Testimonials

TravisConfessions of a Paleo Weightlifter:
 

My experiences at Portland Crossfit, aka “the buff factory” aka “das uber clube des buff”, and as a recorded guinea pig of the paleo diet, can be best characterized by borrowing a hilarious, yet made-up term: “Scrumtralescent”.

I joined Crossfit in January of 2008. I was bulky. Some may have described my physique as ‘fat’. I enjoyed thinking of myself as lovable…with girth. My intentions were simple enough: find a regime
that promoted healthy living and stick with it. At the time, I had mastered a lifestyle which at best could be described as dysfunctional. I smoked cigarettes; drank excessively, and for the most part, devalued what most people, including the Bush Administration, would deem as ‘acceptable living’. My initial thought was to engross myself in a community that valued more than ones’ capacity to drink 18 beers in one sitting, and to see what happened. What I discovered, with some hard work and expert guidance, was nothing short of miraculous. The first three months were rather pedestrian. I would come to Crossfit thrice-a-week and perform the prescribed workouts. Although challenging, they were not a big deal. I was intimidated, but gradually, I began to see results: I was losing weight and feeling stronger. The problem, however, was that I wasn’t losing weight as rapidly as I had imagined. I was definitely getting stronger, but my weight hovered in the same district. Fortunately, I soon discovered that Crossfit is much more than a gym with simple membership requirements. More than buff enthusiasts, the instructors are nutritionalists that subscribe to a philosophy of living, a physical ‘filosophia di vie’ of sorts, which transcends simple exercise. Scott, Xi Xia, and Rochelle are compassionate individuals and true exemplars of the practices and ideologies which support what is commonly known as ‘Crossfit’. In other words, beyond providing the basics, i.e., the simple guidance as to the proper form of exercise, they offer the personal attention and dietary suggestions that are critical for those (like myself) whom are impatient to see the results of hard work. What began as a simple conversation of diet, soon transformed into a two month public experiment: I was to commit to a ‘paleo’ or ‘ancestral’ diet which involved radically changing my eating habits — zero carbs, high protein, massive amounts of vegetables, healthy fats, and kombucha (not required, but delicious). Initially, the goal was to maintain and record my diet for four weeks. However, I quickly discovered that the combination of dietary governance and daily Crossfit workouts delivered a potent effect. The support I received from the Portland Crossfit team, in particular from my main man, Xi Xia, expanded the horizons of my physical accomplishments. The four-week experiment soon morphed into an eight week effort which has left me feeling stronger than ever and (as of today) has resulted with 20 pounds of weight loss.

Portland Crossfit is by no means easy. The daily workouts are intimidating at best. As a friend once said, “If I’m not scared by the Work out Of the Day, it’s not worth doing.” I resonate with this statement. I have now been an active member of the Portland Crossfit community for nine months, and I can say with absolute certainty that each day when I arrive for class I am scared. The reward, however, is in the discovery that the goals are in fact, achievable. By completing the prescribed workouts, we empower ourselves to take steps toward, albeit inch by inch, the goal of becoming more fit individuals. My experiences at Portland Crossfit have afforded new friendships, confidence in my body-image, and a total weight loss of 35 pounds, and for that I am eternally grateful. More importantly, I have maintained a commitment to healthy eating habits and living; I have continued to be smoke-free; and I have reaped the unexpected rewards of imagining that I have a chiseled physique (psychological overconfidence and apparent narcissistic results may vary). But for now, I will sleep soundly with my sincere thanks to the Portland Crossfit Community for exemplifying what I believe to be the true meaning of an imaginary yet provocative term: Scrumtralescent.

In buffness I remain,
Your Student For Life,
– Travis

KellyI started CrossFit training in March ‘05, and I love the results as well as look forward to each class I go to. The people and atmosphere are encouraging and energetic. The exercises engage my whole body and I have a more balanced approach to working out.
– Kelley Brownlie

 

 

AaronCrossFit Portland is great. Not only are Scott and Rochelle extremely knowledgeable, but the whole group is really supportive. I like to ride bikes long distances, and before training at CrossFit Portland my quads were very dominant over my hamstrings and glutes. Training my entire body has helped develop all of the muscles in my legs, leading to more strength and comfort on the bike. Goodbye lower back pain!

Getting off of my bike and training my upper body led to people I hadn’t seen in 8 months commenting that I looked taller. I think this has to do with some muscle mass I’ve gained, and better posture as a result of CrossFit.

CrossFit Portland workouts (and cool-down stretches!) are challenging, fun, and always different.
- Aaron Schmidt

Michele In combination with my power yoga and running activities during the week,
CrossFit Portland has not only rounded out my sport activities (and
strength) but provided that fun (!) social aspect which I definitely miss
about organized sports. I always look forward to the competition at next
class! – Michelle Mandel

 

 
Jim I could write many pages about the merits of Crossfit Portland. For the sake of brevity I will focus on one very important component. I met Scott Hagnas in April of 2007 when I ventured into Crossfit for the first time. Scott is the epitome of what a trainer should be. He is learned, thoughtful, positive, and composed. It amazes me how much information one person can grasp. From diet, to power lifting, to Olympic lifting, to kettlebells and club bells this guy knows it all. I believe his joint mobility knowledge sets CFPDX apart from other Crossfits. Scott has built a welcoming community and developed several great trainers. I am very grateful to Scott for all the help he has sent my way. I am truly indebted to him.
-Jim McIntyre

ChristineI’m a Newbie to Crossfit. I’ve work with many traditional Body Builder trainers over the past years and often walk away looking fit and looking strong but not really healthy; couldn’t run a mile.

Now I’m beginning to feel all my body parts and understand how it all fits together. Focus! Focus! Focus! I feel like my whole body is stronger after only 1 month – wait until this time next year ……………I’ll be carrying Xi Xia the 400meters around the block.
-Christine (The Grandmother)

 
jarvis I was first introduced to Crossfit by Xi Xia in October 2007 and my life hasn’t been the same since. I used to be one of those guys who randomly wandered the gym going from exercise to exercise with no real plan. I wasn’t excited about working out, saw little gain even when I went on a constant basis and I often dreaded fighting for space and ended up skipping weeks at a time. Now after six months of working with Scott, Rochelle, Xi Xia and all the other great folks at Crossfit Portland, not only have I experienced tremendous growth in my strength and flexiblity, but I now genuinely look forward to each workout. The brisk pace, the variable intensity and the sense of community are all things I have come to appreciate as significant advantages over the sterile, boring experience of meat market-esque “fitness centers.” I highly recommend CFPDX to all of my friends, from the couch potato to the serious lifter.
-Jarvis

 
Mike RowingMy experience at CrossFit Portland since I joined in January 2008 has been life changing. Before then I had spent years working out at typical gyms and frequently left feeling bored, tired and very frustrated. In the time I have been doing CrossFit I have noticed a significant reduction in body fat as well as monumental changes in my flexibility, strength and energy level! The WOD’s are competitive, challenging and different every time. The instructors are great and I leave every workout a little stronger, faster and more educated! Thank you so much Scott, Rochelle, Xi Xia and Aaron! - Mike


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