Seven years ago on July 23rd, CrossFit Strongtown opened its doors. With a small rig, three climbing ropes, and only a handful of equipment, Mikey and Dan invited friends and family to join them in their first WOD ever: three rounds for time of a 400 meter run, 30 kettlebell swings, and 30 hand-release push-ups. A typical day in the life of CFS in 2011 looked a lot like this: Dan negotiated business and posted the blog from grad school in London, and Mikey coached every single class. After each WOD, a trickle of members wrote their scores on the whiteboard up front that used to lean on the wall where it is now mounted. The walls were shiny white and the kettlebells were brand-spanking new.
Just like the incremental change and improvement that comes with the practice of training, CrossFit Strongtown, over seven years, has become the wonderful community we know today. We have grown in size by adding equipment and members, cultivating community and heart. We run 46 classes a week, a CrossFit kids class, 16 hours of dedicated open gym time, and boast the only swim WOD in the area. In seven years CFS has hosted six Battle for the Bell competitions, seven years of Open workouts, five Holy Smokes trips (thanks Paul!), seven 12 Days of Christmases, six Cookie Swaps, four Halloween parties, and endless cookouts, potlucks, and beer WODs. Friendships were born here, and we have seen at least a dozen babies grow to toddlers and children on our gym floors. And by the end of this year, there will be four married couples who met at our gym.
We are thankful that we have more square footage, more wall balls, and more feet of rig than we did when opening the doors. We are proud that chances are when asked, any given member has at least five CFS T-shirts or tanks in their gym clothes drawer at home. But the irreplaceable thing that gives CFS heart and lungs is our members. Our gratitude is giant for every person who walks through our doors, even once, or day after day. So cheers to seven years CFS friends and family, and to many more!
