CrossFit Old Town Testimonials
"I told myself by 30 I'd be in the best shape of my life, and without the last 9 months of CrossFit Oldtown I'm not so sure this would have come to fruition. On Jan 24 I turn 30 and although I can't say with 100% certainly that I'm in the best physical shape of my life, it's pretty damn close!!! I guess my hesitation has to do with the fact that I am confident that in another year, 2 years, 3 years, etc CrossFit Oldtown's group fitness classes will lead me to new fitness levels I never thought imaginable! Great stuff! Thanks again for everything…none of this would be possible without your invaluable assistance & commitment to the class."
(Katie has been at CrossFit Oldtown for 1 year - She documented her personal journey is this Video)
Preparing for the National Marathon, I trained Mon-Fri at CrossFit Oldtown and only ran once on the weekend. The result? I finished faster than my training pace and only running once a week! Now THAT is a testament to CrossFit Oldtown! Because of CrossFit training, my body was able to get rid of the lactic acid before it built up. My last 5 miles were less than 8:00 minute/mile and my last mile was around 7:20 pace!
**Before and after losing approx 40lbs of fat**
I'm not sure if I can adequately put into words how my life has changed since starting Crossfit Oldtown. I've become a part of an amazingly unique and warm family here in Alexandria. I've grown stronger both mentally and physically. My self-image has changed and my confidence has gone up. My life is simply better: I'm healthier and happier.
Went from size 38 waist to 32
Dropped 36 lbs of Fat (186 to 150)
I joined CrossFit Oldtown after finding it on the internet. It looked like fun, hard work, and something I might be able to stick with. Throughout my life I've been known to start an exercise program, stick with it for a few weeks or months, see a little progress, hit a plateau and peter out.My decision to get off the couch and into the gym was based on three somewhat related things:
·Turning 40
·I heard myself grunting like an old, fat man when putting on my socks one day
·My life insurance company charged me a higher rate based on the results of a blood test that showed very high cholesterol and a couple of other items that are possible indicators of heart disease. Yikes!
The first few group training sessions were tough. Really tough, it left me on the floor feeling like I could pass out at any moment and wanting to find a bucket in case my queasiness got taken to the next level. As I recovered, I watched the Veterans at CFOT forge on for several more rounds; I was inspired and knew this was the program for me.
The key to my experience with CrossFit Oldtown isn't just the program itself, however. Crossfit is great. Unique. Tough. Exciting. But participating in CrossFit at CFOT is what makes it work for me. Jerry has created a great atmosphere and teamwork. I can't say that I was looking for this specifically but I found a bunch of friends anyway because of the sense of community. And Jerry is great at both motivating you to go an extra round or heavier weight and at instructing you to do it properly. Excellent coaching.
After 10 months here's what happened to me:
Went from size 38 waist to 32 - Dropped 36 lbs (186 to 150)
When I decided (on a fluke) to have my life insurance company redo my blood work to see if all this exercise might have improved my test results they not only moved me into the best category with the lowest rates…they actually sent me a refund check! True story.
Thanks.
Sr
*Lost 57lbs and can now do 30 Pullups!*
(before)
(after)
After college, competitive athletics ended and I started down the road of weight gain and "slothlike" behavior working behind a desk. Since 2001 I have been struggling to change paths and solve this issue. I tried several different diets, workouts and sports. The good news is they all worked - I lost weight and got in better shape. The bad news is I always gained the weight back and would have to start over again. I suspect this is a challenge many people face.
In late 2007, after the birth of my daughter, I quickly realized that I needed to be a role model. I was looking for a program / trainer / system to help me lose weight, get in shape and stay there. Simply stated, I needed to get healthy and stay healthy. CrossFit Oldtown was recommended by some friends in the Jiu Jitsu community. I came to CFOT overweight and out of shape with a documented track record of roller coaster success and failure. In the last 14 months, Crossfit Oldtown has proven to be the perfect system for me to be successful and achieve my fitness and health goals. There are several reasons that CFOT worked and continues to work for me, but the top five are (all are equal in importance):
- CrossFit system: Constantly varied makes it fun, challenging and something I want to do every day.
- Environment: The open, welcoming and inclusive environment at CFOT allows people of all backgrounds and levels to be successful.
- Camaraderie: When going for a PR at anything, I suggest that your probability for success is greater if you have 10 of your friends and coaches screaming for you and cheering you on, than if you are in a big gym at the squat rack by yourself. This theory applies to workouts at CFOT every day.
- Coaches: Commitment to my success. Passion about what they do.
- "Jerry Hill" Brand: CrossFit works, Zone works BUT the "brand I buy is Jerry Hill." The Jerry Hill brand is Guaranteed!
~Gar
"The weight loss really isn't what it's about though. Every day I come to class excited about what is ahead."
Crossfit Old Town offers everything I wanted in a fitness program and more; life impacting results!
The trainers at CFOT provide Encouragement, Technique, Coaching, and Accountability.
I have been active most of my life except four years in college. In those four years, I gained about 30 pounds. I spent the next several years working off that weight. I started working on my own in a gym, then went to a personal trainer, learned to work with Kettlebells, and then I found Crossfit Oldtown in Alexandria. After my first class I told a friend, "I have found my home." I have been working with Jerry for four months. I now weigh less than I did in high school and fit into clothes I have never been able to wear before.
The weight loss really isn't what it's about though. Every day I come to class excited about what is ahead. I know it's going to hurt, but I know it'll feel great at the same time. At CrossFit Oldtown you are surrounded by people who want you to succeed - they never let you quit. Crossfit is an addiction. One that I'm proud to have!
~Adrienne H
"every session is a unique and frenzied work-out."
I love the formal characteristics of the class (every session is a unique and frenzied work-out): I always feel like my blood is burning through my aching body when the hour is over. But I also value the fundamental informal characteristic of Crossfit: a group of people working out together. Being a member of a community dedicated to finishing these harsh circuits together is it's own type of buzz. The communal nature of our Old Town class provides a source of strength that you cannot get from solitary exercise or simply a one-on-one trainer-to-consumer arrangement. Perhaps this fitness regimen is a very perverse form of pleasure for me, but I am convinced one of the most fulfilling forms of exhaustion anyone can feel is when you start your day at Crossfit Old Town.
~Steven R
Professional Ballroom Dancer
Yana train's at CrossFit Oldtown to improve her strength and Conditioning as a competitive ballroom dancer. Her training efforts resulted in earning a Semi-finalist position at the Coveted Ohio Ballroom Championship!
(An event she was too tired to even finish last year!)
My doctor calls me a “poster child for exercise” and my daughter calls me “Popeye arms.”
BEFORE:
Here is me, or at least me 6 months ago at 185lbs with a body fat of 22%. Cholesterol was 205 while taking Lipitor as well as Allegra, Advair and Albuterol. Notice the round stomach, love handles and face. 1, 2, 3, 4 chins and it looks like I am wearing a fanny pack. Also notice that I am sweating and winded while playing a mindless game with some neighborhood kids. I don’t really remember being round like this. My image of myself was of someone fit. I worked out a couple of times a week and did spinning classes, so of course I was fit.
My dad works out 4 times a week too. Notice something familiar. Was that my future?
With the new year, I was getting ready to turn 40 in May and I was freaking out. CFOT moved to Royal St. and I happened by. Signed up and did an intro class with my friend Bruce, and about six other people that day. Rachel and Josef were there too – that’s 3 regulars starting the same day. Anyway, before class when I told Jerry about my 40th birthday 4 months away, he looked me in the eye and said “Yeah, 4 months, we can do something in 4 months.” I did not believe him at all.
I took some early notes about those workouts and looking back they seem basic. But my notes from the first weeks includes phrases such as “felt sick, can’t walk, pain all over, had to walk on the 400, really sore, stairs suck” But I stuck with it and tried to make a schedule of 3 times a week.
After a few weeks, the intense pain subsided. There were still times when I thought I my heart would explode, like after my first (15:00) Fran. But I just kept at it. I was slowly but very consistently improving, getting stronger, and becoming super addicted. Convinced my fit co-worker Chad to join in, and then we started pushing ourselves to go 4-5 times a week.
So it is six months since my first intro class. Compared to the other CFOT machines, I am not the fastest, nor the strongest. My technique is average, and I have a long list of things to improve upon. That is my current mindset, which is ironic, because I am now hands-down in the best shape of my life. Current weight 166lbs. Bodyfat 12% (maybe less now). Taking no prescriptions at all. Had to buy all new pants and belts. Cholesterol is 175 (without Lipitor). My doctor called me a “poster child for exercise” and my daughter called me “Popeye arms.”
So thank you CrossFit Oldtown. Thank you Jerry, Danny, Andrea, Chriss, Melissa, Danya and Keturah. Thank you to everyone of you that shows up and encourages me through their words and their actions.
~Mark D.
"I am 35 now, and I am in better shape than I was at 22, when I was prepping for Ranger School."
Thank you for the last 11 months of coaching; it has truly been the best workout program I have ever been involved in. I am 35 now, and I am in better shape than I was at 22, when I was prepping for Ranger School. When I started, I believe there was only the 0600 class; it's amazing to see how much you have grown this program - a true testament to your professionalism. Thanks again.
~Rob G.