Real Stories, Real Results

Since the beginning of 2024, I've been on a journey that's completely transformed my life. After a year-long hiatus from exercise (unless chasing a toddler counts!), I decided it was time for a change. I walked into CrossFit Reading for my first day of a foundation course and was immediately in awe. I saw these incredible athletes - men and women - effortlessly lifting what looked like impossible weights, performing gymnastics, and executing movements I didn't even know the human body could do.

I'll be honest, my anxiety was through the roof. I remember thinking, "There is no way I'm going to survive the next few weeks!" But fast forward to today, and I'm living proof that anything is possible. I've gone from barely being able to hang on a bar and attempting donkey kicks to lifting weights I never thought I could and celebrating my first Jumping Box Muscle-Up just a few weeks ago. Recording my personal bests has become a motivating ritual, and I'm so proud of every small victory.

CFR isn't just a gym; it's a community. The support here is unlike anything I've ever experienced. I've seen how coaches and fellow members cheer on a new parent, a teenager, a senior citizen, and even someone recovering from an injury. The coaches have been incredible, guiding me every step of the way, and the community has been my biggest motivator. I've had to juggle everything in my day to make it to my classes, but it is always worth it.

This journey has had a ripple effect beyond the gym. I've become a role model for my close friends, and I feel better and stronger than ever. The fact that I can now fit into some of my pre-pregnancy clothes is just a bonus! I am incredibly proud and lucky to be a part of the CFR family.

As they say, this is just the beginning. I can't wait to see what comes next.

Since joining CrossFit Reading, my fitness and strength have improved more than I ever expected. What makes it truly special isn’t just the workouts — it’s the sense of community. From day one, I felt welcomed and supported. It’s a place where I’ve made real friendships, and training with others makes every session fun, social, and means it never feels like a chore to go — if anything, it’s the best part of my day.

The workouts are challenging in all the right ways, constantly pushing me to improve, but in an environment where everyone is cheering each other on. Their nutrition course has completely changed how I approach food. I’ve learned what my body actually needs in a sustainable way .

This gym is truly unique — a supportive, energetic space where you get stronger, inside and out.

When I stumbled into CFR back in 2018, I never thought I’d still be there, loving it, seven years later. As someone who was massively put off sport when I was younger, I’ve always found it hard to find something I really enjoy and want to stick at. But CrossFit is now just part of who I am and I don’t know what I’d do without it.

You don’t have to be some kind of athlete to come and join the gang. It’s about showing up each time for yourself, leaving any ego behind and getting whatever you need to out of it that day.

I’ve learned so much at CFR – how to push myself, how to build my strength (physically and mentally), how to conquer my fear of going upside down (still in progress…), that nothing good comes from comparing myself to others, and of course a whole new world of acronyms!

But the best thing for me is that CFR has become like my safe haven – I’ve never known anywhere like it for the unquestioning support everyone gives each other so willingly. It has got me through my worst work days, the craziness of COVID and the loss of my two perfect furry soulmates. Sometimes a good session is getting a PB on a lift – but sometimes it’s just getting yourself through the door for a cry and a big hug from the coach!

I’ve seen things change over the years – new coaches, members, kit, logo. Along the way I’ve collected some injuries and of course bought a whole lot of new trainers. But the one thing that never changes is that I always want to go into the gym. No matter how I’m feeling or what’s happened that day I know I’ll feel so much better when I get there.

Get your feet through that door and take a punt – I’ll be there with a smile and some sweets!

Aged 60, I came to Crossfit with the encouragement of my son. I was in a sedentary job, with no serious exercise since school. There was some trepidation.

I lack motivation to exercise at home. The Crossfit box is unheated but there was warm encouragement from enthusiastic coaches and fellow strugglers, at varying stages on their own journey. I have been helped by lorry drivers, teachers, policemen, software engineers, doctors.

What do you get? – stimulus, pain, satisfaction, exhaustion – but I regularly leave the gym feeling energized. That is a good feeling.

The challenges are tough. After years, there is still nothing that I find easy. There are times when I feel so intimidated that I give a class a miss. That is my loss. The coaches are ever willing to find a way for you to make the best of yourself.

Sometimes you may have a bad day and feel only disappointment. That is when your coach will remind you that you are a winner just turning up. At the time that can be hard to take, but it doesn't alter the fact that it is true.

Why not give it a go? You might surprise yourself.

As an Army veteran, I’ve always valued strength and resilience, and CrossFit Reading helps me maintain and grow both. It builds true physical robustness while training alongside athletes from diverse sporting backgrounds, many of whom push me to go further. The connection here is real — the community motivates and supports you to progress safely, ensuring you can enjoy an active, healthy life for years to come. The varied programming helps me increase strength and capacity while learning new skills, making it perfect for staying strong, capable, and resilient in your 40s and beyond. CrossFit develops my functional strength, endurance, and mobility, while keeping me mentally sharp and physically robust.

I joined CrossFit Reading roughly 1 year ago and since then my whole outlook on exercise has changed for the better. The coaches make you feel comfortable whilst pushing you to your absolute limit, the encouragement from them and the community they have created is reason enough to keep going back! The fact that all exercises can be scaled to your personal ability offers me goals for improvement, which is motivation I didn’t have prior to joining. I would recommend CFR to anybody.