Angie Patterson

My husband joined CrossFit over a year ago.  He would come home talking (nonstop) about his workouts - what they had done and how hard they were.  He is notorious for becoming obsessed, almost psycho, with workouts – does sprint triathlons, Urbanathlons, P90X fanatic (has gone to Tony Horton camps).  (FYI – He is now a CrossFit trainer!)  I told him I would NEVER be able to do CrossFit – No Way. 

Then, I met Sophia and Andrew.  They promised me that the moves could be modified and I would be fine.  I trusted them.  I decided to join and told them that I had 8 weeks before my sand volleyball season started, so I was all-in for 8 weeks.  That was 8 months ago.

I was previously at Spiece.  Workouts entailed 45-60 min. on a machine (treadmill, elliptical, etc.), weight machines or going through the motions in a class.  The classes were enjoyable, but not many results.  Your results were typically measured only on your scales and I was 10-15 lbs from where I wanted to be.

Meet CrossFit.

Do you remember the playground as a child?  Jump ropes, monkey bars, hopscotch, leap frog, running around pylons?  Well, add Olympic weightlifting and you have CrossFit.  CrossFit is:  Intimidating, Frustrating, Fun, Humbling, Exciting, Encouraging, Challenging, Rewarding, Failure, Success, Ridiculously Hard, and Totally Addicting – it can truly be a Love-Hate relationship – you know, Constantly Varied! 

CrossFit has so many movements that you will never be bored.  You will find movements you enjoy, some you may do well; others you hate or are extremely difficult for you.  And, you do them all (no more picking just the machines you like).  We all have different strengths and weaknesses.  You will always be striving to get better.  If you find yourself on the ground at the end of a workout, you probably did it right.

Why CrossFit Fort Wayne (CFFW)?

Sophia, Andrew and a Great Community!  They train, encourage and kick your tail.  You will find friendly competition (if you want) and always someone to encourage you.  You will love the camaraderie. 

When I came to the CrossFit Box, I was active.  I played volleyball, golf, swam, etc.…  However, I had ACL/meniscus knee surgery 13 years ago and never regained the flexibility I had prior to surgery.  I also have arthritis in both knees.  For box jumps, I could only step-up and step-down on the boxes – jumping inflicted significant pain.  I couldn’t even jump into a tire.  I now use 20” boxes for workouts and my max box jump is 39”!  (My vertical has improved when spiking a volleyball, too J - after all, a girl has her priorities.)  That being said, I have left the CrossFit Box more than once in tears (meet Murph and Helen).  That frustration is when you pick yourself up and come back even stronger.  I don’t know if I will ever be able to do ring dips or rope climbs.  I still suck at double-unders, pull-ups and squats, but I’m improving.  However, I can clean & jerk 105 lbs and my max deadlift is now 225 lbs!  And, yes, the workout this morning ended with all of us lying on the ground.  These are REAL, measurable results!   (And, yes, the scale will move, too.) 

I encourage you, even challenge you to come, join our playground.  It’s worth it.

I am 47 years old.  I am an active athlete.  And, thanks to Kurt, Sophia and Andrew, I am proud to be a CrossFitter.