I've been working out at Crossfit Koncepts with Mike and his assistant, John, for close to four years now, and I can honestly say this place has changed my life. It's not your typical competition Crossfit gym. The emphasis here is not on personal records or the fastest time, but training to improve your mobility, flexibility, and strength, achieved mostly through the use of kettlebells and bodyweight exercises. While the workouts are challenging, they can be scaled to any level, and there is nothing that will make you feel more badass than swinging around a heavy kettlebell, trust me. No matter how good (or bad) my day is, I always walk out feeling better than I did when I walked in. Thanks to my training at CFK, I'm in better shape than I've ever been in my adult life. I lost 20 pounds without changing my diet significantly. I'm physically stronger, and can move heavy things more easily - including putting heavy boxes on overhead shelves. I can walk up four flights of stairs to my apartment with arms full of groceries without passing out. I'm mentally tougher and have a higher threshold for pain. I can hike and play for hours with my 10 and 8 year old grandsons. I like looking in the mirror and seeing muscle definition where previously there was none. I'm a 52 year-old woman who learned it's never too late to start and you're never too old to get stronger. In addition, the people I've met here are some of the most amazing people I've ever met. When I go to class I know I'm going to work out with my friends, I just don't know which ones until I get there. CFK has improved the quality of my life immensely. So if you're having trouble staying motivated in your current fitness regimen, or want to get one started, or just want to try something different, give Mike a call. You'll be really, really, glad you did. read more

Koncepts is the Holy Grail of the modern 'garage' gym, offering high quality and experienced training in a great facility. It offers a more considered approach to the CrossFit brand than many other gyms bearing the name, and uniquely features kettlebells as its preferred tool of strength and conditioning. The barbells, boxes, etc. are present and feature frequently of course, but Mike has decades of experience with the kettlebell (and various martial arts) and a seemingly infinite pool of knowledge regarding their use. The workouts have a great atmosphere and there is a real community feel to the place. You will be made welcome and allowed to learn and integrate at your own pace. Unlike many places the coaching never stops and you'll feel like you are always learning new skills and improving. Mike will find what specifically works for you and make sure that you understand how to get better - you won't just have the same 'cue' yelled at you over and over again with the expectation that you'll 'get it' the hundredth time. Having suffered through the darker side of the typical CrossFit gym, I can safely say that Koncepts provides a welcoming, sincere, and experienced environment that is focused on making people stronger and healthier safely. This is the only gym I will ever need, and if I ever leave the area I might have to find a way to take it with me... read more

I have been a member of Crossfit Koncepts for at least 5 years now and it has become a second family. Mike is one of the most knowledgeable people I have ever met and while he might not always have the most professional demeanor, it is personal. It is not your traditional crossfit gym by any means and if you want that, go elsewhere. Mike and John both have your safety as top priority and will not allow you to do certain things until they feel you are ready. They will push you to use heavier weights if they think you need more of a challenge, but if something is too hard, they will offer ways to scale it down so you still get a good workout, but aren't putting yourself in danger of injury. Every workout is different, so you never know what you're going to get, which is part of the fun. If you have a previous injury or issue, they will work with you to help you find an exercise that works for you. Sometimes the classes become a bit large, but how can you turn someone away who wants to improve their physical fitness? I would recommend this gym to anyone because of the instruction you will receive, the friends you will make and the changes you will make to your overall functional movement, which is the goal of crossfit to begin with. I am in better shape now at 31, then I ever was at 21 and I have Mike and John to thank for it. read more

This gym is a kettlebell dominant gym. Kettlebells are utilized 6 out of 7 days. Mike Krivka is well known in the kettlebell community as being one of the best and most knowledgeable. This gym does not care about how fast you finish a work out nor how many reps you did. Mike focuses in technique and form. Once you master the technique and form, your repetition will automatically increase and you will finish faster. Kettlebells are very technical and it takes a lot of time, effort and commitment to learn. It's like learning to walk again. You may ask, why learn kettlebells when I can go to the gym and lift weights? Yes, you are right. I used to go to the gym and spend 2-3 hours working out. The down side was that I was spending too much time in the gym working out my muscles then doing cardio separately. I also started loosing flexibility and mobility. LIfting weights makes you isolate your muscles making your body disproportionate. And because of that, I started having back problems. I started going to Crossfit Koncepts while I still had back problems but I was completely fine after a couple of months working out here. Everybody is different. What works for me may not work for you. Im just saying that kettlebells work for me and Crossfit Koncepts is the best place to learn it in the DMV area. read more

Crossfit Koncepts is a gym where skill is everything and failure is not an option. I persevered, carefully following my coach's instructions, and trusting his belief in me and of my capabilities. Anyone can make someone do a hard workout, but Mike Krivka knows when to push and when to pull back with understanding. I always feel confident with knowing he has my back, knowing he is not going to ask me to do something that will hurt me. He understands the art and science behind fitness. When perhaps I would have independently been reluctant to lift kettlebells in the farmer's carry equivalent to my own bodyweight, I trust his expertise. I thrived on the physical outcomes and evidence of the immediate benefits. In five years of working out, I have not sustained an injury, which I attribute to the expertise of the coach and the regularity with which I was inspired to work out. read more

I joined Crossfit Koncepts a few months ago to quell my curiosity about Crossfit. This decision has totally changed the way I think about fitness. I was a member of a regular gym,just going through meaningless sets and reps,but now I have learnt so much with CFK. Kettlebell training is so unique in every way possible and Mike Krivka and John Kalil are the best at what they do!! What do they do? They teach you the most effective and safe ways to train with kettlebells. I have never experienced the rate of strength gains that I have accomplished in such a relatively short time. My flexibility,strength and mobility has improved drastically,thanks to the CFK family. Crossfit Koncepts with Mike Krivka is as good as it gets!!! read more

I can't say enough positive things about CrossFit Koncepts and Mike. I bounced around a number of different gyms or workout methods and never found anything I stuck with until I met Mike. It's been 11 years now and I am still amazed at the quality of instruction, the variety in the WODs, and the camaraderie from fellow gym members. While I have always been impressed with mikes knowledge, ability to teach (he's a stickler for proper technique!), and enthusiasm, these last few months during the gym shutdown, have really honed in as to why Mike is one of a kind and I wouldn't want to be training with anyone else. His ability to encourage and support knows no bounds and I am grateful. read more

This gym is AWESOME!! I started coming here about 7 years ago. I am a hairstylist in the area so I'm on my feet a lot. When I started at Crossfit Koncepts I couldn't bend over to pick up a comb off the floor. Now I am doing very deep squats. I have had personal training under both the owner (Mike Krivka) and a trainer (John Kalil) at the gym. You will have a very difficult time finding anyone better than them. In my opinion these two guys have saved my life!! WARNING: They are perfectionist!! They are more concerned about your technique than how fast you are. I love kettlebells......I have never felt better!!! read more

Crossfit Koncepts has been a part of my life for the past 12+ years. As a former college athlete who still competes, these unique workouts keep me motivated and have helped me learn about functional movement. The atmosphere is nothing like a typical crossfit gym. We are taught to scale workouts up or down based on our abilities, injuries, etc and never pushed with the harder, faster, heavier mentality. If you want to learn the correct way to use a kettlebells and can handle a little cursing, check this place out! read more

When you train with Mike, you get the very best training there is around to receive. I have seen Mike train soccer moms to Navy SEALS and the training methods are the same. Mike understands that the best athletes are strong in their fundamentals and so that is exactly how you start. Within a three month time span, I have noticed myself getting immensely stronger and feeling better because of it. I credit all of that to a man I'm lucky to call dad, Mike Krivka. read more

It is FANTASTIC!!! Mike K takes his time to teach you and if you have a question he's more then happy to answer it. Great bunch of people there too. I've only been there a short time but I feel a lot stronger and more mobile which is great. It is a no frill gym which is great. Feel like your in a Rocky movie. Also very pro Military there also. Mike K teaches several Special Forces Units which is invaluable. read more

Mike is a passionate about doing kettlebell workouts correctly (correct form, not hurting your back). It's a great community of people and they motivate you to a higher level of fitness. After spending years of running, doing yoga/pilates and lifting weights, learning how to kettlebells correctly has transformed my body and made my exercise routine more efficient. I'm much stronger and leaner! read more

Great gymnastics that focuses on fundamental movements done at a high level. Emphasis is on quality not quantity. Coaching is literally world class and regularly holds certifications and workshops with internationally respected strength and conditioning experts. read more

Great community of people working out together. Mike and John are very knowledgeable and the best! I've gotten in great shape and daily pain I used to have is now gone. People of all backgrounds and ages come together to improve themselves as a group! read more

Have been a dedicated member of Crossfit Koncepts for 3 years and love the results Mike and John have brought me! Great timing options and love the quality of classes! Always challenging and I'm grateful for such professionals to help me be better! read more

I can't say enough good things. Great people in a supportive, no pressure environment. If you're a veteran looking for a new place or just thinking about trying it out for the first time, get off the fence and come in already! read more