CrossFit Central

Never thought I’d be all excited about a hard core workout but I so am. Background: I am a Difficult Client. I am cranky. I am articulate. And I’m all sorts of put out to wake up and discover I’m officially out of shape and about 20 pounds over weight. I’m a professional dancer and choreographer so I am used to giving direction and pushing… not so used to receiving it. #DifficultClient
I tried a gym, a cardio class and hated them both BIG TIME… So I signed up for the «Elements» training/​intro classes. Coach Anthony is AMAZING. He is young but smart as all get out. Emotionally, he met me where I was. He is casual but totally supportive and gives clear physical directions. He broke every move down and somehow managed to act as if my entirely cranky disposition and slow-​learning were TOTES normal. (ha!) Also, I ONLY respond well to strong encouragement… if Teacher is too nice I don’t try at all, make jokes, otherwise don’t work out. If Teacher is a bully I shut down. Anthony gets it right; I’m sore the next day (DUH) but (mostly) enjoy the workout process.
ALL of the other coaches and front desk staff at CC have been lovely. It’s totally annoying and endearing.

«Because we can.» That’s the answer she gave when I was price comparing CC to other cf boxes in the city. CC prices are MUCH more, like $ 200 for what others only charge $ 135 for. Ie: 3x/​week. Also I didn’t like that they try to hawk Advocare. They have two locations and that seems to have gone to their heads.

I joined this gym a few months ago looking for something new and exciting. From the start I felt really welcomed and all of the staff I’ve worked with are both passionate and looking for ways to give you what you want. They have plenty of supplemental programs and workshops to help you improve certain skill sets and work with athletes of every level to scale workouts. This gym is definitely a community and there is always something going on to get involved in.

I still have all the love and respect for CC in the world. I wound up leaving for a smaller, more affordable CrossFit gym about 5 months ago that has suited my personal needs more effectively and wanted to update my review based on some retrospect and comparison.
Coming out of CC I was coping with a recurring quad/​knee strain that turned out to be the product of improper squat form. It took the trainer at my new box staying with me through several sets of squats to pinpoint all the little tweaks in my form. Through some re-​training the injury went away and has never recurred. I’m not accusing CC of any wrong, I just think if there weren’t up to 30 people in class on any given day that maybe the injury would of never occurred in the first place.
I think CC may be better suited for those with a solid foundation or who are training for competitive levels. I didn’t realize I still needed more training and nurturing until I got to my new gym where the classes are capped at 10. Again, I don’t mean that as a criticism necessarily, just a word of caution for anyone looking to try CrossFit for the first time.

I started with Megan doing individual training sessions to get in shape before joining their Bootcamp class. She is both incredibly professional in gauging what I needed and pushing me while being great company at the same time! Megan has a very positive style while still achieving maximum results.
She’s unfailingly motivational and inspiring and often would send encouraging texts between sessions to help keep me focused.
I had tried two other trainers in Austin before I found her, and I can say she 100% cares about the success of her students and I would recommend her to anyone. Thank you for all the help Megan!

CrossFit Central’s new downtown facility is absolutely beautiful! They have a huge indoor area with enough floor space for two large classes, tall enough walls for extra-​tall rope climbs, and plenty of all the equipment anyone would ever need to do any WOD. There’s also a really nice outdoor space. The staff is friendly and there’s a great sense of community here too. I’ll be back!

***TRAVELING CROSSFITTER REVIEW (from the perspective of an inexperienced crossfitter)***
I’ve been crossfitting at Prometheus Crossfit (
) for a little over a year now, and am completely in love with my box & the workouts I get there. #pumaposse recently found themselves in Austin (to celebrate my bachelorette), and the one & only thing I wanted to request that we do together as a group was WORK OUT.
After doing some online research (location, number of positive reviews, etc), I contacted Crossfit Central via Twitter, and then email to set up a drop-​in time. I am the only one of the 6 little Asian girls planning to show up for an AM workout that has/​had any crossfit experience. I had mentioned this in my emails to the staff at Crossfit Central, since each gym has its own rules regarding noobs showing up for a workout. It seemed like I was given the all clear for our group to work out with CC, despite the inexperience, which was great for me.
We showed up on a Friday morning (the girls were terrified, and had been extremely anxious the entire time leading up to that day), only to be told by the staff working the front desk that they would not be able to accommodate those in the group lacking 6months of crossfitting experience. Crestfallen (although I’m sure the other girls were secretly excited), we were prepared to leave, when a Ken-​doll-​look-​a-​like (sorry I don’t remember his name!) stopped us and MADE IT WORK. THANK YOU! He found us someone who could put the girls through a mini outdoor bootcamp– just really made sure we were taken care of.
6 waiver forms, several (light) kettle bells, sprints, (light) med balls, squats and pushups later, David had put all the girls through their paces. While it wasn’t the most intense workout I’ve ever had, it definitely got my blood pumping & my sweat running. I appreciated how David adjusted the workload according to the fitness level of the everyone present (lower the number of reps for certain movements, showing appropriate subs, allowing for different amounts of weight to be used, etc) and just made the entire experience less intimidating & more fun for everyone. The rest of the girls were varying degrees of sore for the rest of the weekend– several could barely move (haha!), so thank you David for the fabulous introduction to «crossfit.»
If I ever find myself in Austin again, I’d love to return to Crossfit Central for a proper wod!
PS — Love that they have a women’s only class! I think its great for providing a «safe» environment for women who are just starting to get into crossfit.
PPS — Drop in for $ 20/​class.

Only after dropping in to another Crossfit while on vacation in LA did I realize how spoiled I am at Crossfit Central! The coaches aren’t just there to yell at you and get you through the workout; they place a huge priority on form and accuracy so you won’t get injured, and will make you scale down if your form isn’t spot on. The programming is top-​notch and a lot of time is spent each class instructing the WOD’s moves, even if the coach knows for a fact that everyone in the room has done cleans or jerks or whatever a million times already. They don’t skimp on the personal attention, question-​answering, and discussion. In other words, it’s not just about leading a workout; it’s about making sure you have a deeper understanding of each move so you can actually get better, faster, and stronger.
In the class I visited in CA, I watched the coach blandly yell «watch your form» as clueless students blindly yanked heavy bars overhead with caved-​in spines and hunched shoulders, in a WOD that involved high reps of power snatches. Not only was there no concern for the probable injuries occurring, these students simply couldn’t perform at their best without having had the proper instruction! I ended up getting the highest score, and I’m nowhere near elite. I give all the credit to the fact that I’ve had six months of amazing, detailed, personalized attention from the Crossfit Central crew.
The community here is also completely amazing and the Thiel/​Kepler crew has an unparalleled ability to create a welcoming atmosphere. I was only Crossfitting for three months when I already felt comfortable going out for extra events like the monthly Classics competition, the Fittest Games, Kettlebell Circle, etc. Crossfit Central will draw you into its family like you’re already an old friend. And while you’re there, you will get in the best shape of your life.

I liked the trainers and how fit my body became while working out here. I would have liked to have seen a friendlier front staff and more care regarding the injury I sustained in the middle of a six month program I signed up for. Will probably try another fitness plan for longer term.

This review is for the traveling Crossfit athlete. My wife and I visited Austin, TX from Michigan over the weekend and after a little research we decided to drop-​in at Crossfit Central’s Downtown location (702 East 3^rd Street). We chose this gym because it was the closest to where we were staying in Austin and Crossfit Central seemed to be the most similar Crossfit community to our Box back in Michigan. They have 2 other locations, I believe, on the North side of Austin as well.
Our experience couldn’t have been better. After calling the front desk, we were instructed to sign-​up in advance for the 7:45am class online and provide some profile information. When we arrived at the gym in the morning before class, they knew who were were and we were ready to go. Pretty simple and easy.
If you’ve been Crossfitting for a while, the class followed the same formula we were use to. Stretching and warm-​up drills, a Strength and Skill portion followed by a WOD. The Coaches were great and we like that they typically use 2 Coaches for each class. This gives everyone the proper attention throughout the class for tips, corrections, etc. Everyone was very friendly, everyone busted their ass and encouraged others and it really did feel at home — like we’d been coming to class there for a while.
So thanks to Crossfit Central, I’d recommend this Box to anyone in the Austin area and to anyone traveling to the area as well.

Disclaimer: I don’t work out here. I am an athlete and trainer at another box here in town… but I have attended several events either at or hosted by CC. I can speak only to their organizational skills and ability to gather the fitness community: These peeps have their shit together. They can run a casual seminar or put on a giant event (at this facility, or offsite) and it’s the real deal. I have met a number of the trainers and they are good folks, passionate about CrossFit.

Ugh. I love Crossfit. Love Crossfit boxes all over the country. This one is so disappointing. I went to a Kettlebell class with a great coach. Contacted him about getting some personal training. A week later he got back to me and said that he’d have new small group classes starting and he would let me know. I never heard from him again.
Contacted trainer number two. He wrote back to me (a few days later) and asked if I could meet with him. He gave me his availability and I wrote selected a time and wrote back. Then… crickets. Did not hear back from him.
I realize that everyone is busy, but shouldn’t they respond? Crossfit is all about being accountable and doing things at 100%. They certainly are not living up to that standard.

I found this amazing gym while driving up Burnet Rd on my way home one day. I’ve been there for almost a year now and it’s been amazing! They have a strong program for women and the community can’t be beat. I’ve never been an athlete and did not work out at all but they were completely welcoming. You never work out alone and all of the coaches are there to help scale a workout to your level so you can make progress and prevent injury. I’m in the best shape of my entire life and I can’t recommend them enough!

My son, my boyfriend and I have all worked out with JDP at CrossFit. We mostly work out at the Red/​Black gym across from Torchy’s on Burnet but still a CrossFit gym.
If you’re ready to get serious about improving your flexibility, mobility, cardio and core strength make the investment in this program. You will not be disappointed but you must be determined. Your body will be shocked at first but you won’t believe how much better you’ll feel in a short amount of time.
I knew when I stopped feeling like a stuffed sausage in my skinny jeans, I had the right trainer and the right gym.

CrossFit is about redefining your limits, your goals, and your self-​image; it’s about redefining yourself.
CrossFit Central has great resources to help you change your life — great coaches (consistently finish in the top at the Games), good facility, smart programming, and a strong community. Like most people who come to CrossFit, I was ready to make changes when I tried my first workout. Immediately I was hooked to the energy of the coaches and classes.
The gym strongly emphasizes the value of nutrition in how it affects your performance and body composition. The coaches will hold you as accountable as you want to be — they are sounding boards to help you figure out how to achieve your goals. I particularly appreciate coaches Crystal Nelson and Travis Holley for being good and patient listeners as I prattled off health and injury concerns. Ultimately, the most important thing I’ve come away with from these conversations is how to take care of myself.
The main drawback to Central is the pricing. At 2x/​week, the gym is about average price compared to other CrossFits, but the 3x/​week is significantly higher than other boxes I’ve seen. However, if you consider the programming, personal coaching, and facility you get as part of the price, it is arguably worth it.
The classes are only 45 minutes, but it doesn’t take a lot of time to get results. If you want to get strong, lean out, have fun, and make friends, this is the place to do it.

Definitely as good as it gets… I’ve been involved with CrossFit Central for almost 2 years now and it has forever changed my life. I was overwhelmed by how truly concerned they are with educating the community about living a «healthy lifestyle» and not just pumping weights.
I especially have to thank my trainer Coach Randal Setzler. He has inspired me, encouraged me, and challenged me… but most importantly he has given me the tools to find these things within myself. Under his guidance, I’ve gone from a size 10 (160lbs) to a size 4 (137lbs) and I’m stronger now than I’ve ever been. By allowing me to train at my own pace, yet continually pushing me, I’ve found the athlete hidden by being a Mommy (6 &4 yr old) and all the other everyday distractions.
I am forever grateful…

My Cross Fit trainer Randal Setzler is a bad ass!!! I don’t know how to describe him better. He is motivating to the point return, meaning I keep coming back because he encourages me in a way that I want to get better for me and for him. He’s not pushy or commanding just helpful and full of knowledge on fitness and in over all health. What I can say is that with his help only 2 days a week in 3 months I have measurable differences in waist, legs, arms, weight and energy.
On days that I don’t have child care I bring my 11 yr old daughter to workouts and he is so accommodating to incorporate her into the workout as well. We all get out of it what we put in and Randal is right there coaching, encouraging and helping us get better and better each day.
If your considering a new mode of exercise or looking for someone to take you to the next level Randal Setzler is the man !!!

These guys mean business. They kick your butt, keep you motivated all in 45 minutes. No more working out for an hour and a half!
They really are building a fit community and these guys REALLY care about you, not your just your money. They are genuinely nice people passionate about fitness and health. It isn’t cheap, but it is worth it to have people that really care and want to see you succeed.
It’s like having a personal trainer with you and 10 of your friends. The woman’s only classes are awesome. The trainers are women and the ladies in the class really support and motivate each other. They have free under the bridge workouts/​kettlebell/​crossfit every month so check them out!
I promise you will be sore and coming back for more!

I’ve only been a member of Crossfit Central for a couple of weeks, but I’m already in love with the place. Strength is my strength, whereas endurance is not, so I’m in OnRamp for the time being with Kettlebell unlimited added on.
Both coaches and classmates are awesome. They push people to challenge themselves, but there’s no sense of disappointment or belittling if you have to scale down a workout, as long as you keep moving and give it your all! Everyone is very supportive and ready to cheer on another person’s accomplishments, no matter how major or minor they might be.
All that said, this is not your typical wimpy aerobics class. The coaches work you HARD. You will sweat and ache and feel SO great from the endorphin high! It’s tough, but fun, and worth every moment and every penny. I’ll still keep the regular gym membership for the pool and a few other things, but this is my new gym home.

I’d recommend this over a standard gym membership any day. Sure, it’s a bit more than you’d pay for a standard gym membership, but the attention and help that you get from the coaches more than makes up for the extra cost. It’s almost like sharing a personal trainer with a few friends. The coaches are interested in each and every person’s progress.
I am a part of the kettlebell unlimited program and have been since January 09. The classes I take are anywhere from 3 – 12 people max, so personal attention is easy to get if needed. The coaches are all very encouraging, and if you are lucky enough to get a few in the class with you, you will get encouragement not only from the coach in charge of the class, but each and every coach in the class. They will not give up on you even if you give up on yourself. I’ve spent all my time in standard gyms hating the fit people there. Here, you can’t help but love every fit person here because there is no strutting. We’re all in it together.
The variety of classes to choose from is amazing. You can do standard weight lifting/​cardio, bootcamp, kettlebells (weight/​cardio), parkour, women’s programs, and they have special events throughout the year such as a Spartan Challenge. There are also several free classes on Saturdays & Sundays that I recommend checking out if you can. I am so glad I found this place!

I’ve never been to the Crossfit Central gym, but have attended one of their grueling fitness Boot Camps, and I can tell you that if you want to get in shape fast, this is the way to do it. Instructor Megan Parsons will kick your flabby arse into shape in no time, what with the marine-​style drills that change each workout, and her ability to motivate you to keep up (or slow down, as my case was. My heart was about to explode out of my chest at one point, but dammit all, I was gonna keep up with those 20-​somethings that were running circles around me!)
I felt exhausted yet fantastic after my workout, but found it difficult to move for several days after. The thighs. Oh, lo the sore, sore thighs!
Most definitely worth a try if you’re in the market to challenge yourself and not get bored doing it!