CrossFit Marin Testimonials

Our testimonials page contains statements from everyday clients of CrossFit Marin. These are not a select few that have shown abnormal progress. These are the folks that you will be training along side when you come and join CrossFit Marin. You can ask all the questions you want of the people that are actually seeing these results every day. We will never state "Results not typical". These results are typical, in fact we expect them.

After working out with Crossfit Marin for about two months, I am blown away with the results that I have seen. While most trainers and programs will say that it impossible to gain muscle while losing fat, Crossfit Marin has done just that for me. The coaching staff at Crossfit Marin is world class, and outside of this facility, something I would not have access to. Employing multiple gymnastics instructors with 15 years + experience each, and an Olympic level weight lifting coach, they provide motivation, safety and an all around great training environment. All of the coaches are extremely passionate about what they do, which undoubtedly transfers to motivation for all of the Crossfitters at the Marin facility.
Crossfit is addictive! It has become a huge part of my life that I really love.
- Ryan Stiefvater

Before joining CrossFit Marin, I had been a diligent CrossFitter for 9 months. While CrossFitting alone in my basement for these 9 months, I experienced steady increases in strength and was progressing well in conditioning workouts. I thought I was working hard, but it wasn't until I joined CFM that I really began to push my fitness to another level. The combination of expert, motivating coaches and high energy competition from fellow CrossFitters creates an atmosphere that allows me to push myself far beyond what I could do on my own. Add to that the great community of people who come to the gym and sweat through it every day and you have an experience that is incredibly fun and rewarding. I've made nearly twice as much progress in my fitness in 6 months at CrossFit Marin than I did in 9 months on my own. - Tom Woodward

I have been attending CrossFit workouts with Roger and Andres now for nearly a year. I am impressed with their coaching skill, knowledge and their incredible attitudes of encouragement. I just turned 55 and feel more physically fit than I have in years. The variety of the work outs and the cross disciplines are getting to all of me and that is great. If you are looking for a fun and challenging way to get healthy and fit CrossFit Marin and Roger and his staff are the way to go. - Bill Livingston

Since being at Crossfit Marin (5 months now) I am sore A LOT and was beginning to think it was a weakness I had, until I realized that the only reason I rarely got sore at the conventional gym I belonged to before, was because I rarely "challenged" myself. Before, when I occasionally challenged myself, I could barely walk or do everyday movements for 4 days. Now, after a typical extremely challenging workout at CFM, I can walk and do the everyday movements without discomfort (most often!) and don't notice muscle soreness until the next intense workout usually not more than 48 hours later. So I've gone from barely being able to move around for 4 days, to attacking at least 2 more intense workouts in the following 4 days. So even though I'm often sore, the improvement in my recovery rate speaks for itself!"

Thank you Roger, Andres, all the great trainers who are also great peeps and mostly Stephanie for being that "beacon light" at the "other" gym that guided me here! - Patricia McCormick

Hey Andrecito…I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for dragging me out of 24hr. and having brought me into CrossfitMarin. I really have enjoyed my time there so far, and I’m slowly reaching my goals and feeling great about myself. (Eventhough that muscleup still seems unreachable!). At any rate, I think I told you once that out of my entire drab day, I only feel to come alive when I’m there with you guys. I love Stephanie and the way she pushes us beyond our limits. Your advice and Roger’s wisdom have truly been invaluable to me. The parkour classes are soo on-point it’s ridiculous. I only wish I could come more. You guys are the best, and am really honored to have met you, (as well as Eva T., Annie, and Jolie of course…).

But anyways, this weekend I went down to Carmel by the Sea, and it was there that I hit this perfect handstand. I must’ve held it for at least 30 seconds, and people around me where very impressed. So I thought I share this picture with you guys and at the same time thank you for all your enthusiastic devotion.
Thanks Crossfit Marin. - Carlos Echandy

Come. Try it out. Have fun. Get stronger. CrossFit Marin has morning, afternoon and evening classes to suit any schedule, and there are plenty of concurrent classes so that parents with kids of any age can work out at the same time. It's the best gig in town.

Our first experience with CrossFit Marin was at their weekly Sunday afternoon classes at Town Park in Corte Madera. We saw a couple of athletic guys setting up a tumbling and gymnastics course next to the playground, and signed our two boys (3 and 5) up for a drop-in gymnastics class. The boys had fun, learned some new moves, and worked off a Sunday-morning-worth of energy. Andres de la Rosa and Roger Harrell told us about their program and invited us to check out their gym over at Tamal Plaza.

A couple of weeks later, I signed the boys up for gymnastics once a week. While I watched those first few classes, it quickly became clear that the CrossFit Marin team are patient, talented and positive teachers for both the littlest tumblers (whose attention often wanders) and those kids who have had more experience (who may need more focus and harder challenges). And as we spent more time at the gym, I saw how our boys' natural flexibility and strength were being enhanced by balance work, skill training and fun games during class. The prices are very reasonable, so we quickly went from once a week to twice a week for the boys, and I started chatting with the trainers (thanks, Bill!) about their adult CrossFit program.

Now comes the personal part: I have a lousy body image. I was a plump unathletic little kid, and as an adult have always been more inclined to play Scrabble than racquetball, if you get my meaning. So it took a couple of weeks of watching at the gym before I was willing to open myself up to trying an adult CrossFit class. And you know what? It turns out I'm *great* at it! Sure, I can't really do many pushups yet, and I can't yet do a chinup, but for the first time I can actually see myself getting there one day. I'm learning ways to work toward those goals. I'm getting stronger every week.

The focus at CrossFit Marin is on strength and overall conditioning, so the workouts are really varied -- we've done skill work on everything from deadlifts and pullups to juggling and balance beam, so I feel like I'm always making progress. They can scale a workout for any skill level. Can't do a pullup? Keep one foot supported! Can do 50 pullups? Wear a weight vest! They can even work around past injuries so that you can come to the gym even if you have, say, a bad back or a chronic knee condition.

If you think you're strong, you'll get stronger, and if you think you aren't fit, you'll discover strengths you didn't know you had. There is always something new to work toward, and they welcome whatever you bring to the table (or the floor in this case).

Bottom line? I am working harder and feeling better about myself than I have in years, and I can do it at the same time as the kids are doing their classes. So they see me being active, and they're well-cared-for and busy while I'm focusing on my own health and well-being.

Roger, Andres and the rest of the CrossFit Marin team are talented, open-minded, positive and committed to teaching all ages and skill levels. Their gym promotes community, hard work and good habits, but without the posturing or 'sales' mentality of some other local facilities. They love what they do -- helping people to grow stronger and more physically confident -- and it shows. - Emily Cookson

Through the Crossfit program I am in the best shape of my life - and I am 47 years old! Plus I am having fun getting fit. I am stronger, more flexible, and more agile. A year ago I felt "creaky." Now I feel strong. - Dieter Zander

At the age of 51, I still like to ride my off road motorcycle with my 20 year old son. In the past after a ride of an hour or two I would get pretty winded and generally wiped out physically. After working out with Roger and the CrossFit team for a little over 4 months I went on my first ride since I began exercising.To my great surprise I didn't get winded at all! Even my son noticed the difference in my stamina. CrossFitMarin has radically affected my life. It's even fun! - Jeff Nichols
Pastor, Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Marin

I started doing Crossfit when I was almost 54 years old. I was beginning to feel old, where even getting up out of a chair seemed more difficult than it should be. My weight at the time was about 215 lbs. I had been an athlete during my youth and struggled to exercise as an adult: hit and miss, on and off.

Two and a half years ago was the beginning of my physical transformation. Having known Roger for a long time, having performed the wedding ceremony for he and his wife, I asked Roger to coach me. He and Andres were just beginning Crossfit Marin, I was their first client.

Two and a half years later I am feeling great. My weight is now about 180 lbs, I am more fit than any time since high school and stronger than ever.

I not only enjoy the physical benefits, but appreciate the social and competitive aspect of working out in a group. - Bill Berry