You want Results? Listen to people JUST LIKE YOU that have achieved the goals you have been chasing for years!
This page is dedicated to our wonderful members of Gator CrossFit. Some have been with us for awhile, some have moved on but all have been tremendous people and have provided our community with nothing but positives. From all walks of life; young and mature, athletic and non, beginners to advanced. We have seen tremendous changes for the better from everybody. We welcome people to share their story on their successes and what this Gator CrossFit Health and Fitness program has meant to them. Some are video testimonials, others are written, everyone of them is real…
Greg Mullaley, age 58, former Law Enforcement, retiree
Rick Turner, age 34, Police Officer
Tanner Lee, age 23, Airforce Officer and overall Top Dog at the Gator CrossFit Games
Via Enneking, age 53, October Athlete of the Month winner
Neal Hines, age 46, From no previous experience, ever… to strong and on his way!
Debby, age 52, Talks about becoming Athlete of the Month for the second time
CJ and Donald, ages 21 and 19, Future Marines
Jesse, age 34, talking about his Gator Ramp experience
Allison, age 25, Former Rugby player
Alan, age 37, Father of 3, Likes to toss the Frisbee
Becky, age 53, Overall bad-ass (You can see her written testimonial down this page)
Nick, age 28, Super Strong and down to earth guy
Leah, age 55, Super cool lady (you can see her written testimonial down this page)
Matt, age 28, Former Navy Special Ops
I spent 10 years in the United States Navy, 7 years in aviation and the final three with Naval Special Forces. When I arrived at Naval Special Warfare I was on a very mundane and routine workout schedule. My routine was a lot of long runs with weight training, push-ups and sit-ups. My team was incorporating CrossFit into their weekly workouts. At first sight I thought I was in over my head, even the strongest looking guys were having a hard time with the workout. I later learned that the reason why they were so spent was because you get what you put into CrossFit. After weeks of soreness I noticed a dramatic change. My runtimes were decreasing with more energy at the end of them, and still had the strength to perform my daily duties. I eventually started looking forward to the workouts instead of worrying about spending hours in the weight room. CrossFit was challenging and competitive. My buddies and I were pushing ourselves to beat the guy next to us. CrossFit is the perfect building block for the athletic special warrior.I separated from the navy in May of 2009 but still wanted to keep in shape but I still found myself addicted to CrossFit. I keep up with CrossFit to this day. My benchmarks continue to improve and my PR’s are still getting heavier. The competitive nature and sportsmanship that comes with CrossFit is my addiction.
I joined Gator CrossFit in September of 2009. Mandi and Aaron were very welcoming and kept challenging me to push for new records. The two of them are more my friends, with a wealth of knowledge of fitness and nutrition, than my trainers. They make it easy to look forward to my three days on and ready to get back in the gym on my rest day.
Martin, age 21, Rubgy Player and super cool CrossFitter
I first came into Gator Crossfit as a UF Rugby player. I knew I wasn’t in GREAT shape, but I was fairly confident in my abilities. Long story short, I was quickly humbled in my first workout.
I knew what I had found something that was going to change my life. The workouts are awesome, and I love always pushing myself to the limit and increasing my abilities. Also, one of the best parts is the environment. Every time I’m in the gym, I’m with people I know and love to work out with. The group setting lets us compete against each other, which is even more motivating. As for Aaron and Mandi, I couldn’t ask for better trainers. They have plenty of experience and are willing to do just about anything to make sure we have a great experience, every day in the gym and with our own personal progress. Over the past year, I’ve lost over 20 pounds, and packed on at least 5 pounds of muscle, which makes the fat loss that much more substantial. Bottom line, train here at Gator Crossfit and you’ll have a LOT of fun and get into the best shape
possible the quickest way possible. You will change your life.
Ben with wife Shelby, Martial Arts expert and CrossFitter
I have always been an active person but felt like I had yet to reach my full physical potential (or even come close to pushing it). I’ve trained in the martial arts for almost 10 years, so although I wasn’t sure what to expect when trying Crossfit I didn’t think it would be as hard as it was the first time. But after recovering from a week’s worth of soreness, I knew this was what I had missed in all my other workouts. I began to see results almost immediately and with the guidance and support of my trainers, I was able to reach and surpass many goals I had set for myself. I’d tried workouts on my own and never had the drive to continue past a few weeks. And I’m sure it would have been the same without Gator Crossfit.
In being some of the first full time clients at Gator Crossfit, my (now) wife and I often worked out alone in the wee hours of the morning with Mandi bundled up and clutching her coffee 
. But we knew that if we stuck with it, more people would join and sure enough, the Morning All Stars formed. It’s been wonderful to make new friendships and achieve our goals while seeing our friends achieve theirs at the same time. No matter how hard the workout, knowing that we have the support from our friends always makes it possible to push through to the end. We are forever indebted to Gator Crossfit and will miss everyone involved as we start our new life in Portland. But we will be sure to show Portland what Gator Crossfit is all about!
Leah, age 55, just an everyday bad-ass
I joined CrossFit at the age of 54, because I decided it was time to resculpt my body through diet and exercise. I searched around and ultimately asked a colleague of mine (who is in excellent physical condition) how she managed to stay in such GREAT shape. She indicated that for the last several years, she had been working out at Gator CrossFit, and that was all it took for me. She told me about the Holistic approach that Gator CrossFit offers; first, there’s Aaron, the owner, who not only has his Credentials and degree in the field of exercise science, but is also a massage therapist and a skilled, Experienced personal trainer. Then there’s Mandi, his beautiful fiancé and partner, who, along with her degree in Nutrition, is a massage therapist as well! That was everything I needed to know, as I was looking for a mind/body approach to resculpting my body. I turned the corner in April of 2009 and I have never looked back. I’m approaching one year in my quest for my newfound level of physical fitness and there’s no comparison to what my life is like now, compared to what it was before. I have more energy (ask anybody) more stamina, and more selfconfidence that I thought possible. And I have the Owner/Trainers and my friends at Gator Crossfit to thank for it all!
HP, age 31, Martial arts, fencer and extreme bad-ass
Before CrossFit, workout was something that I have to do. Now with CrossFit, workout is something that I can’t wait to do. Every morning, the first thing that I do in the office is to check workout of the day, a.k.a WOD. The second thing that I do is to check other CrossFitters’ record on the website for workout log. Wow.. This guy is a beast… that girl is amazing… Then it’s my turn to have fun.I’ve learned about CrossFit about a year ago in a fitness website. I was so shocked because the methodology that CrossFit is pursuing is exactly what I was seeking. Right away, I searched for the CrossFit gym nearby and found Gator CrossFit. And that changed my life.
In the very first few weeks, I needed assisted bands for pull-ups and ring dips when they’re more than 10. My form of lifting was awful. I barely swung 30lb kettle bell. Since then, in a year, I can swing 70lb kettle bell, do 25 pull-ups, 30 ring dips, competed and won a bronze medal in the Olympic weightlifting event hosted by USAW.
But more importantly, I feel energetic, confident and have a lot of fun every day. I meet friends at Gator CrossFit and we cheer for, compete against, and boost each other. Looking over the improved records of mine on various WODs is also exciting. Instead of repeated workout routines, I enjoy the randomness of WODs with which I never get bored.
Last one year was the milestone in my life. I appreciate to Aaron and Mandi to give me a chance to experience CrossFit. They suggested the fitness philosophy that I’ll keep in my whole life.
Tammy, age 39, HR director, everyday mom and Super strong mama
I started doing Crossfit at Gator Crossfit in May 2009. In the past week I have experienced everything I love about Gator Crossfit.
Challenge – I was challenged to push myself beyond what I felt I could do. Often times I come in, see the WOD and wonder “can I do that or even finish?” I always give it my best effort and plunge in and I always finish. Ultimately, we are all only limited by our own expectations.
Learning – I am always learning new things either about proper form, new exercises or nutrition. I never get bored, because it’s always a different workout each time I step through the doors. The trainers offer constructive criticism and support to improve our technique and performance.
Competition – In Crossfit you compete with others, as well as yourself. Of course it’s always friendly competition. We compete with people of different fitness levels and ages, but yet never feel inadequate. We all workout at our own levels, but constantly push our individual limits.
Encouragement – I certainly don’t finish first, but there’s no shame in that. My fellow cross fitters are always there to cheer me on to the finish. The camaraderie of these good people makes it impossible to fail. You certainly will not always have a personal record, but you sure will give it your all when encouraged so much.
Reward – My efforts were rewarded with completing each workout and feeling so proud of myself.
Gains – I achieved several personal records on a weekly basis. The pride I feel in changing my numbers on the board and on my posts is immense. I also just finished a 6-week Paleo Challenge and feel definite changes in my body as well as my performance. I lost weight and gained speed and strength. Gator Crossfit is helping me in so many areas – self confidence, strength and overall health. It is truly an addiction and my drug of choice.
Becky, age 53, Busy bee worker and Overall fellow bad-ass, been training for over 8 years
I starting working with Aaron as a personal trainer 8 years ago and followed Aaron to Gator Crossfit. In 2008, because of many personal issues, I decided to take time off from most of everything in my life, except for my job. I stopped working out and exercising, enjoying much of anything. In January 2009, I decided I had enough and joined Gator Crossfit group classes. At 52 years of age, you can image how my body changed after not using it for a year, so I pretty much had to start back with basics. It’s now December, and I have to say I feel I’m back to about 90% from where I was before! I don’t think there’s any other program that would have given me such fast and strong results as Cross Fit! The group classes are great…full of energy, fun, lots of sweat and teamwork, as well as plenty of personal, one-one-one challenges. I’m almost twice the age of most of the athletes who train here, but I’m able to keep up pretty well. It’s the training and experience I get with Cross Fit that’s gotten me this far. I’ve shared the program with friends, one who quickly joined the CrossFit family too! I can’t find a better place to push myself to the highest level and feel great getting there! I love it!
Davida, age 66, Former dancer, world traveler and our SloBody Infused Yoga instructor
Gator Crossfit is the best physical workout EVER! As a lifelong exercise enthusiast, one who always pushes for perfection whether working as a ballet dancer and yoga teacher or training for marathons or showing a reining horse, I highly recommend Crossfit for all stages of life, especially those in their 60’s…like me. Crossfit combines cardio, weightlifting, gymnastics and calisthenics movements – all reminiscent of child’s play like jump rope, hop-scotch, running and jumping off the ground onto a box. It challenges body and mind, sets new goals and brings immense pride when once unattainable goals are reached.Give yourself the gift of fitness. Let the trainers at Gator CrossFit make 2010 year your best year ever!
Kevin, age 20, College Quarterback in Upstate NY
After graduating from Bucholtz High School, I had three months before I left for Hamilton College in New York to play football. My Hamilton coach sent me a weight lifting workout program and was told to follow it with my life. I did not know where to begin so I contacted Gator CrossFit. I was at first skeptical of what CrossFit would do for me, but only after a week of CrossFit, I realized a mix between CrossFit and my heavy lifting program would be the way to go. Now after 3 months of working my butt off, I have lost over 10lbs and am in the best shape of my life. I am stronger and more explosive than I have ever been. I’m now ready and chomping at the bit to compete for the starting quarterback job at Hamilton and win a NESCAC Championship. I would like to thank the trainers, Aaron and Mandi for all their knowledge and support. You guys were great. I can truly say CrossFit is the best way to work out whether you are training to play sports or just getting in shape.ddiction and my drug of choice.
Amir, age 47, Avid runner, been CrossFitting for over 2 years
Aaron Palmer has been my personal trainer for a year and a half. When I started working with Aaron, I had severe back problems and consequently I could not even run short distances, do squats, and in general, my level of weight lifting ability was quite limited. More importantly, as a professor at UF, I sometimes have to teach three consecutive classes; and after six hours of teaching, I could not stand up straight. Often the pain was so intense that I would go straight from the classroom to my chiropractor in order to be able to function. When I started working with Aaron, my level of energy and stamina was also quite low. After diagnosing the source of my problems, which was aparantly more in my legs than in my back, Aaron carefully designed a specific training program to stregthen my back and legs. He taught me how to stretch appropriately and then gradually increased the range of exercises I could do. By setting specific and difficult goals for me to acheive, Aaron also increased the weights I could lift ten-fold. Today, after only a year and a half, I have no back problems and I manage to teach for six hours straight without any problems. Last weekend I did 225 body squats, 150 push-ups, 75 deadlifts of 80lbs in 20 minutes on Saturday and I ran five miles on Sunday. Aaron also involved me in CrossFit training and I manage to keep up in the group work-out with guys half my age — some of which are ROTC’s. In one of the CrossFit sessions I even came up at the top. I feel well and healthy and my level of energy has improved tremendously. I know that a lot of these improvements are a result of my hard work, but I could not have done it without Aaron.
Karen, age 39, Nurse, been CrossFitting for 3 years, Athletic and Strong
During my first 8 weeks with Aaron I lost 25 pounds and many inches. That was over 4 years ago, and I am still the same weight!! I have never felt stronger and healthier. Aaron is passionate about fitness and it shows and it shows from the energy and enthusiasm he brings to every session. His easygoing, friendly personality creates a relaxed atmosphere. Every workout is challenging and definately not boring. Even when I has surgery, twice, Aaron designed workouts that kept me motivated and in shape during my rehab. If you are serious about changing your life for the better, Aaron and Gator CrossFit will help you achieve your goals.
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