I feel like an athlete; I haven't felt like an athlete since High School (that was a long time ago).
I have always hated working out. I tried just about every "trendy" workout class, knowing I wouldn't go to the gym on my own, and always quit after a few weeks (or months, if I was lucky). Sure, I saw fitness results, but I got bored with the same-ole' thing, and couldn't' stick with it. I realize now, that I didn't have the right support or coaching I needed to stick with my fitness plan.
I literally had to be pulled through the front door on the first night of Crossfit Forte 101 classes. To put it mildly, I was terrified. I was used to pretty little studios with fancy equipment and work-outers wearing makeup- this place was a concrete box of sweat and terror. I did horribly in my first workout, but the encouragement I received and the pride I felt after finishing (read: not dying during) that first class made me want to come back. A long-time student hung around to help us through our class, told us her experience, eased our anxieties, and cheered us on. I kept wondering why someone who just finished what looked like a miserable workout, would want to hang around and work out with a bunch of newbies?! Every class I went to, folks I hadn't met yet introduced themselves. They got there early and stayed late to work on weaknesses and help their friends do the same, they really seemed to LIKE being at the gym. There were no judging eyes or condescending comments about my "performance", only encouragement and support. I started to look forward to getting to the gym (wait, wwwwhhhaaaatttt?!), I was getting there early and hanging around after classes "playing" with weights and on the pull up bar; that's when I realized I had taken a big ole' sip of the koolaid. Now, there's no going back and I'd have it no other way.
Evan and Katelyn, the owners of Forte, have created an environment where everyone is welcome, no matter your skill level. They can take a former competitive cheerleader and soccer player, who after 10 years and an additional 15 (ok maybe 30) pounds, thought her prime was well behind her (that's me!), and help her realize the best is yet to come. This is because they are insanely amazing coaches. Not just because they know how to do the movements, show you properly and correct you when necessary- which is VITAL, but because they know how to coach each person individually to get the best out of them. They see the nuances which are hindering overcoming a plateau, and explain to the smallest detail what to tweak to fix it. They know when to yell at you to motivate and help you push through, when to hold off, and when to start running in the back of the pack with you, so you won't stop and walk. They know their shit, and it's all encompassing; not just the fitness element: it's nutrition (That new fad diet is actually TERRIBLE for you, bacon is GOOD), supplements (this fish oil won't make your breath smell like you just ate Nemo and all of his friends), mobility and stretching (if you mobilize your hips properly, you can twerk like Miley), pain relief (whiskey- kidding, kind of), etc. Evan and Katelyn practice what they preach- impeccable form, hard work, continual learning, and a whole lot of fun.
Nine months after joining Forte, I can do pull-ups (never been able to before, never thought I would), I know what olympic lifting is, and think it's hilarious to say "snatch" and "jerk" and "thruster" and it's totally appropriate. I have a huge new group of friends, family really, who will never again let me be lazy. I have coaches, and teammates, and I'm an athlete. I've never felt better about myself, physically or emotionally. Crossfit has changed my life in incredibly positive ways, and I don't think I could have made this transformation anywhere else but Crossfit Forte. read more