I was going to Beast River since 2014 up until Covid hit. Only reason I stopped going is because I moved. Owners Eric and Melissa are grade A people; They care about your well being and they have created a supportive and positive culture, you feel it from the second you walk in the door. More importantly, you know every time you go, that by at the end of your 1 hour workout, you got a damn good workout in (you are normally sweating and breathing pretty heavy = great results). When I was sticking with a paleo diet and going 3-4 times a week, I was in the best shape of my life. Love these guys. read more

Place is ok. They def work with you and it's def cross fit. Not much diversity. Not sure why. Wanted to try a new place. Tried. Def not loved. read more

Don't be nervous, don't be shy. Melissa and Eric are your warrior guides to this wonderful journey to unleash the inner warrior god or goddess in you through their patient coaching, knowledge and friendliness. I have never ever taken crossfit before but I have been curious. I just did not want to trek to the one near Port Authority. So when I read on evgrieve.com about this new one opening up near me, I was like, "I'm in!" I recommend if this is your first time, don't run 4 miles an hour before like I did. Lesson learn. This crossfit is good for anyone from all walks who want to break the gym routine. "Just do it!" read more

I love the Beastriver gym! The coaches are very knowledgeable and helpful. The community around the gym is incredibly friendly. Most importantly I've seen amazing fitness results after joining! read more

I've been going to this gym since it opened in 2013, and it's easily the best gym & fitness community in all of Manhattan. The workouts are intense, and you *will* see results, but you'll also get to be a part of a group of athletes (yes, you will become an athlete!) and coaches that care about your well-being in & out of the gym's walls. A rare gem in NYC! read more

I love the workouts here! I've been starting my day here at the 6am class for about 1.5 months now. I appreciate the warmups and mobility movements we do before the workout almost as much as the workout itself. The classes are not overcrowded but well attended, I also love that I see the same faces almost everyday and everyone is very committed. The coaches are all great but my favorite is Melissa, she's so great at letting me know how to improve my form and make small changes for a more effective workout! I'm also a first time mom and in my early 40's, so it was time to start getting my life back for myself. Now that my son is 16 months, I'm ready focus more on myself but obviously it makes our household a much happier place since I'm able to efficiently burn all that cortisol off :) read more

5stars from an intermediate level crossfitter. i came to CREF on the same day I got off the plane from LA to NYC, stayed there for 3mos, and came away feeling stronger and sadder than I've been in a while. the programming is thoughtful. the coaches, Melissa and Eric, assessed the box's needs as a whole for 2-4 mo, and then programmed accordingly to get their members where they needed to be. the coaches were sweet. altho I probably wasn't the favorite, i still always felt welcomed and was greeted with a smile. the fact that they ordered lacrosse balls for every member to work thru those tough knotted muscles during the week at home was pure love! the coaching was great. the workouts start with a nice warmup, mobility (highly underrated but oh-so-important), skill, and then the main WOD, and sometimes a cash-out. Melissa really helped my back squat by watching my form like a hawk and pointing out when it crumbled. Eric forced me to do double-unders on every wod (or DU attempts) when I never would have on my own. you are never pressured to do more than you can, but are encouraged and pushed to do your best. that sentence may only make sense once you've crossfitted :p the community is solid. I've crossfitted all around the world, and CFER has one of the most welcoming atmospheres I've seen! the guys and girls there are everyday people, and you can grab a beer, get brunch or coffee, or even get a late night comedy show with them! some are beginners, some are super crazy natural athletes. but all of the people there are the salt of the earth, and i miss them. having moved back to LA, I'm sad. CFER is a great community and a great box. i know i can't go back to my former box and am trying to find something resembling CFER. trust, you WILL get stronger and fitter there, and you will have fun doing it. ps: if you're down for a cash out--just ask Eric what you should work on, and he'll program it!! stick to it! read more

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So this has been my box for about a year and a half. Pros: great community, and the coaches put a large amount of focus on form and development, to prevent injury and doing things right. I've seen lots of poor / dangerous / neglecting versions at boxes across the country. Also, it's an extremely inclusive environment, agnostic of ability. Cons: like every other box in nyc, you can't drop weights! read more

CrossFit East River has really made my experience in the East Village far better than it would have been otherwise. It's been a great two and a half years, and I can't thank Melissa & Eric enough for all the memories, friends I have made, and things I have learned. It's been crazy to see how I have gone from needing a green and blue band for pullups to finishing workouts with 100 pullups in them, and from having never lifted with a barbell to really enjoying olympic-style weight lifting read more

I was a globo gym rat for a while until I got sick of doing SS routine, which basically had you squatting every workout and alternating between bench/deadlift and cleans/strict presses. I saw a good deal on groupon for this gym and gave it shot. That was more than half a year ago and now I can say this is the best decision I have ever made. At CFER, you would feel more like working out with a bunch of friends in a garage. The atmosphere is almost the opposite of intimidating. All the people here and coaches here are extremely friendly and helpful and just ordinary people that you would grab a drink after class with. I have tried other more "famous" boxes but they aIl seem to be more catering to one group of people and if you don't belong, they won't try to help you fit in. I am not saying there is anything wrong with that. More just because personal preferences. Eric and Melissa are the best gym owners. They are down to earth and always available to answer any questions you have. They also are very open to any suggestions from the members and just a lot of fun to work with. I am much stronger now after half a year (and counting) of crossfit. I look forward to my gym time every day. I have made a lot of friends from the gym, which I really appreciate because I have been having trouble finding friends that are interested in fitness as me. If you want to try out crossfit, I would highly recommend you give CFER a shot! read more

I absolutely loved this place! I had done 1 CrossFit class previously in Vancouver but I really wasn't sold on it. On finding this place was nearby I said I'd give it another go. The classes here were significantly better! The trainers give very clear guidance, are friendly and create a great atmosphere. Fellow CrossFitters (a word??) cover the spectrum of fitness from crazy fit to, well, me :). Everyone is good humoured, encouraging and help each other to learn and push themselves. I would highly recommend and just wish I found the place sooner. read more

I had a great experience with this place. It made me love Crossfit. The only reason I left was because I moved to a different neighborhood. The coaches are nice attentive and patient. The culture is great- everybody supports each other, nobody looks down on you. I was a beginner so that was very important to me. Foundation classes are truly necessary, I can't imagine being thrown to WODs without them, I would die! Workouts are tough, but still can accommodate athletes of different levels. Overall thank you Eric & Melissa for the great experience! Thanks to you I am now a crossfitter! :) read more

East River is a amazing community of people that keep you in the game and give you a reason to stay motivated. The instructors have a shocking amount of patience and I am so happy they did not give up on me in the early days when I was just getting started. I never thought I would enjoy any workout but CrossFit is different. Thanks to them I surpassed many of my fitness goals (lost 25lbs!) and am excited about reaching new heights in my physical abilities. Great facility, fantastic workout planning, top notch spot. If you were looking for a way to change your life - drop everything and go CFER right now! read more

I trained at East River for the three years I lived in the East Village, and thanks to this fantastic community gym I'm more fit, healthy and have less of a fluctuating weight. Melissa, Brad and the coaching team and fellow members constantly push you to meet your fitness goals. Coaches are very patience and knowledgeable, particularly at the start of my membership when I'd never power lifted or Olympic lifted before. Coaches will also cover nutrition, and often run weight/body composition challenges. Classes are capped, so never too crowded. Equipment is always very well maintained, with new pieces added regularly and more unusual items like Atlas stones and Assault Bikes available. There's a clever use of a space in a small location to ensure maximum usage. read more

On a good week I make it to class 4-5 days a week. I've been a member of CFER for over 2 .5 years. I've gotten considerably stronger and have been getting a lot of comments on how slim I look. The coaches all give great feedback and make class fun! There is a great, supportive tribe of cross fitters at this gym! I order a few meals a week from Kettlebell Kitchen, which is delivered fresh to the gym twice a week. The owners are always around and are passionate about their gym; they regularly take and teach class and always pop in to be available for questions. read more

Crossfit East River is the best way to start your day! Melissa and the team make crossfit approachable for any level of athlete, even for the more casual crossfitter like myself. If you like group fitness this is a great place with a friendly staff and a great community of members. I was part of the gym for three years and I would have remained if I didn't move to Brooklyn. Morning classes are the best with Brad! read more

I'm so happy this crossfit gym opened in my neighborhood! The space is awesome, Melissa & Eric are fantastic & all the other members I've taken class with have been friendly, supportive & encouraging. Definitely recommend trying out a class! read more

I love CrossFit East River. The coaches and owners are nice and helpful, always providing constructive feedback and encouragement. The members make it a true community. I tried other CrossFit gyms in Manhattan and none of them had the same laid back, positive vibes as CFER. read more

Phenomenal coaching. I dropped in to an 11:30a class with Eric, the owner, instructing. The WOD was well-planned and well-timed, and left us all on the floor after. Eric helped me to hit a 3RM snatch and then got us all through a rough - but fun - met con. Eric definitely knows his stuff and I'm looking forward to returning. read more

I was a member at the Blackbox last year but discontinued my membership as it was a pain for me to get to the Flatiron each day. I'm so happy that they opened a Crossfit in the EV. The gym here is super nice with tall ceilings, new equipment, comfortable pull-up bars, and even notebooks to track your work-outs there. Awesome space and Melissa and Eric are great. read more

I love CFER! All of the coaches took the extra step to make everyone feel supported. I took their foundations classes at the beginning of 2014 and my only complaint was the scheduling process and lack of flexibility in class times. I was genuinely disappointed that I couldn't join this box full time because they provide a community that isn't common in other boxes in NYC. read more

I was in NYC for business and dropped in to this box this morning for a WOD. Coach Melanie was super accommodating and very friendly as were the members who were working out there. The skill before the WOD was technique-heavy and Melanie was very knowledgable and attentive. She was also good at assessing skill levels and adjusting the workout and giving tips based on that. I would definitely go back for another class and would recommend to anyone in the city looking to get into crossfit. read more

I love this place! I've tried other gyms (Equinox, NYSC and other crossfit gyms) and only CFER finds the unique balance between pushing you to new heights and also being sensitive/smart about injuries and health. I was a member here for a year and half (and am only leaving now because I'm moving to Brooklyn) and have grown exponentially stronger in that short period of time. What makes CFER truly special is the culture that the owners and coaches have cultivated -- although there are members who are insanely athletic and fit (who push each other), EVERYONE feels like a part of the community and all of the members are super friendly and chill. Gonna miss this place - shout out to the 8 am class and Coach Brad read more

I started doing Crossfit a little over three years ago in Arizona, so when I moved to NYC I tried a few boxes around flatiron and midtown and wasn't too impressed. They were crowded with multiple classes at the same time and the coaches seemed impersonal. That being said I absolutely love this box, from the friendly trainers, to the versatile work outs down to the equipment. It is always air conditioned in the summer and warmed up in the winter. The overall feeling is more like a family than just a regular gym and they always incorporate fun activities outside of the gym as well. The price is also extremely reasonable, the only downside is the lack of showers but I live close enough that it's not much of an inconvenience. If you are interested in starting Crossfit this is the go-to one, that is if you want to get into kickass shape! read more

Melissa and Eric are the owners of this box and they are extremely friendly. As for the social aspect, they host events so that you get to know your fellow crossfitters and can have fun outside of your daily WOD routine. As far as the programming, they offer plenty of class times and have a variety of classes like CFE and yoga. They utilize the full hour; you work from the moment you step into the gym to the moment you leave. If you are interested in competitions they offer to personalize programming the weeks prior to your event to help you meet your goals. The coaches are fantastic and are willing to help you out with anything. They really stress mobility, which has helped me as I tend to have shoulder issues. I have been a member for less than 2 months however, I am really enjoying my experience so far and would recommend to others. read more

CrossFit East River is awesome. I was visiting from out of town and decided to check it out. The owner and coach were great and really welcoming, as were the fellow crossfitters. I felt totally welcome and comfortable there. I liked the intensity of the WOD and the way the coach carefully watched everyone, offering encouragement and pointers. The next time I am in NYC I will definitely be back! read more

Most Crossfit Boxes in NYC only care about getting classes packed to the brim, and making money (my own experience)..but Crossfit East River is a diamond in the rough. This gym is clean, very well set-up, has great equipment, and awesome coaches! The members are very fun and positive, and the entire vibe is happy and motivated. The cost is a little cheaper than most Crossfit gyms in NYC, and you honestly get everything you pay for. They have a free drop-in class, and then run foundations to help any new member to understand the fundamentals of Crossfit. CFER is the place to train! Great people, programming, and coaching. Definitely go there!!!! read more

Melissa, Eric, Brad and the whole community is really supportive. I highly recommend Beastriver because they are just a good group of people. I did an 8 week program and noticed so much progress in a relatively short amount of time. Even though, I am new to the world of crossfit. they were patient with me. read more

I had the opportunity to do a drop in on a Sunday morning during a trip in New York! I send a message on Facebook the day before and very quicky i received a positive answer! The staff and the community are very friendly and professionnal! We had a great time and fun during the session! I had the opportunity to visite many crossfit place around the world and crossfit east river is one of my favorite! Thanks and i hope to have the opportunity to train again with them read more

For a yogi like myself, I was VERY nervous about starting Crossfit. From the moment I stepped into Crossfit East River, Melissa and Eric have continuously encouraged and motivated me to keep going! I never believed that I could actually enjoy working out and now I find myself checking the WOD every night before I head to sleep. Check out this place--I promise you will not be disappointed!! read more

Took the foundations class and found the instructors to be diligent and helpful. They demonstrated everything to where I was comfortable to go into an actual WOD and not look like a total idiot. Could not believe how nice everyone is and cannot recommend this box enough. read more

Love being a part of Crossfit (B)East River! Brad is an incredible coach and intuitively seems to know what to do to get the best out of each person in class, irrespective of ability or experience. I have done Crossfit elsewhere for 6 months but made the most gains at East River in the last few months. Would highly recommend East River, Brad as a coach and the morning classes (great bunch!) read more

Zero stars. I contacted Gilt who initiated an investigation. Eric and Melissa verbally agreed to send over various documents but showed little follow-through. Nothing after one week. After two weeks, Gilt reported that Eric and Melissa claimed that I was the one who requested to terminate my contract without a refund. A bold lie. I revealed that the conversation was recorded. Gilt said they would check back. I got my refund the next day. Dishonesty is not a good color on anyone. read more

I don't generally write Yelp reviews, but I feel compelled to write one for Crossfit East River because it's such a great addition to the neighborhood. Melissa and Eric have created a real gem here. Every time I drag myself here thinking "oh god, I'm not up for it," I end up glad I went, even when I'm lying on the floor, covered in sweat and exhausted after a particularly tough WOD. The WODs are challenging (in a good way, of course), but the sense of community is also a huge draw--everyone I've met at Crossfit East River has been really friendly and supportive and it's nice to run into them elsewhere in the neighborhood too. The coaches are great--they're encouraging, they don't let you slack, and they've all been really thoughtful about scaling the WODs for me (I have a recurring hip injury I'm in treatment for). This is a great box; absolutely worth checking out. read more

Great gym, even better coaches! Trained here for two years and could not have been happier. Would highly recommend! Coaches are extremely knowledgeable about Crossfit and are attentive to the needs of each athlete. They do a great job of pushing each member to be their best self. Also, provide a number of supplementary training courses, nutrition seminars, etc. for those looking to take their game to the next level. Sad to leave as I am moving out of New York but would definitely rejoin should I return! read more