District H CrossFit

I joined district H about 15 months ago to get back in shape after having 2 kids. I feel so awesome a year later! I am fit, strong, healthy and happy. I feel so good about where I am at.
I’ve also taken a few 3 – 4 week pauses and I’ve been surprised that every time I come back and still love it, and continue to feel strong.
I really feel that the coaches at district H are an excellent fit for me. I enjoy the community that Jose has created, the feeling of all working together and encouraging one another, the friendly banter and the gentle push to do better. I have taken several small concerns to him and I’ve felt that they have been sincerely heard and addressed. I’ve also asked for what I need from several coaches and I feel they have always responded. (I frequently ask the coaches what weight I should aim for, or what time I should hit on the rower, or who I should chase in a specific WOD, and I feel confident that they know me well enough to respond and help me push myself).
I’ve gone to several other boxes around the heights as a guest or with friends and I must say, I think district H is pretty special.

I’ve been using this box for about a year — although my attendance has ranged from 5 days per week, to one, or even none; I’ve been pretty regular and feel my review carries some weight on this account. I have many great things to say about this place, but also a few gripes. But hey, nowhere is perfect.
Had I have written this review 6 months ago, I would have rated it pretty low on the account of arrogance, rudeness and sheer ignorance of some of the coaches. It’s kinda awkward when nobody likes the coach and thinks they are a douche bag — however this coach has now gone much to everyone’s delight.
The deciding factor for my choice to subscribe to this box was mainly due the credibility of some of the coaches. When I signed up, one of the main coaches was PhD holder in Physical Therapy. This sold it for me. Sadly Dustin has moved on, or rarely teaches here; one is now left with a few coaches who has a three day certificate under their belt and proclaim to be a professional coach and crossfit guru. This is disappointing, especially when you pay over $ 2,000 USD per year. Heck, some of my fellow classmates are now instructors there. I must assert though that some of coaches are avid fitness junkies — you can tell they have been in the game for a bit and know what they are talking about, so I do rate them, however some have never lifted a weight in their life; they have simply completed a three course on crossfit and swan around like they are god’s gift to the fitness world. This is not an issue bespoke to District H, so I haven’t denied them stars on this. However, with most other boxes offering coaches with 5 years’ experience and a level 2 cert, District H needs to step up their game to remain competitive. Otherwise, I think they will find it difficult to justify the premium rates. My review is simple and categorised below, so hopefully it is logical and help make an informed decision for potential clientele.
Equipment
The equipment here is one of the strongest assets. They regularly invest in new equipment. The equipment is decent as well. I’ve been to a few boxes that have smelly, ratchet ass stuff… this is certainly not the case here.
Cleanliness
This seems to go up and down. Generally speaking the place is clean and tidy, however they do permit pets i.e. dogs, so you can on occasions find dog fur on the floor when you go down for a push up. I did complain about this, but nothing was done about it.
Coaches
Some good, some bad. Some credible, some questionable.
Value for money
The price is average and in line with current market rates. Although, now that the sexy trend of crossfit is over, I expect most boxes will drop their rates. When measured against a regular gym that offers unlimited access and free fitness classes at $ 30 per month, the price of almost $ 200 per month is a bit out of balance.
Friendliness
This is an extremely social box. They regularly plan social events and are extremely active in the community. It’s full of friendly faces and is extremely welcoming. This does come with its own inherent issues though. You can regularly find kids running around unsupervised. I complained about this was verbally attacked for airing my complain. It is not that I don’t like kids, it is the fact that I do not want to be swinging around heavy weight and accidentally hurt a kid, the gym is no places for kids. Most gyms will not let anyone under the age of 16 step through the door due to insurance and liability reasons, but this seems to get overlooked. Some kids do remain behaved and stay out of the way, but some do not.
Classes
The classes are okay, but they could be a little more disciplined, and a little better structured. They can also be a little more fun and a little more creative. I’ve often found the same routines over and over again, and legs trained three days in a row which has annoyed me.
General
It’s a decent box. I’ve enjoyed my time here and will continue to use it.

This box (gym) is solid. Lot’s of up-​to-​date equipment. The coaches are friendly. The workouts are well planned and tough. If you want a fun CrossFit experience, you’ll get it here.
Here’s where I get picky to let the reader make an informed decision. Due to the great location and good qualities, this box has outgrown it’s space. The afternoon workouts are packed. And though the coaches are welcoming, the members don’t give the same vibe, likely due to the size. The box does ensure that the ratio of coaches to members doesn’t get out of hand, but at some point it’s difficult for a coach keep a strict eye on everyone.
3 Stars because it’s a solid box, and has room for improvement.

Having never done crossfit before, I can’t believe how much I enjoy it. The coaches are excellent and really stress form over quantity. If you are new, they are extremely welcoming and will go out of their way to explain what to do with you. The community that has been formed at this box is wonderful. I’m going to miss it when I leave Houston… It’s been a wonderful experience and has completely helped get me on the path to becoming in shape and feeling better about myself! Just go do it.

Great coaches, amazing workouts. Well get you in best shape of your life!

I have been doing crossfit for about 5 years now and have been a member at 3 different gyms. I met Ben at the last gym I went to and was so excited whenever he said he was going to open his own in the Heights. A few things that I love…
1.) The location and building: Easy to get to, plenty of parking, and the gym itself holds the people, equipment, etc. very efficiently.
2.) The community: Young adults mostly, very outgoing crowd, makes working out enjoyable. Accountability is at it’s finest between the coaches and the routine crew.
3.) Involvement: Ben does a great job of getting everyone together outside of the gym. Weather its a random Happy Hour, celebrating the end of a challenge, or participating in the Heights annual festivities, he always keeps things interesting and there is always something on the calendar in order to help build relationships.
4.) Responsiveness: Ben loves to hear feedback. Any thoughts on how the gym can be improved are welcomed and it’s cool to see that he is trying to make it the best it can be. I recently asked for him to post a blog about working out while traveling in hotels and a few hours later there was a well written, super informative blog post with suggested workouts outside of the gym and awesome tips! Super impressive.
All in all, I love this gym and couldn’t imagine going anywhere else! You should join!

I travel a lot and have been to many crossfit gyms, so I know each one has its own style. But District H is by far my absolute favorite gym.
The coaches at this gym are extremely educated and trained, they know what they are talking about and know how to work with each individual person. No matter what your goals are or where you come from, whether you’re 50 or 20, looking to compete or just be able to carry your own groceries and walk up the stairs without stopping to catch your breath, they will work with you. Everyone is there for different reasons but everyone realizes they are capable of more than they ever thought possible and even more than they initially set out to accomplish.
One thing that I love about District H is the technicality of the coaches. I have been to too many gyms where the focus is just strength and just get it done attitude no matter the consequence. The coaches here are sticklers for form, but that is necessary, they will work with you to make sure you are doing it right, safety is always first! Along with their focus on form another thing I love is the warm up and mobility I have learned from them. Instead of the monotonous and redundant warm ups at other places that have nothing to do with the actual movements you will be doing that day, the coaches here program it to go with the movements you will be doing that day, again to minimize injury.
Besides the technical aspect, the community is great. There are great people that are willing to welcome you in and not make you feel intimidated. Everyone is there for different reasons but at the same time looking for similar things as well. It is not a daunting scary big gym like the chain gyms everywhere where you will waste your time not knowing what to do. Besides all of that you will make great friends that will keep you accountable and will help to push you and accomplish your goals. It brings the competitive nature that I missed from high school and college sports and allows you to keep that going when you thought you would never get to experience that again.
Overall it is hard but it is rewarding, it will hurt and suck at times but when you are done you will feel accomplished and happy with what you just did and with what you are able to now do outside of the gym. The coaches are all great and the community is just as awesome.

I joined District H just about one year ago after leaving another Houston area Xfit, and have never looked back. This box is run incredibly professionally and passionately by coaches who are committed to the needs and goals of every member. The benefits extend beyond coaching in the workouts to delivering excellent clinics on diet and goal setting. The WOD programming at this gym is second to none, with great diversity and a solid balance between strength and endurance work outs. We are constantly encouraged to push past our prior benchmarks, and get lots of support not only from the coaches but the rest of the members. This box embodies what Xfit stands for in terms of community, there is no shortage of friendly faces and new members are always warmly welcomed. I’m proud to be a part of it!

Best box ever!!!
I have been a member since the day they opened. Ever since I found out coaches Hernan, Joe and Dustin were opening a box together, I knew it would be great. I think they are some of the best coaches in the industry because they are so patient and friendly and willing to take the time to explain a WOD or a lift to you. That is true of all the coaches at District H including Ben, Jaime and Steve.
Before I came to District H, I was the type at CF that did not even consider lifting heavy weights or doing RX because I never met a coach that pushed me to do so (Thanks, Ben! Hah!). Thanks to Ben and Jaime and the other coaches at DH, I have gone from barely being able to use the 45# bar to RX for some of the workouts and can now do strict pull-​ups without a band.
Unlike so many other places, in my opinion, DH is an open and friendly community that welcomes CF-​ers at all levels. It is a great place for beginners or anyone thinking to do CF. They truly care about their clients and take the time to develop each client individually and at their own pace. Not to mention, they have some of the best clients! Everyone is very friendly, and I am not surprised that I have become very close with some of the girls here (coaches and clients)!
Thanks to DH and the coaches, I can not imagine my weekly workout rotation to NOT include CF! I always look forward to the possibility of new PRs! And this is coming from someone who is an absolute girl about the daily WOD, is training for a marathon and still spins at Define and teaches yoga… Basically, someone who made up every excuse in the book as to why she should not CF or do heavy weights…
With that being said, if you are even considering CF or just looking to try a new box in the area, this is the place for you.

I see the last two posters voice concern when they first tried crossfit… but that is nothing compared to where I came from!!! I was closing in on 60 (years old)… Had maintained a gym membership for years… loved walking on that tread master and feeling like I was going somewhere (figuratively/​mentally/​physically)…but basically I had not done any exercises In years and years!!! Ben Jocz is an outstanding motivator!!! He told me that in the «old days» you had to live with the crummy genes you were dealt… which may give you heart disease, high cholesterol, etc… but now with proper exercise you could change the cards you were dealt… that got me through the doors!!! Then Jaime Granchelli gently began to change the way I saw myself and what I thought I could (and couldn’t) do!!! Now it is 10 months later… my husband and I have lives on the paleo diet for 10 months too. I love the classes and the fellow cross fitters… the help, guidance, encouragement, and gentle pushes from the coaches have totally changed me!!! If I can do it, anyone can!!!

«Oh, I can’t do that crossfit thing!», «Crossfit is crazy», «Crossfit is too intense»… These are all of the things that went through my head before I started going to District H. Crossfit at District H is all of those things but in the best way possible!!!
I do not come from an athletic background AT ALL! I have never been able to run a mile or lift heavy things. I had basically no strength, endurance or semblance of athletic ability. The coaches at District H have really taken the time to get to know me, my limits, my past, my weaknesses, and my strengths! With the help of the coaching staff and Jaime Granchelli’s nutrition counseling, I’ve lost 1.5 inches from my waist in just a month but more importantly, I have the confidence in myself that has been lacking for so long. I’m now able to run longer and further than ever before, I can move in ways I never thought possible, and lift things I never would have tried to lift.
I’ve been able to work with each coach at District H and they all have their own individual coaching style but they all of the same goal. They all want to help you be the best possible you and motivate you as an individual. My husband is motivated by trash talk and yelling, so they do. For me, it takes gentler hand and more encouraging statements.
If you are looking for a way to get in shape and simultaneously hang out with a really cool group of people who are really down to earth, District H is the right place! I never thought I would or could get into crossfit and now I find that the best parts of my day are spent at the box with my crossfit friends!

Oh you Unilocal!huh… You need this.
I’m just like you. Those Sweetbreads and brownwater cocktails will catch up brother. You need to stay tight like a tiger. Don’t lie… you suck it in when you get out of the shower. It’s OK– I did it too. District H fundamentally changed me.
TO THE REVIEW!
District H is really as good as it gets. I have been involved in athletics since I was young. I wasn’t always a star athlete, but I was active and involved. I vividly remember running and lifting with a coach blowing a whistle. That shit motivated me. But then… The whistles stopped.
Yup– College ended, no more intramurals. All of that competitive energy just kinda gets forced to die out. You get to lift in silence next to other people who have earbuds jammed into their ears. Lame.
District H is community, always changing, never boring, real-​world movements. You talk, you compete (or dont), you look forward to seeing your friends. It’s like adult recess.
You heard that Crossfit is dangerous? Well, I can’t speak for anywhere else, but at District H you will be coached. Form is stressed. There are people everywhere that have been there for a while that will help you keep your form at the top of mind. That was hugely important to me– it should be to you. It’s what you’re paying for.
Class sizes fluctuate. Sometimes they get pretty busy. Make sure you come in and talk to Ben or Joe before you start… Actually, just show up. YOU GET A FREE WEEK FATTY!
Facts:
–I was 265lbs and a size 41 waist the first day I walked into District H and I hadn’t worked out (really worked out) in years.
–I was so out of shape I was mortally afraid of throwing up after 5 minutes. So much so that I brought my own bucket… just to diffuse that fear.
–Within 5 months I had dropped to a size 36 waist and was down to 240. It’s not about lbs though, I was in shape. I felt so much better. I enjoyed my food more.
Overall– I have never spent money more wisely than the fees at District H.
No matter how fat you are, how scared you are, how many excuses you have «I’ll just start by losing some weight by jogging and dieting before I go over there», no matter what your friend said about Crossfit.
Go talk to Ben. Be brave. Step out and make a change. You will thank yourself.
«Most of the problems with the bodies and minds of the folks occupying the current culture involve an unwillingness to do anything hard, or anything that they’d rather not do. I applaud your resolve, and I welcome you to the community of people who have decided that EASY will no longer suffice».