Stories From the Stands

May 20, 2017

Mike Warkentin

Spectators at the East Regional share their reasons for training.

Everyone has a CrossFit story and a reason for doing CrossFit.

We know why the athletes are here: They want to go to the CrossFit Games. But the stands at the Times Union Center are full of CrossFit athletes of all ages, sizes and fitness levels, and it’s not as obvious why they hang out with Fran and Cindy.

Here’s how a cross-section of East Regional fans found CrossFit and why they love it.

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“For me physically, I love to be on the competitive side of it. I was a gymnast my whole life.”—Rachel Goldenberg, owner, CrossFit Parallax (pictured above)

“I love the community. I love the competitive side of it. I’m a retired mixed martial artist, so I needed some competition in my life.”—Bob Reichanek, CrossFit Parallax (pictured above)

“Woof.”—Rampage the cane corso, CrossFit Parallax mascot (pictured above)

“You want to keep moving so that in your older ages you are a viable human being. I don’t want to be a head in a bed.” —2016 Reebok CrossFit Games Masters competitor June Schecter (left), CrossFit Strong Island

“Anyone can do (CrossFit). Don’t be intimidated by it. Everything can be modified.” —Melanie Teixeira (right), CrossFit Strong Island

“I just instantly knew helping people in their fitness journey was something I wanted to do forever.”—Tommy Carter (center), owner, CrossFit Immortal

“I love it so much.” —David Duclos, CrossFit 132 (left)

“I stopped ringette to just do CrossFit.” —Mégan Grenier-Myre, CrossFit 132 (center)

I started CrossFit “to lose weight.” —Kathy Labrie, down 72 lb. since starting two years ago, CrossFit 132 (right)

“We tried it out and have been hooked ever since. It’s definitely addicting.” —Cindi Paul, CrossFit Mahwah

“We built a CrossFit gym in our garage.” —Ken Paul, CrossFit Mahwah

“The community, the people.” —Erin Swarbrick, CrossFit Free (center)

“I never did any sports in my life … . For the last four to five years we’ve been going four to five times a week.” —Jean-Francois Cyr with Nathalie Guilbault, Armure CrossFit

“I was stagnant in the gym for a while. I needed a change. … I love (CrossFit). It makes me feel something I’ve never felt before.” —Alissa Coschigano, CrossFit 845

“This lovely person right here got me into it.” —Mike Caputo

“I like the community. It’s better than working out at the gym.” —Anthony Huertas, CrossFit Dracut

“I do it to fill a competitive void.” —Ryan Berger, owner, CrossFit Hook’d

“I started when I was in college. I needed something in college.” —Alexa Calo, CrossFit Hook’d

Men

1. Mat Fraser (385)

2. Patrick Vellner (365)

3. Tim Paulson (350)

4. Cody Mooney (311)

5. Marquan Jones (269)

 

Women 

1. Carol-Ann Reason-Thibault (390)

2. Katrin Davidsdottir (385)

3. Kari Pearce (346)

4. Dani Horan (324)

5. Chelsey Hughes (289)

 

Teams

1. Team CrossFit Milford (385)

2. Team Back Bay (380)

3. Reebok CrossFit ONE (350)

4. CrossFit Queens (321)

5. Pro1 Montreal (307)

 

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