Courage Fitness was my first experience with CrossFit and like many people I was a bit nervous about it, having heard about how intense the CrossFit community can be. Let me assure you that Courage Fitness is an extremely welcoming and supportive place to be, no matter whether you're just starting your fitness journey or are in fighting shape already. The coaches do a marvelous job of accommodating different levels of fitness and modifications for any injuries. I'm not sure how they're running things during Covid (I moved in July and had to end my membership) but previously they had two major categories of classes, the "Hustle" class which is a good starting point and is an intense "boot camp" style class, all body weights/dumbells/kettle bells. There's also the classic "CrossFit" style class scheme, with weightlifting and all that. If you've never done any weightlifting, don't worry, they'll set you up with a personal trainer (included in the starting package) who will coach you on basic form for all the requisite exercises and the coaches do a great job of helping coach you on your form during workouts. It's also a fantastic community. My first few workouts I had a hard time at points because the trainers had me laughing so hard. Yes, it a touch on the expensive side relative to a basic gym membership, but you're getting a planned set of workouts and a high level of personal attention. read more

CFD is an amazing gym with brilliant coaches and programming. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming from the minute you join. I have been going here since October 2022 and I already feel an overwhelming sense of community. The programming here is somewhat like a crossfit gym but I find it even better! I have been doing crossfit for 3 years now and I honestly think CFD's programming has pushed me further than those 3 years did. They focus on a lot of strength with good form instead of "just go as heavy as you can" like in CF gyms. I also feel like the workouts are NOT a competition like at crossfit gyms. Most programming is not "for time", it is just about moving well for a preset time or amount of sets. The demographic at this gym ranges from young to older as well as beginners to experts in fitness. CFD welcomes all walks of life! The coaches help you adjust all exercises to meet your level of fitness. Something special about this gym is that they really take the time to get to know you and your movement style. When you start here they complete a fitness assessment which basically looks at your mobility and balance in strength between your left/right and upper/lower body. It is a very helpful tool to help identify strengths and deficits for each individual. I highly recommend joining this gym. It's in a great location and the staff are incomparable. There is nothing negative to say about Courage Fitness! read more

Went in for an interview with this gym. From the beginning I said that I just wanted to try it out just to see if it's something I would like (2 classes a week). The operator was kinda rude after when I said wasn't expecting it to be so expensive when all I wanted to do was to try it out after being told to try it out she recommended 6 classes for $660. Yes I know pretty nice hunk of change just to try out a gym just to see if it's a good fit. And that her comment at the end really bugged me. She said we have been here before and we will be here later if you changed your mind. Making me feel like I really didn't matter. Definitely won't be giving this place a chance. read more

A bit of info that's not clear on their website for people thinking about this gym: On top of the per month cost, they require people to pay $522 for six half-hour to 45 minute 1-1 training sessions (= a minimum of $116/hour). I think this is what their website calls their "kick start program," though it doesn't mention that it's required or how much it costs. That $500 is half of the cost of a Crossfit Level 1 Certification, which is the maximum certification that some of their coaches have. I might go here if I didn't know anything about lifting, but as a former D1 scholarship athlete, it seems exorbitant given that I already know how to do most lifts. (They knew this and wouldn't make an exception.) On the plus side, they have great air flow through the place, for those worried about COVID. I'm bummed that it couldn't work out for me. read more

So I'm 4 weeks into an 8 week boot camp and Crossfit and it's killing me-in the best way! Much like so many others, I have a unreasonable schedule and often lack the motivation to get to the gym. I've had memberships at Gold's and O2 and if my schedule got hectic, I would find a reason not to go. I wanted an obligation in the form of a formal class structure and wanted some intensity as I'd really let myself go and wasn't really wanting to "mail it in" anymore. This lumpy tub of good needed more and Crossfit has provided it so far. Our instructor Ashley is really fantastic. She's clearly a solid athlete, but she manages to motivate without the yelling and foolishness that seem to typify boot camps. In addition, she seems to know what she's talking about. I've been to boot camps before where the instructors were seemingly just guys in good shape who weren't necessarily knowledgeable about diet, body mechanics, etc. Just because you are young and in good shape doesn't mean you have any idea how my old, rickety ass is going to respond! Ashley pushes us by reminding us why we are all there and by being supportive. While I don't think I'm ready yet for the "big kid" workout of regular Crossfit, the community vibe and supportive environment is something I've noticed with them as well. It's a good feeling. You don't feel intimidated or embarrassed. You are all there for a similar reason and everyone just wants you to get better. It's a good thing. Early on, we've been learning the movements which take some instruction. Form is important and they stress that very much. So our total workout might be 45 minutes but we are sometimes learning and warming up for 20-25 of those minutes and working out intently for 20 or so. Because Crossfit is so intense, you really feel like you are getting worked hard even if it's only 20 minutes. They encourage you to go all out and the workouts are designed for that. You can't lolly gag your way through them. You push as hard as you can and when you are done you are completely spent and feel like you've actually accomplished something. I should note that Crossfit ain't cheap. It's definitely more economical to join the Y or a gym, but you are paying for an environment, a methodology and a community. I'm not saying it's for everyone and even if you like it the cost might be hard to swallow. That being said, if you are used to paying for yoga or pilates classes or anything else like that, I think the cost is fairly comparable. It is certainly an investment and perhaps not one that many can make. I've sucked it up and done it despite the cost and have enjoyed it so far. So in sum, it's hard and it's expensive but they kick your butt in a really supportive way that makes you come back wanting more. It will make you better and I look forward to keeping it up for a while. read more

If you're fine going to the local big box gym where no one ever talks to you or pushes you in your workouts, and are content with being a zombie as you workout, please stop reading now. They gone yet? OK, for those of you who actually want a results orientated gym that provides great coaching sprinkled with a community feel, read on. I have been a member for 6 months and have seen better results than I could get from being at another gym where I am an anonymous number to their staff. I was a member at Gold's for over a year and could always find a reason not to go workout. Now, I genuinely get disappointed when I have to miss a workout at Crossfit. Every workout is different and challenging. I typically collapse on the ground when I'm done with a workout, exhausted, but exhausted in a good way. They even do community workouts on Saturdays so you can go and get a feel for the experience. I suggest you try one, you won't regret it. read more

If you're reading a review for this gym on Yelp, my guess is that you're considering joining. My recommendation to you is to try it out for FREE by attending a community workout on Saturday. It's really the only way to determine if this gym (and CrossFit) might be right for you. To attend the Saturday session, you need to register. You can do so through the following link: http://crossfitdurham.com/try-us-for-free/ Finally, as you may have guessed by my 5-star review, I am a current member of this gym and I've really enjoyed it so far. I don't think it's for everyone but it's certainly worth a try given that the community workout is free. read more

Crossfit Durham was, hands down, my favorite place to work out when I lived in North Carolina. I participated in a Boot Camp in early 2010 and David (hope he's still there!) brought his A game during every evening session. He taught me how to do squats better than anyone else could, and my backside still looks fantastic. Great facility, awesome crowd, encouraging vibe -- I would go back in a heartbeat if I moved back to Durham! read more

I love this gym. Everyone is very friendly and supportive. I am much stronger than I have ever been in my life.

Courage fitness does a great job planning out your fitness program by taking your goals into consideration and putting in their own professional expertise into a tailored and effective plan. The group classes are great, but my personal enjoyment has come mostly from one-on-one trainings. Community is a big strength of this place, but even if it didn't have the camaraderie of its members as a key part of the experience, this gym would stand as a fantastic facility and group of trainers. I'm getting stronger & healthier and having a great time. read more

Crossfit Durham has helped me to become the athlete I never knew I could be. As a bonus, it has helped me shed 100 pounds. And I'm still going! Crossfit is a no nonsense way to get or stay fit. It can be scaled for anyone regardless of age, gender, size or ability. And I really mean anyone. Trust me when I say you will be able to do things you never thought you could do. I mean, I am doing handstands! What I love most about Crossfit Durham is the community. EVERY single person that walks in the door not only wants to do well themselves, but wants you to do well too. We cheer eachother on, call you out if we think you can be pushed, and stand in awe watching you be badass. I swear this keeps me coming back. Plus I'm pretty sure someone would come and pick me up and take me to the gym if I started slacking. They offer a free community class every Saturday at 11 where you can learn what Crossfit is all about. Come check it out! Interested but nervous? Try out a bootcamp to get your feet wet. I did. In fact, I think I did maybe 6 bootcamp sessions before becoming a member. Crossfit Durham is a great place to reach your fitness goals whatever they are. Just ask our triathaloners, bikers, runners, moms, dads, students, ultra marathoners, young professionals, olympic weighlifters, martial artists and weight losers. read more

This is a classic crossfit box with everything you need to get a great workout. There are some added groups in bootcamp sessions. I went in as a "drop - in". I travel for work and regularly hit a local crossfit group for a workout. The environment was friendly. The workout was posted on the whiteboard and the warmup + instruction were consistent. During the workout small observations and instructions were common which I appreciated. When visiting Durham I will make this my local place to "drop in". read more

Crossfit Durham is the place the go if you serious about getting results. The place is clean and the staff is knowledgeable. They took the time to show me proper form which is something I was lacking. I lost 17 lbs in 6 weeks and I am still going. 5 stars! read more

I love the community that is Crossfit Durham! Such a warm welcoming place with great people and coaches who will push you to be better every single day! read more

Great people, great gym, great atmosphere. If you are looking to be pushed and supported toward reaching any goal - this is the place.

One of the saddest things about my recent move away from Durham was leaving this gym! Not only were the workouts great (I went from irregular gym goer to doing physical things I never thought I'd be able to do), but the community is top-notch and extremely supportive. I try to go back for a visit every time I'm in town. read more

This is the first CrossFit affiliate I ever went to. I showed up the first day they were open- August 1st 2008. I learned the fundamentals of Crossfit before moving away several months later- luckily I'm often in the area so I still get to visit fairly regularly. Since my introduction in Durham, I have visited 6 other CrossFit affiliates (I love checking out new gyms); and none I would rate higher than Crossfit Durham. They have a gorgeous (and very clean) converted warehouse space, plenty of quality equipment, and two very qualified coach/trainers. Also, CrossFit gyms in general build community much better than your "globo" or big-box gyms. Crossfit workouts are in small groups (you suffer together!) that lend themselves to much camradery; you won't find people zoned out with headphones on. I'm a pretty reserved person and I got to know everyone in Durham really fast; it's a friendly place. If you're serious about fitness then it's definitely worth checking out. If you are just looking for something relaxing (treadmill and a magazine) you might find a better fit elsewhere. read more

I dropped in as a visitor for the 6:15 class on 5/19/14. I got solid training tips from Coach Lynne. The group was very welcoming and supportive, especially considering that I was a total stranger. I had a very positive experience and highly recommend Crossfit Durham for visitors to Durham. read more

Having tried and having been a member of a number of gyms, both "box" and CrossFit, I can state unequivocally that CrossFit Durham is the best fitness provider in the Triangle. First (and most importantly), the staff and trainers are exceptional. Given that less than a dozen people usually attend the numerous daily sessions, the trainers are able to provide feedback to each and every member, from the first-timer to the seasoned athlete. It's truly like receiving daily personal training--without having to pay the exorbitant fees that most personal trainers and box gyms charge. Second, the equipment is plentiful and basic, and just what you need to grow stronger, more flexible, leaner -whatever your goal(s): bars, plates, kettle bells, dumbbells, medicine balls, rings, jump ropes, ropes, abmats, and (of course!) group bars to perform pull-ups and kips. Third, every member of CrossFit Durham is friendly and approachable. Instead of working out surrounded by people concerned more about their appearance and/or picking up someone and/or posing and/or iPods, etc., you are instead surrounded by people who are not only willing but are able to provide you direction and support. read more