CrossFit 503

This is a great gym.
I have tried crossfit before at a different (now defunct gym) and was injured, but really enjoyed the workout. I asked Darren (the owner of 503) what he recommended and he pointed me to the cross fit foundations class. It’s a class for people who are older or maybe a little less in shape than they could be. Perfect. I’ve been going for a few months now and I feel great. No injuries, a lot of help with form, a very encouraging group.
They have the traditional hard core crossfit as well, but the vibe of the gym is very chill. There are even two resident dogs sleeping In the sun, or asking you to throw their rubber Kettlebell chew toy.
Give this one a try.

This place is great! All of the coaches are excellent at teaching and emphasizing proper technique. I had never done crossfit before but this place was recommended to me and I have no doubt why after my first month here. The community they have here is super supportive while still being competitive and pushing me to get better. I’m so glad I found this place and would recommend it to anyone wanting to try crossfit! Thanks Darren, Tali, Ashley and Jared for all of your wonderful coaching!

I recently dropped-​in and took a class here and was incredibly impressed. The gym is one of the nicest in Portland — incredibly clean and neat, mostly new equipment, and just really well laid out.
Darren, the owner of the gym, was a great instructor. He did a great job walking the class through extensive warm-​ups and mobility exercises, actually supervising the class as we went through the exercises. He also did a great job modifying and working personally with my friend, who had never done Crossfit before.
Thumb’s up for this gym — it’s hard to find good Crossfit gyms with nice equipment and competent/​caring coaches, but this gym seems to have both. The only reason they’re not getting 5-​stars is because of location; location is a bit odd and hard to get to, especially by bike and public transport, but it’s convenient for those who live in the SW. Just wish it were more convenient for me!

This is a great gym. Darren, the owner, coaches most classes and is an excellent, knowledgeable and supportive coach. The other coaches are also enthusiastic and caring.
Equally important, the overall community is wonderful. There are a wide range of both ages and abilities, including both beginners and competitive athletes. To a person, they are all friendly and supportive. There are regular gatherings outside the gym, both organized and spontaneous.
In 20-​odd years of working out regularly at a wide variety of gyms, I can honestly say this is the best one I have ever found. If you’ve been thinking of sampling the CrossFit Kool Aid, it’s particularly tasty at the 503.