CrossFit Federal Hill — Local services in Baltimore

I travel throughout the US for work around 75% of the time. I make a habit of dropping in to a local CrossFit affiliate on each trip. This has exposed me to the full spectrum of culture, approach, and experience you would encounter when walking into a box.

This is what you will find when walking into CrossFit Federal Hill:

Excellent Coaching: The staff is knowledgeable and will communicate that knowledge in an easy to understand and attentive manner to help make you better. The coaches are "CrossFit". They look the part and do the programming often setting the score to beat or the weight to lift.

Large Facility: Good amount of space. There are areas to warm up and work on mobility without interfering with a class. Plenty of equipment for the workouts. Onsite showers and rest rooms.

Programming is among the best: From the two weeks foundation course required for newcomers to the daily Strength portion plus WOD, CFH is well programmed. The workouts are intense but doable. In particular, the programming at CFH stands apart from many of the other affiliates I have worked out in. The programming is deliberate and if followed will make you drastically stronger.

Extras: There is an onsite physical therapist. Special interest classes are offered throughout the year or ongoing that range from the instructors fee to free as part of your existing membership. CFH hosts competitions (i.e. The Battle of Baltimore) and spearheads philanthropic initiatives in the community.

Most importantly, the people: CrossFit FedHill is home to some great members. They range across all demographics and skill levels. The community is supportive and friendly. If you drop in, take a moment to extend your hand and meet someone new. There are no strangers at CFH, just friends you haven't met yet.

I have been a member of CFH since August 2014. Baltimore resident and US Army Verteran with the 82nd...

Since you’re here reading reviews of Crossfit Federal Hill, I’ll go ahead and assume you probably have one or both of the following questions: Is CFH the best crossfit gym in Baltimore? Is crossfit right for me?

I can’t honestly answer the first question because CFH is the only crossfit gym I’ve tried in the city (a fact that should speak for itself, by the way). But I’ve been a member for over a year, and I truly can’t imagine a better gym—in Baltimore or anywhere else.

The facility is first rate (huge space, plenty of clean and well-maintained equipment, lots of parking, etc.). The coaches are hands-on, knowledgable, compassionate people—they all have different styles, but I’ve learned a lot from each of them. And they have all, to a person, taken the time before, during, or after class to help me one-on-one (or to answer my stupid questions without making me feel stupid for asking them).

The members at CFH are similarly great folks. They’re kind, supportive and a whole lot of fun to be around, and their skill/development level varies widely. On our PR board, for example, you’re just as likely to see “did my first pushup” as you are to see “did 12 ring muscle ups.” So, wherever you find yourself on your fitness journey—from newbie to competitor—you’ll feel at home here.

Now, if you’re wondering if crossfit is right for you, well, that’s a pretty personal question and I won’t presume to answer it for you. All I’ll say is that it’s been very right for me, and I wish I’d started way sooner than I did. I’m stronger, more flexible, I have more endurance, my posture’s better, I have more energy, and I'm a generally happier dude than I was before I joined.

It feels really good to feel this good, and I’m really glad CFH is in my life. I’d recommend CFH—and crossfit, in general—to...

The short of it is this is an incredible crossfit facility. I joined about 10 months ago after being in and out of conventional gyms, P90X/P90X2 and Insanity routines for years. My biggest struggle was consistency in working out as I would get really motivated to make a change, I would start to see results, then would get bored or lazy and overall got out of the routine and would lose the results.

I can honestly say after 10 months that it is one of the best things that have happened to me since I left college. I actually find myself being disappointed on the days I CAN'T go because I need to work late or will be out of town. I'm constantly challenged with having a different workout each day, I have seen HUGE gains in my strength levels, flexibility as well as overall cardiovascular endurance. I did not gain or lose a pound since I started 10 months ago but I can say my body has done a complete transformation of being a little squishy to shaped and toned.

The best part of it all are the coaches and the community though. There is no feeling of competition of needing to be better than someone or do more than anyone else (unless you want to), rather to challenge yourself to be a better you, which I thrive in. Geo, the owner, has done an incredible job recruiting coaches and building an atmosphere for success.

If you are even remotely thinking about starting crossfit, I HIGHLY recommend...