I officially joined Crossfit Hügelland in July 2023. I had a handful of friends who were members and they always spoke highly of their experience there, and their fitness gains were noticeable. I have always liked to work-out and had done CrossFit style/class workouts in the past, but had never fully committed to a gym. I wanted to up my intensity/difficulty and commit to something new and so far haven’t looked back.

What have you expreienced since joining Hügelland?

Before joining I feel pretty good but had some mental fatigue from work. I had been working out at a more “traditional” gym and running regularly but I desired something a bit more intense. The communal aspect and accountability that joining the gym brings has really helped me to stay motivated and consistent. It really is a joy to show up every day and sweat alongside friends and family (my wife is also a member).

Being newer to CrossFit this past year I still regularly feel like a rookie, especially with many of the CF specific movements and complex bar lifts. One of the most rewarding aspects is slow and continual improvement and success at achieving these new movements. Just this week I was able to do my first ring muscle-up, which was a huge confidence boost. I also got my strict pull-up max to over 20+, which was a goal I had last year. I hadn’t done that many since my senior year in college. Over time with consistency I feel myself getting stronger, more agile, and faster – like a younger me!

I want to say the instruction, encouragement, and advice from the coaches here at Hügelland is second to none. The coaches set the tone in the workouts and the culture. I am continually thankful for their instruction and direction.

Hügelland has also expanded our personal community. My wife and I have met so many great people at the gym that we probably would not have otherwise, and that is a huge blessing to us and our children.

Coming from a background of primarily working out solo, the communal aspect of CrossFit is amazing and was a pleasant surprise for us.

One of my favorite parts about CrossFit is that it is HARD. Each day is different and challenges me in different ways. It takes focus, which is sometimes exactly what I need if I’ve had a particularly hard time with work or life.

To be able to disconnect and struggle physically for a short time is good for the mind, body, and mental state. God gave us sweat glands for a reason!

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of the continual/steady improvement in all aspects of CrossFit.

Achieving new movements and PRs really help motivate me to stay consistent. I can feel myself getting stronger and faster.

I am also incredibly thankful for how welcoming Hügelland is to children. We want to teach and display how important our physical, mental, and spiritual health is to them, and that doing hard things is good for them and necessary. Bringing them with us to the gym is one aspect of that.

Our 5-year old daughter has recently starting asking more questions like “how was your workout” or “what did you do in the gym today”?

They are always observing..

I hurt my lower-back at the end of 2023 which really slowed me down and took me out of the gym for a couple of months. At the time I was frustrated and dejected at the injury and was worried it would be something “permanent”. I am thankful to say through a new stretching and movement regimen I do regularly I feel complete mobility and lifting ability. The coaches were a huge help to me in slowly and consistently rehabbing my lower-back through movement, workout scaling, and technique/form. It is still something I am careful with but ensure I keep at my stretching/movement routine.

What do you love about Hügelland?

Community, dynamic and difficult workouts, great coaches, consistent improvement, and it’s a lot of fun.

I have competed in one CrossFit competition – The Fittest Experience, and enjoyed it. I hope to compete in more int eh future!

Ultimately I am just super thankful for CrossFit Hügelland – for the community, the coaching, the culture, and the difficulty. My fitness and physical health would not be where it’s at right now if it wasn’t for the gym.

I want to keep it on that upward trajectory!