I thought I was an active person coming out of college playing both ice hockey and lacrosse. I found my workouts were pretty basic not exciting and I would attend some classes at my local gyms through the years but had no push or drive.  Not being in my best shape I had a hockey injury that lead to a torn labrum in my le
ft hip followed by a herniated disc in the L4-L5 area of my back all within 3 months in 2012. I thought I would have a tough time playing hockey again let alone getting back into a gym setting. Of course after both surgeries and some lengthy rehab I started to run and bike and lift weights again but I wasn’t finding that my energy, strength
and my appearance were improving. I heard about CrossFit and decided to shop around to make sure I felt it was a good fit with all the pros & cons I had heard. I was hooked the moment Tucker lead me through the free WOD on a Saturday which was only 9 mins long. The feeling I felt that day and just the few words of motivation that Tucker showed in that  “free” session confirmed this was a good fit. This interval training was exactly what I needed and wanted. Along with a community of athletes who are seeking the same goals and carry the same drive to be their best.

64 years young and getting stronger every day!
I came from a fairly active group class at a regional gym where all around aerobics, body and hand weights were our medium.   Except for a torn rotator cuff that kept me from many movements and a knee that hurt to bend I thought I was physically fit!  An orthopedic Doctor looking at my MRI said my shoulder could only be fixed through surgery and my knee was an age issue….he said I was old!!  The more my son Tucker told me about CrossFit and the more I watched his physical improvements, the more I wished to join.  But I thought I was too “elderly”.    Somehow the conversation came up and Tucker said it was never too late to get in shape, so I made the commitment to begin.  I joined CrossFit during the Foundations class in May 2014 and I expected to “try” it out for 2-3 months.  Within weeks my “try” turned to a very positive addiction even though I had to make the time commitment to drive more than 20 minutes to get to Ballston.
The encouragement (and education) to do mobility before and after class has been a most positive affect on my ability to hold correct positions and then increase my weights as strength improved. When I started, my shoulders and hips were so tight that I could not even do an overhead squat with PVC (using weight was impossible).  After months of mobility in the shoulder and hips I can now do an overhead squat with 35lbs and good form! Here are some other things I have accomplished

• 12 full rope climbs to a 15′ height
• Can do 10 “real push-ups”!!
• Double unders w jump rope (52 in a row – can you believe it?!?)
• Jump on a 24″ box
• Power clean 75lbs
• Back squat and deadlift over 100lbs
• Bench Press 50lbs

The other blessing about Ballston CF and CFR7 is that no one seems to mind how old I am.  The point for each individual is to improve their strength, function, mobility and nutrition.  Some people practice and some don’t but the obvious successes are by those athletes who improve because of focus and the work they do on both mobility and strength training.
I wish I would return to those orthopedists who said I was old and needed surgery, to show them my massive improvement (and share that I’ve lost 8lbs doing CF and gained new muscles).  CrossFit and all that goes along with its focus such as chiropractic care (ART) and Thai massage which have all been parts of my rehab and reconditioning.
I am very thankful to my son Tucker, his excellent standards at BCF and CFR7, his incredible team of coaches, and the wonderful encouraging community which he has built for introducing me to the wonderful world of CrossFit. I have had an incredible improvement in my fitness since starting CrossFit and can’t wait to meet my new fitness goals! See you in the box!
 

After graduating college and moving 300 miles away from home, I found myself in a fitness rut. This was the first time in eighteen years that I was not a part of a team and felt lost without the support and bond of a team , which I had grown accustomed to while running cross country and track in college. I accepted the fact that my “glory days” of running were over and joined a run-of-the-mill gym.
Months of 5lb dumbbell curls in a smelly room of meatheads I finally attended a free class at Ballston CrossFit. The camaraderie and dedication was apparent from the moment I stepped through the doors. Several days of hobbling around and being sore told me that this was the place I needed to be to get in shape.
Within the first few weeks I had achieved several physical accomplishments and, more importantly, gained numerous friendships. Each day I look forward to going to the gym, seeing friends, and setting new personal bests. The BCF coaches and members motivate you to push yourself beyond limits, setting and accomplishing goals on a regular basis. In addition to setting goals in the gym, the BCF community supports and motivates you in all other aspects of life.
I have recently begun racing again, and, much to my surprise, begun setting personal bests that were unachievable while running in college. Having only ran 3 times in the month leading up to my first half marathon I maintained a 7:00 mile pace for a time of 1:31. Most recently I achieved a lifetime goal that a year ago I considered impossible, I ran my first ever sub 20 minute 5k (setting over a 30 second personal record) with only a handful of training runs to supplement my CrossFit training!! I attribute all my running success to Crossfit. It has strengthened my entire body from head to toe and taught me how to persevere through hard workouts by relying on mental strength.

To say I’m happy with the changes I’ve seen in my mental and physical condition since I started coming to BCF would be an understatement.  When I first walked through the doors, I was on a host of medications for cholesterol, heartburn, and blood sugar, and my doctor was about to add another for blood pressure.  In the six months since I joined, I’ve seen tremendous gains in my strength and conditioning, and I’m down 40 pounds since the start of 2014.  Most importantly, I’m having more fun now than I’ve ever had in a gym environment.  I can’t recommend BCF highly enough.

I could not be happier or more excited with my transition 8 months ago starting with Ballston CrossFit and CrossFit as a workout overall. The Coaches at Ballston Crossfit have pushed me to truly make the most of the strength components each day and challenge my limits in every WOD. When I first started, I had no idea what an Clean and Jerk was, how to do a hand stand push up or work my way to completion with one, or how proper technique combined with mobility would help me with so many movements, even with everyday life! I can say that withhard work and 8 months Crossfitting and Coaching have truly paid off; I have increased my back squat and front squat 100 lbs, I can dead lift 300 lbs, double unders have become second nature (almost 100 unbroken), I can complete pull-ups and ring dips without bands, I can even do a hand stand pushup, and when I look at the WODs every day I say to myself “I can do that!” – all of these with even better accomplishments to come. Most of all, the community and Coaches at Ballston Crossfit have given me the confidence and competitive drive to take on the 2014 Open Workouts! Eight months ago I would not have imagined being here physically, mentally or competitively; now I look at each day thinking how am I going to get fitter, better and stronger every time I set foot in BCF! 3…2…1…GO!