I currently work for the adidas Group which incorporates adidas and Reebok brands in a local supplier sourcing role mainly supporting the sponsored football club programs. Before CrossFit I perceived myself to be at a good standard of fitness taking part in Triathlons and endurance events and previously being a keen footballer. I was committed to my daily workout ‘routine’ in the Globo gym, struggling to stay interested day-in, day-out. I heard about CrossFit through a mate and decided I’d quite like to see what the fuss was all about, so I went to the CrossFit European Regionals in Bolton. Within minutes of arriving I was questioning my own fitness levels, these guys were superhuman. I wanted in!  CrossFit pushes you beyond any limits you thought you had, together with the help and enthusiasm of your fellow CrossFitters you will achieve great results.  I have improved dramatically in all areas of fitness, from cardio through to strength and even flexibility. My results were that dramatic I even managed to compete in the biggest UK based CrossFit competition 6 weeks after my first On-Ramp session.  I was surprised by the camaraderie of the wider CrossFit community, and I realised when I joined my box I had joined worldwide group of mates. CrossFit really is a life changing fitness program, designed for people who truly encompass fitness.   Asked how I was getting on with my training by my mate (a non CrossFitter) the other week I replied, “Strength up, Stamina up, Enjoyment up”!

Thomas Wardle

Unlike most at CrossFit Stockport I had experienced CrossFit before in Australia when the movement was spreading over there in 2008. Back then, I was a sprinter and unable to do high impact running due to stress fractures. The CrossFit instructors were able to adapt the sessions so that I avoided any high impact workouts whilst still maintaining my strength, power and fitness. I used to run the 400m and the short, high intensity anaerobic workouts were a great substitute to being on the track.

Since returning to the UK I’ve switched sports and taken up triathlon, where I compete at a high amateur level. After coming off my bike in 2010 which resulted in a broken back, neck and face, I have been steadily working to regain my confidence, strength and fitness to again compete for the GB age group team at the European Championships later this year. CrossFit has played a major part in rebuilding my strength, stamina and flexibility. I can do two or three lunchtime sessions a week, which provide me with the strength and conditioning work I need to be a strong swimmer, cyclist and runner. I still do 6 sport specific sessions a week to work on technique, speed, endurance mainly working at aerobic threshold.

I enjoy CrossFit as most sessions push my body past the anaerobic threshold, where you really start to feel the effects in your muscles of the activity you are doing. In races and other training sessions I have noticed I recover much quicker, I can work aerobically for longer at a higher heart rate and the increased strength has given me more power and speed, (mainly noticeable on the bike – quad strength).

Unlike going to the gym for strength and conditioning weight sessions, there is always an element of completion and the community keep you going when you feel you’ve reached your limit.  The variety of the WODs means you never know what’s coming the next day and you’re sure to become cross functionally fit.

Sarah Rhodes

I have been interested in all aspects of training and health for a long time, I played football at an amateur level throughout my school years then became really interested in bodybuilding from the ages of 16 – 22. In that time I tried many different ways of training and always found it difficult to vary my workouts so that I had a good balance of weights and cardio, even more importantly to keep myself interested and motivated! I eventually lost interest in bodybuilding and concentrated on football, with a few gym sessions thrown in here and there but nothing with any structure of targets involved.

When my daughter was born in May 2008 I had to give up my weekend football (damn kids!!!), since then I have just done a bit of gym work here and there and the odd game of footy, I really did have to accept a massive lifestyle change which coincided with an increased waistline!

I wanted to exercise more at our on-site gym but as I said before it was all of the same old stuff I did when I was younger which I now found boring, therefore I could rarely motivate myself to go to the gym and do it!

Last year CrossFit came to my workplace and changed everything! I have to admit that I went into it quite skeptical but how wrong I was, you quickly realize that this is not any old cross training class, they do things their own way and the variation is brilliant, what I have been most impressed with is the balance between strength and fitness/cardio work that they do, I really feel like I get a full body workout, muscles, lungs and heart every session!

Another reason why I was skeptical about doing this kind of exercise was because of the problems I have had with my lower back, I have had a few occasions over the years when my back has gone on me leaving me walking round like I had an unfortunate accident in my pants! Not a good look and painful too! I have to say I have not had any issues what so ever and my back now feels stronger than ever!

Another plus about CrossFit is the social aspect, there is a real sense of community and team spirit in the classes which is really promoted by the coaches, this makes it a lot easier for less experienced or less outgoing people to participate in the classes. The coaching team also take everyone through the exercises for each session, they never make presumptions that you know what you are doing or what you should be able to do, the coaches always promote the use of ‘scaling’ your workout to suit your own ability or fitness level. They are very knowledgeable, approachable and motivational, they make the sessions fun and laid back, although they like to see you in pain, in a good way!

All this being said, the overriding and most important aspect for me personally is that CrossFit gets results! Fast!

Overall I would recommend CrossFit to any person of any age or fitness level and I defy you to not enjoy it and ultimately see great results! You will become a part of the CrossFit revolution!

Jonathan Guite

At first I was really nervous about joining the CrossFit classes as I wasn’t keen on exercising in front of work colleagues as I wasn’t in the best shape and hadn’t exercised in a long time, however there was such a buzz around the offices and everyone seemed to be talking about it that I decided to give it a go.  Since joining I am feeling healthier, fitter and feel able to try new things.  This has made me much calmer and happier and I look forward to going to the classes.  CrossFit also enables you to meet different people that you wouldn’t normally get to meet.

Jo Marsden

In October 2011 I started this new craze sweeping around our work called CrossFit, the WOD’s just about killed me, but I was dedicated to training at least 4 or 5 times a week. It wasn’t long before I started seeing results.

Now I am 4 months in, have dropped 14 pounds, I am leaner and stronger than I ever thought I could be and keep improving as the weeks go on. My passion for CrossFit is not only for the training but for the great community you instantly become a part of when you step through the doors of your box.

The WOD’s still crush me, but I look forward to them and the new challenges they bring me every day. CrossFit is seriously life changing.

Kristina Potts

I didn’t really know much about CrossFit ,  I’d seen a few ‘boxes’ popping up around and about and had heard some comments,  but to be honest I was a bit intimidated by what I ‘thought’ I knew.  Working at adidas has given me the opportunity to experience CrossFit and I must admit, I love it!  There are 4 main factors to CrossFit for me:

1. The Exercises – Basic movements and apparatus which condition your whole body and can easily be replicated if you are at home/away
2. The Community – Exercising with people I would have never met and the encouragement you get from the class when you are at breaking point
3. The Attitude – Feeling confident in what I can achieve in a class, the strength and stamina I have gained and my physical appearance
4. The Time it Takes – This is the best for me, no more slogging it out at the gym or running for miles.  It’s done in no more than ½ hour – bonus!

Kip Wood

Before I started CrossFit I had never done any weight lifting I had never done squats or press ups and I had no idea what a burpee was. I was attending the gym 2-3 times a week and, weather permitting, walking the 3 miles to and from work.

I was in the second group on the ramp up sessions so I have been doing CrossFit now for about 4 months I attend the 2 early classes on a Tuesday and a Thursday. I have never exercised like this is my life and it’s not easy but the results are great I feel much more toned especially in my tummy area. I was a large lady about 11 years ago and shedding 10 1/2 stone had left with a flabby tummy and for the first time ever I can see a big improvement, it is toning up. I am not a competitive person at all and I am not interested in being the fastest. I can’t stand on my hands or pull myself up on the bars but Carl is very good and finding equally hard alternatives. My weight lifting is getting better each time, when I started I could just about lift the bar above my head now I have 70lb weights. It’s a great feeling when you push yourself and achieve a result. If you’re willing, Carl will work with you it’s not intimidating and you can even have a good laugh.

Anna Fogarty

I started CrossFit out of pure curiosity, to see what this form of exercise entailed. I have always been a sports / dance person and never really been into the Gym doing weights so I knew it would be a challenge for myself.

I think the major point that sticks out for me is that I am stronger then I think when I put my mind to it, especially with pull ups I could never imagine myself completing one! I have always been quite fit so what I wanted to get out of CrossFit was toning, losing some fat and gaining muscle. This is the main thing I have noticed in myself after a month of training 4-5 times a week – my muscle definition started to appear. This has been the main benefit as I feel people nowadays are a lot more body conscious, so with me feeling more toned and looking better I am gaining more self-confidence.

I play netball and basketball and this has helped me in my sport. I mainly feel fitter and more flexible on court which benefits my ability to get past players quicker and also not loose strength after 20 minutes – to have it for the full 40 minutes of the game which impacts my team members and I am more reliable on court.

It has also opened me up to many different people in the business and I have made new friends which is great. It is also exciting to be part of something that not many people know about and your friends start to be intrigued by the photos they see of you and ask questions – it is great to spread the word ‘CrossFit’ about.

Kelly Stoney

CrossFit is unlike anything I have ever done before it puts all my other regimented training programmes to shame.
Training is a big part of my life – I play lacrosse to a high level and for years my routine has been built around spending endless amounts of time on a treadmill by myself in the gym; it used to take all my motivation to get myself there.  Now, with CrossFit I can officially say I am addicted to training!  I can’t wait to get in to class each day and push myself.I have met lots of people who I probably wouldn’t have crossed paths with before and the common ground between us is CrossFit – we always have something to talk about; whether it is how we found the WOD or when we are next going to class.  For me, CrossFit definitely works.   My fitness tests have improved; I am faster, stronger and more powerful on the field.  I have cancelled my gym membership and wouldn’t go back to my boring training sessions – I get all I need from CrossFit.

Alexandra Bruce