If you want to be fit but are maybe hesitant about CrossFit "nuts," then Park Slope CrossFit is your answer. Even though I have loved the idea of CrossFit since I first heard about it, the whole "cultish" aspect of it scared me away for a long time. It wasn't until I was living abroad and letting my fitness totally disintegrate because I was afraid of signing up for a membership at a French gym that two of my Canadian friends there, who had both been doing CrossFit for 3 years, finally convinced me to try it. And of course, despite it not always being in English, I loved it. But there, it was mainly elite-level athletes, so it was pretty intimidating for an out-of-shape foreigner like me. When I moved back to the US, I knew I wanted to continue doing CrossFit, but now I was faced with the fortunate problem of having lots of choices. There were several CrossFit gyms (I refuse to call them "boxes") within walking distance. I tried a few intro classes here and there and just popped in to see others and talk to the owners. When I got to Park Slope CrossFit, I knew the search was over. The owners/coaches were so approachable and friendly that the entire vibe of the gym was casual and welcoming. It was the opposite of intimidating. Since I had just done a Foundations course at the gym in France, they let me join without repeating that (which is a big money saver and which not all gyms will allow you to do). So I can't speak to their Foundations course (they call it on ramp) or the free intro class, except to say that I know the free intro class is given twice a week and is meant for total beginners, newbies to CrossFit, so everyone is in the same boat in that class.
I've been a member of the gym for over a year now, and all the other members have become like my family here. We all introduce ourselves to new people when they are just starting out, and everyone cheers each other on and encourages each other. The coaches are great, not only at teaching people who have never done weight lifting how to do Olympic lifts, but also at suggesting stretches that would be helpful based on the day's workout and at suggesting modifications when maybe you're not exactly at the level yet where you can do something like a pull-up or a large quantity of pushups. The members here are regular people who just happen to want to be as fit as they can be. There are some outstanding athletes at the gym, and it's great to be able to learn from them, but it's not the kind of place that is out of range for people who aren't quite at that level.
CrossFit is great for people who get bored at gyms and need variety in their workouts, and also for people who like getting a prescribed workout and individualized attention from a personal trainer but with the camaraderie and energy of a group class. And, in my opinion, Park Slope CrossFit has the chillest, most welcoming environment in which to WORK YOUR ASS OFF! read more
