Read what Oregon CrossFit Members have to say.

I am having a little trouble trying to put down in words how I feel about Oregon Crossfit and all of you because the whole experience has completely changed my life and who I am. These are words that I do not say lightly because sadly to say I am a man that does not make big changes too easily.

Recently divorced, financially strapped and desperate to make sense out of it all, I happen to be blasted out of my pessimistic reverie one day by loud music accompanied by people shouting and grunting. I had just finished another boring personal training session followed by 20 minutes on the cardio machine as 20 minutes was all I could stand. I started my weight loss journey @ a hefty 260lbs and by now was down to about 235lbs, when I was awakened from my stupor by this commotion accross the street. So I went over and asked cheerfully asked what the hell was going on over there and why were all these people having fun killing themselves? I was told why don’t I come over for a free workout and find out for myself? I agreed and came by the very next day.

I got put through baseline and it nearly killed me and I think it took me something like 8 minutes to finish it. I could not do one pull up. I am not much of a record keeper so I have no idea what that first time was. This was almost a year ago and as of that night I have never stepped foot in another gym. I got down to about 175 lbs and have since gotten back up to about 185lbs. I am going to compete at sectionals this coming March. I have no illusions of moving on from there but from a, grossly over weight 41 year old to a, in pretty dam good shape 42 year old competing with guys much younger than me I think speaks for itself. I have had some injuries along the way but I can honestly say I brought them all on myself. I am so addicted to crossfitting that it is really easy for me to overtrain.

Every coach and every person in my box is awesome and I am almost always motivated to workout with them. On the days I am not motivated, once I get going all my fellow crossfitters motivate me to work hard and keep at it. Watching people go through what I went through is so completely inspiring. Diet and virtuosity are always preached and the vast amount of the knowledge our coaches have is incredible!

I never plan on quitting crossfitting. It has become a way of life for me and a fountain of inspiration. I sometimes feel guilty because I don’t feel as though I give enough back. I owe my new life to Oregon Crossfit and the community that it is.

My most heartfealt thanks to all that have helped and inspired. Owners, coaches, fellow crossfitters. It is truly the whole community that makes Oregon Crossfit what it is.

Sincerely, Ron Carter

I grew up cross country skiing, running and biking. As I developed in my sports (making the World Cup and barely missing the Olympics in Cross-Country Skiing) I found myself becoming very physiologically unbalanced. I could do 50 dips and run for 30miles, but couldn’t lift 100lb overhead or touch my toes. I needed to find a balance and discovered Crossfit. I spent 8 months trying Crossfit on my own before meeting the crew at OregonCrossfit. I signed up haven’t looked back. I am now a much more well rounded athlete. I can still run 30miles and I can lift weights and am getting close to those toes.

- Zach

I can’t say enough good things about Oregon Crossfit.  I have always been active, but since I started Crossfit I am stronger than I have ever been, and have more energy than I have had in years.  The coaches are all experienced and excellent.  I have been able to change my perception of what my body can do and what is possible.  The positive attitudes and support from both the coaches and students is amazing.  I come five days a week and I look forward to each and every class.

Thank-you oregon Crossfit!
- Eric Dummann

Crossfit is a unique endeavor.  The workouts are never the same and they challenge you in every way imaginable.  It’s a requirement that you must push yourself to the edge.  On top of all that, there are so many different things to learn. Thankfully the coaches and the community at Oregon Crossfit are truly the best and they are always there to help you in every way.

Firstly, the coaches at OC are incredibly talented.  Not only do they inspire me to give every workout my best, but they also vigilantly watch my form and correct me to ensure I’m doing everything safely.  They also teach the fundamentals in a way that’s easy for me to understand and repeat. The coaches are only a part of what makes OC so great.

The other part is the community.  The class setting is amazing.  Whether it’s my classmates cheering me on or me watching them set a new PR (personal record), accomplishing a movement for the first time, or simply pushing through a workout, every day I’m inspired by one of my fellow classmates to push harder.  It’s that sense of community keeps me coming back for more.

- Ed Busch, President
PGC Building + Design

Although I had always been active, life had changed in 2004 after a back injury.  In the past I had ran cross-country/track and excelled in physical fitness training while serving as an Army Nurse.  After progressively injuring my back, due to poor body mechanics in daily life as well as at the bedside as a nurse, I thought my active days were in the past. I was only 29.  I consented to two back surgeries after enduring months of debilitating pain and inactivity. Recovery was slow, but the pain was gone.

The first year (post-op) my physical activity consisted of walking and religiously following my Physical Therapy (PT) exercises – I was terrified to do any more.  The second year (post-op) was not much different from the first; I lived in constant fear of reinjuring myself and refused to do anything beyond my walks and PT.  By the third year (post-op) I was bored and ready to give Vinyasa yoga a try.  It slowly improved my confidence in my body’s ability to move again.  Year four after surgery, I heard of CrossFit and reluctantly tried it.  I was very nervous that I may hurt myself and relive my back pain nightmare, but after learning more about it, I was intrigued. I liked the thought of individualized help to work on form while working in group with others. I realized this could be a safe way of amping up my physical activity.  Attending class initially once a week, I quickly met others who were at my similar level of fitness. Many of them attended class 2-3 times a week and I saw them quickly improve on skills and getting stronger more quickly than I was.  After my first month in CrossFit, my body was (VERY) sore from moving muscles I had not moved in years (if ever), but I was not in pain and my back felt better than ever!  I knew it was time to increase my attendance to twice a week.  Then, after a few months, I increased to three times a week and really started to see improvements in my times and strength.  My muscles became more defined and I felt good about the way I looked and felt.

I was having fun and looked forward to my CrossFit workouts – it was fun to see vast improvements while having fun and meeting new friends.  Eventually I increased my membership to unlimited and started attending class 3-5 times a week.  Honestly, my body aches more when I miss a few days of CrossFit from inactivity than when I am going consistently!  I have gained confidence in my body again and no longer live in fear of reinjuring my back.  I excel at core exercises because I know they are important to keep my whole body functioning properly.  I cannot imagine working out solo in a gym anymore.  I also cannot imagine the boredom and lack accomplish associated with the gym compared to CrossFit. The majority of my friends and family do not understand my excitement over CrossFit and tease me about my ‘addiction’. I never thought I would, or could, be addicted, but I how could I not be?  It has given me, ‘ME’ back!

- Chasity Cianciolo