“The summer of 2012 was hard for me. I had just had two babies in 18 months, I had started a new job I felt under-qualified for, and I was in the worst shape of my life. Finally, on August 20th, 2012, I walked into the box at AFC for the first time. I was embarrassed, intimidated, and so very weak. And yet, from that pivotal moment on, I never felt judged or out of place. Every trainer was excited to teach me, and every member was excited to meet me with a few words of encouragement.
Physically, I feel amazing; I am the strongest I have ever been in my life, and can do things that, to the non-Crossfitter, seem extraordinary. This alone would have been enough to pull me out of my rut. But what I’ve gained is much more than a physical transformation.
What I found was a large family that is proud of me and celebrates my successes, however big or small they may be. I credit this to not only the welcoming, non-judgmental, and tight-knit culture the leadership at AFC has created, but also to my AFC family, who embrace and live that culture every day.”
– Sally Heckman
“The summer of 2012 was hard for me. I had just had two babies in 18 months, I had started a new job I felt under-qualified for, and I was in the worst shape of my life. Finally, on August 20th, 2012, I walked into the box at AFC for the first time. I was embarrassed, intimidated, and so very weak. And yet, from that pivotal moment on, I never felt judged or out of place. Every trainer was excited to teach me, and every member was excited to meet me with a few words of encouragement.
“My first day walking in to Always Forward CrossFit had to be one of the most intimidating things I have ever done. I can still recall being convinced I was at the wrong place arriving at what looked like an auto body shop. It wasn’t until I saw people with water bottles walking in that I realized this must be what I had heard called a “crossfit box.” I mustered up what courage I had to walk in and met one of the owners, Craig. After learning the technique of medball cleans; I watched as other athletes arrived, warmed up and the workout of the day was described. I couldn’t believe I was witnessing women throw up barbells and stringing pull ups together! Soon I was told how to “modify” my workout and proceeded to get the workout of a lifetime. Never before had I left a gym so sweaty and yet so exhilarated! I knew this was only the beginning of something new and exciting.
List any diet or workout plan available; most likely I have tried it and had some margin of success. But bars, shakes or pre-made food plans combined with daily treadmill walks were all becoming boring for me and I resigned to believe I must just be destined to remain a “big girl.” At the age of 37 already on medication for diabetes and hypertension; I felt unhappy and fat and I craved a life changing experience. After one year of CrossFitting at Always Forward CrossFit, I have certainly found it and my transformation has been incredible! I joined only to get a physical transformation; and meanwhile I had significant emotional and social changes too! Physically, my overall weight loss in Crossfit has only been about 20 pounds; but I look and feel so much lighter! I have always heard “muscle weighs more than fat.” Well a pound weighs a pound regardless; but lean muscle certainly does look a lot better! Emotionally, I have confidence and energy levels previously unknown; and the changes have enabled me to examine my personal life and goals with a new perspective! Finally, socially my life has increased immeasurably with my group of CrossFit friends! The athletes and coaches at Always Forward CrossFit have been a constant, supportive force not only in my daily workouts but in my personal life too! My husband and three daughters all became inspired to get active through CrossFit as they observed my transformations; and that is all the proof I needed to reveal that CrossFit works!”
– Carrie Wysocki
“I was an athlete all through college. Since graduating in 2001 I always felt I was working out hard and keeping in good shape. Then I
Since then I’ve been hooked. I’m doing 4 WODs a week, a supplemental strength day, and jiu jitsu once a week. I am definitely in the best shape of my adult life, eating healthier, and continuously pushing to achieve new goals.
I also love that my wife is just as hooked as I am and we get a lot of quality time doing the Saturday WODs together.”
– Jonathan Borovsky
“I have always enjoyed exercise and would go from one gym to another. I would get to a certain point in a program and feel “done.”
The challenge was gone and the excitement had dulled. I could not move forward anymore; I felt stuck.
I had never heard of CrossFit until my brother-n-law informed me about it. He suggested I give it a chance, but lost me when he mentioned weight lifting. Weights sounded intimidating to me and I always thought of weight lifting as a “guy” thing. Nevertheless, as usual when presented a challenge, my curiosity won. I found directions to Always Forward CrossFit in Granville and marked a day to begin.
On April 4, 2012 I walked into a gym that, I later learned, was called a “box.” I saw weights everywhere, loud music and a few people were yelling in the back. I immediately felt sick and thought I had made a big mistake. Finding some courage deep down inside me, I walked a few step forward and met Craig McDonald. He introduced himself and began to explain the program to me. Within minutes he had my attention. I signed up and began the next day.
Always Forward CrossFit (AFC) has brought out a side of me that I never knew existed. There is a beast living in this working mom of two. It is here that I find release that I so desperately need from my job, from my children and from daily routines. I walked into AFC with zero upper body strength and low self-confidence. A year and half later I can do things that I never thought possible and I have another family that I can count on for inner strength. Just when I think I can’t go any further or push any harder, someone is right there to pull me through to the other side. The best part about all of this is that the person who pulled me through is just as excited about my accomplishment as I am!
At Always Forward CrossFit success is celebrated together, challenges are met with support, and confidence is built with friends. I am not “stuck” anymore and each workout pushes me forward; it has empowered me.”
– Krista Messner
“Two and a half years ago I did not like the way I looked and felt. I was doing different types of exercise but not really seeing any changes. My
son is a CrossFit trainer and athlete and suggested I join a CrossFit gym. I joined Always Forward CrossFit when the gym was fairly new. There were only a few of us attending at that time but right away I felt a strong camaraderie with the others. There is something about training hard with someone that gives you an immediate bond.
I hear a lot of women my age complain about not being able to sleep, changes in their shape, weight gain, lack of energy. In my experience CrossFit has alleviated all of those problems for me. I work out 4 times a week pretty religiously, add yoga once a week, and eat an 80% Paleo diet. My body has transformed, I feel great, sleep well, and take no medications at all. I can’t tell you how much this has improved my life. At 56 years of age, I think that’s a pretty good testimonial! I have never gotten injured doing CrossFit. Ever. The trainers use common sense and I do, too. Craig, Dennis and their team of trainers are all VERY knowledgeable and encouraging. The gym has grown by leaps and bounds and now is full and busy and vibrant with all types of people working out. I have made so many good friends here, and feel a closeness to new people right when they walk in the door. I remember how hard it was to take that first step.”
– Dyan Coulden
“I walked into AFCF 2 years ago. I was a wannabe powerlifter who was uncoached, unhealthy, and at 186 lbs. was unable to run over 400m unbroken. I was proud of my strength squatting around 320, but was unable to perform efficiently in any athletic situations outside of a weight room. Upon arriving to AFCF, I immediately was introduced to CrossFit and the idea of being a well rounded athlete. CrossFit displayed that being well rounded in strength, gymnastics, and cardio will train me into an athlete ready for any athletic situation or physical demand in life. Being a member at AFCF means that you will be coached by a personable staff, encouraged by others at all levels, and PR’s will be set often. As of today I weigh 172, squat 330 lbs, and recently ran my first 20k trail run. I walked into AFCF a globo gym rat and walked out an athlete.”
– Ben Moran
“My first day walking in to Always Forward CrossFit had to be one of the most intimidating things I have ever done. I can still recall being convinced I was at the wrong place arriving at what looked like an auto body shop. It wasn’t until I saw people with water bottles walking in that I realized this must be what I had heard called a “crossfit box.” I mustered up what courage I had to walk in and met one of the owners, Craig. After learning the technique of medball cleans; I watched as other athletes arrived, warmed up and the workout of the day was described. I couldn’t believe I was witnessing women throw up barbells and stringing pull ups together! Soon I was told how to “modify” my workout and proceeded to get the workout of a lifetime. Never before had I left a gym so sweaty and yet so exhilarated! I knew this was only the beginning of something new and exciting.
discovered CrossFit. Dennis hosted a small competition at the AFC box for a few of us at work who had been doing some light CrossFit workouts at our office gym. Looking back, I would think it was fairly light programming for what I’m used to now. It CRUSHED me though! I made it through, but couldn’t finish mowing my lawn later that afternoon – I laid down in the grass half way through : )
son is a CrossFit trainer and athlete and suggested I join a CrossFit gym. I joined Always Forward CrossFit when the gym was fairly new. There were only a few of us attending at that time but right away I felt a strong camaraderie with the others. There is something about training hard with someone that gives you an immediate bond.