This month, we begin our 19th year as a CrossFit Affiliate, and what a ride it’s been.
I discovered CrossFit back in 2006 while training in and instructing Hapkido, a Korean martial art. The moment I tried it, I knew this was something that was going to spread like wildfire. We wrote a brief start-up plan on a napkin at Rocky River Brewing Company in December and on April 14th, 2007, we became an official CrossFit Affiliate. CrossFit Cleveland became the very first in Northeast Ohio, joining a small but growing community of just over 300 gyms worldwide.
Fast-forward to today, and while the CrossFit landscape has grown and evolved, one thing hasn’t changed: our mission to help everyday people get into the best shape of their lives.
We’ve seen fads come and go. We’ve weathered the ups and downs of running a small business. And we’ve stayed true to the vision of creating a place where people can train hard, feel supported, and become the strongest version of themselves.
It’s humbling to say we’re now #16 on the list of original founders still running their affiliate, the longest-standing in the Midwest Region. Now, being around the longest doesn’t make us better, but I believe it says a lot about our commitment to doing what’s right for our members. We’re still here because we care deeply about helping people get stronger, healthier, and feel better in their own skin, andnot just for a season, but for life.
Thank you to every single one of you who’s been a part of our story these past 18 years. Whether you trained with us for a week or a decade, you’ve helped shape the community we love so much. Your trust and dedication have meant everything.
Here’s to year 19… and beyond!
