My Story
I played and excelled in lacrosse early in high school. Towards the last two years of high school I dealt with addiction problems, which sent my life into a downward spiral. In late December 2005 I sought help and began my recovery. After initial inpatient treatment I found that the best way for me to maintain a positive outlook, stay focused on positive goals, and progress in life was working out. Thus started my love affair with exercise.
I started college and juggled classes part time studying business and exercise science but was sort of “half assing” it by taking classes for a semester taking a semester off etc (in 2014 I went back motivated to finish and will finish after two more part time semesters with a degree in sport management).
After working a few years of restaurant, construction, demolition and other labor jobs I decided it was time for a chance. Since the gym was my favorite part of the day I decided to try out personal training. I got job at the gym in a suburb of Washington DC and Baltimore that I currently worked out at and took a cheap one-day class and received a low level PT certification. I continued there for six months until I moved to Baltimore, MD at which point I switched to Merritt Athletic clubs, a small chain gym of nine clubs in and around the Baltimore area.
Merritt was an excellent learning/networking platform but not much more. I built an ok client book and many relationships in first couple years. Not through but during my time with Merritt I met many knowledgeable industry professionals who I was able to learn a lot from. I loved applying new knowledge and skills and putting it to work with my clients, using new skills everyday to help them reach their goals or help them realize goals/issues requiring improvement. Hearing a clients story, their goals, why they want to change, etc was great for me, and seeing them progress then eventually reaching those goals was the epitome of success in my eyes. It was at this point that I decided this is the field I definitely want to stay in.
While at Merritt I was introduced to CrossFit. I can’t pinpoint the exact time or source of my introduction but I remember it was something I enjoyed. I liked the idea of a regular workout schedule structured around mobility, strength, and metabolic work which is what I was doing with my one on one clients however crossfit offered it in a group setting making it affordable to a broader range. One of my biggest qualms with one on one PT is that so many more people can benefit from my guidance and training however it is not cheap and the general population can not afford it. Unless a trainer is willing to work for free or cheap they will only be able to work with a small target market.
I took the CrossFit L1 course in 2011 however for the next year or so I did nothing different. In 2012 I worked out a deal with the corporate office of Merritt Athletic clubs and we decided to open an affiliate in one of our clubs in downtown Baltimore. We had a revenue share agreement however the relationship quickly turned sour due to lack of communication and support on their behalf. After 2.5 years I decided it was time for a change and I left Merritt and brought my affiliate to a boxing gym in one of the more affluent neighborhoods in Baltimore. I currently rent the basement from this gym and we have plans of finding a new facility at which point I will partner with the owners of the boxing gym and move into the larger space.
What’s CrossFit?
Well CrossFit corporate office defines it as functional movements performed at high intensity. But basically I like to think of it as an all encompassing workout program that includes strength, metabolic, and mobility training by incorporating bodyweight exercises, weightlifting, and cardio type movements. And its all done with guidance from an experienced coach. You can think of it as working with a personal trainer but you get to share the cost with a handful of other people.
Why CrossFit?
In all honesty I can’t or won’t say that you should quit whatever you’re currently doing or leave you current gym for CrossFit. Maybe you won’t like it I’m not a psychic. What I do know is most of the people that come into my gym or have done workouts with my coaches or I have liked it and those that stick with it get serious results. I don’t want to sit here and tell you it is the end all be all of fitness ideas or programs but I think you would be cheating yourself if you don’t try a class or two and then decide if you like it.
Who does CrossFit?
Literally anyone and everyone. A lot of gyms have CrossFit kids which obviously caters to kids and the range goes all the way up to senior citizens. My members range in age from 18-64. And we all do the same workout. We obviously scale or modify certain movements so each person can challenge themselves to the best of their ability but the point is we all DO IT TOGETHER as a group. I’ve had new moms in my classes, marathon runners, 9-5ers, college athletes, retired couples, and people recovering from injuries. Since everything can be scaled or modified just about everyone can participate.
Where Should I Do CrossFit?
Well my immediate answer is my gym! However in all honesty maybe we are not the best fit for you. Every person is different and every gym is a little different. At our gym we have excellent equipment that we maintain and service regularly, we have an EXTREMELY friendly environment, the facility and equipment is always clean, showers, small class sizes to ensure proper instruction and attention. But I think our coaches are our best asset. Each of my coaches is highly knowledgeable and pursues further education in the fitness and health industry. Also each of us participate in CrossFit in other words we practice what we preach. Like I said though maybe we are not the best fit for you. I cant imagine making a commitment to anything without doing my own research or shopping around so I encourage you to do the same. Check out our gym, see if our schedule works for you, meet the coaches, try a class and then decide if it’s a place you want to spend your time.