I joined CrossFit Ipswich in Oct 2010. I had been doing triathlons for two years and was by no means an expert but considered myself very fit. At that time I was completing my biggest triathlon race ever. I was on the bike for 90kms and about halfway I started thinking this was mad, I just wasn't able to train well enough to feel I had put my best in (there's not enough hours in the day). I was just surviving that race. Everyone's busy and got their jobs etc. but I just felt I needed a new challenge that could help keep me in shape, and that brought the results I longed for without having to run 21kms.
Thankfully I found CrossFit Ipswich. The CrossFit method is awesome. Every day something different, every day a new way I can push myself to greater physical and mental heights. Now, I KNOW I am fit. Whatever is thrown at me, I can do it. One of the awesome things about CrossFit is that everything is scaleable. I had NEVER been able to do a pull up in my life, and yet given a few months of persistence and scaled exercises I finally became strong enough to lift my own body weight and get my chin up to the bar. What a feeling that was!!!!
In November 2010 I attended a nutrition workshop, organised by Shaune, and learnt about the Paleo Diet, which turns out to be an amazingly good way for me to eat, as someone with Diabetes Type II. With supportive staff and equally inspired members I have successfully been able to adopt this diet and keep CrossFitting regularly since January 2011, both of which have helped me gradually reduce body fat and at the same time gain muscle mass. I never wanted to be HUGE but I have always wanted to be fit and healthy. I've got new muscles coming up here and there all the time, it's great. People now comment on how healthy I look and how much energy I have.
I want to say a big thanks to Mel (the brains) and Shaune (the awesome instructor) and give him a big round of applause as it has been awesome to work out with such a great athlete. It has helped me lift my game ten-fold!!! It's been a pleasure to train with you guys... it really has changed my life AGAIN. There's a great bunch of people at CrossFit Ipswich, I have really appreciated their passion, humour and inspiration (they know who they are).
My life's journey has swung me over to the UK for the moment, and I've already logged two CrossFit workouts at different gyms while here. I can't live without it!!!!
- Ben Salk
April 2011
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I found CrossFit 5 weeks after the birth of my second bub I wasn’t sure at first but only weeks after starting my training at home in the shed I was in love with the CrossFit Method. I needed more, I needed motivation to push me hard and that’s when I found CrossFit Ipswich.
I started with CrossFit Ipswich around May 2010 here I met a great coach Shaune, fresh and passionate about CrossFit and of course a terrific crew. CrossFit has given me so much more confidence in my self, a drive to achieve, push harder and know that if I want to achieve a time or weight I can. I was so inspired by my strength gains and personal weight loss goals which were the best results I have ever achieved in a short space of time (And I have been in the Fitness Industry for 10 years) I decided to do Level 1 CrossFit Course. WOW!
I was given the opportunity and guidance to run morning classes at CrossFit Ipswich, what an opportunity. I know from the start of finding CrossFit that one day I wanted to be able to open my own CrossFit Box but now this was concreted for me that I wanted to become and Affiliate. It’s now February 2011 I am 34 weeks pregnant and have continued to train there is nothing that I can’t do as every move has a scaled option. During this period of training I have had to take a step back and realize that its now not about beating times or rounds in an AMRAP session but about maintaining my strength and good health.
I am now stronger than I ever was in the past, and after this baby is born I am excited to start pushing my body past its limits. We have now been approved to become a CrossFit Affiliate in Wagga; we are very excited about what the next few months will bring as it all comes together.
I would like to thank Shaune and Mel for their support, encouragement, motivation and guidance to get us to where we find ourselves today.
CrossFit is certainly a community of its own.
- Kym M
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After years of going to the gym and getting mediocure results I discovered CrossFit. I joined CrossFit Ipswich in October 2010 and the last 4 months I have noticed a higher level of fitness and gained strength over and what I thought I was capable of.
I have never enjoyed working out, if I could get away with it I would never workout again but unfortuantly life isnt so easy. CrossFit has given me results which help me to stay motivated and continue with my training.
I can now deadlift nearly "100 kilos!" (Which I will conquer) and even though the coaches make me run every so often (which is my pet hate) I still like going because of the varied nature of the WOD's and the genuine passion and enthusiasm from all of the trainers.
- Angela R
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Before I found CrossFit I was continuously starting new activities. I would spend alot of money getting all the right gear and equipment only to find out that I didn't enjoy the work or I found myself making excuse after excuse as reasons not to go back. This vicious cycle completley changed when I began to follow the CrossFit Method. I now fondly consider myself a "CrossFit Junkie" and i spend a great deal of time at the box learning all I can about the fitness phenomena that is CrossFit.
I have discovered a way of exercise that is hard, fast and intense and you dont have to be superfit to reap the benefits. During my time at CrossFit Ipswich so far I have learnt that running will not kill me (although it often feels like it will), that burpees hurt - no matter how good you get at them and that a "Snatch, Jerk and squat are not just dirty words; they are all complex and powerful movements that promote performance in all areas of this sport.
But the benefits are not only physical. I have found myself thinking differently. I had a weak outlook and everything would get me down. I am now more positive and happier than I have been in a long time. I now look at life's hurdles and face them head on, rather than looking for the easier route. I put this down to the mental test that is faced during each and every workout increasing and reinforcing the power of the mind over the body.
My many thanks to Shaune and the crew at CrossFit Ipswich for showing me the way!!!!!
- Hannah B
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You should be proud of the achievements and the change you have made to the way I live and train today, without your knowledge and enthusiasm I would still be lifting weights in a gym or worse still thinking about it.
- Deb M
