Member Spotlight: Kaitlyn

Meet Kaitlyn! She has been a force to be reckoned with since she walked into the door at Ampersand. She has been working so hard at acheiving her goals and it shows. We are so proud of all of the hard work that you have put in and look forward to all of your continued success!

Why did you join CrossFit Ampersand?

I’m not good at going to a regular gym alone with my headphones in. I had seen some stuff about CrossFit that made me nervous… but the environment of people cheering you on and helping you achieve what you didn’t think you could do, sucked me in. When I first walked in, I was nervous, but shortly realized I was able to do more than I thought I could! I love the community and friendships I’ve made and I just have come to realize I can be healthy and fit and do things in real life and not have to be tired and miss out! 

What's been your biggest accomplishment so far?

I concluded my 90 days and I lost 17 pounds of fat in that time. I made friends and gained confidence, I have more energy. There’s seriously so much I’ve gained already! Also being voted rookie of the year made my heart so happy to realize people see the work I’m putting in. 

What are you working on now (or what do you want to accomplish next)?

Continue to perfect my form in weight lifting and seeing where I’m at now compared to when I started. Different movements like pull ups and push-ups are a work in progress but being in the gym with everyone else suffering with you but having fun is worth it!

What's your favorite CrossFit Ampersand memory?

The first workout I ever finished last in, everyone in the gym (full class) gathered around me and pushed me past the wall in my head to actually finish a difficult workout. Proving I could do it! Oh, and being voted rookie of the year at the Christmas party!

What motivates you to continue training at CrossFit Ampersand?

Community and support 100%, my health and the thought of starting a family and I can start by being healthy and being able to take care of my body. Nutritionally and physically 

Being a part of a community that supports you and pushes you towards your goals is where the magic is. Book an Intro and see how we can help you achieve success!

Why Real Gyms Don’t Look Like “Gyms”

We opened Ampersand in November 2014 with a private loan. 

The loan came from a mentor we’d asked to invest in us and our dream. After several attempts at a business plan, he finally said yes. He loaned us a fraction of what we’d asked him for and said make it work. Our loan was personally guaranteed, which means… whether you make it or not, you owe that money back. We felt like we hit the lottery, we were excited, but the risk was scary. We had to make it.

Our small budget (especially compared to what it would take to open a typical big box gym) was actually an advantage: Instead of focusing on all the fancy equipment and mirrors, we could only afford to buy the basic equipment and focused our efforts on our coaching and our community.

Since we didn’t have the means for a marketing budget, we relied on giving great coaching and the best experience possible to help spread the word about Ampersand! And that meant we had to DELIVER.

The day finally came. We got our equipment. We started painting, moving heavy flooring, and we got to work.

We made a lot of noise, we programmed fun workouts, and we got people FIT! 

We’ve been open for years now, and while we’ve upgraded some equipment, you still won’t find rows of “typical” gym machines. Instead, you’ll see people doing burpees, squats, pull ups, deadlifts etc… Because that’s what actually works.

When you come to our gym, you will see a lot of open space. You may ask yourself, “Why?” or “Where are all the machines?” Results require movement and movement requires lots of space! If you want to get fit or healthy you are going to be moving a lot and it doesn’t require fancy equipment.

Everyone who comes into Ampersand has, at some point, visited or been a member at another gym. When we sit down and talk about their goals and their struggles, almost all of them say, “I enjoyed it for a while, but I just didn’t see any results.” There were lots of things that drew them to those gyms… Maybe it was the fancy machines, or the super swole guy at the front desk, or it was the cheapest option… But eventually they had to make a decision for themselves, and that was to find a coach.

Real coaches, professional coaches… the ones whose livelihood depends on getting results for their clients use things like bodyweight movements, rowers, barbells, boxes, and most importantly science based nutrition strategies. They chose what works over what’s “typical”. They adjust workouts and movements to fit each client, based on their needs and goals. 

At Ampersand we have everything you need, and nothing you don’t.

You are in and out in an hour. No wasted time, no wasted space, and lots of coaching!

We are glad we started basic and focused on results. Because the results speak for themselves. Our clients are doing well and are far more fit and healthy than they were when they were at those budget big box gyms. We may not look like a traditional “gym” but thats part of our secret. Come in and see for yourself!

Inspiration provided by Catalystgym.com