CrossFit Conshohocken Combines Fitness with Community

Sometime last year, the first class at CrossFit Conshohocken jogged out through the gym’s doors and down Elm Street, its members learning each other's names and background as they prepared for their workout together.

As the weeks progressed, more and more new faces were added to the crowd, as word spread around town about the new way to workout down by the running trail.

Before long, classes grew too large for CFC's original space, and husband and wife owners Jay and Lori Ross had to knock down a wall to make room. Never a bad thing for a business in its first year.

"Yeah, business has been pretty good," says Jay. "It was just a huge influx of people. We expected quick growth here, but not at that rate. It's a good problem to have."

Neither Jay or Lori went to school expecting to become gym owners. Jay grew up playing soccer in Connecticut, but went to college to study psychology. He moved to Philadelphia in 2008 to pursue a Master's degree in sport and exercise psychology at Temple, and kind of fell into the fitness culture. By the time he had his degree in hand, he had also been offered an opportunity to help open a CrossFit gym in East Falls.

Ross took it, and successfully helped run the business until he experienced some burnout in the summer of 2011. After leaving the East Falls gym and taking a month hiatus, he realized his heart was truly in fitness and plotted the opening of his own gym with Lori, who works full-time in sales.

"We identified Conshohocken as a kind of market need for CrossFit, and we thought there would be a lot of young professionals looking for a community to be a part of," Jay says.

They picked the location at 710 Elm Street, a 3,000 square foot space that had previously been an office and an auto garage before that. Over time, they knocked out walls, replaced flooring, raised the ceiling, painted, and brought in equipment.

They opened on November 14, and membership has grown to about 150 in the first year. Ross believes CrossFit, which combines aspects of weightlifting, endurance training, and gymnastics, is an attractive fitness option because it builds community and confidence.

"People are excited to come here, because it's not a chore or a punishment," Ross says. "We make fitness a more inclusive part of your life, rather than sort of that additional thing you try and squeeze into your daily routine."

Head CrossFit coach Nick Tini, one of eight instuctors the gym employs and a West Chester native who first met Ross as an undergraduate at Temple, says CrossFit is a more functional way of exercising than just weightlifting or running on a treadmill.

"We take the principles of things like gymnastics, power lifting, or endurance conditioning and combine them," says Tini. "The goal is that you feel it in your daily activities; you feel stronger going up the steps, picking things up, or even just sitting at your desk. Generally people find that they feel better all around."

While CrossFit has a reputation for being a high intensity workout, Ross and Tini say it’s accessible to just about anyone. Ages range from those in high school to several senior-age members, from former Division 1 athletes to those who never really worked out before. The average member attends four one-hour classes a week, with times available in the morning, at lunchtime, in the evening and on weekends.

"The diverse membership is a testament to the culture that's been created here-- it's very welcoming," says Ross. "Some people walk into CrossFit fairly intimidated, but our goal is to break down those barriers and present them with something that's fun and approachable."

In addition, Ross says members pull for one in another, in a way that you wouldn't see at a traditional gym.

"Everyone knows everyone else's name… and what they dead lift," Ross says, laughing. "It's a very intimate community when you walk in the door, and people will ask if everything is all right if you've been gone for two weeks."

In year two, the Rosses already have plans to open a second location in Fort Washington. As residents of Lafayette Hill, they'll be able to hop back and forth between both CrossFit gyms and continue to grow what they've started.

"Business has been good, but our members are what makes this place special," Ross says. "Community is first here, that's what it's been all about."

Visit www.CFConshy.com to find out more. CrossFit Conshohocken offers a free introductory class.

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