Success Stories

Member Testimonials

We love hearing about our members’ milestones. Their happiness fuels us and motivates our team to be better. One day, we hope to be a part of your success story!
  • Elita Saulle

    After being riddled with injuries and being told that I was permanently disabled, I needed a change. The
    drive was there but the fear was great, how could I make a change to make my situation better?
    I landed on the best gym around. I found that with the proper programming and detailed attention
    from the coaches at Cristini Athletics I could start to regain my life. I started slow and it was not easy,
    but the small difference started to become habit. Then the physical and mental changes became more
    apparent. No longer was I breathing heavy ascending a flight of stairs, no longer was I captive to my
    disability. But the true change came when the mental shift began: it was the thought of “Better than
    Yesterday”, that still to this day keeps me returning. It’s not about the how much weight I can lift but
    about taking the time to do something positive for myself and in turn for my family.
    This mindset that has taken hold of me, has helped my family and I face a challenging medical year. We
    faced cancer head on staying positive and to keep moving forward. “Better than Yesterday” got us
    through it, and I rebounded from surgery and treatment in no time.
    Crossfit has been a 4 year journey thus far, I have hit new heights, learned so much about myself
    physically, mentally and emotionally and I am having so much fun doing so.
    I owe all this to the community of members at Cristini Athletics (the absolute best members who
    challenge themselves and are welcoming, full of support and positivity for anyone that walks in the
    door); the incredible coaches who are a team of knowledgeable professionals and who are willing to
    work with whatever modifications you require to help you achieve your goals and to the whole team of
    physiotherapists, massage therapists and nutritionists that give further credence to how this place truly
    cares about our well being.

  • Dr. Doriana Parkin

    “Constantly varied, functional movements, executed at high intensity.” This is the definition of CrossFit. While it speaks to the “literal” meaning of CrossFit and the physical breakdown of it, this is only a fraction of what CrossFit truly is.
    CrossFit is a style of exercise, yes. But after more than 6 years of doing it, I’ve learned that it is so much more than that.
    It’s a workout like no other. High intensity, functional movements that prepare you for daily life activities (think carrying groceries, putting heavy objects on high shelves, moving furniture PROPERLY). The cardio is conditioning for your cardiovascular system and your heart to keep that sucker pumping efficiently and the weight lifting is just what the doctor ordered to prevent osteoporosis.
    The community is second to none. It’s almost impossible to leave a class without a pat on the back, a “look how far you’ve come!”, or a “you killed it today”! And sometimes, when you’re having an off day, it’s that same group that gives you the inspiration to come back the next day and not give up.  They remind you that you’re in this together and it’s about having fun, pushing your limits and staying fit.
    It’s an anti-depressant, a forum to develop “mental toughness” and a place to form friendships that you will carry with you for the rest of your life. It’s where you develop skills you never EVER thought you would achieve — pull ups, handstands, body weight back squats to name a few personal achievements.
    It’s where you can be a role model to your children and exemplify the age old adage “hard work pays off”.  And you come out with a confidence that exudes through you and is felt by others.
    THIS is what CrossFit is. It’s life changing. It’s a lifestyle, an attitude, a philosophy, and a mindset. And it can be applied your whole life long!  Cristini Athletics is where I found it and I’m forever grateful.
    Dr. Doriana Parkin CCFP
  • Marisa Fernandes

    I have been a member of Cristini Athletics for six years.  It has been an incredible experience right from the beginning.  The coaches are super knowledgeable, always willing to dedicate time to help you, guide you and provide the appropriate cues when required.  The members of this gym are united, encourage and support one another and it really feels like a family.  When I explain to people the type of atmosphere that we have here they have a hard time believing it; really hard to understand – you just have to come and give it a try.  I have grown so much as a person and as an athlete in the last six years and there is still so much learning to do.   I look forward to every hour that I spend at the gym, it is so well spent!  I appreciate the community and the environment that the Cristini family have built.

  • Elizabeth Tosun

    My Crossfit journey began December,2016 .It has been an amazing adventure and all around made me a better person.Three years ago I started a new chapter and wanted to be a healthier version of myself and a role model for my family.Not only did find Crossfit I found a community and a family. I have seen  just how far i can push myself and I have learned to fail without being a failure. Everything I learn at CFM I carry over and apply to my live .I am a better and healthier mom and wife now ..i feel so lucky to have amazing coaches and friends…
    Thank you so much for what you have created for our community.
    ELIZABETH TOSUN
  • Chris Grovenor

    What started as a 6 -8 week experiment turned into a new home that helped me become the best
    version of me physically and mentally. The coaches here are welcoming and knowledgeable. They truly
    make the workouts for anyone by offering up several options and really focus on technique first. This
    allows participants to train safely breaking the stigma that CrossFit is only for the “extreme” or “insane”.
    Thanks to my training with Cristini Athletics at Reebok CrossFit East Woodbridge, I went into my surgery
    in the best shape of my life physically and mentally, and it’s been a key component in the speed of my
    recovery. I’m now a better athlete, a better fitness instructor and a better human thanks to this amazing
    community, and the best part, there’s always new goals to conquer and new levels to push to and I’m
    grateful for that.

  • Cecilia Remo

    “My husband and I were getting tired of doing the same ol’ home workouts and wanted to do something together that’s different, fun and engaging. I contacted Crossfit Markham to get more information and we were invited to join a free, one-hour Crossfit session…that was last June (2019) and we’ve been hooked ever since. We really enjoy the classes, the coaches are knowledgeable and super friendly (not intimidating) and we love the sense of community…everyone helps each other out and inspires/motivates each other to try their very best. Crossfit Markham has really made an impression in our lives. Not just from a health perspective but it’s touched many aspects of our lives, from nurturing our relationship as a couple to sustaining a healthy well-being day in and day out.” #notsponsored #CrossFitFanatics
    – Cecilia R.

  • Richard Smith

    After many years of looking for a solid workout facility that provided personal attention with a class schedule, I found one here. Each coach works with each individual in each class. They make recommendations, provide feedback, offer support and modifications, and even seem to have fun while doing it. You can work out individually or in a class setting and get the same attention. You don’t need fancy equipment, glamorous change rooms or catchy logos. You just need a place to workout and someone to help achieve results and a committed desire to reach a goal. CrossFit East Woodbridge is this facility. This is the place. You are the only thing holding you back.

  • Crystal Tait

    RCFEW has been a lifestyle change for me. For the first time in my life, fitness has become more like a hobby and a love than just a need to lose weight. It’s all because of the amazing community at RCFEW. The atmosphere of this place is so motivating and welcoming. The coaches are all very knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate. You could be brand new to working out and you’ll be cheered on by the whole class! Absolutely the best decision ever!

  • Sabrina Vigna

    After 20+ years of fitness training I decided to try CrossFit, which at the time I knew nothing about. I walked into Cristini Athletics expecting a regular gym experience and expecting that I’d continue to do all the things I’d been doing beforehand. Never did I expect what happened next…I fell in love completely, I found what set my soul on fire, what made me happy. This place makes me better everyday, these coaches are like my family and so are all the members. They are my tribe. They understand me, they motivate me, they constantly push me to new limits and they are the reason my soul has found its purpose. If you value your health and are passionate about living a fit and functional happy life, this is the place you’ll find the best version of you.
    Sabrina Vigna
    Forever a membe
  • Vanessa Barbieri-Priolo

    Well this isn’t a story about how CrossFit helped me shed a ton of weight – it is all about what CrossFit has helped me Gain. When I walked into RCF Woodbridge in January 2015, it was with what I thought was 1.5 years of CrossFit training from another gym. WAS I WRONG. After only a few classes I realized how much of my technique/form needed to be corrected, all the bad habits I needed to stop, and the list of things still to learn. While frustration kicked into high gear combined with regret for how much time I had spent at the previous gym – I realized this was my opportunity at a fresh start. If all the coaches at RCFEW were willing to put in the time, effort and energy to help me improve then I was just as willing to put in the extra time and dedication into my training.

    And now two years later it is a very different picture. While my list of things to fix and learn is still a mile long, I have gained a new sense of confidence. I have reached “big girl” numbers in my lifts, I have improved in my gymnastic skills, I have completed on a team where all my team-members were several years younger (15+ years to be exact), and most recently finished top 50 in the OPEN for the Canada East Masters division.  At 38 I am in the best shape of my life. I am a better and stronger version of ME, so that I can be a better and stronger role model for my two girls #likemotherlikedaughter …. CrossFit at RCFEW has changed me in many ways …. and all for the better

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