Real Stories, Real Results
Hear from our amazing community members about their transformative journeys at CrossFit Reading. These are real stories from real people who have changed their lives through CrossFit.
Priya
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.
James
I’ve been doing CrossFit since 2019, and it has completely changed the way I approach fitness. I’m not a top-level athlete, but that’s the beauty of it - you don’t need to be. The workouts challenge me in ways I’d never get training on my own, and the focus and intensity really push me to grow. The coaches are fantastic - always making helpful adjustments, encouraging me, and creating an environment where everyone feels supported. What really makes it special is the community. From elite athletes to everyday people like me, everyone cheers each other on. CrossFit is tough, efficient, and demanding, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. I couldn’t imagine training any other way.
Hannah
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.
Mark
I joined CrossFit Reading in the summer of 2016 after a few drop in sessions. One of the first things that struck me was just how great the coaching team are. Each new coach I met had a genuine interest in you, your background in sports and fitness, what you wanted from CrossFit, any goals, and where it could take you. The coaching in classes has always been and remains excellent, and after nearly 10 years, I still see the coaches helping and encouraging new members, and helping existing members get their first of a particular skill.
CrossFit Reading has a great sense of community and I’ve always felt supported by this. I’ve met many new friends through the years with the 6am class, friendships that exist both at the box and outside of it.
There’s a great mixture of classes, CrossFit, Weightlifting, Gymnastics, and Hyrox, as well as small team and pairs training that I particularly like.
It has always been and remains the best hour of my day.
Clare
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!
Matt
I joined CFR because I was stuck in the same old routine – normal gyms just weren’t working for me and I needed something different to keep me motivated. I always struggled to stay consistent before, but from day one at CFR it just felt different. The coaching is brilliant and the classes can be scaled to any fitness level, so you never feel out of your depth. The community is another level too – everyone’s supportive and it really makes you want to keep showing up.
Since starting I’ve lost weight, got stronger and built confidence, but more importantly I’ve found something I’ve actually stuck with for the long term. What I’m most proud of is being able to do things I never thought I’d manage, and every week I’m surprising myself with what I can achieve. Training here has carried over outside the gym too – I’ve got more energy, more focus, and just feel better in myself every day. Looking back, joining CFR has been one of the best decisions I’ve made.
Sarah
I've been training at CrossFit Reading for three years now, and I honestly couldn't recommend it enough! At first, I was a bit hesitant about trying it – I was worried it would be for advanced athletes only, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Every class is challenging yet completely adaptable to your own goals, abilities or even just how you're feeling that day.
The community is made up of people of all ages and fitness levels, and there's always something new to work on that keeps you motivated and improving. My fitness and strength have grown so much since joining. The coaches are fantastic – they give personal attention to each member while still running engaging, structured classes.
CrossFit Reading is more than a workout – it's where I find my headspace. Everytime I walk through the door, I'm greeted with smiles, kindness, and a community that genuinely looks out for one another. The support from both the coaches and members makes it a place I look forward to every day.
If you're thinking about trying it – just go for it. You won't regret it!
Tash
I have been a part of CrossFit Reading since September 2020 and a staple at the 8pm session ever since. What I love is that there is always something to improve on no matter the level, always someone there to help and people to cheer you on in all the many many attempts. On the other hand when you have had a tough day, turning up and just sweating is enough too. I started with not even being able to hold my body weight on the bar and now enjoy competing and progressing to the more complex movements.
CrossFit Reading and its community is such a big part of my daily routine and without that session to switch off at the end of the day, I wouldn't be able to reset ready to tackle the next one.
Jack and Sarah
A year into our journey with CrossFit Reading and we couldn't imagine life without it. Not only are we healthier, fitter and stronger than we've ever been; we've made amazing friends in the process. Here's to many more years at CFR!
Richard
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.
Karly
This is my ninth year of membership at CFR and joining was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Although initially apprehensive about joining, thinking I wasn’t fit enough, this was never a problem as classes are adapted for every level.
I joined CFR to burn fat but kept coming back for the way it makes me feel and the amazing community. I feel stronger and fitter at fifty than I did in my twenties. Though the classes are not easy, they are usually exhilarating and good fun. I always leave feeling a sense of achievement.
Aside from the awesome people, I think one of the reasons I’ve continued coming to classes at CFR is the sense of accomplishment from completing small goals. From handstands and double-unders to pull-ups (I’ve still got a way to go there!)
It’s the only exercise program I’ve ever stuck to.
Jez
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.
Izie
Joining CrossFit Reading in 2018 has been one of the best decisions of my life. It’s not just fitness — it’s family. The training has made me stronger, more consistent, and more confident in every area of my life. The coaches, members, and community spirit are second to none — I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Simon
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.
Kerry
I joined CFR 8 years ago and I'm still loving being a part of this supportive and encouraging community. The coaches and my fellow 6am-ers keep me accountable - If I don't turn up to a session they check in on me which really makes me feel part of the CFR family. I've always had some form of exercise in my life but I don't think I've ever committed to anything for 8 years! I love that every workout is different, I'm pushed to challenge myself and I feel fit and happy!