I have been doing crossfit for about 5 years now, primarily at another crossfit gym in San Jose, and decided to switch to CF Kindred recently after realizing that I was no longer getting results at the old place. I quickly realized that the way the program operates at Kindred was totally different and miles better than my old gym.
Kindred is a relatively new gym, just over a year old as I write the review. Because it is so new, the members tend to be newer to crossfit and not the typical veteran "firebreather" types. If you are brand new to crossfit, or are simply curious to find out more about the crossfit movement, Kindred is a perfect place to go. Jeff and Cindy, who are the owners and trainers, are two of the nicest people you will ever meet. They are highly detail oriented and very hands on with their coaching. They tailor workouts to individual skill levels, so whether you are a rank beginner or a 5 year crossfit veteran, you will always perform at your appropriate level. This is important as it also reduces the risk of injury. No one pushes you to exceed your level of ability, which is a common thing at many crossfit gyms unfortunately and contributes to the notion that crossfitters are crazed cultists who literally kill themselves physically. Yes, it is true that crossfit workouts are intense and push you beyond your comfort level, but there is a distinct difference between a good high intensity workout and pushing hard in a crazed ego driven rage.
As far as Kindred's facilities go, it's a smaller gym compared to other crossfit gyms in the area, and equipment can be an issue with larger classes, but generally class size is small and there are enough plates, bars, kettlebells, etc for everyone. The best thing about it being a small gym with smaller classes is that the sense of community is awesome. You quickly get to know everyone and there is a wonderful sense of camaraderie which in my opinion is not possible at the larger crossfit gyms in the area. Crossfit began as a bit of a community driven grass roots thing and the reality is that as it has become more popular and mainstream over the years, some gyms have failed to capture the community spirit or have lost it over time. Luckily Kindred has that community spirit and that is a reflection of Jeff and Cindy. While other gyms refer to their members as "athletes", members at Kindred are "students" which to me says a lot about how thing work there. Members constantly learn and grow, much like in any academic environment, but you also have a lot of fun along the way. The individual success stories of members at Kindred are really inspiring, even to me after 5 years of crossfitting.
So, if you are reading this, chances are you are checking out all the crossfit gyms in the area. Don't underestimate the value of a smaller gym like Kindred. Really pay attention to the sense of community at other gyms. Watch how much instruction the coaches really provide in relation to class sizes. As a beginner, individual attention and instruction is incredibly important to ensure a good positive experience and safety. Like the little engine that could, Kindred isn't big and flashy like some of the other gyms, but it makes up for it with a big heart and a program that lets you focus on a pace that is best for you. read more