the best thing about Reebok CrossFit Connect is the coaches. No mater how busy the class is you always feel you are getting personal attention, they want you to get the best out of every session.
Without the trainers (Dave, Holly, Barney & George) I suspect CrossFit Connect would be just another gym, but with them it’s something rather special!
Oni Mcaven, Age 36
I joined Reebok CrossFit Connect three months ago and was hooked from the very first class - I walked away thinking "Where has Crossfit been all my life?!" The coaches are fantastic - extremely knowledgable, encouraging and inspiring. I genuinely love coming down to the box and am seeing fantastic results - I am stronger, leaner and have more energy than ever before. Discovering crossfit has been a definite turning point in my health and fitness and I'm loving every minute of it.
Jane Leach, Age 42
Why I joined CrossFit Connect….
I was looking for an all round fitness class that would go along side my running. Running is great but not an all rounder and as I am getting older I want to achieve maximum benefit in minimum time! I am often short on time so CrossFit ticks my boxes.
Why I have stayed at CrossFit Connect…
I am amazed that Holly and Dave let me back! They are clearly at the top of their game but continuously show encouragement and genuinely want to help me get fitter and stronger. They never lack enthusiasm, even when I do. And they push me as far as I can go, not the next person, they make it so personal.
The four coaches make the box a brilliant place to come, so friendly and encouraging. I went to a gym for 6 years and never spoke to anyone new or even an instructor the whole time. Now I class the people I work out with as friends and really want them all to do well in every class too.
I have been very fortunate to find a training haven where the coaches never give up on me. I hope it continues for a long time.
Alex Burt, Barber, Age 35
I started at CrossFit Connect to help improve my health and fitness for my other passion which is rock climbing. Little did I know at the time but this tiny box has changed my life so quickly!
My every day ailments have all but disappeared. I no longer need to see my physio regularly and I feel more energised and confident about myself. The classes are fantastic because the group are really encouraging and I've felt like I've had a personal trainer the whole time. Recording everything has shown how much I've improved in such a short time and I can look back and think how much fun I've had too. Now it leaves me excited about what the future may hold and also my climbing has got better!
Darren Jones, Assisstant Headteacher, Age 41
I joined CrossFit Connect having become quite jaded with my fitness programme. Although I had been training for quite a few years I had definitely got into a bit of a rut. I had trained with Holly before so thought I would give CrossFit a go.
Initially I was a bit wary; the box didn't look like many of the gyms I'd been to before, some of the weightlifting seemed a bit technical and being used to going to hour-long circuit classes I was a bit confused by the WODs that would sometimes only last 5 minutes!
Well 6 months on and I am a complete convert. The Intro course really reassures you about the technical aspects of the lifts and the coaches constantly help you with this. I love that you never know what you are going to get when you arrive at the box.......there is no chance of getting bored or arriving at a plateau in your training.
The coaches are great, constantly challenging you and encouraging you to push yourselves to the very limit. You also keep records of all your weights and WOD times. This is really motivating as seeing just a couple of kilos extra on a lift makes all the effort worthwhile.
The coaches are also keen to work with you on your diet. I have just completed the 30-day Paleo challenge. Again, I was sceptical at first but simply can't argue with the results. I lost 5 kilos, 4 inches from my waist and reduced my bodyfat percentage by 4%!
Yes CrossFit is tough. Sometimes you will get frustrated but you are always supported by your coaches and your fellow CrossFitters. I would strongly recommend it.
Rich Field, Engineer, Age 35
Since emigrating to New Zealand, CrossFit Connect is one of the few things we miss about the UK. Despite only attending for 6 months we made some good friends and totally transformed our fitness. What sets CrossFit Connect apart from other boxes we have visited is the box atmosphere and the trainers.
From day one you feel like part of an extended family, while the trainers, passionate and dedicated, have a standard of coaching we have found to be unrivalled.