About CrossFit Renaissance in Philadelphia, PA

We Built our Gym
Around You

CrossFit Renaissance is our dream, built with you in mind. Our coaches are highly skilled professionals with top-tier communication skills and elite programming. Each coach brings a unique energy and skillset, but they all create a warm, welcoming atmosphere for beginners and experienced athletes alike.

Zero Intimidation Environment
Zero Intimidation Environment
Professional Coaching
Professional Coaching
Elevated Customer Care
Elevated Customer Care
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women lifting weights at CrossFit Renaissance
ABOUT CrossFit Renaissance

This is Our Team

We are a group of committed passionate professional coaches, here to help you take your fitness and health to the next level. Through intelligent programming, encouraging instruction, and real-talk accountability, our coaches guide you from where you are to where you want to go.

Happy coach demonstrates the right way to do a lift in a group fitness class.
team
Jess & Brett Thomas owners of CrossFit Renaissance
Jess and Brett Thomas
Owners since 2022

Owners’ Story

We became part of CrossFit Renaissance long before we became its owners. Jess joined the gym in 2017, and over the years, CFR became a place where we trained, learned, coached, and built real relationships. In 2022, after being deeply rooted in the community, we stepped into ownership because we believed-fully-in what makes CrossFit Renaissance special. That belief lives in the CrossFit methodology, our incredible coaching staff, and the inclusive, supportive community of Port Richmond neighbors who show up here every day.

We’re proud to carry forward the legacy our founders, Bill and Joyce Shiffler, established in 2009 and continue building CFR as a true health and fitness hub for the neighborhood. Our doors are open to anyone ready to take ownership of their health, commit to the process, and put in the work required for lasting change. We believe strength is built together, consistency beats perfection, and community is what turns hard work into something meaningful.

Our Coaches

Jess Thomas coach at CrossFit Renaissance

Jessica Thomas

Owner, Coach

Certifications

CrossFit Level 2 Trainer
Youth Coach
Nutrition Specialist
Meet Coach Jessica. What started as a leap of faith into a 6-week “New You” challenge turned into a lifelong commitment to health, growth, and helping others discover their strength. That first decision-to show up and invest in herself-changed everything, leading her from member to coach and gym owner. Today,...

Certifications

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
Meet Coach Brett. Brett is an owner, coach, and the unofficial facilities manager at CrossFit Renaissance-our go-to Mr. Fix-It. He cares deeply about the gym and the people in it, and you’ll often find him training alongside members or leading the 10 a.m. class. Brett takes a slow and steady...
Brett Thomas coach at CrossFit Renaissance

Brett Thomas

Owner, Coach
Jennifer coach at CrossFit Renaissance

Jennifer Adams

GM, Coach

Certifications

CrossFit Level 2 Trainer
She found CrossFit Renaissance after watching the powerful changes a close friend experienced-not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. With a background in social work, coaching came naturally. Jennifer has a gift for helping people surprise themselves and is passionate about challenging the idea that age limits what you can...

Certifications

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
Bilingual (Spanish)
Strength Community Certificate Completion: Developing Power for Sports, Metabolic Balance: Advanced Blood Markers
Coach Lisa’s journey is a powerful example of what’s possible with commitment, consistency, and a focus on nutrition. She first discovered CrossFit through social media after watching an influencer on YouTube whose training style inspired her to give it a try. While she was initially unsure if CrossFit was right...
Lisa coach at CrossFit Renaissance

Lisa Madera

Coach
Alysson coach at CrossFit Renaissance

Alysson Cwyk

Coach

Certifications

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
Meet Coach Alysson. Thoughtful, grounded, and steady, Alysson brings a calm confidence to every class. After discovering CrossFit through a friend in 2015, she built consistency by turning training into a non-negotiable part of her routine-showing up early, planning ahead, and protecting that time as an act of self-care. As...

Certifications

CrossFit Level 2 Trainer
Meet Coach Justin. Consistent, laid-back, and always ready to help you improve, Justin found CrossFit Renaissance through a family connection and has been all in ever since. As a coach and twin dad, he understands how to balance hard work with real life-and brings that practical, steady mindset into every...
Justin coach at CrossFit Renaissance

Justin Rivera

Coach
Trista coach at CrossFit Renaissance

Trista Mayo

Coach

Certifications

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
Trista found CrossFit Renaissance after moving to Port Richmond and looking for a place to lift-what she found was a community. Drawn in by the energy, the people, and workouts that are challenging in the best way, CFR quickly became home. Her coaching style is empowering, high-energy, and rooted in...

Certifications

Doctor of Public Health
Masters in Kinesiology
Certified CrossFit Trainer, CF-L3
Precision Nutrition Level 2 MHC (Master Health Coach)
Coach Mo brings a lifelong athlete’s mindset, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for community to every class he coaches. He discovered CrossFit through a friend in the military who owned a gym near where they were stationed. After a few drop-ins, he was hooked—and that spark turned into a long-term...
Mo coach at CrossFit Renaissance

Mo Mostafa

Coach
Ryen coach at CrossFit Renaissance

Ryen Blair

Coach

Certifications

CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
Meet Coach Ryen. One of our evening CrossFit coaches, Ryen brings energy, consistency, and dedication to every class. You’ll always find him taking a thorough warm-up, training alongside members, and leading from the front. After being introduced to CrossFit Renaissance by his brother nearly a decade ago, Ryen has been...

Certifications

Certified Personal Trainer - ISSA
200 Hour Yoga Teacher’s Certification - The Yoga Institute
Amanda brings a calm, confident presence and a true teacher’s heart to her yoga classes. She discovered yoga in high school during a workshop where she was introduced to Chair Yoga—an experience that sparked her curiosity and led her to continue practicing on her own. That early exposure laid the...
Amanda coach at CrossFit Renaissance

Amanda

Yoga Instructor (Corporate Wellness)
coaches
Equipment on shelves

Clean and Well-Maintained
Equipment is the Standard

Our space is bright, open, and built for effective functional training. We’re equipped with everything you need to get the job done-rowers, bikes, barbells, and weights. The focus here is on smart programming, great coaching, and results.

equipment

A Facility Designed for
Performance & Community.

CrossFit Renaissance offers a clean, well-organized space designed for effective functional training. Our equipment is reliable and proven-rowers, bikes, and weights that get the job done-so we can focus on what matters most: coaching, movement quality, and progress.

Convenient Parking – Easy, stress-free parking means no circling the block before class.

Shower On Site – An on-site shower makes it easy to train before work or head straight to your next commitment.

Workout-tracking App – Membership includes Beyond the Whiteboard, that lets you see the daily workout, track performance, and watch your progress over time.

Facility showers
Facility lockers
Facility showers
Facility lockers
facilities

That’s Us.
Let’s Learn About You!

We’ve had a blast telling you a bit about ourselves. But this isn’t about us, it’s about you. Your journey, your goals, your results. So let’s get to know each other, set some life-changing but attainable goals, and welcome you to our supportive community.

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Man working out with medicine ball
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