MEMBER TESTIMONIALS --SOME STORIES FROM OUR MEMBERS

It is amazing just to be a part of this gym and get the experience to train alongside a man like you. I am excited that you are going to step up the training! I am ready to hit it hard and was hoping that this is what you would do. This week really inspired me.

Can’t Wait!

-ANDY

 

To be a small part of what you have inspired and instilled is a gift. Thank you and your great team. Way to go at Regionals – AWESOME!

-KATHLEEN

 

I played many sports growing up through High School and even college (tennis at Central). When I transferred to UNI my sophomore year, a girl asked me if I would like to play rugby for the UNI Club team. I didn’t know what I was doing, but everyone there was very supportive, friendly, and very competitive – just like me. My rugby teammates and I practiced together, worked out together, ran together. We all took our sport very seriously and it showed when we played. We won two Division II Collegiate National Championships during my rugby career. Several of my teammates also played on the national level – and my roommate was the first women collegiate player to make the USA Rugby World Cup team. I’ve traveled to Canada, Ireland, England, Spain and Las Vegas to support my rugby teammates. We were a team – a family – and we worked hard to push each other and worked hard to be the best teammate we could be for each other.

After college I started working in marketing, and went to the recreation center or gym as often as I could. There’s something about running on a treadmill and using machines that is just depressing to me. I couldn’t find any motivation to go by myself or push myself. I would see the same faces every day, but we would all just do our own thing and listen to our iPods and go through the motions. I didn’t know their names and they didn’t know mine. A few years later my husband and I had our first baby. Throughout pregnancy I had stopped running and gained 60 pounds. I was miserable. I started going to the rec center again but had to force myself to go. I was talking with an old college roommate/rugby teammate (we’re all still very close friends, although we live all over the world now) about my frustrations and how much I missed having them around to workout with. I missed the challenge, the camaraderie, the setting goals and working towards achieving them. My friend was living in Atlanta and playing rugby for the US Team at the time. She sent me a link to the CrossFit Cedar Valley website and told me to try it. Once again, I was intrigued, yet scared to introduce myself to total strangers or letting anyone see how out of shape I had gotten. I stopped by United Sport and Athlete over lunch that Friday and met Armand McCormick and Troy Rand. I barely had to introduce myself before Troy walked over and starting telling me about how much I would love CrossFit. Armand explained what CrossFit was about, and when the next class was, and how it didn’t matter what level of fitness I was at (with a few swear words thrown in here and there). I was sold. I knew at that point that CrossFit was what I had been looking for.

I went to class the next day, and the next day, and every day after that. I started out being winded halfway through warmups, doing pushups against elevated boxes and pull ups with elastic bands. Muscles hurt that I didn’t even know existed. As the weeks went by, I started to see real progress. I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight, I was getting faster, getting stronger. By the third month I was able to do my first unassisted pull up. Since the days of middle school and the dreaded Presidential Physical Fitness tests, I thought I’d never in my life be able to do a pull up. I can’t believe the things I am able to do because of CrossFit.

The part of CrossFit I love most, is the camaraderie. It feels like it did back in college, where we were all trying to be better individual athletes, but still pushing others and everyone sharing in the joys of reaching personal accomplishments. I remember when I just started, I could barely run a mile, and our workout was a 5K run. Charlie Donohue, Sam Hess, Nick Anderson and I showed up for the early class. They had been doing CrossFit for quite some time, and could have probably lapped me 5 times, but instead they ran with me, the entire route, encouraging me when I needed it most. I tell you what – it’s a lot harder to give up on something when there’s someone there who knows you can do it.

I’ve had my share of victories, injuries, and excuses. But I will never take for granted what CrossFit, the trainers (especially Armand and Sarah), and my CrossFit buddies have done for me. I will continue to be there to support them (CrossFit Games 2011!!!), to welcome newcomers, to celebrate everyone’s accomplishments and celebrate my own.

- MARY

 

My CrossFit story (not the most exciting, but it’s a little history):

Hmm,,, started around March 2007 after a few months back from a year deployment in Iraq with the 4th Infantry Division. I spent all of my spare time during deployment reading Muscle and Fitness and “bodybuilding”. Ate 6-8 times a day, gained 15 lbs. of muscle, and destroyed my back for the sake of sculpting the abs and blasting the glutes.

Got back from deployment and lost 20 lbs. in two months. Got back into Army PT (pushups, situps, run, rinse, repeat) and still lifting like a skinny Mr. Olympia. Then my friend Dan (the guy responsible for making me an Auburn fan) asked me if I had heard of CrossFit. I said I had from a Ranger I knew who used to sprint 400′s and do wall balls on the barracks wall some days on his breaks. Anywho, I told Dan I’d try it. I got addicted. Before I left Ft. Hood I got to help design, as far as I know, the first (unofficial)CrossFit gym at Ft. Hood which replaced a non-heterosexual racquetball court in one of the gyms on base.

Moved to Iowa, did CrossFit at the Cedar Falls Rec Center until they told me I had to leave if I kept wearing “slippers” (FiveFingers) in their gym. I was tired of the old ladies looking at me and sneaking chalk in in my pockets anyway, so I left.

I found USA in Waterloo and started doing WODs there. After about 6 months of putting me off (he was busy), Charlie started working out with me and we’d always end up working out to Taylor freakin’ Swift. Then we recruited Nick and were surprised he liked something so much that he’d leave his bean bag chair to do it. After I don’t know how long, we met Armand and Jared and found out they were going to open Cedar Valley and the rest is history.

So after 4-plus years, I’ve enjoyed seeing quite a few people get hooked on the Kool-Aid and far surpass me. I love it (not the surpassing me as much) and I can say that for the however many CrossFit gyms I’ve been to and the possibly thousand WODs I’ve done, we are VERY fortunate to have the trainers and the facility we have.

That’s my story. Keep up the great work everyone.

-SAM

 

Like Mary, I too worked out at a conventional gym, pre-crossfit, using the abundance of weight lifting machines and treadmills. One word… BORING! A friend suggested I try Crossfit and after the first few workouts I did, I knew I’d never be able to go back to a conventional gym again. Crossfit has challenged me both mentally and physically. Never before, would I have imagined I’d be able to climb ropes, do pull-ups or even cartwheels, let alone as part of a workout! At no time in my life have I ever felt stronger or in as good of shape as I am now. For me, Crossfit has required a lot of hard work, but through it all, that pain has somehow become almost enjoyable and very addicting. I cannot speak enough good things to even come close to expressing how I truly feel about the trainers and the people I have met and that have pushed me in our Crossfit gym. I feel so fortunate to be a part of something that has brought so many positive things into my life. Thank you All!

-MEGAN

 

I am not athletic, and since junior high, I have not been involved in sports – unless you include tennis during my junior year of high school, and honestly, I don’t think I finished the season. I have stayed active through walking, biking, and weight-lifting in the basement, however I never pushed myself to the next level. And then… I turned 40. I was ready for a change, I knew what I had been doing wasn’t getting me results anymore. I had to look for something more.

I decided to give Crossfit a try, and immediately I felt welcomed. The trainers knew my name from the beginning and would often address me personally to instruct, motivate, and encourage me through the workouts. Though I was slow and uncoordinated, they continued to encourage me to perform every movement and complete every workout. Even if I was the last one done, they were always right by my side, yelling and guiding me to the finish.

I don’t think I can put my finger on what it is about Crossfit that has inspired me to stick with it for as long as I have, other than the fact that the trainers make me feel good about myself. I know I am not the fastest, fittest or strongest member of the class but I never feel embarrassed by my performance. Every accomplishment is celebrated, however small. Thank you to Armand, Sarah, and Jared.

-AMY B.

 

I started wrestling when I was in 1st grade and finished in 2008. After a successful wrestling career at Loras College, I thought I was in pretty good shape. I accepted my first job offer and it brought me to Cedar Falls. After a year of sitting behind a desk, I was overweight, depressed, and just not enjoying life all that much. After googling Crossfit, I gave Armand a call. Stopped by over the noon hour to watch a WOD, then came back for the evening class to try it out. The workout wasn’t anything too difficult, maybe cleans, push-ups, rowing, etc. Got my world rocked by several women, and was disgusted enough with how I felt that I decided to join. Now I’m pretty close to being in the best shape of my life. I had always lifted heavy to stay fit, and thought I was in pretty good shape compared to the general public. Since coming to Kilo, I’ve had many eye-openers such as watching Sarah kill my WOD times (while pregnant), getting beat by people 10 years older than me, and seeing people try not to laugh as they watched me try to extend my arms overhead. Being a competitive person, I really love coming to a place where I know I will get my ass handed to me on a regular basis. When I go home after a workout feeling defeated, there’s nothing that motivates me more, so it keeps me coming back.

I think it’s important to make a distinction between “Crossfit” and “Crossfit Kilo.” “Crossfit” is a workout program, a website, and an organization that puts on seminars and competitions. I had done several Crossfit workouts before, both through wrestling and on my own, but wasn’t hooked. “Crossfit Kilo” is made up of some of the best coaches and athletes I’ve ever been associated with, and these people are what have changed my life and keep me coming back.

-JASON

 

Since my highschool days, I have lifted weights and considered myself to always be of average condition physically. I’ve been a member of nine gyms in my lifetime. In 2005, I took up running to help supplement by weight training. In early 2009, I started doing spinning class several days a week as I dont like running on treadmills and needed some cardio “fix” for the winter months. I enjoyed all of these things. I enjoyed lifting weights and seeing people at the gym. I enjoyed running outside and participating in 5K events, even ran one 20K event. I enjoyed spinning class, burning hundreds of calories in less than an hour…..or did I??

Fast forward to 2010..I had three friends currently at Crossfit Cedar Valley; Andy Snyder, Marty Timson & Heather Nation. At different times they had each talked with me about joining. They all echoed the same montage, “Troy, this is you, you will love it”. After about a month of hounding me and yes I mean hounding me. Text messages, facebook messages, personal conversations…they were all recruiting and asking me to try it. I decided to stop in and check it out. When I walked into USA, I ran into an old friend, Spencer Gann. He was just finishing a WOD and preceeded to tell me how much he loved it. I came back the next day for my first WOD.

My first WOD was September 29 and I dont remember all the details of the WOD, but I know it involved a farmer carry. I was on the last round about 6 feet from the finish line when my grip gave out on the farmer walk. I was exhausted and couldnt pick up the plates. I looked at Sarah and said “Can I pick them up through the holes?”. Her response “no”. “Can I roll them?”. Her response “you’re 6 feet from the end, pick them up and finish”. That was a defining moment….Andy, Marty and Heather were right….this WAS me. I was loving it.

In the last eight months, so many great things have happened to me. I feel like I found a “home”, a place I love to be at. That’s the difference between my past and my life with Crossfit Kilo. I “liked” all of the other stuff I had done in the past and continue to run, attend spin class, etc. But, I “love” Crossfit Kilo and find myself yearning to be there. Ive read all of the stuff about the cults, maybe its true. I know that until someone experiences it, they wont understand it. Plain and simple.

I have accomplished soo many great things at Kilo and have the upmost respect for the people there. The trainers are top notch. The competitors are some of the most encouraging people I have ever been around. I love to see others finish a WOD and turn around to help a fellow crossfitter. No one turns their back on others. I never feel left alone.

I look forward to the future and what it holds for me. I love competing everyday. It doesnt matter if I’m competing against myself, others in the class, scores that have already been posted, previous PRs, etc. I find myself pushing harder everyday.

Crossfit Kilo teaches all of us soo much. It teaches us more than how to lift weights. It teaches more than how to sit on a rower. It teaches us more than how to climb a rope. It teaches more than how to do a pullup. It teaches us discipline. It teaches us to be unselfish and help others. It teaches us to abandon our egos. It teaches us that men and women can be equals. It teaches us that there is no greater feeling than totally exhausting your body. It teaches us to be mentally tough.

After attending Regionals, I couldnt be more proud to wear my Crossfit Kilo apparel. To watch our members compete was awesome, to say the least. Just as importantly, I got to see a side of my fellow crossfitters in a different light. I got the chance to sit and visit with them. I found out how Ian and Jess met. I found out how much Amy Lynch has accomplished since meeting Armand. I found out about the early days of Crossfit Cedar Valley and how it began. I found out that GrabbRx cant read Chinese. I found out that Jay Figgins is the all time wins leader for Loras Wrestling. I found out Hudnutt can pound a drink when he is challenged.

I also watched Bethany hit a PR on the snatch. Not just once, but 9 times. I saw Sonia never give up, taking less than 5 second breaks on 50 toes to bar, even though she was obviously exhausted. I saw Farmer continue on while grimacing in pain from a torn up shoulder. I saw Jared continue to hit overhead squats with composure, despite a very demanding judge. I saw Ian & Jess win their heat in the deadlift/box jump WOD. (That one got me emotional, to see a husband and wife share something soo awesome). I saw Charlie never give up despite blood covering his pull up bar, his jump rope, his kettlebell, his overhead squat bar. I saw Armand rise to the challenge. The way he redeemed himself on Sunday was incredible.

In closing, thanks to everyone. I say everyone because there is not one person that I have worked out with at Kilo that hasnt helped me in some way, shape or form.

-TROY

 

I became interested in CrossFit after randomly coming across the Adidas commercial for the CrossFit Games last summer and shortly after I started at The Gym. I truly had no idea what I was getting into. I walked in with Raquel to a gym full of guys which was more than intimidating. However, those guys weren’t your typical meatheads you’d find at a gym. When Armand wasn’t helping us, those guys were giving us pointers on the lifts, and showing us tricks on different tasks in the workouts. But more importantly, they were cheering us on the whole time of the WOD and giving high fives after. That was the first sign that The Gym was different from any other gym I had ever been to. It doesn’t matter who you are when you walk into that gym, you will become part of the team before you walk out. You start the workout together, you go through the same pain and agony, you cheer each other on, and you get to see each other accomplish new things. It’s always a competition. Sometimes its friendly competition with someone else and sometimes it’s a competition with yourself both physically & mentally. My favorite part about CrossFit is that you’re always trying for something more. You always want to see how fast you can finish a workout, how many reps you can do, how much weight you can lift, etc. Its very goal oriented which helps maintain motivation.

Personally, I’ve done the whole 24hr fitness thing, the “extreme fitness” thing and no matter what I never feel as good as I do when I leave The Gym after a CrossFit WOD. When I tell someone what I did for my workout, many think I’m crazy but they just don’t understand how you feel when you’re done. Many times I’ve walked in and thought “I’m gonna die today.” However, I survive and feel great because I accomplished something I didn’t think I could do. This is mostly due to the encouragement and push given by the coaches there. I don’t know how many times I’ve given them the “Are you frickin crazy look” when being told to put on more weight or try to do something new. They know when to push you and how to push you the right way to help you achieve your results.

I’ve done a lot of research on CrossFit because well I’m kind of a nerd but also did a research project on it for an independent study which Armand, Sarah & Jared helped me with (Thank you again). There’s so much information on CrossFit including the fitness standards it incorporates, the metabolic conditioning occurring during the workouts, the reasoning behind the mixes of workouts, etc. It gives you a different insight on the workouts and makes you realize it’s not just some crazy person telling you to do ridiculous combinations of exercises but there really is a science behind it. With all that research though, I found so many critics of CrossFit for various reasons. When it comes down to it, I believe they don’t understand CrossFit, haven’t tried it, or have experienced poor coaches. Luckily at CrossFit Kilo we are privileged to have some of the greatest coaches who don’t take shortcuts and want you to be the best.

In the end, the reason we all love CrossFit is not because of the grueling workouts we’re put through or the accomplishments we’ve reached but the entire experience of a whole which comes from the members of CrossFit Kilo and most of all the coaches who push us every day. Armand & Sarah have worked hard to create the gym where people *want* to come and get their butt kicks every day. The Gym is a reflection of the people who work in it and they have clearly shown what hard work & dedication can accomplish.

I’ve been on and off since I started CrossFit Kilo due to school & work but I’m excited to take make it a bigger part of my life this summer. Thanks to all the members of CrossFit Kilo and all of the coaches who make this place great!! And amazing job at regionals! Nothing like working out next to some of the best in the region!

-EMILY

 

I started crossfit in Feb. Before crossfit, I was lucky to have a soccer career after college. Every day I was around some of the best players in the world. You would think that would motivate me but, for various reasons, I started to get bogged down by a huge fear of failure. I decided to walk away from the sport (as a player) and gave up anything else that involved pushing myself physically/mentally.

Finally, after about 2yrs of avoiding anything competitive I felt a tug to be challenged again. Enter: crossfit. I’m now stronger than I have ever been (which apparently is still pretty darn weak compared to all the other bad ass females here). I still, however, have some ways to go fitness wise as to when I played. So, I’m not quite there yet. I will say I’m starting to get pretty tired of getting owned by heavy weights. Hopefully, that will change soon!

The work ethic here is such a high level and it’s so great to be in an environment where anything less is unacceptable.Thanks to everyone who have welcomed me into this great community.

-SONIA

 

It has a only been a few months since I came to Kilo but here is my story. I played division 3 football and even ran track and played baseball for a year each. Training and nutrition were pretty important to me back then. After my senior season, my son Tristin was born. Soon after football ended that fall I got busy working and being a dad. Eventually I forgot all about working out. Once I finished my bachelor’s degree I got a job in insurance as a claims adjuster. It’s a good job but I was sitting roughly 6 hours a day. Eventually the sedimentary lifestyle started to catch up with me. About two years ago I was about 270lbs. I was not working out or eating right at all. I had pretty much let myself go. Hell, even running during slow pitch softball would gas me out! I often thought about making a change, but nothing ever really took hold. After my mother was diagnosed with Diabetes I decided to do something about my lifestyle. January of 2009 I began my journey to get under 200lbs. I spent the next year and half or so doing fad diets, and almost every home gym/video you can imagine. Some things worked ok but nothing really gave the kind of results that I saw on the infomercials. I did manage to loose some weight, however. A few months ago good friend had decided he was going to try Crossfit and suggested I try it with him. I was really apprehensive to say the least. All I kept hearing about was tae-bo type kickboxing boot camps and I just did not want to do that kind of thing! But I was stuck at 235lbs and I needed a boost. So, like anyone these days, I “googled” it. I found a ton of videos and blogs online. I watched a few videos, and what I saw was amazingly fit people doing things that I figured I would never be able to replicate. Eventually I checked out Crossfit Kilo in Cedar Falls and saw that is was run by Armand and Sarah McCormick. I read the long list of fitness accolades, degrees, and certifications. I have to admit it was pretty impressive, but not as impressive as watching a video where they, in tandem, worked through a workout at a pretty fast pace. It looked so challenging, I wondered if I could have even gotten through it at all, let alone at a fast pace. It was then I decided to give it a shot.

The day I walked into Kilo the first time I was 235lbs, I could not perform one pull-up. I had never climbed a rope. I had never touched a gymnast ring. I had not lifted serious weights since the 90’s. And I had never completed a 5k run without walking. When day came for my first workout of the day (WOD), I remember starting that workout with as many nerves as I had preparing for any big game. What I did that day was more survival than completion of the workout. It was about 5 minutes into my drive home that I started to get that feeling of accomplishment. What I thought was a relief to be done was actually a feeling I now call the “Crossfit effect”. I usually get it about halfway back to my house. By the time I reach my front door I am in a really good mood! There is something to be said for defeating something that 24 hours before you were not sure you could do. I have only been at Kilo for a couple of months, but in my short time my quest to under 200lbs has taken a new shape. Now I am focused less on a weight and more on a fitness level. Now I am proud to say that I can perform a pull up, I can even get a few at a time. I can now climb a rope. Not only have I touched a gymnast ring but I can almost get a muscle up. I am lifting weights again and I am excited about the new Olympic lifts that I am working on. I think the thing that impresses is me most is that I can now run a 5k without walking. In my short time with Kilo I have run two of them, my first was 33:45 and my second was 32:15. Last year I trained for a 5k for weeks and could never break more than a mile or so without walking. These accomplishments may seem small to some they are leaps for me. Someday I will get under 200 but for now I just need to get that muscle up!

One thing I have noticed is that the people that appreciate these accomplishments most are the other people at Crossfit Kilo. As strange as it sounds they seem to care about each other. In my first few days I remember being surprised at how interested and involved people were with the fitness of those around them. I have witnessed the gym come to a standstill to cheer on one member as they attempt a heavy lift or a muscle up. I have had numerous people help me with movements or lifts and then cheer when I get it right. Never in my life had I ever worked out in a place where people actually take an interest in your results not just their own.. Armand and Sarah seem to take an actual interest in each member. Sarah once spent about 20 minutes with me trying to teach me how to perform double under jump ropes. I’m pretty sure she was in the gym that day to work on her own but saw I was struggling and put her stuff on hold to try to teach this uncoordinated mess how to jump rope properly. Armand on many occasions has forced me out of my comfort zone to achieve a result. Like the time he helped me learn how to perform a knees to elbow movement on the pull-up bar. Or the time he made us push a truck up a hill on a Saturday morning. He does demand that you succeed, and you do it. Not because he is demanding but because he believes that you can, so you need to prove him right. There are so many examples like this one with all the trainers and members at Kilo. To sum it all up; The challenge keeps me intrigued. But it is the people at Kilo that keep me coming back.

-NICK C.

 

My fitness story begins being the odd one out in my family of athletes. I relied on my metabolism to keep me small and the occasional soccer game in the backyard. In high school I ran a season of cross country, and the two miles kicked my butt every week. I finished the season, even though I almost died trying. Through high school, college and post-college I would run occasionally and try weight lifting (bicep curls) and other exercise machines. I had a difficult time staying motivated without tangible goals, and my perception of my abilities was very weak. Working out simply was something you should do to stay healthy, but it never got me energized to attempt the difficult.

I began dating Sam in Dec 2006. Shortly after he started talking about these workouts he was doing. I figured only people in the army could be crazy enough to do them. However, July 2007 in the backyard of his friend’s house in the Texas heat I did my first Crossfit workout. It gave me new confidence, so I tried more on my own. (I did “Cindy” at the CF Rec center – highly modified. Got some weird looks.) From then on I would check out the main site or get suggestions from Sam. We got some looks the day we did a pull-up ladder at the Rec (mostly due to Sam’s yelling/encouragement). So we moved to USA looking for a friendlier atmosphere. At USA I would try to jump in with Sam, Charlie and Nick as they performed Crossfit workouts, but it didn’t motivate me knowing they’d bury me in speed and lifting. I’m weak mentally, and I needed help. Fast forward because this is getting LONG…

Crossfit started officially at USA, and I was pregnant. I came in from time to time to warm up with the group, but I didn’t believe I could do the workouts due to my pregnancy. Once I had given birth, though, Sam’s excitement about the growing Crossfit community got me determined to drop my baby weight. What I accomplished in the year following Selah’s birth really turned my friends’ and family’s heads. During my pregnancy I gained 30-35lbs. When Sarah Mc did body fat testing in Jan 2010, my body fat was 35.2%. In 2.5 months I got to check it again at UNI. By that time I had dropped over 10lbs. and 10% body fat. I last recorded in Dec ’10 that I had dropped beyond my pre-pregnancy weight by 6lbs. and was down to 18% body fat. In one year I got to a weight I hadn’t seen since high school.

More than that through the encouragement of Sarah and Nick (who both put up with a lot of my whining) I gained the confidence to do olympic lifts (previously foreign), pull-ups, and push myself beyond the barrier of my perceptions. Armand has taken over the 8:45 class, and he and Sarah both have challenged me through words and through action (you amaze me, Sarah) to continue to work out farther into my 2nd pregnancy than I would have ever thought possible. I have readjusted my goals over and over, and my wonder grows at what other goals I can potentially reach.

The dedication of our coaches, the atmosphere, the encouragement and what everyone else has said about the camaraderie honestly changed my fitness life. Thank you.

-SARAH H.

 

Like many of you I have always had and kept a few fingers in the fire in terms of athletics. Always getting bored after a while. Fast fwd a few years. Life’s challenges are pouring over me like a terrible storm. I needed something different, something to grab hold of me and be an outlet. I knew of some people who worked out at this gym called USA. Thought maybe that would help motivate me, going to a new place knowing others. There was this extreme fitness class that peaked my curiosity. I ended up trying this class and loving it. This lasted almost a year before I was wondering if there was something ‘MORE”? All the while there was this group of guys coming every few days and doing this crazy stuff. Those three were Sam, Charlie and Nick and I wanted to know what it was that they did, I wanted to try it too!

Meanwhile, the doctor I worked for had a personal trainer he called him Mac. Well every day it was Mac this and Mac that and MAC made me to this terrible lift or work my butt off. I’m rolling my eyes thinking….ya whatever he can’t be that great! Then rumor was there was an actual class starting at our gym, it was called Crossfit. And come to find out this “Mac” was involved! I didn’t meet him for a while, however there was this guy named Armand there, I really liked him! He always had an amazing way of motivating people and really brining out the best in them.

I was accepted in the CULT since the beginning and have recruited others too. Without a doubt it’s an amazing atmosphere and always has been. I was crushed when we were told Cedar Valley was closing. I loved that nasty gym!!! I didn’t think Kilo would have the same feel. However, it did from the beginning…because of the trainers, because of the people that come and sweat next to you, cry next to you, maybe even scream next to you  (I have occasionally done that)….encouraging you all the way.

The change in me since the beginning is amazing, not just a physical change. I used to be terrified of being the only girl in class. Now it doesn’t’ phase me. Why?! Because I know I have a place in my Kilo family. I know I’m missed when I’m not there, I know people are happy to see me when I’m there and tease me about missing. I have missed off and on dealing with my hip injury since January. I’ve struggled with feeling depressed, pissy and a multitude of different emotions surrounding this injury. But my “family” has encouraged me to still come. I believe Troy Belmer’s words were “make Crossfit work FOR YOU! not you for Crossfit” True to form, Armand met with me and we discussed ways around my injury in the short term. He’s serious about not just his dream, but about helping all of us along the way. I’m still growing physically and mentally. In short I’m making Crossfit work for me. I actually get emotional thinking I won’t be able to come back and do what I love. That’s right, it’s what I love. I agree with some others in staying that if you have never experienced Crossfit…Crossfit Kilo specifically….then there is no way you could understand. I’m proud to know and train beside Armand, and all our trainers. I’m proud to say I know him and get to see him reach personal goals. This is and forever will be a favorite place of mine to be, I cannot imagine a better way to begin my day then with this group of trainers and fellow gym rats.

-MARTY

 

Well….Marty and Nation told me to come try it, so, I did, I believe my 1st WOD was Nicole…..different than anything I’d ever done, and knew I’d always be a part of my crossfit fam the day Armand was screaming at me, as I must not have not been meeting his standards in my running efforts, “I BET YOU’D BE RUNNING FASTER IF SOMEBODY WAS HOLDING A GUN TO YOUR KID’S HEAD…..” oh, how priceless…I am so proud to be a “part” altho being away at the time, and am so excited for the changes and accomplishments in the future for Sarah and Armand…..well deserved for you both….

and all I have to say is………..I would imagine that poor kid has a lot of burpees in his future if he decides to mouth off to his momma!

-HEATHER R.

 

About 3 BC (Before Crossfit), my workouts would consist mainly of watching myself in the mirror doing DB curls in a cut off “Golds Gym” t-shirt that was 2 sizes too small, and bicycle shorts. And of course, I would only do work when people were watching, otherwise I would just stand around, drink my low carb monster and grunt at my fellow meat heads. This was my work out routine, day in and day out. After the workout I would usually indulge in a bag of cheetos (usually the family sized bags), drink a few beers, and top it all off with a pint of Cherry Garcia ice cream. I did all of this in the comfort of my over stuffed beanbag chair. However, after years of this routine I realized I wasn’t where I wanted to be physically. If fact I was fatter (go figure).

That is when crossfit came into my life. After a few workouts, I was hooked! I was no longer a fat slob…..(I was just a slob). And now, after being fully committed to crossfit, I am no longer spending hours and hours in my beanbag chair. And I rarely eat cheetos anymore. There are 3 reasons for this. 1.) I am usually too f*#king sore to get into my chair, thanks to crossfit. 2.) I would most likely puke up anything I ate after most workouts, thanks to crossfit, and 3). Armand screams at everyone at the top of his lungs to make sure that nobody is standing around. So you see, that is what crossfit has done for me.

On a serious note though I want to thank Armand and Sarah for their dedication to all of us. Not just their presence, but their work behind the scenes (writing the workouts, etc). Crossfit has seriously made me a better person both mentally and physically. On the job with the fire department, I have noticed a HUGE difference! Whether its lifting a cot with a heavy patient, or doing difficult, taxing work at a fire scene. I can do these tasks much longer than I could before. I am way ahead of where I was 3 years ago, and I owe it all to crossfit and the coaching. I have also met a lot of great people who have similar fitness goals in mind, and we all push each other at every workout. So again, thank you all!

-NICK A.

 

I have always been a runner. My mindset was, if you wanted to be tough mentally it wouldn’t come in a gym, it would come at mile 30 in an ultra. I had run many races in my life but my greatest personal achievement was running the North Face Endurance Challenge 50 miler in 2008 and finishing in 9:32. After the race I was injured, I had nerve damage in my leg, foot, and had lower back pain that would not go away. I decided that I had accomplished everything I wanted to in running and would hang up the shoes. The years to follow life happened, we had our second child, I started a new business, and the things in life I had a passion for went on the backburner and so did running. My time on the trail was replaced with life’s simple tasks – feed the kids, change diapers, repeat. I loved the control of the schedule, the routine – it felt safe. May 2010, your typical Sunday afternoon, ‘”living life” We get a call, my wife’s sister is on the phone and her 2 year old just had a terrible accident. 8 days later God took him home. Sobering. How much control do I really have? None, no one does. We can convince ourselves by living structured and safe lives but in all reality every day is a gift from God. The more we allow life to dictate our schedules the more we lose the time to celebrate the gift, the time to enjoy our families, friends, and passions in life. I was a victim.

Last summer after picking up the pieces of what was left of a shattered family I decided that I needed to live my live with more intention. No more excuses of back pain, a sore foot, too busy at work, blah, blah, blah. Just run. You see running for me was much more than exercise or a quest to become fit it was my passion, a place where I could go, all by myself, to think about the things I am blessed with in my life, celebrate God’s gift of nature, and to think through problems analytically and come up with a plan of attack. As they say if you can’t come up with a solution to a problem after a three hour run, chances are there isn’t one. I knew in order to get to where I wanted to be again I needed a jump-start, something that would get me into shape and would get me strong again to start running and compete at a high level. Email to Sarah……

Sarah helped answer my questions, got me signed up, and let me know about the beginners class. I was ready, this was going to be it, I didn’t have to wear boxing gloves, or use bands, that’s not really my style. I remember showing up on a Friday night for my first class, I walked in and saw the 5:40 class doing snatches, failing, dropping weights, and these were the big guys. I couldn’t do this, with one foot out the door Armand and Troy greeted me, damn – no way out. Troy had a shaved head, tattoos, and Armand looked like he could break me over his knee – I am so screwed, I didn’t belong here, these guys were going to kill me.

Within seconds Armand patted me on the back and welcomed me in, Troy walked me to the back and started explaining the science behind crossfit and started to show me movements I would need to know to finish the WOD. Hey these guys were all right – if all else fails and I couldn’t hack it I met a couple of nice guys and I am better for the experience. I never looked back……..

It has been 7 months and I can honestly say joining the Gym was one of the best decisions I have ever made. If you asked me to narrow it down to one thing that this place has taught me it is how to fail. I use to think failing was for the weak, but have quickly learned it is for those who succeed. You see for every failed rep, scaled workout, last place finish, you have succeeded in not giving up, not giving in, not letting your ego cripple your effort. I feel very fortunate to have stumbled across a place where the people, trainers, and pain make me a better husband, father, son, friend, and athlete. This place has taught me to be selfless, not leave another behind, encourage others, be a team player, and to never quit on myself. I truly thank everyone who is a part of this place for pushing me beyond my own preconceived limitations and taking an interest in my success. Challenges, disappointments, and tragedies will happen in life; but I believe being a part of Crossfit Kilo equips all of us to handle these events with composure and an unrelenting passion to see them to the end. Thank you Crossfit Kilo for providing us a place to not only become better athletes but better people.

-NATE

 

I was first introduced to crossfit workouts by my husand, Ian, the huge, good-looking blonde guy… you’ve prolly seen him around the gym.  Before Crossfit, I did a lot of running. I got into road races in college and then tried to run every race I could! A crazy friend challenged me to run a marathon and I took her on b/c I like challenges just to see if I can actually do it! I did and went on to run 3 more. I ran because I didn’t really know what else to do. I was a track coach and worked out at the high school gym or with my athletes. I’ve never belonged to a gym before joining Crossfit Kilo. Ian had told me about crossfit and we would do workouts at home or in Janesville’s weight room whenever we could and I thought, ‘that’s pretty cool.’ I like those workouts! But, then I started to have babies. While I was pregnant with my second sweet little girl, Ian joined the Cedar Valley Crossfit gym when all the other Waterloo firemen did and he would come home and that was ALL he talked about. I thought, what is the big deal? I like to workout too, but I don’t talk about it and obsess over it! I just didn’t get it…until I joined the gym about 6 mo. after Maelyn was born. I COULD NOT stop talking about it myself!! I felt sorry for my friends and family. I totally understood the obsession! It’s a good obsession, even though I have to at times now remind myself that I have a life outside of crossfit!

I first met Armand at the Screaming Eagle, although, I’m sure he doesn’t remember that at all…hard to believe, I KNOW!! I was invited by Tiffini Kieler to come to the combat challenge a year ago and that is where I met Sarah. I got her number and the rest is history!

Crossfit Kilo has changed me in so many ways. I’ve always loved to work out and be active, but I’ve never really lifted weights and certainly had never snatched or done pull-ups or climbed a rope. The first time we had a rope climb workout, I couldn’t even get off the ground!!! But, now I’ve done workouts where we climb it 30 times! I have become so much more confident in myself and what I can do physically and mentally. I have met some of the best people around the cedar valley who have become my friends. Crossfit Kilo is like my other family. I walk into the gym and feel at home. I mean, I pee my pants there like at least once a week! I get yelled at for picking my underwear out of my ass! This is a place where I fail and succeed every week! How could you not feel at home there!? The coaches, Armand, Sarah, Jared and Charlie are my favorite coaches in the world! They have helped me accomplish things I never thought I could do, like stop drinking Mountain Dew! However, not only are they my coaches, but they are my friends.

I love Crossfit Kilo because I’m a competitive person, with myself and with other people. Where else can a 31 year old working mother of two go for some competition like this!? My daughter asks just about every other day when we get to go to The Gym again! I love that I get to do this with my husband and that we both get it and can support each other. I’m one of the most stubborn people in the world (ask Ian) and I come in every day knowing, I WILL finish the workout and I thank God for a body that even allows me to continue working out every day. I love Crossfit Kilo because of the people there. I LOVE how encouraging people are!!! I love it when people yell at me to get back on the bar or shorten my break! I always tell people that I would never wish anyone there to have a bad day or do poorly, but I still want to beat you! Where else can you have relationships like that where you can be competitive, but yet close too?!

I’m unbelievably thankful for the opportunity I got to go to Chicago and compete alongside my husband and teammates against some amazing athletes! It is definitely in my top 10 best experiences in my life! But, the experience wasn’t all about the competing. I just couldn’t believe the amount of support we got from the rest of the gym, whether you were able to come down and stand by our side or whether you were following on line! The unity among Crossfit Kilo is unexplainable. I love it! Crossfit Kilo isn’t just a way to workout, it is part of our lives.

-JESS

 

I’ve always been active but never into any real sports or fitness, from high school through my mid twenties life was more about partying and having fun, I even spent many years being a couple pack a day smoker. I’ve been involved in martial arts throughout my life and one day I decided to start running to get in shape, I entered a 5k in May of 2006 and found myself running my first marathon that October. So I spent the next few years running when it was nice and then I would hit the gym in the winter and lift weights, I always hated that it never seemed like I could do both since I was always training for marathons and ultra marathons.

I discovered Crossfit through the internet and it just looked like something that was “bad ass,” and I was always a fan of anything bad ass So I started doing Crossfit following the main site, with my star collar dumbbells and doorway chin up bar. In June of 2009 I emailed the Crossfit down in Ames because I wanted to start coming down on Saturdays so I could work on some Olympic lifting and learn a kipping pull up. She emailed me back and told me that a Crossfit was opening up in Waterloo the next Monday.

I went and talked to Armand, explaining that I would only be in a couple times a week to start because I had a 50 mile race to run in a month. What happened instead was I didn’t miss a single Crossfit class in the next month and instead skipped all of my running because my ass was so sore from 200 million lunges in every warm up. The funny thing was my 50 mile race went great and I felt strong the whole way.

I remember going from doing Crossfit on my own to joining the gym and how all of a sudden I was doing workouts I never thought possible, the community and support from all of the athletes and coaches was amazing. Like everyone else has already expressed it is our gym and the people in it that make it what it is.

Armand and Sarah have not only been great coaches to me (along with Jared, Charlie, and Nick) but they also gave me the chance to be a part of the team and coach for them, being a part of something so great has been huge for me. I have visited several Crossfit gyms from Alabama to California to Colorado and trust me, we have something at “Kilo” that none of them have, the best way I can put it is “Kilo” is a no-bullshit type of gym full of very real people.

Crossfit is a way of life, it makes you a better person at home, not just in the gym, it teaches you to persevere, set goals, and stand up when you fall down. It also puts your ego in check and makes you realize that you have to do the best you can do no matter what, it has changed my life dramatically and I know it does the same for all who truly commit.

-TROY R.

 

Where should my story start? Oh, yes…..I was Fat! My journey with Crossfit began in the Summer of 2006, 5 years ago, when I first met Armand. I was pushing nearly 200lbs. …

I’ve always been involved with sports — whether watching or playing – playing basketball through college. After college my routine consisted primarily of running and workouts at the local YMCA. When I met my husband John, I started putting on some “happy pounds”. Combine that with having 3 children in my late 20s, (pregnant or nursing from 1999 – 2004) and I found myself for the first time in a battle with my weight. During those years, I trained for and ran a marathon to “lose the baby weight” from our first 2 children, only to become pregnant and gain it all back again! After baby #3, my lack of conditioning caught up to me, and I began to have periodic back trouble, such that I could barely walk for 2 years. Because of my condition, my chiropractor recommended no running or loading. I was frustrated, but I knew moving was the key to not gaining even more weight! I chose to go against his advice and joined a local gym (IBM).

That is where I started training with Armand, and my life was forever changed. I realized that all those years of team sports had resulted in my being motivated by coaches, and I missed that! I was drawn to Armand’s no- nonsense tough approach, and I quickly realized he was overqualified to be training pudgy moms like me! While Armand was getting his undergrad & graduate degrees at UNI, he trained me 2-3 times a week. During that time, I also took his “boot camp” classes and remember running around the Am Vets field at 5a.m. in the dark with a weight bar! This guy was crazy, but I loved him, and bragged about the pain he put me through. Because of my previous back issues, though, I was still reluctant to load. Armand was patient with me as I insisted I could only do the bar, but he never stopped pushing me beyond what I thought I could do, assuring me along the way. I followed his lead and he was absolutely right! The stronger I got, the more time elapsed between back “episodes”. When I would skip or take time off, the problems would recur. When I was consistent with my training, I had great success, such that I no longer consider myself a person with back trouble. In fact, thanks to Armand, it’s been almost 4 years since the last time my back went “out”! I am thankful he never quit on me…. and I’m sure there were times he wondered why!

The weight-loss was another story. Because of my lack of discipline with food, I did not lose weight quickly. I would lose — then gain… mostly from taking weeks off of training and indulging when we were traveling. This can be highly frustrating to a trainer/friend who really wants to see you succeed! Somehow during his time with me, between all my chattiness and stalling, he got me to 165 lbs.

At this point, Armand decided I was ready for Crossfit. (I wasn’t so sure.) He recommended I come to Crossfit Cedar Valley’s “bring a friend day” outside at Price Lab School. It was hard work, but I liked it — and I liked the people! When I started at Crossfit CV, I was intimidated. I was still doing pull-ups standing on the bar! I continued to come to class even though I had to modify a lot in the beginning.

In the last two years, I’ve done things I never thought I could do. It has taken hard work and commitment but, I am now a “mom of three” who can do Rx workouts, climb a rope (several times), do chest-to-bar pull-ups, hand stand pushups (on two ab mats), Olympic weight lifts, box jumps, toes-to-bar, double-unders and sprint now without peeing! And I am working on that first muscle up! Outside of Crossfit, I wakeboard, golf, run and basically do whatever I want!

Through high quality coaching and my own efforts, I’ve lost 50 lbs. (that’s 10 sizes!) I recently hit a personal milestone on the scale – a number I haven’t seen for 14 years! But to be honest, that number doesn’t really matter anymore. I feel strong and lean. I am motivated. I am challenged. That’s all that matters.

Two “turning” moments for me early on in my Crossfit experience …

Heather Reisinger: “You don’t need those bands. If you can only do two pull-ups, do two. Then do two at a time until you’re done.” This coming from her was the last time I used the bands.

Nick Rossin: the first time I did 50 pull-ups and had only 10 left: “Do NOT let go of that bar until you are done.” The way he said it, especially since he never talked much to me before, I knew I would not let go no matter what. After he yelled at me I knew I had a new friend

I’ve watched Armand’s “magnetic personality” (fortune cookie ) and he and Sarah’s never-ending hard work result in a place where men and women are deeply bonded and loyal to their coaches, and each other. The words you all write are incredible tributes affirming this. He truly has a gift to surround himself with quality, authentic people, including amazing friends/coaches, and all of you.

If you’re new, or just interested, you’ll know Crossfit Kilo is for you when you feel something authentic in the raw, no-frills, my first bloody hands, “this is where I belong” moments. If someone yells at you, they want you to succeed. Don’t get too caught up in where other members are as far as fitness. Use that to motivate you to commit, not to bring you down. They too had a starting point and know exactly how humbling it is to do these workouts. To repeat what many have said, inside Kilo you’ll find it’s just real people who are coached well and aren’t afraid to fail.

To my brothers and sisters at Crossfit, who know who you are, I love you. Yes, even you, who rarely speak, I feel your pain with mine. To those I have yet to know, I look forward to it.

-AMY L.

 

I will start at High school… I went to a Catholic High School in Dayton, Ohio. The only thing I remember from high school was the gym teacher. He led the class like this… Each boy (separate class for girls) was required to: wear the gym uniform, jock strap (he randomly checked), bring bar of soap and towel. If one of these was not followed, you received a demerit. At the start of the semester, we took a physical fitness test that comprised of: As many pushups in a minute, as many sit-ups in a minute, as many pull-ups in a minute, timed rope ascent, etc. Your grade was based on improvement from the start of the semester to the end, plus how tough he thought you were. We also did jump rope tests, and were given a better grade depending on how far you made it in the list of jumps. I still remember practicing for those jump rope tests in the driveway as a Freshman in High School.

Why did I just tell you this story? Because, that one class in high school is the only thing that influenced me at that time. I hated it at the time, but it is the only thing that I think back to from high school. CrossFit Kilo reminds me of that gym class. I think someone said it in a previous story, I hate the workouts, but I hate missing a workout more. I expect Armand will now start handing out demerits if I don’t bring my weightlifting shoes…

I will skip some things and fast forward to age 31 when I had my year of health issues. A number of issues that I won’t go into led to the one that influenced me. In an x-ray of my back and neck, they discovered some spots in my lungs that they wanted a closer look at in a CT scan. The wait for the results of that CT scan was obviously a bad time. Luckily the results showed that it was normal.

This made me think a lot about the “bucket list”. One of the items I put on the list was to do a triathlon. While training last year for my first triathlon, I ended up going to physical therapy three times a week for a rib that was popping out in my chest. After making it through my first triathlon, and still having to go to physical therapy, I read about a strength program in the Runner’s Flat newsletter. That program was the 6:30pm MWF class at The Gym. Troy Rand explained in our first session about something called CrossFit, and since then I have been hooked. I did 4 sprint length triathlons last year and improved my 5k by 4 minutes during that time (the last 2 were after starting CrossFit). But my bigger accomplishment is just getting stronger than I have ever been, including bench pressing more than my body weight after having physical therapy on that area just a year ago.

Note: Since I was training for triathlons, I thought I was in good shape. After starting at CrossFit Kilo, I realized that I descended from Apes that never lifted anything over their heads.

-MIKE F.

 

I was an average kid, with average athletic ability, even among the average. I filled a good spot on the roster, I’d actually been sent in to pick a fight with a good player on the other team in basketball. That a good fit, because I was usually running laps during practice for being a smartass (S.Mac is SHOCKED!) and developed no actual skills. I think I played every sport in school except track and golf at one point or another. I’m remembered for none.

I graduated because they didn’t want to deal with me anymore, and went into the Navy because it’s hard to get a scholarship with a 1.78 GPA. Especially within moped distance from my parent’s house. In the Navy I got the job of Damage Controlman, which is a fancy way to say firefighter, and knew what I wanted to do from then on. Traveled the world and almost seven seas, came home.

Fast forward to last year, I’d recently gotten off of the ambulance as a medic, and back to fire truck duty. I’m sure that my time carrying obese people down stairs had earned my chiropractor a boat he named after me. A nice boat. I was a wreck, and packed on some gelatinous weight. Luckily, I had stopped all other physical activity, so it was hard to notice.

The first group of FF’s started the Crossfit program, I didn’t want to commit. Then I heard how much they loved it, and how it challenged you. I thought I would give it a try. I needed to do something. I didn’t really know how badly until I started. I didn’t realize how much ROM and general fitness I had lost being specialized for so long. I didn’t run unless the crack head had a bigger knife than I did at work. I was gassed all the time at crossfit. I spent more time in the first month here under a barbell than I had in my whole life to that point.

Just like everyone else, I started seeing gains, and quickly. Make no mistake, I’m still worthless, weak and inflexible. But I cut 7+ minutes off my 5k time, lost 30 pounds, and can usually do at least some components of the WOD’s Rx, even if it’s a glacial pace. Except Du’s. My jump rope gives me Tourettes. And it’s the bad one. I’m sorry.

I still struggle GREATLY with finding urgency in my workouts. I can get a bad case of the “Meh. It’s heavy. I’ll pick it up later” pretty easy. But it is great to be surrounded by such true athletes, both traditional and industrial. Armand has my respect and gratitude on many levels, along with the other trainers. The people who come to this gym, and do these things to themselves, they all have my respect, too.

You have to be careful who you measure yourself against in this world, you can get an inflated opinion of your capabilities. I’m happy to work out at a place where I’ll never run out of people to try to catch.

-RYAN

 

I was tall and super skinny (like crackish) growing up. I was never really an “athlete”, I quit football in 8th grade because I lived in Texas and it was hot as hell and and would get lit up constantly by linebackers the second I had the ball in my hand. I loved basketball, and I moved around a lot so I never had much time to make a bunch of friends, so I was never able to make the bball team because I was new to every school and there was usually a “good ole boys” program going. I played street ball constantly in highschool to satisfy my urge to play when I wasn’t getting into trouble. After HS, I was basically ordered by a judge to join the Navy after a scuffle with the law back in 96′, and it was life changing for me in many ways. When I was in the Navy, I worked the flight deck 12 hours per day, loading bombs and such, it put me in the best shape of my life. I started drinking quite a bit while I was out on cruise, and this behavior continued when I got out, but I was no longer very active, so I started to gain weight as I got older and my metabolism slowed. I went from 185 to about 240 at my heaviest.

I started doing P90x a couple of years ago and quit multiple times, similar to my smoking habit (which makes crossfit extra brutal for me). Anyway, I joined gyms (where I felt like a misfit among the meatheads and I didn’t really work that hard) and then I did videos, but I have a hard time motivating myself when it comes to fitness. I am a workaholic – I have a skill and a motivation for navigating the corporate ladder, so I know I have inherent motivation, but I couldn’t seem to get it to transfer into a fitness program.

I have a friend in Seattle that I visit from time to time, and his wife talks about crossfit all the time. So I started researching it about a year ago I guess, and it looked brutal. I couldn’t imagine how an overweight smoker could do it. A few months ago after (almost) finishing another try at p90X, I was googling crossfit, reading the websites and the success stories, and I stumbled upon the gym in CF. I needed something structured and motivating, so I told my friend Nick that I was going to try it and asked him if he wanted to try it with me.

I’m pretty sure our first workout was like 7- 800m runs, I thought I was going to die. I was already nervous and it seemed like everyone was in such great shape, Nick and I started calling ourselves B-Squad because we lagged so far behind everyone else. When we pushed the truck, I dry heaved for like two hours, I thought I was definitely going to die that day. Things are getting better, I only feel like I am going to die a couple of times per week, I have done 2 workouts ‘as prescribed’ so far, and that was a big accomplishment for me. I told myself I wasn’t going to buy/wear a crossfit shirt until I could do an RX workout, and now I have put it off until I can do a muscle up. I want to earn the right to right that shirt and be part of the kilo team.

I have gotten stronger (even my busted ass back is..), leaner, my clothes are fitting better, my self esteem in growing, and I am meeting a few people too. I am still struggling with the cardio because my dumbass still hasn’t stopped smoking, but I keep coming. I owe a lot of that to Nick because if he hadn’t started with me, I probably would have quit. I’m introverted and rarely talk to people I don’t know, so I don’t know most of you but I admire a lot of you. I talk about crossfit to everyone I know, my wife swears its a cult and has trouble understanding the obsession I have with it – I really just want to be fit and look good naked .

Armand and Sarah have been awesome, and Troy was really cool to us when we showed up that first day. I look forward to making more friends and getting into great shape doing it. Thanks for all the support from everyone.

-JOSH

 

I have been very impressed with a lot of these stories. As i think about mine i realize that i have lived a very short life and have a lot to learn. I have never really been out of shape and have always been gifted with good health and athletic ability. I have lifted weights since high school and LOVED to go heavy. After hight school i got into powerlifting tournaments and yes…..i was probably one of the “meatheads” some of you are referring to. For over a year i pounded protein and creatine and lifted very heavy. My weight went to 190 and i was bulky. I could bench, deadlift, and squat like no ones business BUT….was i fit? The answer was no and i knew this because i could not do a lick of cardio and my joints hurt at the age of 19. Due to this i decided to quit powerlifting and focus on school. Skip forward a few years and i got married and hired at the WPD. I started lifting heavy again with the “meatheads” but i always missed days at the gym because i was so bored with it.

1. Walk in the gym and figure out what to do

2. Talk with other guys at the gym for a while about what their “max” was

3. Throw some weight on the bar….do a set…talk for 5 minutes and repeat

4. Leave the gym wondering if this is what i will be doing my entire life for exercise.

After working at the WPD for a couple years and missing many of my so called workouts i was disgusted with the shape i was in. The breaking point was in Disney World. I left the trip knowing that i ate way too much and felt like crap. I needed something to push me.

I knew Sam Hess from the Fire Dept. and he told me about CrossFit. I was scared of it. It was wayyyy out side my comfort zone. After my glutenous trip to Disney i made the decision to do it. The day i started i felt like it was the first day of football practice. After the first week in CrossFit i felt great….well, i was in pain but i felt great.

Fast forward 7-8 months and the feeling is the same. Armand and Sara have really created an environment for anyone to succeed, if they choose to. I guess what i really love about CrossFit Kilo is the community and competition. I have met so many great people here and i really enjoy and look forward to coming in the gym. I love coming to CrossFit so much that people that i work with think i am paid to recruit them. I tell those people that Armand & Sara couldn’t pay me if they wanted to. I want others to be apart of the this great community and feel the way i do about it.

I am really excited to see what happens to CrossFit Kilo in the coming years. I am just glad to be along for the ride.

-SPENCER