OC - Gym — Local services in Bend

I started working out at Oregon CrossFit with my wife as something to do when the weather was cold in Bend. Sean took us both under his wing and accommodated our weird schedule. At first I didn’t mention to Sean that I was a distance runner because I thought he would just try and turn me into another muscle bound meathead who couldn’t run out of a paper bag. This was the absolutely dumbest thing I could have done for myself. Once I got over my insecurities of being a runner in a CrossFit gym and admitted to Sean my goals he went to work. Sean researched how to get the most out of runners while explaining the whole time why I need to be adding strength work to my existing routine. My goal for the summer was to run the Tahoe Rim Trail 100 in under 24hrs which is something only about 12% of racers accomplish at that race. A training week consisted of 3 days at CrossFit, running around 50 miles and rowing 10-20 miles. I didn’t immediately notice any changes but after a 2-3 months my leg muscles we less stiff after running, my back was no longer tight and I lost weight going from 187 to 180lbs. I also noticed my recovery time drastically reduced. What would normally take 1-2 weeks to recover I was able to start running within the week of a 50k or 50mile training race. When race day came for the Tahoe Rim Trail 100 I felt well tapered and rested. I thought there might be a small issue with my calf but I didn’t worry about it too much. Having run some 100 mile races I knew issues were going to arise but it wasn’t going to be something I couldn’t handle. Another concern I had was that my weekly running mileage was about 10-15 miles less than previous years. Once the race started I found myself running up front at a very comfortable effort. I was running alongside other runners who were breathing and working much harder. Around 17 miles into the race my calf started hurting and I was pretty discouraged, however it never got worse or to the point where I had to quit. Outside of my calf I felt great during the race with only having one low point and one bonk point. This was a hilly course with 4 long steep climbs which went very well. My calf prevented me from running as much as I wanted but I felt that the strength work I did with Sean kept my body intact to handle adversities. I finished the race at 23 hours 30 minutes…a time that I had achieved before but on an easier course. The best part about all of this is that I was able to go back to the gym and start working out within 3 days; something that would have never happened before. At this point I consider my racing season a success. I am continuing to train at Oregon CrossFit with Sean and plan to do so for my next season of racing. As with previous season of racing I have changed something in order to become faster. So, I plan to incorporate Sean’s visions and add back the 10-15 miles a week of running that this season didn’t allow. Thanks Sean…this was a great racing...

Oregon CrossFit is a fantastic gym that I feel so fortunate to have found. I found OC through a post by a fellow mama in a Bend facebook post sharing info about the Momfit cohort/program that coach Jules teaches. I was appx 4 months postpartum with my second child looking for a way to build back strength. I loved everything about Jules’ classes. I loved that I could bring my baby (or not), meet other mamas and build community, get strength guidance from a fellow mom that’s mindful of pelvic floor strength. Jules is also everything you want in a coach - approachable, kind, funny, smart, and strong. Once I finished the one round of the Momfit cohort I wanted to graduate to the general population fitness courses or “regular CrossFit”. I completed four personal training sessions with Michael to go over all the common weight lifting positions that would be covered in class. He was so incredibly patient with me, answering all my questions about proper form and my mom brain forgetting just about every rep I was on all the time. I also met Kelly (another coach) randomly at Trader Joes during all of this and through that one encounter have found another friendly person to chat with as I start general classes. To summarize my lengthy review, my enthusiasm for this gym and the experience come down to a couple of things:

1. I love the support they extend to mamas, getting us back into the gym with the focus being on our health, strength, and enjoyment
2. Not once have I left a class on the floor. Don’t get me wrong, the classes are hard, but compared to other CrossFit gyms it’s nice that they’re not going for the shock and awe of every workout being the hardest of your life. They’re focused on getting people strong and consistent over the long haul.
3. The people are kind and I notice (and love) the variation they have in ages in the class. I regularly see folks 60+, 20 something and all in between. It brings a nice energy to the gym and opportunities to connect with people in different phases of life.

If you’re on the fence in trying CrossFit or coming back to the gym, come here. You’ll be so happy you invested in yourself by investing in this community. I’m so grateful I took the leap. I look forward to every chance I get to move my body, meet new people, and learn new skills and new capabilities I...

3 years ago I started personal training at OC. I was probably the most out of shape I’d ever been. At that time I had never maintained a fitness routine in my 39 years of life more than 3 months without getting bored or burned out. This was almost a last chance shot at fitness for me. When starting, I wanted to stick to personal training & I thought I wouldn’t want to be part of classes. CrossFit can have a stigma that you already need to be in shape to be there & that it’s really for the young & fit. Which I will tell you now that is soo not the case. There is a large age variety at OC that makes it inspiring for all ages to get after it. 3 years later I have never had more than 2 weeks off working out. I continue to be motivated & push myself. I’m never bored! Sean’s programming is fantastic & these coaches WILL get you to the goals you desire & ones you didn’t expect you had. As long as you put in the work! Every coach is amazing in their own way & I feel lucky to have a wonky schedule that allows me to get to experience each coach. You also don’t have to be able to do everything! They will appropriately scale (adjust) a lift, workout, etc based of where your skill is at or if you have an injury you are working thru.

Ultimately I started here wanting to be able to be fitter in my middle age & ski longer at the mountain. Not only can I ski longer but I am a more skilled skier because of OC. Everything I do daily feels better, stronger & easier. I’ve lost body fat percent & have utilized OCs awesome nutrition coaching to help in the process. Something else I didn’t expect to gain here was community. I’ve made some new friends & nothings more fun than pushing along thru a workout with a buddy. I know a lot of people scoff at the price of signing up for CrossFit gyms. I am in NO way your typical rich Bendite. What I will say is you are getting WAY more than your money’s worth in this gym with coaching & programming you wouldn’t get in a standard $40 a month gym. This is also an investment in your health & is saving you thousands in medical bills you could have later being unhealthy. This gym is the best & I can’t...