Testimonials
Our coaching staff could spend all day telling you why Fitness is great and how it can change your life. But we'd rather you learn from some of our current members.
Keith Blount (50, Member Since August 2017)
"My name is Keith Blount and I am currently 50 years old. Back in August 2017 ( I was 47 and in the worst shape of my life) I decided I wanted to lose some weight and get in better shape. I had joined other gyms in the past, but quickly found them boring working out by myself and not knowing what to do or how to do it correctly, so I always quit going. For some reason on that August day I decided to pull into CrossFit Saraland to get some information and find out more about it. I had no upfront expectations or goals other than losing weight and getting in shape. I had no idea what I was about to sign up for! The first class is always free, so my daughter told me if I would go she would go with me. This made it a little easier because I did not know anyone at this gym. So during the hottest part of the year at age 47 I went to my first CrossFit workout. I found out quickly this is not your average workout, it was hard. But I also found out a few other things about this gym that I did not expect.
-
Even though the class had a lot of people in it, the coach worked one on one with me at different times making sure I was doing the movements correctly.
-
Even though I could not do all the movements that were written in the workout, every movement is scalable to each individual. All ages and sizes can do CrossFit.
-
All the other members that were working out gave me so much support which made it a little easier to get through the workout.
Let’s now fast forward to 2020. These are a few things that I have accomplished and learned over the Past 32 months:
-
I am now able to do movements I had never even dreamed I was able to do. Handstand Push-ups, Toes-to-Bar, and Double Under Jump Ropes just to name a few. I am able to do almost every movement in the gym.
-
I have lost all the weight I wanted to lose and gained a lot of muscle.
-
I am lifting weights I could only dream about in the past. I lift personal records all the time now. 325lb Back Squat, 415lb Deadlift, 220lb Back Rack Split Jerk, 225lb Bench Press just to name few.
-
I am able to finish almost every workout before the time cap.
-
It seems that you never do the same workout twice. It is never boring.
-
The coaches and other members are so supportive. You are not in this alone.
-
You are your competition. You will strive to get better.
-
My tennis elbow has even gone away.
-
I HATE burpees!!
But the number one thing about CrossFit Saraland and what makes it different from all the other gyms that I joined is the people. The coaches are all great and do care about your fitness and goals more than they do their own. They have stopped their workouts to help others more times than I can count. I have made some of the best friends I have ever had over these past 32 months. These people truly care about you. They have become a second family to me. I do not think they realize just how much they have meant to me over the past 32 months. They have made such a huge difference in my life. Even though the workouts are difficult and challenging every day, I cannot wait to get to the gym because of them. CrossFit Saraland is truly a gym like no other. You may pay a little more each month than in other gyms, but you get so much more than just a place to go workout. It has been worth every penny I have paid."
Leah Williams (Member Since 2017)
"In 2017, one of my best friends who is also a fellow nurse with me encouraged me to join her gym. I was skeptical, as I’ve been in many gyms through the years, tried countless home exercise videos etc.... I was intimidated to say the least. My first day with Richard as a coach I swore I would never be back. (Lol sorry Richard) - I was in the worst shape of my life and battling postpartum along with other health issues. I ended up joining boot camp, I would force myself to go 1-2 days a week, but I always felt welcome and encouraged no matter how poor my fitness level was and I slowly made progress. That same friend encouraged me to do a mud run obstacle that year and I struggled to do it but I managed to finish. I laughed at the thought of a rope climb and thought burpees were a form of harsh punishment. Haha. (Still kinda do)
Skip ahead to 2020 - This gym has become my second home as every single coach (Richard, Taylor, Tyler and several others) literally push me every single day. They have treated me like they were my own personal trainer with small, goal oriented classes designed to every fitness goal and level. I got on track with my nutrition consistently, managing to lose 40 lbs in a year, and I completed a beach obstacle course AND finally got my rope climb and managed to complete every obstacle while placing 1st in my age group. I’ve hit my goal weight And hate to even miss one day at the gym now. It’s been a source of not only physical but mental health as I feel better now at 33 than I ever have in my life. Thanks to Jessie for dragging me to the gym and for pushing me every single day since! I have made many friends at CrossFit. Never in a million years would I have imagined this boot camp girl that could barely lift any sort of weight would be standing next to some of the strongest women I know and actually managing to keep up with them. (Somewhat)
Key things I’ve taken away is
-
Lift no weight or lift as heavy as you can! Sky is the limit
-
Come in as a beginner or a pro, you will be treated the same
-
Your form may suck A LOT but they will help you master it - over and over (thanks Taylor)
-
“Lifting heavy weights will make you bulky” is FALSE
-
Come as you are be accepted
If I can do it, anyone can. I’m a work in progress and I still have a long way to go. I can’t give enough credit to my CrossFit/Boot camp family!"
Jessie Odom (Member Since 2017)
"I have been part of CrossFit Saraland since 2017. I started out with boot camp. When I started boot camp, I was in the worst shape of my life. I knew, I needed to do something to change my lifestyle. I am a nurse and a mother of 2. I had a very busy work schedule and I let my fitness go for some time. I knew, I had to change my lifestyle, because I wasn't setting a good example for my family. I joined and I have not regretted being part of this gym.
When I first started boot camp, I struggled to finsh workouts and I was almost time capped every workout. When I started boot camp, I not only struggled with my endurance, but I struggled with the form and technique of the movements. I was unable to do a pushup properly. I can finally do strict pushups in a workout without going to my knees. I recently completed 500 push-ups in a month for fitness bingo--- I never went to my knees. After doing boot camp for 2 1/2 years, I started getting bored with boot camp. I was ready for a new challenge. I always wondered about Crossfit, but I was a little intimidated about the "front gym." One of the other boot camp members decided to move up to Crossfit and encouraged me to join CrossFit. After a lot of consideration, I decided to try it out.
CrossFit was a lot different than boot camp. I had no clue, what I was doing. I was not very familiar with all the olympic movements. I was totally out of my comfort zone. I really struggled with olympic lifts. I was very intimidated by the movements. At first I became very discouraged. I even considering quitting, but I realized I wasn't setting a good example to my girls if I quit. But everyone at the gym was so supportive and encouraging. I can't thank all the coaches for helping me each class to improve my form. The coaches are very helpful and make sure you are performing the moves properly. After a lot of coaching and watching a ton of WOD prep videos on you tube- I have made some improvments this year. I am going on year 2 doing CrossFit and I am seeing progress. My back squat and front squat form have improved. When I started CrossFit, I had a lot technique issues with my squats. This year I have increased in back and front squat max and my form has improved. I am working toward strict pullups and kipping pulls up. This year, I have been able to string together toes to bar. I was able to complete the MURPH workout faster than last year. I still have a long way to go. I have learned with Crossfit it is a process and it takes time to improve. I am just a girl with goals and I can't wait to see more progress made this year.
I am thankful to be part of this gym."
Hope Goff
"I have been at CrossFit Saraland for 3 years. I started cause we wanted my 13 year old son to learn the proper form for lifting before he went to the high school. Well… 3 years later I am still here. I was scared when I first started. I was overweight, my knees and hips hurt and I thought lifting would make it worse. I was completely wrong, as I concentrated on the right form and light weight with the proper instructions from the CrossFit coaches, it has actually helped my joints because it has built the muscles up. Yes, I have increase my lifting weight gradually and gotten stronger and my form is better but most importantly, I feel better.
I have had memberships at other local gyms but what I found was I would go in and do what I liked and would not do weights cause I wasn’t sure what to do. I just wouldn’t push myself like I should to get a total body work out. I didn’t have any guidance unless I paid extra for it. That’s what drew me to crossfit, I had a coach at every class and we did different stuff everyday. Crossfit concentrates on all the muscles, not just what I wanted to do. That’s what I was missing. I needed to be pushed and Crossfit was just that!! I have even had the opportunity to do the same for others.
Not only I have felt better but I have made another family. It’s small enough we know everyone and watch after each other. Some people may be stronger than me and have better endurance but those very people are the first ones to root me on and push and give me confidence. We celebrate victories together and are there when we have disappointments. We celebrate holidays and birthdays together and life milestones.
I am thankful for CrossFit Saraland and the people I see everyday. We would live to have you join us.'
