I was 270 lbs and 20 years out of shape. A close friend of mine had been reading about Crossfit and we had spoken about it several times. After searching around I found that Crossfit de L’Ouest was opening in my area. I thought why not. It sounded right up my alley, no muscle heads, no set routines, everything is scalable (so no matter your abilities you can do the workouts). I joined up as soon as it opened. I could barely run 200 meters without running out of breath in those first days. Over the next 7 months I lost nearly 70 pounds, and 11 inches off the waist. I could run 5km about as easily as those first 200 meter runs. Crossfit de L’ouest not only helped make me strong and fast, they also helped me learn better nutrition. I’m now in the best shape of my life, and still improving.
Thanks Chris and Julie!!
- Mike
Crossfit is a very different gym. Having exercised at many gyms for over 40 years I should know what I am talking about. Regular gyms give you a program to follow for 2-3 months and let you do it on your own, no supervision to see if you are doing it well or not. After this period you need to ask for a review and harder exercises or maybe not. Same with the aerobic classes. The teacher shows the movement at the front of a class and if you happen to be in the back no one knows what you are doing! At Crossfit the maximum number of participants per class is 10. The trainer demonstrates the exercise and asks each one to practice in front of him/her then corrects the position, the posture, the effort and the capacity of each one to make sure everyone does it right. Each movement is broken down to the smallest element to make sure it is understood perfectly. The trainers are willing to repeat the demonstration as long as is needed to be well understood.
The exciting part is that every workout is different! It is a surprise to be discovered when we show up! All the workouts are challenging and never boring. Each member can scale it to their capacity and is encouraged to do their best. Safety is paramount but we always try to go beyond what we think we can achieve. These exercises are not for the faint of heart. It takes character and resolve to stick with it but the results speak for themselves. Being a “mature” member I can say that I feel wonderful, no more aches and pains in the morning. My energy level is great and I feel alive and energetic. This brings a smile to my face and puts me in a good mood. It must be the endorphins. The program is meant to be practiced 3 times a week so it is part of my routine and I don’t ask myself if I am going or not. I just do it, period.
- MJ, late fifties and enjoying it
I had never trained before… well, not for more than three months at a time and always alone without support. An old friend of mine, with the same consistency problem with training, spoke to me about CrossFit. I had known this person for quite some time and had never seen him so in shape! So I found this brand new crossfit gym in the west island and tried. I can tell you, I don’t think I ran the first 200m I was so outta shape. More than a year later, and several Rx workouts, I need CrossFit! lol I’ve never had this much energy!
Other side-effects include : waist inch loss, almost no aches and pains after my other sports, better eating, better sleeping, new friends and a boost of self confidence.
Julie, Chris, Louis-Philippe and Philippe are very passionate about crossfit, as I am now. It’s much more than just a gym, it’s a an open community where everyone is welcome! Thanks for being there for me and long life to Crossfit de l’Ouest !- Michèle
Today, ‘in passing’ Kiki has brought up CrossFit and how much she loves it at least a dozen times…In Lululemon today she got into several full blown conversations about it, and told the girl at the front cash that she absolutely should start….
I just want you to know that the change in her attitude, and her motivation has COMPLETELY done an about face. And I heard my couch potato say “I am doing their fundamentals class 3x a week, but on my days off it bugs me that I can’t go” Say what??
Yesterday she announced that she is quitting smoking. This has been an issue for 6 years! And when she started crossfit I thought I should say something, but then decided no,….just let her figure it out for herself!!
Anyways. I’m thrilled. Just wanted you to know that.
- Sylvia