About CrossFit Renaissance in Philadelphia, PA
Built Around Coaching. Supported by the Community.
CrossFit Renaissance is a coaching- driven CrossFit affiliate in Port Richmond, Philadelphia. Founded in 2009 by Bill and Joyce Shiffler. Owned since 2022 by Jessica and Brett Thomas. Nine certified coaches, all of them with one purpose: help real people get stronger, move better, and build something that lasts.
The Coaching Team
Our coaching team is made up of nine certified coaches (CrossFit Level 1 through Level 3, Master’s in Kinesiology, and Doctor of Public Health). Every one of them here because they care about the people they coach.
Coaching is not an add-on at CrossFit Renaissance. It is the product. A coach is present for every minute of every class: giving instruction, correcting movement in real time, scaling workouts to the individual, and holding members accountable. This is what makes progress here consistent and safe.
Owners’ Story
We became part of CrossFit Renaissance long before we became its owners.
Jess joined in 2017 through a 6- week challenge that changed everything. What started as a leap of faith turned into years of training, coaching, and building real relationships inside this gym. Brett followed. Together, we learned what makes CrossFit Renaissance work.
In 2022, we stepped into ownership because we believed fully in what this place is.
We carry forward the legacy that Bill and Joyce Shiffler built in 2009 and continue developing CrossFit Renaissance as a true health and fitness hub for Port Richmond.
Our doors are open to anyone ready to take ownership of their health, commit to the process, and put in the work.
Strength is built together. Consistency beats perfection. Community makes it sustainable.
Our Coaches
Jessica Thomas
Certifications
Certifications
Brett Thomas
Jennifer Adams
Certifications
Certifications
Lisa Madera
Alysson Cwyk
Certifications
Certifications
Justin Rivera
Trista Mayo
Certifications
Certifications
Mo Mostafa
Ryen Blair
Certifications
Certifications
Amanda
Who Trains Here
There is no membership profile at CrossFit Renaissance. Walk onto the floor on any given morning and you will see all kinds of people working side by side.
- The blue- collar worker who is on their feet all day and still shows up at 5:30am
- The entrepreneur who needs a complete coached workout in 60 minutes and does not have time to think about programming
- The busy parent who needs something that actually fits into their schedule and actually works
- The retiree in their 60s or 70s who is stronger now than they were a decade ago
- The high school athlete building a foundation before the next season
- The person who has never exercised consistently in their life and is starting for the first time
- The experienced athlete who has been training here for over a decade and keeps coming back
Reliable and Heavy-duty Equipment Built to Push Limits.
We have all the tools you need to get results. Rowers, bikes, barbells, weights, everything equally welcoming of first-time gym-goers, as well as seasoned CrossFit vets.
Concept2 Rowers – The standard rowing machine used in competitive rowing worldwide. It gives you a full-body workout, builds cardiovascular capacity, strengthens the legs, back, and core while at the same time measuring improvement from session to session.
Rogue Echo Bikes – One of the most effective conditioning tools for building cardiovascular capacity and mental toughness in short bursts, the Echo Bike uses both arms and legs at the same time, driven by a fan that increases resistance the harder you push. No motor and no preset resistance level, it matches your intensity.
Xebex Assault Bikes – It operates on the same air-resistance principle as the Echo Bike: push harder, get more resistance. It’s a full-body machine that spikes heart rate quickly and builds both aerobic and anaerobic capacity.
A Facility Built with
Progress and Community in Mind.
We built out our facility with our members’ needs in mind. We offer our members a clean, well-organized space where they can focus on training that is personal, meaningful, and functional. All the amenities without any of the distractions.
On-site parking – easy and readily available parking means you never have to worry about missing a session because you were busy circling the block looking for a parking spot.
Shower on site – an on-site shower lets you train in the morning and be refreshed and ready for your day.
Beyond the Whiteboard app – included with the membership; it lets you keep track of every workout and monitor your progress over time.
That’s Us.
Let’s Learn About You!
If you’re thinking about starting, you probably have the same question as everyone:
Can I actually start working out? Yes. And we will show you exactly how.
You do not need experience. You do not need to be in shape already. You need to be willing to show up and be coached.
Let’s have a conversation and see what makes sense for you.
Book Free Intro