CrossFit Generation celebrates its 8 year anniversary as a gym this month. And to think that it all started back in 2006 with me approaching Jocelyn (my then girlfriend) about this new fitness program called CrossFit. We took a class together at CrossFit Philly and it all unfolded from there.
The evolution of CFG is quite amazing. For those that don’t know, we began in a park right across the street from where we are now. We charged $10 for folks to come join us for a group workout. I would pack up my Ford Focus with equipment from a gym I ran and we just worked out. It was fun, different, but I saw that it was evolving into something much more. I knew that this style of training could be big…really big. So Jocelyn and I sat down and decided that we should open up our own gym and become a CrossFit affiliate. From summer 2006 to winter 2007, I got my Level 1 certification to be able to open the gym, researched and performed more CrossFit WODs with our park crew, became an affiliate then emptied out our savings to outfit a 1,300sqft garage gym found through a high school realtor friend of mine, and “Viola”, CrossFit Generation was born. It was nerve wracking, stressful, but more so, exciting as hell! Back then there weren’t many affiliates around; in fact, we are CrossFit affiliate number 150 out of over 13,000 affiliates worldwide! We have truly stood the test of time and our gym has grown in so many ways over the past 8 years. Another noteworthy fun fact is CFG started with just seven members. Four of them are still with us – Mary, Jenny, Kari and Vince have been with CFG since day 1 and for that, I am truly grateful.
So here we are, 2016, in 12,000sqft of fitness heaven training in a way that I envisioned from day one. CrossFit Generation has become one of the premier CrossFit gyms in the state of PA. I am so thankful for our incredible coaches who have allowed CFG the opportunity to start new programs, run events, and offer such wide array of services. I also thank and acknowledge you, the athletes, for allowing us the opportunity to train with you and help you reach your fitness goals. CrossFit Generation has become an important and special part of so many peoples’ lives. We are not just a gym, but a community. I cannot tell you how awesome it is to see how many friendships have been formed through CFG. It’s a certain type of support we have for each other. We rely on the push, the motivation, and faith to do more, be more, and want more. This is something that is hard to be found anywhere else.
I sit back now with coffee at my side (always), writing this piece and thinking how lucky, blessed, and special Jocelyn and I feel to be able to provide this type of fitness to all of you, the athletes of CFG. This place, in addition to Emma and Brady, is our heart, soul, and being. Every day that I walk in the front door, I know that this is mine and Jocelyn’s calling in life and it’s where we belong. I am thankful for how far CFG has come with the evolution of our programs, and the community of athletes that train here. But most of all, I am thankful for Jocelyn. She believed in me, trusted my vision, and shared the desire to open CrossFit Generation.
Thank you all,
Barry
P.S. There are big things happening this year, so get ready for more awesomeness.
