Strong Fitness & Performance — Attraction in Farmers Branch

I think most people have heard about CrossFit at this point. One of my friends had been telling me that she was really into Strong, and convinced me to come try one of the free Saturday workouts. I'll admit, I was pretty skeptical of the whole CrossFit community. I read and heard about the type of culture that CrossFit is said to promote, and that the workouts were hazardous to your health since that same culture apparently only cared about completing the workout, not so much about form. But, I figured I'd give it a shot, seeing as it was a different kind of workout than I was used to and I wanted to mix it up some.

Now, full disclosure... I grew up playing sports and have always been a decent (at best) athlete. Before the workout I had been going to the gym maybe once a week or so mostly out of laziness, but also because I didn't really feel the need to. I didn't look like I was in bad shape or anything, so I figured I'd be fine with what I was doing.

Well, that Saturday I got my butt handed to me. As I struggled through the workout, one of the coaches was rooting me on, which was nice... But that's kind of part of their job, you know? The really interesting thing to me was that some of the other people who were working out right next to me started cheering me on as well... People I had never met before in my life. Some of the people that had already finished stood next to me and did additional reps to help me continue through the workout just to finish. I finished last... but I finished and gave it my all, which is the most important thing at Strong.

Ever since then I've been coming (fairly) consistently. I don't think I'm ever going to be a super-athlete that goes to the "CrossFit Games" that you see on TV, and that's just fine with me. My goal has always been to get into the best shape that I can and to continually improve, and the coaches at Strong have really helped me to do that. I'm not able to do every workout as prescribed, but all the coaches and other members have no problem with that. In fact, they'll recommend it as needed to ensure that you're performing the movements correctly and working hard.

Someone else also wrote how the members feel like a family. I'll be honest... I didn't feel that way for a while. Sure I met a few people I liked, but that's really about it. I'm not great with names, and sometimes I would be a bit intimidated by the people that have the crazy bodies and finish before anyone else. But as I kept coming more frequently, I got to know people on a more personal level, and they got to know me. After a while you start to relish the idea of coming to workout not just for the personal benefit, but for the camaraderie you have with those around you as well. I got hurt a few months ago and have been out of commission recovering from a soccer injury, but the coaches and my friends from Strong monitored my recovery, provided suggestions and were extremely understanding throughout the whole process. I'm now officially cleared for high-impact training, and my first few classes consisted of a lot of "YOU'RE FINALLY BACK" as opposed to "What happened to you?"

I think that's the biggest difference between Strong and anything else I've tried. Sure, there's competitive people here, but at the end of the day I think it's just like Blackjack. Everyone is just trying to beat the workout (or dealer, as it were) and is on the same team. Sure, you'll have some people that get the 21, but we all cheer when the dealer busts and everyone wins. That's something I haven't had since I was in organized sports in high school and college. I'd really recommend just trying out a class to see for yourself, just so you can see what I've been writing about firsthand as opposed to just reading about the "CrossFit...

This place will change your life if you let it.

I joined Strong at 240 pounds. Stairs were my worst enemy. So were jeans, cute shoes (do you know what happens when a fat person wears cute shoes?), cameras, and anything that required exertion. My squat was ugly. An empty barbell was heavy. I was depressed, fat, and felt unattractive and gross.

When I first went to the gym to check it out, I pansied out and just drove by. Twice. Then my friend convinced me to go to a free community workout, and it was - as expected - tough. But people I didn't know cheered me on. I struggled to finish, and I was one of the last, but the coaches were right there yelling encouragement, and members were there, too, clapping and yelling. And I finished, dagnabit.

All the hot fit people treated me like I was one of them, even though I didn't feel hot or fit enough to be part of their world.

The owner, Gale, pulled us aside after the workout and told us he was glad we came, and that he hoped we'd join the family. He firmly told us that he would give us all the tools we needed to succeed, but that it was ultimately up to us to change our lives and get healthier.

I signed up... but I wouldn't say I was happy about it. I was scared.

What I learned about CrossFit, at least at Strong, is that it's not a competition between you and the superfit guy next to you. Thank God, because holy moly. I was always afraid of going and looking like a failure for doing knee-push-ups, or having to scale a workout so I could do it without dying. It's not about that.

No one at Strong cares what you look like. They just want you to try your best. They're going to do everything in their power to make sure you have every opportunity to get better. Coaches will push you, as will other members, but it's always out of respect and wanting you to be the best version of yourself.

For people worried about the safety aspect, I'll share this: after I jogged a half marathon (yeah, my fat butt limped 13.1 miles around White Rock Lake. It wasn't pretty.), I could barely walk for two weeks. I literally limped into class four days after, and Gale pulled me aside. He scaled the workout so much that I didn't break a sweat, but he was excited for me. He was just glad I came. Everyone still high-fived me afterward, and I wasn't treated like a jerk for doing so much less.

We all have ways we can improve ourselves. Gale, Justin, and everyone from coaches to new members will be the first to admit their own faults and shortcomings, and they'll share their journey with you.

This is not a place for bros to thump their chests or women to prance around (or vice versa). Strong is where you come to have a community support you as you improve your health and your body. You get a bunch of really cool friends while you get hotter.

As of this morning, I've lost 32 pounds. I've shaved a full minute off my mile time since my half. I still finish last during most workouts, but people still cheer me on. I love Strong.

If you want to visit, or have questions, or end up coming, find me. I'm Mandy. We can be hot, (getting)...

Strong tried to straight-up assassinate me with leg day!

I walked into that place thinking I was the king of the world, ready to conquer whatever they threw at me. But, whoa, Strong had some next-level, evil-genius leg day waiting for me. It was like they took a trip to the darkest corners of the fitness universe just to mess with my quads.

First up, weighted walking lunges. Sounds like a fancy dance, right? Nope, It was as if the weights had a personal vendetta against my quads. My legs? They felt like overcooked spaghetti! I seriously considered asking for a wheelchair exit plan.

But here's the kicker – the coaches and my fellow Strong warriors, they had my back. They saw the panic in my eyes, the quivers in my legs, and they went full-on "Rocky" mode, chanting motivational phrases like we were about to take on Ivan Drago. "You got this!" "Squeeze those glutes!" "Imagine you're running from a bear!" Well, maybe not that last one, but you get what I'm saying.

Their support was so epic that I somehow powered through that workout without collapsing into a puddle of sweaty despair. Turns out, when you're surrounded by a crew who knows the true agony of leg day, you can do the impossible.

So, if you're on the hunt for a gym that'll push you to the brink (and then some), while also giving you a support system straight out of a Hollywood blockbuster, you gotta check out Strong! Believe me, your legs might despise you temporarily, but the results will make you love 'em all over again. Don't just take my word for it; come witness the leg day madness for yourself. Strong: where pain meets gain and where laughter...