MEMBER STORIES
Member Shares His Experience with Virtual Training
When it comes down to it, the hardest part is getting started. There are many reasons, not excuses, I think there are actual reasons, that you don’t start. It can be time, money, motivation, you name it. The truth is that motivation starts with action and then you...
Member Story: Rob Szajdek
Rob S. joined the CFR crew in February 2020. We asked Rob to share his CrossFit story. "I have to say I came into the gym at an interesting time in the world. I give you (Bill Shiffler, owner) and the coaches a ton of credit for making the best out of this crappy...
Member Story: Adrienne Justice
Adrienne Justice What brought you to CrossFit Renaissance? I was a part of CFR about 6 years ago. I left sometime during pregnancy and never quite made it back. I would come in here and there, but couldn't quite get my feet under me. The truth is, I've struggled so...
Member Story: Adrienne Justice
Adrienne's Story In her own words..... What brought you to CFR? I was a part of CFR about 7 years ago. I left sometime during pregnancy and never quite made it back. I would come in here and there, but couldn't quite get my feet under me. I'm finally ready to get...
Member Story: Fabiana Rafael
Fabiana Rafael What brought you to CrossFit Renaissance? I stopped working out for two years, and with that put on the weight. I was 130 lbs and reached 170 lbs. I not only gained weight but also started having acid reflux. Then, a red light popped on in my head... I...
Rena Burns’ Member Story
Rena Burns Why did I join CrossFit Renaissance? I joined CrossFit in April 2014. A couple of my friends joined and as they talked about CrossFit, it got my attention. I was already working out at my local Planet Fitness and I always ran. Working out by yourself gets...
Betsy Berkery: Member Story
Meet Betsy Berkery. Betsy has been a member at CrossFit Renaissance for almost 4 years! Betsy joined the gym alongside all of her siblings and nephew. Betsy is very committed to living a healthier lifestyle and is not shy about trying to encourage others to do the...
Meet the Members of CFR: Allie Milligan
Allie has been doing Personal Training with Coach Jen for 3 months now! We wanted to check in with her and see how it's been going. Allie is also working with Nutrition Coach Jess, to dial in her eating habits.
Erin Phovilaychit: Member Story
Meet Erin, who has been with us for almost 2.5 months. Erin came to CFR to live a healthier lifestyle, lose 20# and sustain the weight loss, increase energy levels, and to be able manage stress of a busy lifestyle. We asked Erin to share her experience with us: Why...
Kristina Chadwick
Kristina has been a Personal Training client with us since April 2019. She works out consistently three days a week for 30 minutes, Recently, Tina joined our Boot Camp program to supplement her Personal Training and have fun with some of the other Boot Campers.
Joanne
I love crossfit and I love Crossfit Renaissance! The coaches keep you focused on your goals and support you throughout the workouts. I almost ALWAYS scale my workouts…..in other words, I scale it down from the prescribed workout. The coaches really help me figure out...
Faith
It doesn’t matter what shape you’re in, what age you are, everyone is welcomed with open arms. I decided I needed to do something about my weight. I am not getting any younger and I am the biggest I have ever been in my life. I found myself getting out of breath just...
Vicki
Best decision I’ve ever made, only regret is not signing up sooner!! I was always under the impression I had to get my butt in shape BEFORE stepping foot in a Crossfit gym and I couldn’t have been more wrong. All works out are scaled to your level but still a...
Marc
CrossFit Renaissance has been the best decision I have ever made for my physical fitness and wellness of life. I was at 250 and only 5'10". I've never picked up an Olympic barbell in my life. For years I've struggled with trying to get to the gym and just plain...
Jenn Frame
1. What brought you to CrossFit Renaissance? Ed (a.k.a. “Hey Ed”) did. I’ve always been into fitness and was always looking for something better and more challenging. He knew I would love it, so he bugged me until I finally caved and came in. He was right….he usually...
Rick Romana
What brought you to CrossFit Renaissance? “I came into CrossFit Renaissance significantly over weight. I wanted to gain strength and lose weight the correct way.” What was your first impression? “My first impression of the staff was one that, sadly, I haven’t come...
Marc Jackson
About me: My name is Marc Jackson, I’m 27 and I currently consider myself a jack-of-all-trades. I am an instrumental Music teacher with the Philadelphia School District. Percussion is my main instrument. I also have a great fondness of motorcycles. I love to ride, I...
Lorraine Zaccagni
1. What brought you to CrossFit Renaissance? “My closest friend, Mary Ann Tobin, had joined several months before I did. She raved about how much better she felt by getting involved with CrossFit Renaissance and I noticed physical changes in her, as well. I thought:...
Mary Ellen Stevens
“Bill and I have a mutual friend, Matt Duffy. One day I looked at Matt and he just looked younger. He had lost weight before, but this was different. I asked him what he was doing and he told me about how Bill had started his own gym. A few weeks later, I saw Bill and...
Alexis Kumasaka
What brought you to CrossFit Renaissance? “I’m not sure if there was any one thing that happened. I had been aware of CrossFit for a while, but didn’t really have a good idea of what it was. I think what really got me to finally pull the trigger and check it out was...
Michelle Murawski
“I started CrossFit on April 15th of 2013. I remember seeing it on the Fox 29 morning news program. Jennapher Fredericks was live from there, although Bill and Joyce have no recollection of it I remember my father telling me to get over there and flip some tires. It...
Reese Knox
I found Crossfit Renaissance totally by accident. I was working in a warehouse a couple doors down from CFR’s original location on Collins Street. When I showed up to work the first day my boss Lauren tells me to try to block out the noise from the gym two doors down,...
Heather Chang
John Bohrer
What brought you to CrossFit Renaissance? “When I was younger, I was always into sports. I was in pretty good shape all the way up into my mid-20’s. About a year ago, my friend asked me to run a 5k with him and I wasn’t able to complete it. I asked him to help me get...
Pedro Torres
What brought you to CrossFit Renaissance? “I was introduced to CrossFit by a friend. He thought I would be interested in watching a particular video. That video changed my life. Since that moment, I became obsessed with the training lifestyle.” What was your first...
ARE YOU READY TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE?
Don’t worry about your current fitness level, we’ll meet you right where you are!
We were one of Philadelphia’s first CrossFit gyms – opening in 2009 -, also one of the largest at 6,000 sq ft, so space is never an issue here. Our coaches have been working in the fitness industry since 1995. There’s not a type of client we haven’t trained during that time, from seniors in their 70s, members who have lost 150+ pounds, weekend warriors, professional athletes, and everyone in between.