Howard Beach CrossFit

Awesome place!!! If you want a great workout and a good sweat, come and check it out. I’ve only been going for 2 weeks but I must say I’m in love. I already feel and see a difference in my body, Crazy huh!!! I have a lot more energy and feel great. I found Howard Beach Crossfit on Google. I decided to show up on a Monday and I’m so glad I did. John (owner) was friendly, knowledgeable and welcoming. I started with the 3-​day free trial and I’ve had 4 different instructors so far. All 4 are awesome and very knowledgeable in what they do. They all explained in detail the exercises and movements. They can’t stress enough Safety so they are constantly watching you and seeing if you are doing the exercises correctly. All instructors are very motivating and encouraging. They definitely want you to get a good workout. Everyone is extremely friendly and will help you if needed. I really like how the instructors push you, you end up challenging yourself. Everyday is a different workout which is great, you don’t get bored. I ended up signing up for 6 months with unlimited classes. Extremely reasonable prices for what you get.

17 months ago I began working out at HBCF. I had no prior knowledge of Crossfit. For as long as I can remember I’ve had a gym membership (Lucille Roberts, Worlds, Golds, NY Sports Club, Equinox, Hot Yoga, Coliseum and Becky’s Boot Camp are just some of the places I’ve belonged to). I did make pretty good use of my memberships. I went and did the class, did the machine, followed the instructions… for years. Like a hamster on a wheel… Running, running, running and going nowhere. Shin splints that’s what I got. So January of 2014 rolls around and I’m thinking to myself where am I going to work out this year? I was leaning towards MMA but then one day, I came across HBCF and I was curious. Where were the treadmills, the ellipticals and the steppers? What kind of a gym could this be? I googled crossfit and did some reading then decided it wasn’t for me. Torture, cult, callouses, tears what? Why? No! MMA it is. The day I was to start at MMA we had an ice storm and they were closed. But I was really motivated and wanting to work out. So I emailed HBCF and they were open so I went. When I arrived I met John. He told me that I had to take an «on ramp» class. I was quite dismayed because in my mind I was like Mrs Fit (because I went to the gyms for the last 20 years). I took the class, I was familiar with most of the movements accept for the burpees. I went back the next couple of days and finished the required «on ramp» classes. I committed to a month. The next day I went for my first real «crossfit class». I walked in as another class was finishing and all I could think was I made a mistake. All I noticed was the barbells with plates and pull-​ups. This looked like military training and I certainly couldn’t do any of it. Fortunately I didn’t have to. I went off into a corner with another beginner and a trainer and we went through some basic movements modified to a level that was feasible. That’s pretty much how it was for a little while. Then there came the day when I was able to work out with the group.
Obviously you know where this is headed I’ve been there for 17 months
It’s the best workout ever. I’ve learned about fitness, the body and about myself. Things I deemed impossible have become possible (double unders, front squats, handstands (assisted) and then things that I thought would be possible are impossible (double unders — consistently :) lol, pull ups, unassisted handstands, pistol squats (too many to list). But I just keep going and little by little I progress. It’s amazing how much stronger I am than I was a year ago. I spent so much time (not to mention money (nutritionists, personal trainers, books, classes etc) in the gyms (over 20 years) and I knew nothing. That’s not meant to imply that I know a lot now (not even close) but I’ve learned more in one year at HBCF than in the 20 years before (at the gyms). I’ve also been injury free (which says a lot about the environment) the trainers are on top of you and your form. If you can’t do something it will be modified to something you can do. And you are never made to feel bad or like less because of it. (Nurturing doesn’t feel like an appropriate word when used to describe a place where one works out but at HBCF I think that’s exactly what it is). I’ve also met some truly awesome people. People that push me when I’m tired, that tell me I can when I say I can’t. People who believe I can more than I believe I can. We laugh, we sweat, we bitch, we moan and groan and together we get through the workouts. I don’t have any huge weight loss. (but I wasn’t really here for that and to be honest I don’t own a scale). But now I l do love the way my clothes fit. Nothing jiggles and that’s really nice. I push my boundaries not as often as I should but often enough. I think I’m the fittest I’ve ever been and that makes me happy. I almost forget I did Mudderella last year as well as a Crossfit competition. This year I registered for the Spartan Race and Rugged Mania.

By far the cheapest Crossfit Box in all of NY State. The instructors are friendly and push you to your max all the time.

Love this place! Really good, thorough instructors coupled with great. old school training equipment. Can’t wait to go back for more. Everyone is super friendly and welcoming, all beginners are welcome alongside seasoned athletes. These guys know what they are doing!

Great program here! Dont be afraid to try it!

No bull shit cross fitness here. You have nothing but great instructors that are serious about their clients fitness and well being. Membership packaged are very economical as well. Staff are very knowledgeable and friendly.

One part fitness gym for Muay Thai workouts and another area for cross training workouts (H.I.T., bootcamps etc). They even have their own version of Pilates called Primilates (which I havne’t tried). There is a mix of men and women doing the workouts and BOY do you work out! There isn’t alot to the place (no fancy bells and whistles) but the trainers/​instructors/​owners who work there are really great and push you to work! Prices are extremely reasonable for what you get!
They have an outdoor bootcamp/​training for the Spartan race (I have no desire to do a Spartan, but as someone who has done other various obstacle 5ks/​mudruns, I can appreciate a training program!). Class sizes are small so there is a lot of individual attention. The MMA class has larger groups but the trainers are always keeping an ever watchful eye pushing you to work, WORK, WORK!
I hear they are looking to add other types of classes that will cater to both men, women and even children. I would highly recommend if you want to try something different and jump start your fitness routine. They’ll also let you try a couple of classes for free!