Member Testimonials
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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!
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