We asked our CrossFit Providence members what they thought, and here's what they had to say!

James

I served 6 years in the United States Marine Corps and was Honorable Discharged as a Sergeant. For 10 years after the Marines, I worked full time in a number of different Health clubs & Personal Training Studios as a Nationally Certified personal trainer with ACE (American Council on Exercise), AFAA (Aerobics & Fitness Association of America) & NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association). I'm currently a Sergeant with the Cranston Police Dept.

 In all my years of working out and as a trainer in the industry I always had ideas about what the perfect gym should be like. CrossFit is the closest thing to that "ideal gym” that I have come across to date.

 Ask yourself, When you last workout at a Health Club, did the staff know your name; and if they did, what about the other members? Did you know any of their names? Did you want to? Usually its "get in, do your workout, and get out" I can remember a number of times, where I didn't say one word during an entire workout. I would ‘turn on’ my headphones and ‘tune out’ everything else. Since I have been at CrossFit I can honestly say I have lost my headphones and don't care. CrossFit is a community of like minded individuals that share a common bond. As much as I enjoy the results I have achieved while at CrossFit I think it is the connections I have made with the coaches and other members that I appreciate the most.

The thing with CrossFit that I can't seem to get across to people is that CrossFit is very unassuming. You don't see a lot, because there is a lot you can't see: You don't always see or hear a coach perfecting your form, but they always seem to be there when your form needs correcting; You can't see the other member's sincere interest in YOUR results, but you know they care by the post they leave on the website and the support everyone gives you after a ‘Workout of the Day’ is complete; And you can't see how much MORE benefit your body gets from using free weights in multiple plans of movement compared to machines that isolate muscles and force your body into a specific movement.  

With all that being said, the things you don't see in the short term, are easy to notice in the long term. The results I have achieved while at CrossFit can only be described as 'all inclusive' There has been times in my life when I could run faster, or lift more weight on a particular exercise, but there has never been a time when I had a complete mix of the two.

 I will end with this: The reality, that most Health Clubs do not want you to know is, that they do not have the ability to assist ALL of their members.  They are mostly interested in selling you a long term membership using your dreams and goals as motivations to join, and then they tend to forget about you. CrossFit, not only will help you achieve your dreams and goals by providing the motivation to get through each and every workout, they will still be there when you surpass them. They are still with me. Thanks CrossFit Providence.

Tiffany

Joining Crossfit Providence has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in a long time. The time available in my life for working out has shrunk to nearly nothing of late, and Crossfit has allowed me to maximize the time I can squeeze out. I occasionally attended the “free lessons in the Park” last fall and the amount of personalized instruction I received for free convinced me to sign up for three days a week the minute the guys opened their gym. Mike, Josh and Chris are so passionate about the Crossfit philosophy that they are meticulous about teaching the various lifts and skills of Crossfit to anyone who walks through their doors – regardless of age, gender or fitness level. And they have created a supportive community that is equally welcoming. It’s especially rewarding when you find yourself struggling to complete a set of lifts, and someone in the gym notices and cheers you on – and then suddenly everyone in the gym is cheering you on. I mean, how great is that? And the difference I feel in my body – even better. I’ve lost ten pounds since I’ve started – and I’ve gotten so much stronger that simply walking around feels different, now. The workouts are incredibly challenging; always different - and with the support and encouragement of the guys and the fellow cross-fitters, always manageable in the end. I’m definitely hooked.

Lauren

I have been a member of Crossfit Providence since September, I had heard of the program through my college rowing coach and teammates who had joined after graduating. Initially I was apprehensive to begin as I had been inactive for over a year. When I started at Crossfit I was out of shape and frequently sore afterwards, though I found that I enjoyed the variety of workouts put together each day. I have learned new techniques that strengthen every part of my body, which make the dynamic exercises worthwhile. The team atmosphere while working out motivates me during the early morning session. Each one of us is going through the same challenges while working to become stronger and fitter. The Crossfit coaches are very personable and provide individual support and direction. Each exercise and movement is introduced step-by-step to help develop mastery of each skill. I have seen improvements in my all around fitness. Crossfit training has been a unique and beneficial experience and an excellent alternative to mundane gym workouts.

Victor

When I started at Crossfit Providence I had this idea that running for thirty minutes a day would help me lose weight and feel better, which it did, but then I started to plateau. After my first Crossfit workout I was so sore that I could barely walk. I had muscles ache that I wasn't aware I had. The soreness was one thing but the most important thing was that my workouts lacked the feeling something I must do, and have turned into something I WANT to do. The trainers at Crossfit Providence have helped me get in better shape than I think I have ever been in. And the weight that I wanted to lose when I walked through the doors is gone along with more. I feel better than I have ever felt and after 6 months all my pants are about two sizes too big. But the most gratifying thing about CFP is the people that I have met. The community "in the club" is something you can't describe, you just have to experience it.