George

“I had shoulder pain that made it difficult to put on a suit jacket. I couldn’t do a squat because my left knee wouldn’t bend…Today, four months later…I have full mobility in my shoulders, and my back pain is gone."

After years of staring at a screen and decades of commuting across Los Angeles, I had shoulder pain that made it difficult to put on a suit jacket. I couldn’t do a squat because my left knee wouldn’t bend. I’d seen two different orthopedic surgeons who said I had arthritis.

A friend recommended I try CrossFit. On the first day, Steve, the trainer took 30 minutes to show me a stretching routine. Another trainer, Matt, made sure I kept good posture and alignment in the exercises. Within the first month, I saw improvement in my flexibility, strength and aerobic capability.

Today, four months later, I have no trouble putting on a jacket and my hip flexibility is much better. I can do squats again. I have full mobility in my shoulders, and my back pain is gone.

But the best surprise about CrossFit has been the community—if someone is trying for a personal best, everyone cheers him on. Without this support, I never would never have completed the toughest parts of the workout. I’m healthier and stronger than I’ve been in the past 30 years and have signed up for another year.