CrossFit Metropolis

When I started at Metropolis I couldn’t pick up 315. I just pulled 310 for 15 reps. Boom. The Trop is the best box thanks to awesome coaches, great workouts, and a tight community. 6 AM Crew forever!

Absolutely outstanding CrossFit box. CrossFit as a discipline definitely suffers from highly variable quality across its gyms in terms of instruction and programming, but if you find the right gym there’s no doubt that you can reap massive benefits. CrossFit Metropolis is in my view one of the best boxes I’ve ever trained at (and I’ve visited quite a few). The coaches (Eric, Brendan and Allison) are fantastic with loads of experience and knowledge. And therefore the programming is also excellent.
I couldn’t recommend this gym more highly. In a world where everyone strives for «growth» and eventually compromises quality, CF Metropolis is a great example of a gym that has deliberately stayed small and maintained very high standards.

All these reviews are fake. Ridiculous.
Crossfit is very cult-​y and reminded me of lame summer camp games.

OK. If you’re looking to do Crossfit, you probably know the risks. You’ve heard horror stories. Well, this place is probably full of them. Let’s just say that I injured myself badly during a very complicated overhead olympic lift which I had no business doing. Maybe I would have been ready for it after a year of strength and flexibility training, but since I joined at the end of a strength circuit, all of the classes were moving onto olympic lifts. They should not have had people that had only been there for less than two months doing that stuff. It takes a ton of coordination and stabilization beyond just basic strength training, as well as intense focus and energy. It’s not something you do during a «WOD» with a clock on the wall. The group mentality of crossfit only exacerbates recklessness. This is a review of this gym, and not just a review of Crossfit.
Anyway, as far as the gym — it’s minimalist. Very crossfit. There are some pull up bars, ropes, squat racks, bumper plates, these weird sit-​up things, hacksawed PVC pipes everywhere. The people are usually pretty down to earth but intense and friendly. Like I mentioned before, I think the instruction was dangerous. I joined pretty close to when their new location opened, and hopefully the training has improved.
Anyway. My advice is to stay away, or else your body will regret unless you’re a really top athlete who is very strong and flexible.

When I first mentioned to a friend I was joining Crossfit, he said «oh, you mean the Crossfit cult?» I dismissed the remark, but after six months here, I can see what he meant and I wish I had taken him more seriously. The most important thing that you should know is that this is not a gym, it is a Crossfit gym. The culture of Crossfit pervades every aspect of your experience here. It, for better or for worse, prides conformity over individuality, and tacitly dismisses everything non-​Crossfit. For someone who seeks belonging over independence, this is the place for you. For more independent types, you will find it soul-​crushing. The second thing you should know is that you can get what you get here anywhere else. The gym sells a unique definition of, and approach to fitness, but once you see through the layers of ideology, you realize it’s anything that a well-​versed trainer at another gym could teach you. I have had trainers at many different gyms before, and I would rate my experience here the worst, largely because the dogma of Crossfit is so self-​limiting that the trainers actually teach you less. Know yourself. Crossfit is about being part of a group more than it is about fitness. If that’s what you want, then you’ll love it. But if you’re more focused on the end rather than the means, you’re much better off at another gym.

I took Sunday morning’s free intro class. Trainers were smart and helpful. Am definitely inspired by their passion for fitness. Couldn’t believe how nice and encouraging they were. Easy to relate to. If anything, try this intro class to get to know CrossFit and this gym in particular. Worth your time.

I started Crossfit 1 ½ ago with the intention of changing my life. I was lucky enough to start at CFM and have been totally hooked on the workouts and community since then. Crossfit has taught me how to live my life better in terms of nutrition, sleep and overall happiness, but Crossfit Metropolis has continued to educate me on what I’m capable of physically and mentally. The coaching staff is extremely knowledgeable who is always welcoming, encouraging and supportive. My goal was to change my life and thanks to Crossfit Metropolis, I don’t ever see myself going back to my previous life.

I started doing CrossFit about 3 months ago and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done!
Before joining I was going to my local gym and seeing a personal trainer once a week. I was worried that the cost of CrossFit would be too much, but not the case. The classes here are small enough at times that you do get that one on one training. The coaches are great here and really pushes you to the next level. There are things that I thought I could never do before joining this box.
Most importantly the community here is amazing! Everyone is so friendly and we all push each other to the next level!
I highly recommend this CrossFit box!

I joined CrossFit Metropolis after years of a strict 3x a week gym schedule with limited results. I was bored of doing that, so I started looking for a new fitness routine. That is when I found CrossFit.
I joined a welcoming gym of about 10 members and have seen it grow to around 200 members. Over this time, the gym has stayed true to it’s roots; build a community and get a great workout.
What you are paying for at CrossFit is great coaching and your workouts programmed for you. If you are someone that likes to mix things up in your fitness routine, this is perfect for you. You will not see workouts repeat often at all. You will also learn power lifting, olympic lifting and some gymnastics. Along with CrossFit Metropolis being a great gym, there is also a community of like-​minded crossfitters across the country that you will find by doing a simple google search.
As for myself, I have met a lot of great friends and am definitely in the best shape of my life. I can’t say enough good things about CrossFit Metropolis.

I started doing Crossfit about 8 months ago, and I’ve been a member of CFM for about 3 months. One of my friends — a long time CrossFitter — recommended that I check out CFM. It ended up being the best decision that I made all year.
The coaches are fantastic, and I’ve noticed tangible improvements in my athletic performance since I joined. More than that, however, every member of the gym is extremely welcoming and supportive. People make a point of meeting new faces, and the periodic competitions and social events are all a lot of fun.
Between the awesome workout and environment, my hour at CFM is the highlight of my day.

I have been a part of this gym/​box for almost two months, and I am so glad that I decided to join! I had been exposed to Crossfit through a friend who is a trainer, but had been putting off joining because I thought it was expensive and I wasn’t sure how often I would be able to come. If you have any of those concerns, don’t worry about it! The cost is totally worth it because each class is coached, which is way cheaper than personal training, and the community is unbeatable. They have a ton of discounts for various things too (students, teachers, spouses, etc), so make sure to ask!
I have dropped into a few other Crossfit locations, and Metropolis is simply unbeatable because of the outstanding coaching. I try to go to different classes to work with all the different coaches because they each add so much to my training. Each of the coaches are so amazing at explaining each movement that you are doing, which is especially helpful for newbies and experienced athletes alike, since it could be weeks since you last did something, because Crossfit workouts are all about constantly varying your workouts. Each one of these coaches as blown me away with their knowledge, passion, patience, and encouragement.
If you do the newbie session and/​or the crash course, and you walk away in pain or are very sore, don’t be discouraged! This is only natural when you push your body to do new things, but I promise you it gets easier. My body feels stronger than ever and now I am always excited to try new things and see what else I am capable of!
I love calling this my gym, and telling people about my experience! Feel free to message me if you want more details on my experience, or contact Metropolis directly. They are extremely helpful in answering any and all questions!

Crossfit Metropolis is hands down the best CF box I have ever worked out at. I started CFing in Hong Kong in Feb, moved to New York in April, and found CF Metropolis on Unilocal.Even though I lived much closer to CF Black Box (down in Chelsea), I decided to join Metropolis after a free class Coach Eric very graciously offered me. All the coaches at Metropolis are amazing — Brendan breathes Crossfit; Alison is an amazing coach in Oly-​lifting; and Eric is pure awesomeness.
I have since moved to California where I visited 2 CF affiliates and eventually joined 1. Of all the boxes I have been to (in California and Hong Kong), CF Metropolis is the only place where coaches consistently demonstrate every movement, correct your movement, and actually pay attention to the members during workout instead of texting. Every time I am told just to squat to parallel, I miss how Brendan would always tell us to squat down as LOW as we can. I miss all the Oly-​lift instruction and demo given by Alison cuz all I got now is instruction given by someone who’s probably learnt that a year ago in a 2-​day CF certification course.
The members are down to earth and hardcore. Hardcore is good cuz it motivates me. In the few months I was in New York, I made some good friends from the box that I still stay in touch with.
Metropolis is a gem. If you are still pondering about the box or CF in general, give it a try and you won’t regret it.

The best fitness instruction I have ever received in my life. No comparison.
I was lucky enough to be in the neighborhood, and obviously took notice of the people running around my block every day. I finally decided to check it out and go to a free intro class.
I can say, honestly, that I was intimidated, and I can also say that this is probably the best decision I made all year.
The coaching is simply outstanding. If you’re familiar with Crossfit, you know part of the philosophy is actually about how great coaching, combined with variety and high intensity in short spurts of time, produces phenomenal results.
So this is a particularly great Crossfit gym because the owner and founder, Eric, recruited coaches who really, really care and have a high degree of knowledge. Brendan, who trained with Glassman, breathes the philosophy and will push you to your limits, for your benefit. Allison really helped to get me started; initially, I couldn’t even do a basic squat, but her persistent, incisive, and highly enthusiastic coaching pushed me to not only feel comfortable with Crossfit, but to get stronger than I have ever been. EJ is a great manager and coach, period.
If you are not familiar with Crossfit, you should know that instead of showing up at a gym to kinda do your own thing, you get extremely specific, knowledgeable coaching, and a community that cheers you on.
I was skeptical when I initially read about it, and I was no fitness freak. I did a Bikram yoga thing a few times a week, plus some runs in the park. Some martial arts a few years ago, a regular gym membership before that. A hiking hobby.
But I’ve come to the conclusion that the way we exercise in Crossfit is actually the way the human body was meant to move and exert itself. I’ve only been doing this for three and a half months and had to take month to recover from surgery, but I’m stronger and healthier than I have ever been.

5 stars only because there weren’t more to more to give.
Here is what u need to know: first and foremost-​top notch coaching. There are a lot of new lifts and movements to learn. The coaches do a great job of taking the time to make sure they are learned properly and they work tirelessly to enforce proper technique. I have been to other crossfit boxes and always come back thankful for the coaches we have.
U want a steam room and soft plush towels. This is not ur place. U want an environment that pushes u to be ur best and creates a community to help get u there… than stop in.

If you go to Crossfit Metropolis, you are not just another monthly membership fee to the owner and coaches. They all really take the time to get to know you and your abilities. The focus at this gym is technique and camaraderie. Everyone knows everybody’s name (there’s the famous name game at the beginning of each class where someone gets called out to recite everyone’s name) and you really feel like part of the group as soon as you enter the box (drop-​in visitors included!). The coaches really emphasize finding a balance between your well being and pushing yourself to the limits. The programming here really works and I have found myself to become stronger and stay injury free at the same time.
The new space has a shower (disregard past comments) and there is now AC and really cool t-​shirts. There are tons of classes to choose from, according to your schedule, and there are always social events being planned, which majority of the Metropolis members always attend.
Definitely go check it out. You will get hooked!

CrossFit Metropolis is the cats meow. End of story. Fat bodies become fit bodies, and fit bodies become fitter bodies. The sense of community is awesome, and great coaches like EJ Baril stay on top of the us to make sure we’re headed toward our goals.
Its much more like a club than a gym. A club of agressive, gung-​ho, active, hardworkers who want to go somewhere with life and have found the most effective training regimen for general physical fitness.
If you’re on the fence, get off the fence. And get in the gym.

Crossfit, and more specifically, crossfit metropolis, has changed my life. I had always been active, playing sports in highschool and college, and then turning to running and lifting in medical school and residency. However, something was always missing and i was never quite happy with myself. All of that changed the day I stepped foot in CFM. Every single day is a challenge. And every single day you make gains you never thought were possible. For the first time in my life, i am exhausted, content, and excited every single day. I have been doing this now for a little over a year and I cannot even remember what life was like before crossfit. Not only has my body changed and my outlook on fitness in general, but the community here at CFM is mind blowing. I have made friends here who will last a lifetime.
(and we now have a shower, folks!)

After doing a fair ammount of research on CrossFit and also on this style of training i decided it was time to try for myself. Many athletes are seeing remarkable performance improvements through this style of training. I. E more intesity but less time spent training, and never doing the same workout twice.
Crossfit Metropolis fully lived up to the other reviews on Unilocal.Eric is an amazing trainer and all round good guy. He also makes a real effort to foster a welcoming and friendly environment. He has even posted a sort of ‘friendliness’ rule on a chalkboard in the gym. When i first walked into the gym several members shook my hand and introduced themselves and answered a slew of my questions. I mistakenly thought they worked there. They were that cool. I’ve been a serious athlete for many years and participate in many sports and i had never experienced this kinda of openess and warmth before in a gym.
During the free orientation session all the therory was well presented by Eric then we were led through a basic intro workout that kicked my butt. I knew i was out of shape but i didn’t know how badly until i got half way through the workout. I’m hooked!
The only draw back was as posted in previous reviews. No showers. No biggie for me as i live near by but could be an issue for someone living out of the neighborhood.
Overall a really great gym and method of training! I’m excited to get going. I’d highly reccomend trying out the free workout. My guess is that
Metropolis CrossFit will be all the rage within the next year or so, and for good reason!
(Apparently they’ll be adding kids classes soon. I think my 6yr old boy would love them!)

I love Crossfit. I’m a girl and all of the workouts are scaled for me if they need to be. I had never done Crossfit before coming here but I have always worked out and tried to use proper form. I love working out among the huge guys that can all do five times what I do because I see how hard I can really push. As Eric says, even if you think you’re great at everything, you will always find something you suck at :) For me, it was really humbling to start from scratch and learn how to hold a bar overhead while I squat.
Eric, the owner is awesome! He shows you exactly how your form should be during every workout. He never backs down from you. He pushes you the entire way through your workout. This place is basically personal training.
This place is still up and coming so there are no lockers or nice Equinox type restrooms or showers. That’s okay. It comes with time. However, it’s a huge space with brand new equipment that is always kept orderly.
I highly recommend it. I have seen major results in the month that I’ve been at the gym and my arms/​legs/​torso is so much stronger already.

If you’re reading this review, you probably already know the difference between Crossfit and other exercise routines. So let’s talk about the gym itself.
Edit: This review is for the old location. Also the new location now has a shower.
Pluses:
The floor space is huge.
There are pullup bars everywhere.
There are plenty of weight lifting bars.
Considering the time of day that workouts are offered, showers and lockers aren’t necessary. I tend to go in the evenings after work.
After a short period at Crossfit Metropolis, you will make considerable gains in strength and conditioning, you will receive focused and attentive personal training, you will make friends, you will be challenged and you will feel better about yourself for joining.