Athlete Testimonials

Larisa, Studette PhD

I absolutely heart Crossfit, but more specifically, I absolutely heart the Goodland. Although I haven’t exactly visited many other “boxes,” I would be confident enough to say that we have one of the most amazing, friendly, and supportive communities out there. I feel so fortunate to not only have the support of my fellow athletes, but also to call many of them my friends.

I first heard about Crossfit through a friend (Whitney Ence… a previous Goodland athlete) who recommended it to me knowing that I enjoyed weight training. I came in for my intro workout secretly feeling like I was fairly fit and was totally schooled. Although I felt like I was going to die after the “Baseline” workout, I was sold. Now, almost 2 years later, I am still hooked. And although you will most likely hear me say that I should have a lot more to show for it (i.e., 2 years of Crossfitting), I never would have imagined being able to do most of what I do, and I am extremely happy with the gains that I have made. I have always loved feeling strong, and Crossfit shows me that I’m even stronger than I think I am (which is mostly my problem – “mindbottling”)… example given: deadlifting 250 lbs. Yeah, never would have even thought this was remotely possible.

Not only have I made systematic progress in many movements and skills (except maybe wallballs… ugh….), the amount of knowledge I have acquired about form, movement, and general weight training and conditioning is immeasurable. The head coach, Nick, is fabulous in every respect about focusing on all of the above, but more than anything he is just such a great person. The enthusiasm and motivation that he demonstrates for the gym and his athletes is extremely deep and personal, and I think that is what drives our community. His heart is completely in this and it clearly shows. And being one of the OG’s, it has been amazing to watch the community grow.

To conclude, I think my baseline progress is representative of the systematic progress
that one can make with consistent Crossfit programming… and is representative of my
progress for many other WOD’s and movements… So, here it is, starting with my intro:

4/14/10 (Intro) – 8:24 (knee push ups, green strap for pull ups)
5/29/10 – 6:22 (knee push ups, green strap for pull ups)
9/7/10 – 5:53 (RX push ups, blue strap for pull ups)
11/1/10 – 7:20 RX
9/20/11 – 6:09 RX

Ryan D., Chemistry PhD Student

I came to cross-fit as what I considered to be a reasonably fit person. While I still believe this to be true, I did not realized how one-dimensional my fitness was. I spent entirely too much time doing body-building style workouts and running intervals on the treadmill. I know that cross-fit has helped break through barriers that I had encountered while doing this type of training and regain alot of my speed, power and athleticism that I had lost not participating in competitive athletics. BUT, this is not what I feel to be the greatest aspect of the training I have received at the Goodland.

At CFG I recalled a long forgotten lesson I originally learned playing football, there is kinship in pain and suffering, when we suffer together we pull each other through to the other side of the pain.Therefore, making all of us stronger. I feel that this translates to other aspects of our lives, what used to be a huge challenge, now seems mundane. When I have to force myself to stay up all night for work, I think “shit, it ain’t Fran, how hard can it be”.

In the words of Jack “A guy who came to the Goodland for the first time, his ass was a wad of cookie dough. After a few weeks, he was carved out of wood”

Alex M., ROTC Student and Search and Rescue Volunteer

I am stronger, healthier, and happier after starting CrossFit. As someone who doesn’t CrossFit to compete as a CrossFitter but instead to make me a stronger climber, better soldier, and Search and Rescue volunteer I can say with confidence that in all these areas of my life there is a distinct difference between those who workout consistently in an intense and varied manner (like CrossFit) and those who don’t. I used to be just a runner, a greyhound, I could move fast but don’t weight me down and don’t ask me to do pull ups, lift weights, or use my upper body. Thanks to CrossFit I do not suffer from the failures of being a specialist any longer. I can carry as much as nearly anyone, move as fast as nearly anyone, and I’ve gone up a full grade in my outdoor climbing (with nearly NO sport specific training in the last year). Pretty legit.

Jes, Chemistry PhD Student

I started at CFG with a compressed nerve, fierce knee pain, and barely-functioning lungs. Six months in, all of the above were nonissues thanks to solid mobility training and a Paleo challenge in which I learned I was just allergic to gluten and didn’t actually have terrible asthma and allergies. My deadlift (single to double bodyweight) and back squat (~100 to 193) have pretty much doubled, and I’m able to run more than a mile without stopping (for the first time in my life). Thanks to CFG, I’m stronger, faster, less injured…and I’ve made a bunch of awesome friends.

Peng, UCSB Physics Professor

“Crossfit has been a great experience! And weirdly addictive—I never thought I’d get into something like doing Olympic lifts for time, but it’s actually a lot of fun (or, as these guys say, “it doesn’t have to be fun to be fun”). Nick is a great guy and very patient and encouraging, even if you’re a nerdy unathletic scientist like me. The atmosphere in the group is great too—we all cheer one another on, which somehow gives you the impetus to lift that !@$^$#! bar one more time.”

Cristina, UCSB Grad Student

“I hate gyms. Correction, I hate giant gyms with rows of sweaty people running in place, and meat-headed jocks hogging the weight machines. I didn’t even like my gym when I was in College, and that was free.

Crossfit Goodland is NOT one of those gyms. In fact, I don’t really think of it as a gym, but a community of people with shared fitness goals. The people who workout here are supportive and encouraging – cheering you on during tough workouts. And when you’ve hit a milestone, sometimes they’re more excited for you then you are for yourself. Nick, the coach, sets the standard for staying positive and keeping  us motivated. Even more, he really gives personal attention to each of us during the workout.

As a contemporary jazz dancer I had NEVER done any weight lifting whatsoever, and I couldn’t even run because of a former knee injury. But Nick helped me to scale the workouts to my skill-level and has revolutionized my running capabilities. I now run on my own time, outside of the gym, and without significant knee pain – for me this is truly an amazing feat.

I recommend Crossfit Goodland to anyone wanting to be healthy and strong. It doesn’t matter what your athletic abilities are now, your weight, age, etc. Crossfit is adapted for the individual, and I guarantee you’ll be surprised how quickly you improve.”

Sam, UCSB Alumnus ’11

“CrossFit is one of the most addicting workouts I have ever participated in. As an ex water polo player who let myself go a little too much and gaining over 30 pounds of weight, I was in search for a good and enjoyable workout routine that would get me in shape and feeling good again. I tried to get into running, but did not stick to it because it was boring and I wasn’t very good at it in the first place. I enjoyed cycling, but could never go enough because to get a good workout I needed to clock in a lot of time. I was immediately intrigued when a friend of mine told me about CrossFit and a gym that had just opened up in Goleta, and knew that I had to try it out. From the baseline intro workout I was hooked. The constant varied workout routines you never get bored of and sometimes you do a workout that only last 10 minutes but it feels like you have been working out for hours.

Two months later I have lost over 20 pounds while still getting much stronger every workout. I could barely do a single pull-up with my lack of muscle and extra weight when I first started and now pull-ups are basic. I’m on my way back to the shape I was in as a collegiate water polo player, and probably better soon enough. The gym atmosphere is one of the best parts, because it is like being part of a team, more like a family, where we all push each other to out limits with competition and words of encouragement. Nick is a great coach and trainer and really focuses on making sure you do all the lifts and exercises properly so you don’t get injured.”

Jen, UCSB Alumnus ’11

“Starting CrossFit is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. After playing soccer for 17 years and going through four knee surgeries, I felt weak and out of shape. I had lifted weights in high school (lower body only) and was constantly told that endurance conditioning and intense shooting drills as a form of strength training were the way to succeed as an elite athlete.

I learned through CrossFit that I was not nearly as strong as I thought I was. While I was a good player, years of long distance training and lack of actual resistance strength training probably contributed immensely to my injuries and stopped me from enjoying the game that I loved most.

CrossFit Goodland has given back to me that competitve atmosphere with the support of teammates and the ability to rage during a workout. When I started over a year ago, I could barely squat 115 pounds. After three months I was squatting 175. I am always impressed by Nick’s knowledge and passion not only about fitness but coaching others in making themselves better. CrossFit is simply the most effective means of being healthy, strong, and showing people at parties that you can do pullups. It has changed my life and it will change yours.”

Dane, UCSB Alumnus ’10

“CrossFit Goodland has changed my perspective on what fitness is really about. After moving to UCSB I stopped participating in athletics and let my self go physically. Needless to say I gained some weight and became unhappy with my appearance. When I was introduced to CrossFit I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. My first baseline workout was brutal but really turned me on to what CrossFit has to offer and really highlighted my weaknesses. After deciding I wanted to commit to CrossFit, I started seeing drastic changes immediately. My favorite personal success story is when I first started; I could barely do 1 pull-up. But after a lot of hard work and great coaching I was able to do 60+ pull-ups in a work out. The best part about working out at the “gym” was the encouragement, support, and pure competition between the athletes. The support of our coach, Nick, and other athletes really pushed me to get uncomfortable yet enjoy the workouts that often ended in beautiful “sweat angles”. I am so happy that I gave CrossFit a shot and really enjoyed my experience learning and raging with Nick! I am now stoked on my physical appearance and owe it all to CrossFit Goodland!

I can’t stop talking about CrossFit and am digging the bodyweight workouts. I miss all you guys and hope everything is still going well for you my friend…

Peace and love,
Dane”

Julian, Collegiate Cross Country Athlete

“Out of the 26 guys on my college xc team, I ran the fewest miles over the summer (although pretty much all my miles were quality miles). The previous two summers I ran over twice as many miles, only to get badly injured midway through both seasons (knock on wood for this season). This summer I began at the goodland, and despite the lack of miles, I would say I had the most physically demanding summer of my college career.
We’ve been at training camp for almost two weeks now, and I don’t feel like I’m behind the other members of the team at all, despite the fact that I’m ending the runs earlier than everyone else. Today we had our 4.5 mile time trial on roads, which we run periodically to gauge where everyone is. Prior to today my best time was 24:06. Today I ran 23:22 and was the third runner on the team, higher than I’ve ever finished on the team (and this year we’re expected to have the best team Claremont has ever had, potentially top 5 in the country). Tomorrow we have an LSD, which I will not be doing. Instead I’ll go for a regular run and get in a good crossfit workout.”

Josh, UCSB Alumnus ’11

“I was doing crossfit on my own for a while before I decided to check out an affiliate. The first time I came into Crossfit Goodland, I was at awe at how cool the gym looked-a bunch of power racks for barbell work, rings, a rope, rowers, and so much open space for raw work. It
was awesome. I couldn’t wait to start working out there.

Since I started at Goodland I’ve been shown how much I have to grow-in technique (for both injury prevention and greater efficiency), stamina, flexibility, mental preparation, and confidence. And Nick does such a good job at helping me in all of these areas and more. I’ve grown so much in athletic ability while at the same time having so much fun. One of the big differences between other gyms and Crossfit Goodland is that after each workout I leave feeling like I really enjoyed my time there, and that’s something that’s SO different
than any other gym I’ve been to.

And the community is so great. It’s awesome to walk into Goodland and hear Nick and the other athletes greet me by name. And then during the workout hearing the guy next to me push me on just as he’s going just as hard. And it becomes almost just as important as the workout itself. Intensity is important in exercise and when I’m in a group format, I find myself pushing myself so much harder than I ever would alone-it’s fantastic.

And the thing is, it’s a work in progress. And everyday I can’t wait until the next workout. It’s that great.”

Lucas, Deckers Employee

“Crossfit is by far the most addictive, fun and effective fitness regiment I’ve ever gotten into. I initially signed up because I was bored to death with the routine I’d gotten into at the regular gym. Call me crazy, but I had a really hard time getting motivated to get over to the gym, brave the 5pm rush and the awkward excessive nakedness in the locker room just so I could spend 45 minutes on a treadmill. At Crossfit Goodland, boredom isn’t really an option. Nick’s programming is really challenging, and he rarely repeats workouts, so it’s always fresh and new.

The thing that I found I love most about CFG, though, is the team atmosphere. I played team sports my whole life, and my workouts always had a level of competitiveness with my teammates. With Crossfit, there’s a definite sense of competition, but there’s also the feeling that we’re all on the same team. Everyone is really supportive, and Nick has done a great job building a community around the gym. If you’re in a fitness rut, or if you have a competitive streak that’s been dormant, you should give Crossfit a try.”

Sam F., Chemistry PHD Grad ’11

The workouts with Nick at Crossfit Goodland are some of the best and
most intense I’ve had. They have a positive effect on all other
aspects of my physical fitness and the people there are great. After
just doing 1-2 workouts per week for a couple months, my fam back home
was pretty shocked at the visual results when I went home for a visit.
Whether you’re interested in building muscle, improving
cardiovascular health, or just toning your body, this is the place of
all places for you!