Success Stories

I am a Senior Vice President and Wealth Management Officer at Hills Bank and Trust Company here in Cedar Rapids. I am married 21 years, with three kids (ages 19, 18, and 13)

Over the years, I have had various gym memberships. Some were small scale rec center memberships and others were “big box” gyms. All my workouts were on machines – I never used free weights before joining this gym. I also did some short distance running (5k or less) on the side. I never stuck with any of it for more than a year or so because I became bored with my routine.

I really was just looking at something I could stick with. There were three issues I seemed to be having that led to my quitting prior programs. There was no accountability, I got bored with the workouts and I didn’t really have any idea what I was doing. The only solution I could ever think of to solve those issues was to hire a personal trainer, but that was far beyond my budget.

I started at the gym in September of 2015, and have been going three times a week ever since. Other than when I am out of town for work or vacation, I never miss a class. I chose CrossFit because I knew some fellow Rotarians who were members and spoke highly of it. It sounded like it could solve my three issues. There was accountability because coaches and other members encouraged you to continue to come, the workouts were highly varied, and you received personal attention when learning how to master different skills. And this was all at a price vastly cheaper than hiring a personal trainer.

The two and a half years have flown by. Besides the personal fitness achievements, I have developed many friendships with other members of the gym. The speed and scope of my physical fitness successes were far beyond anything I ever thought I could do. Without any hesitation whatsoever, I can guarantee that I am in the best shape of my life. My 44 year old self could run circles around my 24 year old body!

I am very analytical by nature. The beauty of CrossFit is that your results and improvement are easy to track over time. Each year I can lift more weight than the previous year. And each year I learn to do new things. Last year, I could finally do pull-ups and push-ups. I climbed a rope for the first time in my life. I participated in two mud runs. I am currently developing my goals for 2018 and I am very excited for what this year will bring!

I am a 51-year-old professional (lawyer/psychologist) who directs a nonprofit resilience institute that requires frequent travel. I am married 26 years with three children (ages 18, 20 and 23).
I’m 5’4” with petite build that allowed a couch potato to appear somewhat athletic, but I had not done aerobic exercise since college, and had never run a mile given lifelong asthma. My fitness activities were walking and yoga.
I was talking with my friend about my 2017 resolution to get in shape and asked if she would like to do yoga with me. She said that she would but asked if I would first try CrossFit with her. I had no idea what it was, so I said yes. I attended my first class in January 2017. The positive coaching, camaraderie, and attitude of “progress not perfection” initially kept me coming back. My ongoing improvements in flexibility, strength, and endurance served as strong positive reinforcement. Epsom salt baths became my daily routine while my muscles adjusted to the new demands.
I went from lifting a PVC pipe at my first class (because I could not lift the 25 pound bar) … to squatting 115 pounds and deadlifting 160 pounds. It was a big day when I lifted more than I weighed and when I did 100 reps of a weight that had been a single max earlier in the year.
I did not realize how little flexibility, strength or stamina I had until I started CrossFit. My initial goals were to do a 90-degree squat, jump rope 50 times without missing, lift 50 pounds, and run a mile. I had been doing crossfit a few months when the gym announced “The Murph Challenge” – a Memorial Day tribute to a fallen soldier that challenges participants to complete a 1-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats, and a 2nd mile run in less than an hour. My father, sister, nephew and several uncles served our country, including my Uncle Tom who never came home, and this challenge laid itself on my heart. Could I really do it? My CrossFit coaches and teammates never let me doubt it! I not only completed it in less than an hour, but I also was joined by my 2 oldest kids. A highlight of my year. Another highlight was completing the 2017 Squaw Creek Army Challenge, a 2.5-mile mud run and obstacle course.
Some 2018 goals are to jump rope 250 times without missing, run 3 miles, and get a CrossFit total (back squat, strict press and deadlift) of 350 pounds. I also am aiming to set a PR in at least one “Army Challenge” type event.
GO 5 Seasons CrossFit!!