The Armory / CrossFit Okami — Local services in North Creek

I’ve worked with Joel for a few years now and I have a love hate relationship when it comes to training with Joel. I love how much I’ve progressed, how much I’ve learned, and how much Joel pushes me to reach my goals. I hate how much he calls me out when I’m making excuses or not sticking to the plan or when he yells at me when I start to get sloppy and lift with bad form (even when he’s not around I can hear his “what are you doing?!” Or when I get frustrated and angry I hear “take a lap and then do it again.” Cause you can never end your lift on a bad note). I guess those things I hate are also why I’m where I’m at now. This last year with Joel alone I dropped over 25 lbs which is great, but more importantly I’ve hit PRs in my lift, I’m the fittest I’ve ever been (until I recently got injured but I’m rehabbing through that, which he also has been super helpful and knowledgeable in things you can do to work around injuries and to regain strength), and I’ve developed the tools to be able to keep growing in my fitness journey. I basically have a little Joel sitting on my shoulder coaching me while I’m in the gym or at home food prepping. Making good choices isn’t always easy to do but it’s easier when you’ve got the basics down and have an understanding on how things work. Sure, you can see any trainer and they can push you until you’re sore and can’t walk for days, but that’ll only get you so far. I’ve had that before and yes I saw some immediate results and progress, but then you plateau and you find yourself stuck in the same place for far too long. Anyone can put a bunch of exercises together, but not everyone can put it together in a way where years later you’re still building and improving. You’re still seeing those little muscles you never knew you had popping out of nowhere. You find yourself adding more weight to your barbell or busting out a few pull-ups when you didn’t even know you could do one. Another big thing I've noticed is that unfortunately not all trainers/coaches also spend so much time on form and stress the importance of constantly working on your technique. You know Joel is passionate about fitness and it makes you want to succeed as well. This is why he’s also able to push you without yelling at you like a drill sergeant and knows the right to time to quietly tell you you’re doing great when you’re not sure you’re going to get that last round in. It’s also why he’s able to easily build communities with people who otherwise would not know each other outside of working out together, which isn’t something that automatically happens just because you’re taking a class together. You see this with Joel both in the class settings as well as just lifting with another person or two. The person I was four years ago, two years ago, or even since the beginning of the year isn’t the person I am now. When I started my fitness journey I was basically a walking blob. No real strength and basically zero endurance. Working out also just meant running and a lot of cardio machines. Now I’m the fittest, strongest, and happiest I’ve ever been and I’ve found a love of lifting and being active. I’ve had quite the journey and Joel has played a HUGE role in these changes and for that I will always...

Noticed this Gym opened across the street from my office so I thought I would go in and check to see what it's all about. I was greeted by Joel & Nick who made me feel very welcomed (Normally I hesitate looking at new gyms due to the high pressure sales tactics). This was not the case, Joel talked with me about what my goals are and what my boundaries are and we set up a no cost assessment for him to get a sense of my fitness capabilities. I went in for the first assessment where we focused on stability and some of the basics, he then had me track my nutrition for the next week until our 2nd assessment. At the next assessment we did some warm up and then he worked with me on the principle lifts getting my form right which is important to me due to a injury from dead lifting a year ago. He caught on quick to what I needed to adjust and worked through what I need to do improve on my lifts. Again all of this at no cost which tells me these guys are dedicated to making sure their clients don't get hurt and have a positive experience before signing up for a membership! We wrapped up the 2nd assessment and he sat down with me and thoroughly went through my nutrition and basic movements I need to work on. I feel blessed this place opened up so close and to have trainers that care about the clientele. I signed up on the spot and look forward to getting my SWOLE ON at The Armory!!! Thanks...

Went here for a trial class and was very disappointed. The class was Olympic lifting which is very technical. The male coach was on his phone more than he was coaching. The girl behind me did not know what she was doing and he did nothing to help. I had an accident on my snatch that day, leading to fractures in my spine. He proceeded to give me advice on my form while I was on the floor in agony. It was truly just an accident, as I’m an experienced lifter, but that could’ve easily happened to someone inexperienced. He was so inattentive- to the point that anyone could’ve taught that class considering all he did was read the workouts from the board. Afterwards I shared my experience with the owner and was offered a free 2 hour personal training session… while I was in bed unable to move with excruciating pain. I’ve been to countless CrossFit gyms, and this was by far one of the worst experiences. I don’t pay $200+ a month to have a coach read a workout from the board and do no coaching. If I wanted that I’d just go to a commercial gym… Needless to say I did not do the free training session. That was my second trial class; the first one i had a similar experience with that female coach not coaching. I was trying to give the gym and a different...