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Denise Ellyson
This is the first time I've been in a training program that I liked, that pushed me harder that I would ever have pushed myself, and where I finally know the people around me. I was at my last gym for three years and did not know one single soul. The instructors didn't know your name and no one would you look at you. Plus I worked out almost every day with no results. Imagine my shock at not being able to walk for three days after the baseline I did with you at orientation. I love the community at CFLA and plan on being a CrossFitter for life! Thank you for your great orientation and to all of you for your excellent coaching!
Phil Glosserman
Business and Sales Performance Coach
Andy Petranek is a fitness coach like no other. The program he has created at CrossFit LA is beyond compare. It is a perfect mix of both personal training and group/team training - giving me the best of both worlds... individualized coaching plus training in a group environment with my peers. The classes and community at CFLA compel me to challenge myself beyond the physical limits I once thought were insurmountable. These workouts are NOTHING like the boilerplate workouts I've done with other trainers or at other gyms - they help me address my own particular issues with coordination, strength, balance, mindset, and even competition. Besides being a great combination of trainer, educator, and motivator, Andy and his team at CFLA are inspirational. Even though I'm in my 50s and have been exercising regularly for most of my life, what I've gotten from my training at CFLA in the past year has taken my fitness and my mindset about what's possible to a whole new level.
Andy Petranek is a fitness coach like no other. The program he has created at CrossFit LA is beyond compare. It is a perfect mix of both personal training and group/team training - giving me the best of both worlds... individualized coaching plus training in a group environment with my peers. The classes and community at CFLA compel me to challenge myself beyond the physical limits I once thought were insurmountable. These workouts are NOTHING like the boilerplate workouts I've done with other trainers or at other gyms - they help me address my own particular issues with coordination, strength, balance, mindset, and even competition. Besides being a great combination of trainer, educator, and motivator, Andy and his team at CFLA are inspirational. Even though I'm in my 50s and have been exercising regularly for most of my life, what I've gotten from my training at CFLA in the past year has taken my fitness and my mindset about what's possible to a whole new level.
Steve Rakow
President, Rakow Homes
Years of going to the gym three days a week and following the traditional weight lifting routines with cardio on the “off” days just weren’t working for me. I was bored with my workouts and saw no gains whatsoever. I continued to gain fat and slide into my 40s resigned to the fact that I would probably look and feel like the typical middle-aged, overweight man.
I had no idea what direction to go with my exercise and diet, but I knew that I needed to get back in shape. My wife knew that if anyone could motivate me it would be my longtime friend Andy. The only trouble was that I lived on the East Coast and Andy ran his CrossFit program in Los Angeles. How to do it? Simple - travel to LA for an intense two day intro to CrossFit training followed by online e-coaching!
I was a little skeptical about my investment in this new fitness program. After my short trip to LA to train under Andy’s guidance, I was never so excited by a fitness program in my life. I started following the CrossFit program (three days on, one day off) and reported my daily scores and results to Andy online and we talked on our weekly coaching call. With his help, I also focused on my diet by just eating right, not by counting calories. Andy pushed me to explore my limits of fitness and didn’t accept excuses (I’ll never forget the time I complained about not being able to do some of the Olympic lifts with Andy asking, “What’s wrong, are you 80?”). Whenever I got the workout from Andy and didn’t have a piece of equipment or complained of lack of time to do a workout, he’d push me to come up with substitutes and ways to carve out a small piece of time each day to do at least part of the workout of the day. What I didn’t realize at the time was that Andy was changing my mindset along with my body. He made me realize that working out wasn’t just a chore, but a way of life.
Well, all that hard work paid off in spades! I’m 41 now and in the best shape of my life. Eight months of CrossFit, two trips to LA for intensive training one-on-one coupled with e-coaching saved my life! I’m stronger, more flexible, and able to do things I couldn’t do when I was a young Marine lieutenant 18 years ago! Working out each day is now the highlight of my day and I find a way to “make it happen” no matter how busy I get. I eat right and, now that I’m 23 pounds lighter, my overall health has improved dramatically. I function better at work and I’m a better husband and father. I’m like the typical before and after stereotype one sees on the late-night weight-loss and fitness programs, only this is the real deal!
Years of going to the gym three days a week and following the traditional weight lifting routines with cardio on the “off” days just weren’t working for me. I was bored with my workouts and saw no gains whatsoever. I continued to gain fat and slide into my 40s resigned to the fact that I would probably look and feel like the typical middle-aged, overweight man.I had no idea what direction to go with my exercise and diet, but I knew that I needed to get back in shape. My wife knew that if anyone could motivate me it would be my longtime friend Andy. The only trouble was that I lived on the East Coast and Andy ran his CrossFit program in Los Angeles. How to do it? Simple - travel to LA for an intense two day intro to CrossFit training followed by online e-coaching!
I was a little skeptical about my investment in this new fitness program. After my short trip to LA to train under Andy’s guidance, I was never so excited by a fitness program in my life. I started following the CrossFit program (three days on, one day off) and reported my daily scores and results to Andy online and we talked on our weekly coaching call. With his help, I also focused on my diet by just eating right, not by counting calories. Andy pushed me to explore my limits of fitness and didn’t accept excuses (I’ll never forget the time I complained about not being able to do some of the Olympic lifts with Andy asking, “What’s wrong, are you 80?”). Whenever I got the workout from Andy and didn’t have a piece of equipment or complained of lack of time to do a workout, he’d push me to come up with substitutes and ways to carve out a small piece of time each day to do at least part of the workout of the day. What I didn’t realize at the time was that Andy was changing my mindset along with my body. He made me realize that working out wasn’t just a chore, but a way of life.
Well, all that hard work paid off in spades! I’m 41 now and in the best shape of my life. Eight months of CrossFit, two trips to LA for intensive training one-on-one coupled with e-coaching saved my life! I’m stronger, more flexible, and able to do things I couldn’t do when I was a young Marine lieutenant 18 years ago! Working out each day is now the highlight of my day and I find a way to “make it happen” no matter how busy I get. I eat right and, now that I’m 23 pounds lighter, my overall health has improved dramatically. I function better at work and I’m a better husband and father. I’m like the typical before and after stereotype one sees on the late-night weight-loss and fitness programs, only this is the real deal!
Jim Rich
If you want to know what has most impressed me, it’s the personal nature of the postcard and the voice mail from you, communicating encouragement, some training philosophy, and desire for feedback. I’m in the Training business too, and these things make all the difference, along with the virtually unanimous positive experience I’ve had at your place so far.
Frankly, this is intimidating stuff to me, which was why I was leaning towards private classes….but the encouragement and confidence that Michael gave me to dive into the community vibe of classes was powerful and is working out, though the workouts are tough and I’m not having “fun” getting started. I am very happy to leave class, though! I will say that both you and Becca have delivered what I think is a very healthy and adult balance of assistance, coaching, technique, and encouragement along with the “you need to do this yourself” “you need to know your own weights”, “you need to tell us first” kind of stuff, that takes me out of the typical gym trainer/coach handholding mentality. It’s a shift, for sure. And a good one, dammit.
That being said, with my age and few physical challenges (hips, etc), I think I do want to mix in some periodic one on ones to learn and perhaps even nail some of the new techniques (for me) and understand best how to customize workouts for my personal challenges and establish some realistic “stretch” goals for me. I’m pretty sure I just don’t push myself to the max yet; it scares the s**t out of me! In the meantime, I like being part of the group classes though it’s very new for me being on the bottom rung of the ladder, but being humbled in this is good for me! And while I’m a sweat hog, as your site says, no one ever drowned in their own sweat!
Frankly, this is intimidating stuff to me, which was why I was leaning towards private classes….but the encouragement and confidence that Michael gave me to dive into the community vibe of classes was powerful and is working out, though the workouts are tough and I’m not having “fun” getting started. I am very happy to leave class, though! I will say that both you and Becca have delivered what I think is a very healthy and adult balance of assistance, coaching, technique, and encouragement along with the “you need to do this yourself” “you need to know your own weights”, “you need to tell us first” kind of stuff, that takes me out of the typical gym trainer/coach handholding mentality. It’s a shift, for sure. And a good one, dammit.
That being said, with my age and few physical challenges (hips, etc), I think I do want to mix in some periodic one on ones to learn and perhaps even nail some of the new techniques (for me) and understand best how to customize workouts for my personal challenges and establish some realistic “stretch” goals for me. I’m pretty sure I just don’t push myself to the max yet; it scares the s**t out of me! In the meantime, I like being part of the group classes though it’s very new for me being on the bottom rung of the ladder, but being humbled in this is good for me! And while I’m a sweat hog, as your site says, no one ever drowned in their own sweat!
Becca Borawski
Music Editor
The most valuable thing I have gained from working out at Petranek Fitness is a willingness to do that which I previously thought I could never do. Although the workouts are intense and the exercises sometimes foreign, Andy breaks them down and approaches them in a way that makes you trust you are indeed capable of executing them.
It is an approach that has affected me both physically and mentally. I am now a better competitor in the sports in which I train, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai. I am stronger, faster, and have better endurance than ever before. Since joining Petranek Fitness, I gained the confidence to run my first 5K and compete in my first adventure race.
I also feel much more positive about my body image. Wearing a bikini at the pool is no longer a stress inducing occasion and I was even asked to do a photo shoot for an online fitness magazine. I recently spent time with friends I had not seen in a few months, and every one of them complimented me immediately on the changes in my body’s appearance.
The workouts at Petranek Fitness are the most intense I have ever experienced, but also the most rewarding. There is nothing quite like listening to Andy explain the workout and thinking, “How am I going to do that?” and then within half an hour realizing you accomplished something you did not think possible.
The most valuable thing I have gained from working out at Petranek Fitness is a willingness to do that which I previously thought I could never do. Although the workouts are intense and the exercises sometimes foreign, Andy breaks them down and approaches them in a way that makes you trust you are indeed capable of executing them.It is an approach that has affected me both physically and mentally. I am now a better competitor in the sports in which I train, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai. I am stronger, faster, and have better endurance than ever before. Since joining Petranek Fitness, I gained the confidence to run my first 5K and compete in my first adventure race.
I also feel much more positive about my body image. Wearing a bikini at the pool is no longer a stress inducing occasion and I was even asked to do a photo shoot for an online fitness magazine. I recently spent time with friends I had not seen in a few months, and every one of them complimented me immediately on the changes in my body’s appearance.
The workouts at Petranek Fitness are the most intense I have ever experienced, but also the most rewarding. There is nothing quite like listening to Andy explain the workout and thinking, “How am I going to do that?” and then within half an hour realizing you accomplished something you did not think possible.
Matt Fragner
Fragner Seifert Pace & Winograd, LLP
I just wanted to let you know just how much I appreciate what I have gotten out of Petranek Fitness and CrossFit during the last year. As the only member of the 300 Club (combined age and weight!), it has been a challenge to catch up with all the younger, lighter and better looking people at the gym. My wife and kids complain that I am obsessed with CrossFit, and every Monday I compare my weekend sessions with Will Cipes and another guy equally obsessed with workouts. My oldest daughter is swinging up to a 70lb. kettlebell, and my 19 year old son has to work to beat me when he visits CFLA (actually, Sunday I beat him by 5 seconds, much to his chagrin). But more important to me is the phosphagenic camaraderie that hovers over the gym in a sweaty miasma at the end of each class, and nervous greetings before each class as we share our deepest fears about the workout to come. So thank you all. I look forward to many more years of walking the edge of the cliff with you all.
I just wanted to let you know just how much I appreciate what I have gotten out of Petranek Fitness and CrossFit during the last year. As the only member of the 300 Club (combined age and weight!), it has been a challenge to catch up with all the younger, lighter and better looking people at the gym. My wife and kids complain that I am obsessed with CrossFit, and every Monday I compare my weekend sessions with Will Cipes and another guy equally obsessed with workouts. My oldest daughter is swinging up to a 70lb. kettlebell, and my 19 year old son has to work to beat me when he visits CFLA (actually, Sunday I beat him by 5 seconds, much to his chagrin). But more important to me is the phosphagenic camaraderie that hovers over the gym in a sweaty miasma at the end of each class, and nervous greetings before each class as we share our deepest fears about the workout to come. So thank you all. I look forward to many more years of walking the edge of the cliff with you all.
Dan Ostlund
web guru
I was thinking tonight about how much I'm enjoying workouts at CrossFit LA, and don't really get a chance to say that during the hurly burly of a class, and so this email is the result.
I've been coming long enough now so that I feel like I am on the verge of making the transition from when your classes killed me and it was a victory just to finish in some form or another, to now, where I have developed enough fitness to really want to attack the workouts. I have lost weight, gotten stronger, developed better endurance, I recover more quickly and I can do more workouts during a week now. All of this is immensely satisfying and makes me want to do more of it.
Andy, you're a superb teacher, CFLA has an extraordinary atmosphere, and you're doing a great thing, so thanks. I'm really happy to have found you!
I was thinking tonight about how much I'm enjoying workouts at CrossFit LA, and don't really get a chance to say that during the hurly burly of a class, and so this email is the result.
I've been coming long enough now so that I feel like I am on the verge of making the transition from when your classes killed me and it was a victory just to finish in some form or another, to now, where I have developed enough fitness to really want to attack the workouts. I have lost weight, gotten stronger, developed better endurance, I recover more quickly and I can do more workouts during a week now. All of this is immensely satisfying and makes me want to do more of it.
Andy, you're a superb teacher, CFLA has an extraordinary atmosphere, and you're doing a great thing, so thanks. I'm really happy to have found you!
Don Ricci
I wanted to share with you the positive results I've received from Crossfit over the past few months (not to brag, but rather to share my testimonial with you about you, your team, and it's ability to provide us with a means for success and improvement!). I apologize in advanced for the long email, but I can't share enough my enthusiasm for Crossfit and the results it can bring to anyone!
Since June, I've been in the application process for the FBI, and of course, one of the requirements to reach the second phase of the process is to pass a self-evaluation pt test. This test includes:
-max sit-ups in 60 secs
-300 m sprint
-max push-ups
-1.5 mile run
-4-5 mins of rest in between each exercise.
I've attached a scoring table for you to take a look. Essentially, you have to score a total of 12 points with at least a score of positive 1 in each category.
The first time I took the test in mid-June, I failed, scoring an 11. I completed 50 sit-ups, sprinted for a time of over 55 secs, 50 push-ups, and finished with a 11:53 run. This is what prompted me to join a Crossfit gym after trying to do the workouts on my own.
After seriously Crossfiting with you for a month, I retook the test in early August, scoring a 17. Incredible results just after a month and a half! I completed 58 sit-ups, sprinted for a time of 52.4, 50 push-ups, and finished with a 12:14 run.
I retook the test again last night. SCORED A 24!!!! I completed 57 sit-ups, sprinted for a time of 46.58, 57 push-ups, and finished with a 10:59 run.
I feel that if I continued to only work out on my own, my improvement would only be minimal. Crossfit is amazing, and I just felt like sharing this improvement with you!
Since June, I've been in the application process for the FBI, and of course, one of the requirements to reach the second phase of the process is to pass a self-evaluation pt test. This test includes:
-max sit-ups in 60 secs
-300 m sprint
-max push-ups
-1.5 mile run
-4-5 mins of rest in between each exercise.
I've attached a scoring table for you to take a look. Essentially, you have to score a total of 12 points with at least a score of positive 1 in each category.
The first time I took the test in mid-June, I failed, scoring an 11. I completed 50 sit-ups, sprinted for a time of over 55 secs, 50 push-ups, and finished with a 11:53 run. This is what prompted me to join a Crossfit gym after trying to do the workouts on my own.
After seriously Crossfiting with you for a month, I retook the test in early August, scoring a 17. Incredible results just after a month and a half! I completed 58 sit-ups, sprinted for a time of 52.4, 50 push-ups, and finished with a 12:14 run.
I retook the test again last night. SCORED A 24!!!! I completed 57 sit-ups, sprinted for a time of 46.58, 57 push-ups, and finished with a 10:59 run.
I feel that if I continued to only work out on my own, my improvement would only be minimal. Crossfit is amazing, and I just felt like sharing this improvement with you!
Teddy Tannenbaum
Executive Coach
When I first came to Petranek Fitness it was because I was having some persistent low back problems that were interfering with my ability to play baseball. I had had an MRI, been to physical therapy, and just didn’t feel like I was getting stronger.
When I first began with Andy, he took the time to analyze my entire range of motion for all things related to movement and began working very slowly and deliberately with me from the “core” out. Step by step I could feel my core stabilizing and strengthening and as it did I began to relax my fear and the “holding” I had been doing with my back. I’m 8 months into the program now and having been back playing ball the last 4 of those months. I’m now at a place where I’m playing with full confidence that I can cut loose, play back-to-back games and know that I have the strength and stability to do it. Andy offers just the right balance between challenging and supporting that all successful coaches provide to produce the results you want.
When I first came to Petranek Fitness it was because I was having some persistent low back problems that were interfering with my ability to play baseball. I had had an MRI, been to physical therapy, and just didn’t feel like I was getting stronger.When I first began with Andy, he took the time to analyze my entire range of motion for all things related to movement and began working very slowly and deliberately with me from the “core” out. Step by step I could feel my core stabilizing and strengthening and as it did I began to relax my fear and the “holding” I had been doing with my back. I’m 8 months into the program now and having been back playing ball the last 4 of those months. I’m now at a place where I’m playing with full confidence that I can cut loose, play back-to-back games and know that I have the strength and stability to do it. Andy offers just the right balance between challenging and supporting that all successful coaches provide to produce the results you want.
Karen Leah Womack
When I walked into CrossFit Los Angeles 8 months ago, I couldn’t do a single squat without falling head over feet; over, and over, and over (and over, and over…); last night, like a little 5 year old, I called out to one of the instructors, “If I get 100lb on the back squat, I want a picture taken!” We missed the 100lb mark for the photo-so, I did it again at 105lb-and had no problem doing it!
Everything I’ve learned at Crossfit LA helps me every single day of my life; I can lift, climb, hike like never before; my endurance is incredible and I can keep up with almost anyone. I just turned 30 and look and feel better than I ever did in my 20’s (and getting to buy a wedding dress for my May wedding in the smallest size I’ve ever owned doesn’t hurt either).
Karen Leah Womack
http://www.karenleahphotography.com
Everything I’ve learned at Crossfit LA helps me every single day of my life; I can lift, climb, hike like never before; my endurance is incredible and I can keep up with almost anyone. I just turned 30 and look and feel better than I ever did in my 20’s (and getting to buy a wedding dress for my May wedding in the smallest size I’ve ever owned doesn’t hurt either).
Karen Leah Womack
http://www.karenleahphotography.com
