Testimonials
Four years ago I began training with Josh and it was a little over one year ago when we began to "Practice CrossFit". At first I felt quite disregarded. Where was my one-on-one? What happened to my counseling sessions? My sounding board?
After a few months I grew to accept it and now I have grown to love Practice CrossFit. It is much more than just "going to the gym". It is meeting new people and making new friends. The absolute best part of all of that? Having people to motivate you and hopefully you can help motivate others.
Being part of PCF from its inception, I do believe that one of my favorite things (except for the grueling POD's...only for a tighter can) is to watch new people join and see their complete transformation. Witnessing not only physical changes but sometimes demeanor, as one becomes more confident in themselves --Exciting! I can only imagine to be Josh, Ryan, Chas, or Terra and know that they had something to do with that---goose bumps.
When given the opportunity I will talk (and we KNOW I can talk) on and on about how much I enjoy PCF. I hope that there are other Practitioner's that feel the same -- if not - hopefully you will!!
I never thought of myself as someone who had an addictive personality but I am starting to think differently, I am addicted to The Practice! I love going, I never thought I would say that about working out! I used to dread it, matter of fact I really never worked out a day in my life until about 6 years ago. Then I would drag myself out for a walk, talk myself into going to a trainer, but I was never truly inspired to do more. Then I started working out at The Practice and now I look forward to working out. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I dread the thought of what might be on that board but I know when I am done, I will feel great! The thing about The Practice is it makes me feel like I can do anything! Josh and Ryan have a great way of pushing you and making you feel good about yourself. And let’s not forget all the hardworking people sweating it out with me; each one has a great story of inspiration and support. The more I get to know the athletes at the Practice, I find more reasons to love coming. I wonder? What is it really that I am addicted to? The results? The people? The Challenge?
The Practice has changed my whole families life, we all have benefited greatly from joining. I feel great, I feel the most confident I have felt about my body since I was 16 and that is saying a lot coming from a Mom of twin boys and a daughter. I am actually starting to believe there is a six pack inside of me! My husband comes too, he looks awesome, his shoulders have bulked up, his stomach slimmed down, Life is Good! My kids also love The Practice! The boys have been working out with Josh and they cannot wait to come each week. This is a lifestyle change that our whole family is committed to.
My Grandfather died when he was 91 and moments before he passed, he sat up look at my kids and gave them one last bit of advice, “When you think you are working hard, work harder!” I often think of him when I am at The Practice, I know he would be proud!
What do u say abut an individual as dedicated and determined as Philip Wagner. The man is a true inspiration. A somewhat shy and until now undisciplined person when it comes to exercise, and fitness. Phil started Practice CrossFIt training about 4 months ago, and is now workin out 6 times per week. U may not have seen Phil during regular class times, and that is unfortunate because he is incredibly motivating and fun to be around. Phil’s work schedule does not allow him to arrive at our designated times so he employs my help as a trainer during 1 on 1 sessions. This costs xtra. Phil picks up xtra shifts at work to pay for this additional cost. If that doesn’t show dedication….what does?
Starting PCF Phil weighed in at 320LBs. In under 4 months he lost over 60lbs. Phil works out religiously now, and packs his food for work. Phil is a new man with brand new determination. If u ever are lucky enough to meet him consider yourself blessed. U would of just met a man on a mission, with true determination, and a zest for life rivaled by few.
Phil Nov
Phil Jan
Phil April...80lbs less
Cheryl Dohme
The scale kept going up and up. No matter what I did, it wouldn’t go down.
I was too lazy and too busy (family, school, work, pick an excuse) to exercise so I looked for alternative ways of losing weight; low carb, low calories, Lean Cuisine, Slim Fast, diet pills, etc.
This seems like the norm for the Generation Xers-- trying to find that quick fix that allows me to have a beautifully toned body while still being lazy and not working out. Here’s a hint, it doesn’t exist. Something had to change in my life.
Enter, The Practice.
When I first entered the doors of Practice, it looked like a jungle gym for adults. I had never worked out prior to this and after Ryan worked me for ten minutes, I thought I was going to puke. On my way home that day, I couldn’t believe how much body hurt…and the day after was…well,…OMG! I couldn’t believe it; they kicked my ass in ten minutes! It was the best workout I ever had. I knew that I could build up to doing this on a regular basis. I get an intense workout in a short amount of time that is very effective. This was my shortcut to a leaner and toner me. I could find time to workout for 20-30 minutes…no big deal.
I wasn’t sure if I’d continue or get lazy and drop. The structure of Practice is perfect for me. I don’t have to worry about what I will be doing each day, how many reps, rounds, etc. Having two trainers there watching and making sure I was doing the workouts correctly and pushing me is exactly what I needed in order to stick with it and not quit.
My life has changed.
What the other Practitioners say is true, “It’s addictive”. After only one month, the scale was going down consistently and I could breathe in my jeans again. In only four months, at three times a week, I have gone down three pants sizes and have gained muscle. I have more confidence in myself, more self esteem but most of all, I’m proud of myself. I’ve never worked so hard and consistently for anything. Josh and Ryan set such a good example for us all and not only do I want to work hard for myself, but for them also. Their constant encouragement and positive attitudes are contagious.
I get excited about going to Practice to see what I will be able to do next without a modification or going to a smaller band. I look back and cannot believe how far I’ve come in such a short amount of time. I had virtually no upper body strength and the black band for pull ups was hard for me and push ups were impossible. I’m now almost ready for the last band before unmodified pull-ups, and I am now able to do unmodified push ups.
My husband saw the quick results I was achieving and joined with me. We talk about the workouts and what was the most challenging part for each of us. Joining Practice has brought us closer together and has changed both our lives. Thank you Josh, Ryan, and the rest of the staff!
My addiction to CrossFit’s got nothing to do with achieving gangs of weight loss in record time while learning about my bad eating habits. Truth be told, I was already in pretty good shape when I started CrossFit. Thanks to a nutritional nutcase of a mother, I grew up eating many of the “right” foods most of the time in healthy portions and carried this learning into adulthood. For the last six years, I’ve weight-trained (in typical fashion) four days/week, run 15-20 miles/week, cross-trained with boxing, aerobics and spinning and utilized personal trainers to vary my workouts. Heck, for the last couple of years I even packed most of the meals I was consuming every day (forget that they weren’t balanced appropriately). So…what’s so special about CrossFit? That’s easy: variety, intensity, scalability and near personal training EVERY session. I used to keep detailed workout logs, read what I could on new exercises and rarely skipped the gym. But the routines got old fast and, eventually, I slacked off on intensity and “stretch” effort. I don’t get that option with CrossFit. Every day is a challenge designed to push your mind, body and soul to the limits in 20-40 minutes using functional movements you never imagined could be so damn hard. Daily workouts are almost never the same…and when they are, it’s a test of my ability to raise the bar on a prior performance. The effort is gut-wrenching most days, but I’ve never seen anything – repeat ANYthing – transform a body faster. Even I, who expected little noticeable change to my own body, have seen dramatic enhancements in strength and lean muscle mass in three short months. Why Practice CrossFit? Well now, that’s a bit harder to put into words. Maybe it’s the fitness evangelist I have as a trainer who refuses to even politely entertain the phrase “I can’t”. Or the uniquely qualified and genuinely engaged trainers that complete the team. Or just maybe it’s the scary-driven people I get the privilege to work out with each day – sometimes twice. Where else can you hear a fellow workout pal say, “What’s the extra credit for today?”…after they’ve already completed the workout of the day? Or “Hey (coach) you didn’t drop my weight did you?”…as they complete round six of seven of 155lb deadlifts, ring pushups, knee-ups, dumbbell presses and weighted lunges? How about, “Come on, you’ve only 15 burpees left and I’ll do ‘em with ya.”…after they’ve already completed 100 on their own? Better yet, what other fitness program have you been part of where participants text the trainer at the end of the day just to find out if anyone beat their performance! This is the type of person Practice CrossFit breeds, and the type of workout environment I need to be successful. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve got a long way to go. Vodka, Sour Patch Kids and bread remain my favorite foods – in that order – and any weighted overhead movement makes me growl. But Josh, Ryan and team make me own driving the changes I want to see, and will be there tomorrow to push me through another beastly POD. CrossFit isn’t for everyone...and I appreciate that. But for those open to living by, what I view as, three simple rules of membership, it can be hugely rewarding: Kara Foster
- Rule #1: Test yourself constantly…challenge is the only path to growth.
- Rule #2: Be accountable...for finishing what you start; for what you do (or don’t) feed your body and your mind; for what you do (or don’t) accomplish; and for self-improvement.
Rule #3: Leave the bullshit at the door(or at least keep it to yourself)…negativity, whining, complaining, bravado, excuses – it’s plain counterproductive.
