Lieutenant Mike Richards… Brimfield Fire Department

I joined the “Barn” exactly 6 months ago this week!! I’m down in weight a solid 45lbs, and my endurance has never been higher. Which is sad to me considering that I’ve been a firefighter/Paramedic for almost 13yrs. I thought of fitness in a whole different light before crossfit.

I was SURE I had what it took to be the man people expected of me at work….. It took me awhile to admit to myself I was in need of a dramatic change in my lifestyle! Enter Crossfit! Toby told me the first day…”Don’t worry, you seem like a nice guy…but most people don’t come back”! Well, I came back the next day.

I had to prove to myself that I wouldn’t give up that easily. He saw me and said, “Mike, that was the hardest part…give me 6 weeks and you’ll be a different person”. I never looked back at the old me. I’m happier, stronger, faster, leaner than I’ve been in years, not to mention a better father, husband, and employee in my career!

I can’t wait to see what another 6 months brings. Thank you for the continued encouragement, support and friendship…the “barn ” has changed my life forever, and my family and I will never forget that! Thank You….

Shari Jeffers… School Secretary

Three reasons why I am addicted to Crossfit.

1. There is no pressure to wear matchy-matchy outfits or the most expensive warm-up. People who work out in there best outfits or lots of make-up aren’t serious about working out.
2. Speaking of taking their workout seriously, veryone at the BARN is serious about merging their lifestyle into a lifetime change. Many exercise programs I have attended have included too much whining and too much asking why we are doing certain exercises. I want to work out to my maximum capability and push myself further. Crossfit does that and and pushes your mind into doing things you think you cannot do.
3. But most of all, working this hard makes me think twice about eating some of the not so good food products that I use to put in my body. If you are going to work that hard, why take two or three or more steps backward when you put junk in your body?

Crossfit has changed my physical health, my mental health and my attitude about myself.
Thank you to all my trainers (including those who cheer you on)!

Malcolm Robbie… NASA

The past 14 months have been one hell of a ride. This is without a doubt one of the toughest things I have ever done. Along the way I have shed 19 lbs, dropped my blood pressure, brought my cholesterol, Triglycerides and blood sugars back down to normal and established a resting heart rate of 58. My doctor looked like he witness an axe murder when he looked at my blood work. He could not believe how good the numbers looked across the board.

My physical strength, power and endurance has gone through the roof. This has had a profound effect on all aspect of my life. It takes diet work and focus and the Crossfit community was key to my success.

Lastly and probably most important for me was the understanding that my own limitations concerning physical performance were just plain wrong. Makes me wonder how many other self limiting thoughts need to also be thrown out.

It’s one life

Live it fully

Malcolm (M/53/158, 6:41/FRAN)

Phyllis Keller… School Secretary

When a friend asked me to go to Crossfit with her, I was hesitant. I had heard of Crossfit through younger friends who are Crossfit trainers and competitive athletes. I wasn’t sure such intense training was for me, however, I gave in to peer pressure.

Within the first couple weeks, I was committed to improving my overall physical, mental and emotional health. My energy level and strength increased and my confidence grew as I was being challenged with each new WOD. The greatest benefit of Crossfit is being part of a supportive community with similar goals. It doesn’t matter if someone is 15 or well over 21, egos are left outside and everyone’s accomplishments are celebrated.

Every aspect of my life is more positive, goal oriented and fulfilling. I owe this to Crossfit and all the wonderful trainers and athletes at SPC.

Christopher Camp… Police Officer Candidate

August 2007-January 2007: For months my girlfriend Kristin would talk about going to “CrossFit” with “Toby and Sepi” and how the workouts were awesome. To me, a workout was running ONE mile and calling it a day…I had my regiment and these Toby and Sepi guys had their own. I thought I was in decent shape; I looked pretty ok in the mirror and could run a mile. Then, I took a PT test for a police department…and let’s just say….I didn’t pass.

So, I let Kristin talk me into going to an 8am Saturday morning CrossFit WOD at Kent Roosevelt High School…and I haven’t looked back since.

So every testimonial you read will say “CrossFit changed my life”..and you’re thinking Blah Blah Blah these people are cliché but try it for yourself and you will understand why everyone is using the same phrase.

Personal Experience:

• I learned to perform Olympic lifts. Prior to walking into CrossFit I hadn’t ever performed an Olympic lift…PERIOD. Today I can clean my body weight plus, Clean and Jerk my body weight plus, I can snatch just under my body weight (work in progress), and can deadlift nearly 2 ½ times my body weight. I can do pull ups, dips, kettlebell swings, you name it. Toby and Sepi taught be very basic movements with a PVC pipe, and coached me as I moved up in weight. Olympic lifts can be intimidating, but anyone without previous experience execute these lifts; man, woman , old and young.
• I learned to defeat obstacles. Getting through some of these workouts will test your personal will.
• I learned to be focused. To complete any task you must be focused on some sort of tangible goal. When I started CrossFit my goal was to FINISH**** the workout. Soon, I started to look at my times for repetitious workouts and say to myself “you can improve that time”. Soon this attitude spilled over into my personal life. My eating habits improved as well as my focus on college. When I stated CrossFit I had a 2.8 GPA, I graduated with a 3.45 GAP and I can honestly say it is because of CrossFit; CrossFit helped me to be more disciplined with almost every aspect of my life.
• Friendship. The CrossFit community is untouched by any other workout regiment. I will admit, part of the reason I was hesitant to start CrossFit was because I didn’t understand Olympic lifts and I was afraid I wouldn’t measure up in a gym. BUT IT IS NOT LIKE THAT! Egos are checked at the door, and everyone suffers together =) You simply will not find a better group of people outside of SPC Crossfit. When I graduated from Kent State, I moved away; I talk to few people on a daily basis from the Kent area……two of those people are Toby and Sepi…they are amazing CrossFit trainers, and amazing friends.

So, after 2 ½ years of CrossFit with these “Toby and Sepi” guys what have I accomplished?

• Better eating habits.
• Strength I didn’t know I had.
• ENDURANCE
• Focus on any task put in front of me
• Oh, did I mention? I took a PT test for a police department recently. I broke two test records; First, the indoor 300m sprint, the second, most consecutive pushups in 60 seconds. I didn’t throw this fact out there to brag, but to emphasize the importance of CrossFit in my life.

If you’re considering coming in to check out SPC CrossFit, STOP CONSIDERING and just come on in, I can promise you will be greeted with open arms or your money back!

Thanks Toby and Sepi for everything you’ve helped me accomplish. You guys have done one hell of a job with the facility and I am proud to say I know and workout with the two of you. I don’t like to get all mushy with you guys, but you’ve really changed my life, and I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasnt for you guys.

Scott Hamilton… Business Owner

As a business owner, it’s hard to find the time to work out every day and, when I would get into various workout regimes for a few months, it was so boring lifting weights in the gym or walking that I inevitably would fall off the wagon. Thank God I found Crossfit at The Barn – it’s just what I needed. I can work out with my family and we all love the variety of exercises in the Crossfit program. Before Crossfit, my energy levels were down and my weight was up. Now, I can feel the difference after only a few months and I look forward to the workout recharging my batteries at the end of the workday. And you know you’re really improving your fitness when every muscle in your body is sore after a workout.

Max Nolin… University Student (BW)

I have been overweight the majority of my life. I am most definitely a product of my generation. I was and am part of the first American generation who may not live longer than there parents. A lifestyle of little movement and lots of food has lead me and many of my peers into a cycle of obesity and depression. And to top it off we have been fed unattainable and unreasonable body images from the media. All of this has left many people thinking my generation is hopeless.

Enter Crossfit. Crossfit is the first workout program that has ever motivated me to truly change my lifestyle, diet and mindset. Also, to call Crossfit just a “workout program” would be an understatement; it is a way of living. The slogan “train for life” rings true every time I walk up a flight of stairs and am not winded or do yard work and am not exhausted afterword. The combination of challenging workouts that are, at the same, time fun makes me always excited for the next day of working out, which is something I am sure many regular “gym members” cannot say.

But the number one reason I do Crossfit and continue to do Crossfit is its acceptance and celebration of all individual people. Regardless of you race, gender, age, orientation, or weight; Crossfit affiliates anywhere will take you in order to make you the best version of you. Other gyms try to make you into the body type model they want while Crossfit will make you what genetics and nature intend for you to look like.

I credit Crossfit for changing my attitude and life. And I hope for this country’s health and future that everyone at least give Crossfit and its principles a chance.

Susan Black… Kent Roosevelt HS Teacher

All my life I have tried to keep active and eat healthy. For the last 4 years I was working out 1 day a week or maybe 2. It was always a struggle and my heart was not in it. So, my weight never changed and I was marginally happy with my body.

Then I received an e-mail from a teacher about an after school work out program. I was tired of my workout routine and I needed a challenge. Wow, did I get what I wanted. This program was amazing! Since the workouts were different every time, I never got bored.

It has been 4 months and I can see the results. I am now able to run more than a mile, without getting tired. Before this I hated to run and felt like I just could not do it. Now I enjoy it and notice that my body craves it.

I have only lost 2 pounds, but I have gone down 2 sizes! It feels good to wear those pair of pants I just could not get into before.

I can not wait to see what the next 4 months will bring.

Sincerely,
Susan Black

Chris Moravec… Roosevelt Staff

Words cannot express my gratitude towards this crossfit program, members and Toby.

I have always tried to be health conscience yet with active children, work and all the other mom stuff. I usually left myself to be last on the things to do…. well my oldest started college, which meant getting some free time. While knowing Toby for five years I always bugged him to start a fitness plan for us “moms”. When he mentioned this to me I thought for once I am going to put myself first on the to do list. So by the grace of God I found a co-worker Michele to go with me. What a difference.

I have not seen drastic results in weight loss but my clothes fit better. I can do things I never thought I could or dreamed of. I know I am not going to do a triathlon but I can do 150 burpees. The great thing about this is the people who care and encourage and variety of exercises. I look forward to going, some days it is the highlight of my day. I know I will not be a size 6 but I am stronger, and healthier and feel great. When this first started Toby said give me at least 6 weeks before giving up but now he has me for the long haul.

I would recommend this program to everyone….