Q: How did you find out about Ballston CrossFit and what about it convinced you to join?

When I moved to Arlington I knew the first thing I wanted to do was find a CrossFit gym. I went to the free class and was so excited to feel challenged by working out again and immediately joined.

Q: What stopped you from coming in sooner?

I had taken a break from CrossFit to train for a half marathon and just focus on conventional weightlifting, but got so bored of doing the same things every week and decided to start doing CrossFit again. 

Q:When did you start at BCF and what were your goals going into it?

I started in January 2024. When I originally started I was focused on regaining the strength and skills I had lost in my time off from Crossfit, thinking that would take a long time, but I actually pretty quickly reached that goal and have continued growing ever since!

Q: What has helped you achieve success at BCF?

I think it has been so helpful to have coaches who know my strengths and weaknesses, will challenge me when I’m not pushing hard enough, and help me when I need to approach a skill or lift differently.

Q:What advice can you give to others that are new to CrossFit?

You will improve! Don’t give up! When I started I truly had to scale every single movement and felt like that would never change, but the skills and strength will come if you just keep showing up for yourself.

Q: Besides working out, what other lifestyle changes did you make outside of the gym to achieve your goals?

Nothing reallly! Sorry!

Q: What is the biggest benefit you have noticed since starting CrossFit both in or out of the gym?

I think there is something in the air here because I had been doing CrossFit for a few years but I have never improved as much and as quickly as I have since starting here. 

Q: What has been your favorite thing about Ballston CrossFit?

The coaches really care about you as a person. I’m pretty shy so I’m usually not chatting people up at class, but the coaches encouraged me to come to gym social events and introduced me to my new bestie Kindra! Shoutout to Kindra Faucher!

Q: What is your favorite memory related to CrossFit been?

I had a short stint of unemployment after taking the bar exam and would just come and spend hours at the gym talking and working out and it was so much fun.

Q: How did you find out about Ballston CrossFit and what about it convinced you to join?

I actually found out about BCF about 7 years ago when I was in nursing school at Marymount University. About a year ago I decided I wanted to get back into weight lifting and I decided to check out Ballston CrossFit!

Q: What stopped you from coming in sooner?

I was actually a little intimidated by CrossFit and was doing other things for my fitness for a while.

Q:When did you start at BCF and what were your goals going into it?

I started at BCF in February 2024. I wanted to increase my muscle mass and decrease my body fat. So far I have lost 10lbs since joining BCF! 

Q: What has helped you achieve success at BCF?

 Being consistent and listening to the coaches! The coaches are so helpful and encouraging! 

Q:What advice can you give to others that are new to CrossFit?

Be consistent and listen to the coaches 😉

The coaches at BCF are very knowledgeable and great at teaching. They will also give you the push you need. 

Being consistent will help you see and feel results. 

Q: Besides working out, what other lifestyle changes did you make outside of the gym to achieve your goals?

I have really tried to adjust my eating habits to eat healthier and eat more protein and vegetables. I also try to get in at least 8k steps on the days I don’t work out at BCF. Taking my dog on long walks really helps me get my steps in.

Q: What is the biggest benefit you have noticed since starting CrossFit both in or out of the gym?

Both my mental health and physical health have really improved since joining BCF. Getting out of my apartment and meeting new people and working out with new people has been really good for me. Every class feels like I’m part of a team!

Q: What has been your favorite thing about Ballston CrossFit?

My favorite thing about BCF is the people. The coaches and other athletes in the gym are all so positive and have great energy! 

Q: What is your favorite memory related to CrossFit been?

My favorite memory is when I was able to get over 100lbs on the barbell the first time. It was my second time deadlifting at BCF and was able to deadlift 105lbs and I was so excited! Currently I can deadlift 140 lbs

Q: How did you find out about Ballston CrossFit and what about it convinced you to join?

I found out about Ballston CrossFit after searching online for CrossFit gyms in the area. I decided to try out any gym that offered a beginner-friendly drop-in, but I only ended up visiting one — BCF. From my very first day, I felt the positive environment, the knowledgeable coaches, and the supportive community. I knew right away this was the right fit for me.

Q: What stopped you from coming in sooner?

I constantly regret not starting sooner! I have always been very active — track & field, cross country, and later, a mix of bodybuilding/powerlifting workouts from college onwards. I stuck to that solitary “gym rat” lifestyle until Summer 2020 when the CrossFit Games live stream popped up on my YouTube. From that moment, I told myself that once I finished my Master’s degree in December 2022, I would explore CrossFit in the new year. I truly missed the adrenaline rush from training while also craving strength-building in a new and challenging way.

Q:When did you start at BCF and what were your goals going into it?

I started at BCF in February 2023. My two main goals were to challenge myself with a new sport in ways I hadn’t before and to make lifelong friendships. I wanted something that would push me beyond my comfort zone in a team environment, and CrossFit at BCF seemed like the perfect way to do that.

Q: What has helped you achieve success at BCF?

What has helped me achieve success at BCF has been our incredibly knowledgeable coaches, unwavering supportive community, and consistency. From the coaches to the other athletes, I find the most encouragement and motivation surrounding myself with those I can truly look up to. Plus, the variety and constant opportunities to improve and track progress have kept me genuinely excited to come in every day and train. I have also learned to embrace the process and not just focus on the end result — this mindset shift has made a huge difference.

Q:What advice can you give to others that are new to CrossFit?

My advice to those new to CrossFit (and something I am still trying to take my own advice on) is to not worry about being “perfect.” Everyone starts somewhere, and it is okay to be a beginner again in a new sport! Listen to your body, communicate with your coaches about any concerns, and focus on making small improvements each day. The more consistent you are, the more you will see progress — just keep showing up!

Q: Besides working out, what other lifestyle changes did you make outside of the gym to achieve your goals?

Outside of the gym, I made an effort to focus on self-care and managing stress better. I started paying more attention to fueling my body properly and finding a better life balance. I also made sure to incorporate rest days and structured programming to avoid burnout and ensure I had the energy to push myself during training. Overall, prioritizing both my physical and mental health in all areas of my life has been key to achieving my goals.

Q: What is the biggest benefit you have noticed since starting CrossFit both in or out of the gym?

Physically, I feel stronger, faster, and more capable than I ever have before. However, beyond this and with greater importance to me, I have seen a huge improvement in my mental resilience. CF challenges you to push through discomfort, and this has translated into greater confidence and the ability to fend off negative thoughts, emotions, and insecurities, both in and out of the gym.

Q: What has been your favorite thing about Ballston CrossFit?

My favorite thing about BCF are the coaches and athletes that make this community so welcoming and supportive. I am beyond grateful to say I have made lifelong friendships here and truly feel connected to everyone. I believe the coaches play a huge role in nurturing this type of environment, pushing us all to be the best versions of ourselves while ensuring we stay safe and injury-free.

Q: What is your favorite memory related to CrossFit been?

It’s hard to pick one favorite, but some of the best memories related to CF are participating in the CF Open each year. There is something special about doing these workouts alongside everyone, pushing yourself to a new limit to see how far you’ve come, all while cheering on your teammates. The energy and support in the gym — whether it’s during in-house competitions, the “Murph” Hero WOD, the Open, etc. — make for unforgettable experiences. The Open highlights my CF journey; I did my first one with only three weeks of experience, and it will always remind me of how much my mental and physical growth has progressed year after year. Also, another reminder that I should/can feel proud of myself!

Q: How did you find out about Ballston CrossFit and what about it convinced you to join?

I had wanted to try CrossFit for years, ever since some of my friends from my past life as a triathlete started doing CrossFit and raved about how much fitter they had become. One day I walked by and saw the “free class” sign and figured — there’s my sign! I figured I’d try Foundations and learn what I could, without necessarily committing. I was pleasantly surprised! Everyone was so welcoming and the workouts were so fun that I was pretty much hooked from the start. Being completely new to this type of workout, I really appreciated that I could just show up and do what the coach said to do, and I’d be guaranteed a great workout without having to think about it.

Q: What stopped you from coming in sooner?
CrossFit has an intimidating reputation. I held the (mistaken) belief that I was too old to take up such an “extreme” sport. 

Q:When did you start at BCF and what were your goals going into it?
I started in September 2021. My main goals were to: (1) develop enough strength and mobility that I could do anything I wanted in life easily and pain-free; and (2) lose weight.  The women in my family tend to live a very long time. But their quality of life varies greatly based in large part on how they lived their younger years. If I am lucky enough to take after them, I want to do what I can to make my later years good ones.

Q: What has helped you achieve success at BCF?
Attending the 5:30 AM classes has been a big contributor. It’s the only time guaranteed to fit in my schedule, and I have to get up and out the door well before I’m awake enough to talk myself out of going! Also I have to credit my workout partner and friend of almost 20 years, Laura, who helps keeps me accountable through motivating pep talks and (well-deserved) guilt trips if I feel like skipping.

Q:What advice can you give to others that are new to CrossFit?
I don’t like to give other people advice. But I will offer what has helped me, and that is constantly reminding myself that the only person I need to compete against is myself. I’m still often the slowest and weakest one there, and there are a bunch of movements I have to scale way more than wish I did. As long as I can consistently show up and put in the work, I’ll be faster and stronger than I was before. 

Q: Besides working out, what other lifestyle changes did you make outside of the gym to achieve your goals?
About a year ago I started working with a dietician. She taught me a lot about nutrition and helped me develop a sustainable way of eating that has helped me lose weight and that also supports my fitness goals without being too rigid. 

Q: What is the biggest benefit you have noticed since starting CrossFit both in or out of the gym?
On weekends, I like to do orienteering races. Orienteering is a sport where you use a topographical map and compass to find checkpoints in the woods. It involves jumping over logs and streams, climbing steep embankments, etc. My race times have gotten faster and I’m less clumsy thanks to CrossFit.  The varied workouts have made me much more capable over challenging terrain.

Q: What has been your favorite thing about Ballston CrossFit?
The coaches. I’ve visited a few other CrossFit gyms and they can’t hold a candle to BCF in terms of the coaches’ level of knowledge and ability to teach. I learn something new in every class, and each coach has their own unique style that contributes to that.

Q: What has your favorite memory related to CrossFit been? 
I don’t have a specific favorite memory.  But if I’ve been away for a few days, one thing I quickly begin to miss is the familiar faces of people I regularly see in class and starting my day on a positive note with all of them!

Q: How did you find out about Ballston CrossFit and what about it convinced you to join?
I was searching for something different than Orangetheory Fitness and Gold’s Gym and I wanted to try something new for my workouts. I read the positive online reviews for Ballston CrossFit (BCF) and thought I’d give it a shot. During the intro classes, I liked that BCF taught me new methods to lift heavy weights, and it incorporated high-intensity cardio all in the same class.  

Q: What stopped you from coming in sooner?
After college, I thought that I could stay in shape from lifting weights and running but that didn’t pan out. I grew up playing soccer and running long distances in track and I was used to having coaches create my workouts and having my teammates and coaches push me at practices and in competitions. CrossFit sounded hard and that kept me from joining sooner. Once I decided to try it, I learned that it is in fact hard, as I came in dead last and finished several minutes after the rest of the class during my first workout. However, my classmates stuck around and cheered me on as I finished my workout. I knew at that moment that BCF’s community, athletes, coaches, and workout programming was what I needed and was looking for in a gym. 

Q:When did you start at BCF and what were your goals going into it?
In summer 2021, I joined BCF and my goals were to lose weight, gain muscle, and improve my cardio and strength. After 2.5 years, I was gaining muscle, improving my cardio, and getting stronger but I wasn’t losing weight. I remember going up to Coach/Owner Tucker and saying that I’m not sure why I’m not losing weight because I was coming to the gym a lot and eating healthy. Tucker’s first question was what my meal was the night before, and I reluctantly said McDonald’s…and we quickly learned as we went over my eating habits and meals, why I wasn’t losing weight. I recall Tucker stating, “You can’t outwork a bad diet.” He was right. 

Q: What has helped you achieve success at BCF?
In January 2024, BCF offered a free Nutrition Seminar and an 8-week Nutrition Challenge that required keeping track of everything you eat, counting macronutrients, and reporting to a coach on your progress at the end of the week. In the 8-week Nutrition Challenge, I lost 15 pounds, and I finally understood how to eat a balanced meal and how to lose weight. Since January, I have significantly improved my diet and nutrition and have lost 45 pounds and I’m on track to hit my goal of a 50-pound weight loss in one year. I now strive to focus on diet and nutrition seven days a week and to hit five days of workouts a week at BCF. I credit my success to the coaches for their excellent workouts and their encouragement, like Coach Brock and Kris asking, “What’s your weight at today?” because that really helped keep me accountable to eat something healthy when people aren’t looking and from reverting back to old habits. Additionally, I credit all the positive encouragement from my friends, BCF coaches, and family during my weight loss and fitness journey. 

Q:What advice can you give to others that are new to CrossFit?
Don’t be discouraged if you can’t do everything in the workouts at first or as well as others, just scale appropriately, keep showing up, and work hard. It took me a few years to gain the strength to do pull-ups, handstand pushups, toes-to-bar, and rope climbs. Don’t underestimate the power of consistently working out and the pairing of proper nutrition. I found that with the right nutrition plan you can not only elevate your workouts but also improve your overall health and help you reach your fitness goals much faster. Set small nutrition goals that are six-to-eight weeks long to instill new habits and it will also help you to not get burned out. If losing weight is your goal, realize that it’s a slow process of one-to-two pounds per week. Keep consistent with your diet and workouts, and don’t worry about how long it will take to lose the weight because that time is going to pass anyway.

Q: Besides working out, what other lifestyle changes did you make outside of the gym to achieve your goals?
I became less sedentary. I used to watch a lot of TV but now on my rest days I typically will go for a long walk and try to get over 10,000 steps or I’ll go on a run of three-to-five miles. I like to supplement my CrossFit workouts with extra cardio, such as walking into the city, going on a hike, riding my bike, or playing soccer. I also just started doing more core strength and stability exercises at home. On nutrition, it took me several months to beat bad habits such as Pizza Fridays, eating fried food, and ordering unhealthy fast food. I now meal prep once a week to set myself up for success by cooking chicken for everyday of the week and having a fridge organized with fresh fruits and vegetables. Having food prepped already in the fridge cuts down on my cooking at night and keeps me from ordering fast food or eating out. If I need to eat out, I select healthier fast-food joints like Cava, Chipotle, or Sweetgreen. I am now at a place where I look forward to eating healthy food, but that took almost a year for me to create after breaking bad habits. It takes time to create bad habits, and it will take time to break them, be patient with yourself.

Q: What is the biggest benefit you have noticed since starting CrossFit both in or out of the gym?
Pairing CrossFit and nutrition really improved my overall quality of life, athleticism, sleep, and wellbeing. I finally ditched my extra-large clothes, ran a 5k at an 8-minute pace, and can play soccer competitively again. CrossFit brought back my athletic capabilities, drive, determination, and competitive spirit that I had lost after gaining weight. 

Q: What has been your favorite thing about Ballston CrossFit?
The friendships I’ve made in the gym and the constant challenges that the workouts bring. I’m now almost 3.5 years into Ballston CrossFit and I’m still improving and learning each day. The gym has a real community, and I look forward to seeing everyone when I go. Everyone seems to be in a positive mood here and folks really are friendly, fun to talk to, and easy to joke around with. Not only that but each person pushes you to lift heavier weight and to work out harder than you would on your own because of their competitive spirt and drive. BCF is not only a place where you push yourself, but you will also meet new friends along the way. BCF does a great job of holding monthly events that also helps to bring everyone together to have fun. 

Q: What has your favorite memory related to CrossFit been? 
For me it’s the little things, like accomplishing a new CrossFit skill in the gym for the first time. This year as I dropped weight, I was able to climb a 15-foot rope for the first time, string double-unders with the jump rope, knock out a quick set of 10 burpees without breaks, and begin to move from the scaled Fx workouts into the regular Rx workouts. I’m happy for the progress I’ve made so far in 2024, and I’m excited to improve and see what comes next in my fitness and health journey in 2025.