I rode in the Courage Classic this past weekend. The cycling event raises money for Children's Hospital and travels 157 miles in 3 days over 3 mountain passes. Day 1 is the toughest: biking 59 miles over Tennessee Pass, Battle Mountain, and then Vail Pass for a total elevation gain of almost 4000 feet.
I first did this ride in 2008 and biked 3-5 days every week April thru July until the event. This year, my training was almost exclusively at CrossFit Littleton. I managed to get a few rides in here and there when the weather cooperated, but I probably logged less than 200 miles over the same 4 month timeframe. Definitely not much time on the bike.
Just wanted to let you know that I successfully completed the 3-day ride and managed to clean each summit without stopping. In fact, this year I completed Day 1 an hour faster than I did in 2008!
Thank you to all the trainers at CrossFit Littleton for getting me ready to ride in the Courage Classic. I'm so happy I found CFL as the workouts are much more fun and rewarding than spending hours and hours on my road bike!
Betsy Phelan
When I started CrossFit 6 months ago, I wanted a program that would augment what I had done in my home gym to increase my overall fitness. I cannot stress how impressed I have been with my results. By working out 3/4 times per week (total work out time 1.5 hours) and adopting the principals of the paleo diet (modified South Beach Diet); I have lost 45 pounds and have witnessed an entire transformation in how I look and feel.
A couple of examples:
When I started I could do 1, yes 1, pull-up. On a recent WOD (Work Out of the Day), I did 150 among other activities.
- In the past I ran a mile in about 10 minutes; now a 7.5 minute mile is a comfortable pace.
- I no longer tire when I play with my boys
- Most importantly, my cholesterol has dropped to a level that I no longer need prescription medication!
The WODs are hard, but they are short and the folks at CrossFit Littleton help you along the way. Which brings me to my next point, the people. CrossFit Littleton has an outstanding staff of trained experts to assist you during the workouts. They provide the one-on-one attention to ensure proper form, greatly reducing the risk of unecessary injury. If you have visited any of the CrossFit sites you'll notice that the WODs are done in a group. At first this seemed a bit intimidating, but I was pleasantly surprised in the cheers of encouragement, which began day 1, from my fellow CrossFitters.
I cannot recommend the program or the gym higher. Ian and his growing staff are outstanding... the folks that belong to the gym are outstanding... and I feel OUTSTANDING!
Dean Armand
I just wanted to let you know I was invited to do a workout at _______ Crossfit on Sunday, so I took advantage of that and tried it out. It was a tough workout and the people were ok, but I must say I am very happy to be at Crossfit Littleton. I think what you have going on there is awesome. I really appreciate all of the help and encouragement that you, Jeremy, and Brent give..for that matter everyone gives. I think you have a great bunch of Crossfitters (me included haha) there and I always (well most of the time) leave feeling like not only did I get a great workout but I had fun! It definitely is very addicting that is for sure. So thank you for that, Crossfit Littleton is in a class by itself that is for sure.Lorie Couse
In April of 2009 a friend of mine who has been doing CrossFit for several years told me about CrossFit Littleton and encouraged me to go check it out. Having had 3 knee surgeries in 2 1/2 years on the same knee, I was nervous that the intensity of CF exercises would do my knee more harm than good, not to mention the fact that I felt incredibly out of shape! I couldn't do a single pull-up, still did push-ups off of my knees and couldn't fathom doing some of the movements that are a part of CrossFit training. It took about a month before I got up the nerve to call and make an appointment to meet with Ian, the owner of the gym. Even after going to my first intro session, I was still super intimidated and was more interested in private training than going to the group classes. Ian convinced me to do at least one class with the group, and a few minutes into the workout I discovered that I was too intent on making it through the workout to be concerned that others were watching me fumble my way through the wod (workout of the day)! After that - I was sold! The workouts are challenging and some of the mechanics can seem tough to accomplish, but the coaches at CF Littleton (Ian, Jeremy and Chappy) are great at breaking down the movements so that the steps are easy to learn. Everybody at CF Littleton is amazingly encouraging - the staff AND the members. You don't get through a workout without someone yelling encouragement at you, and sometimes finishing that last push of your workout WITH you, even though they have finished their own! And each of the coaches goes above and beyond to help you individually with any difficulties that you may be having with a certain movement or in helping you meet a certain goal.
I've only been doing CrossFit for 7 months, and I certainly have goals to obtain, but I have seen incredible changes in that short time. At 40, I'm in physically better shape than I think I have ever been: the strength and functionality of my knee/leg has increased markedly and I no longer feel like it's a hindrance in my workouts, my job or my personal life; I've lost weight; I'm stronger; I can now do pull-ups and "real" push-ups; and more importantly my energy levels and overall attitude are completely changed. I find myself doing things that I haven't considered doing in a long time -or ever- and I'm having fun doing it! And as a police officer, I have more confidence now in my physical strength, endurance and abilities than I have had in a long time, not to mention the energy to get through the sometimes long shifts without feeling over fatigued! CrossFit can feel intimidating to anyone starting out, but it is by far the most effective form of exercise and strength training that I have ever experienced. If anyone is hesitant about starting CrossFit Littleton I say just go for it....I've never felt more welcomed, comfortable and accomplished in a gym than at CF Littleton!
Kari Johnson
Kari Johnson
Here are my before pictures taken July 5, 2009 and pictures from about 10 days ago June 27ish 2010. CFL the Trainers/Community you have created have changed my life. THANK YOU.
Kyle Thornton
