Testimonials

Mina Barbuto

Ever since I was 16 years old I wanted to change my body. Living in an old fashioned Italian home it was easy to pack on the pounds and I was never happy with the way I looked. I began running outdoors and joined a gym. I would run 5-6 days a week and also attended spinning class and boot camp type exercise classes. I always had a passion for fitness but this just wasn’t cutting it. I even started a home workout program called “Turbojam” and I lost a couple pounds and then quickly hit the lovely plateau.

I still remember when I attended one of Michelle’s classes at Fit City… it was a Friday morning and the workout was intense. I always thought I was so fit and strong but this clearly showed me I had no idea what I was doing! I continued to attend her classes, they kicked me in the butt and at the end of it I felt like I actually accomplished something. I used to always think, the longer the workout the better, this was clearly thrown away quickly once introduced to Crossfit. I started Crossfit in October of 2010 and my body quickly began to change. Definition started to show, my legs became more toned (which I tried for years to change ... thank you Crossfit!) and my strength increased. I truly never thought I could accomplish as much as I have today. I never thought I could do a pull up without a band, climb a robe, deadlift 175lbs, and the list goes on.

I also knew nutrition played a role with fitness but never really noticed the large impact it has. I thought I ate pretty healthy before, but that was thrown out the window again when introduced to Paleo. This way of eating helped in achieving the results I have with Crossfit. Nutrition and fitness comes hand in hand with one another, it is one package. Living with an old fashioned Italian mother you could just imagine what our family dinners consisted of; pastas, pizza, sandwiches, bread, bread, and more bread!! I learned about Paleo and was so intrigued with what I thought was supposed to be “healthy”. I used to only look at calories, fat, and carbs. Now I look at the ingredient list FIRST, sugar, and carbohydrates. I began to cook for myself and also explained the benefits to eating paleo with my family. Now, I have my old fashioned Italian mother, sister, brother-in-law, and close friends all eating Paleo!

My passion for fitness, nutrition, and an overall healthy lifestyle has never changed, yet I have become more educated with how to get the results you want. Crossfit has changed my life; it has made me more positive and has given me the confidence to accomplish goals I never thought I could. I will continue to motivate others to be active and healthy because it is an amazing feeling. I have never felt this healthy and strong in my life! Thank you Crossfit!

Adam Rogers

A couple years ago I was just your average guy with your average gym membership who would go a few times a week and do some sets of weights in order to try and stay in shape, but it wasn't working very well, and before long I was so unmotivated by the gym that I was barely even able to drag myself in there 1 or 2 times a week, then my son was born and for a year I was a relative stranger to the gym or working out at all. I wanted to get back in better shape and that's why I came to Crossfit.

I walked in one morning and later that day I was doing the introductory workout with Ryan. It resulted in a WOD-DNF as I nearly fell over with dizziness and nausea during 50 air squats. After a 2 hr recovery lying on my living room floor I took on the challenge to keep coming for more.

After 6 months of Crossfit I can say that I've gotten alot stronger and am happy with the results I've seen. I joke about it, but in all seriousness my main goal is to attend 3 times a week and I figure once I get there the rest will take care of itself because it's a great environment where you can't help but give 100% because everyone around you is. I wish I could attend 5 days a week, but with a FT and a PT job as well as a 1 and 1/2 yr old son and a great wife I simply can't find the time. But my motto is that you do what you can and try to give it your all. I also embrace the ideals of Paleo, although I am not strict I try to make paleo meals for myself and my family and eat paleo snacks as much as possible because in a world of processed food and quick meals it is far healthier and will provide you with the best body fuel. I'm also looking forward to my son getting older and bringing him to Crossfit Kids.

My goal at the gym it is to be able to do multiple Muscle-ups, but beyond that I just want to keep attending, getting stronger, and having fun pushing myself and others in WOD's.

I love the sign on the front door of Crossfit Newmarket Central: to me it says "get in here, don't shortchange yourself and give it all you've got".

Doug Lennox

Doug Lennox, age 52. I joined Crossfit Newmarket Central in December of 2010. During that time I averaged about 4-5 exercise sessions per week plus I attended two diet related programs, a 3 week sugar detox and later on, a 8 week Paleo program. (The diet programs were run by Brandi McCarthy, thanks Brandi, they were great!). My improvements have been dramatic; I have lost over 20 lbs. and almost 6 inches from my waistline. I am in better shape now than I have ever been - even at 30 when I ran daily. I cannot say enough about the positive feedback I have received from both Ryan and Michelle, as well as their ‘gentle’ prod when I would “accidently” not complete the full movement of some exercise. They are both very good at modifying the day’s program to suit the ability of each participant, ensuring each gets a complete workout, yet each having radically different weights or rubber band assists. When I first started I was always using the largest bands, whereas now there is only one exercise that I need to use the smallest band (and I am working on dropping that one). Had it not been for the modification of my programs in the early days, I probably would have dropped out due to sheer frustration. The last point I would like to make is how friendly all the participants are. Most of the regulars know each other by name and Michelle and Ryan know everyone by name. This ties the whole program together, making you want to come back, even when you are still a bit sore from the last class. I would highly recommend joining Crossfit, no matter what your current age or ability is, if I can do it, anyone can.

Dec 2012

Honestly I have to give both of you credit for all the help and motivation
you have given me in the past two years! It’s funny that I initially joined
for a month as I thought my knee would not last, yet two years later I have
done at least four CrossFit competitions, an 18KM tough mudder and am
training for a full iron man.

Thanks Doug

Katie Toksoy

After turning 40 I decided there was no time like the present to get my body in shape. I had never been overweight in my life, but never really felt strong, energetic or fit either. With no sports or gym background, I came in for a trial class and was very inspired by what I saw. People doing pushups, pullups, jumping on boxes and lifting weights. The weights scared me a bit but I was assured that I would have proper training and coaching and I'd never be left alone to lift really heavy things. Then I decided to jump in and do my best. After workouts I felt exhilarated and I slept a lot those first couple of months. Slowly over time I noticed that I was getting faster and more efficient in my workouts and I wasn't panting for breath so much. My pants started to fit better and I was getting better quality sleep because I was giving my body the "good stress" that it needed at the gym. I decided to stop eating grains and sugar 6 months ago and again noticed improvement in my athletic performance and self confidence. I have a lot of respect for the members and the trainers at Crossfit Newmarket Central, and always look forward to going in. It has been one year now since I first walked through that door and I feel better than ever. My goal is to master double-unders and do pull-ups without the help of an elastic band.

Thanks Ryan and Michelle for everything.

Gudmundur Hafthorsson

I came to take a look at the CrossFit Newmarket Central in August of 2010 for my swim team to see if it was good enough for them and Ryan and Michelle made my try Cindy but ONLY for 10 minutes... it´s sad to say but true that the next 3 days I basically could not move BUT I loved it. Here is the workout for everyone, you have trainers that push you but also understand that you can´t do EVERYTHING full on and that is what I needed. Now I get a perfect workout every time I go there and in just one month took off 15 pounds and got stronger. If you get into it and keep up with your schedule you'll get hooked. I LOVE IT!!!"