Pioneer Valley CrossFit

Being a really aggressive, type A personality, I have felt the urge to maul someone at least once a day since I was 4. Since middle school until the end of college I tried lifting weights, running competitively, dancing, cycling, hiking, every kind of yoga available in the valley (and that’s a lot of yoga!), and a myriad of other group exercise classes including spinning, boot camps, kickboxing, step aerobics, and interval training, (sometimes attending 2 – 3 different classes per day), in attempt to take my edge off and feel normal.
The result was: I got in moderately good shape, had a nice toned, lean body, learned about a lot of different facilities in the area, and even learned new moves and techniques that served me well, and still do from time to time.
However, I was never able to use any of these outlets to push myself to the extent that I wanted to. I often became bored, and uninterested. I would leave my workouts feeling winded and sweaty, but unfulfilled, irritated, and still bubbling over with a fiery type of energy that made me want to crawl out of my skin. I would spend the rest of the day picking fights with everyone around me, and sometimes even throwing inanimate objects around my house.
It wasn’t until I joined PVCF, and started attending at least 3 – 4 workouts a week that this behaviour subsided. Now, not only are there less broken things, and cops showing up at my house, but I am stronger, leaner, and more nimble than I have ever been.
I am learning new things, and improving a little more each day. Just yesterday, I was finally able to coordinate my feet well enough to climb a rope. A few weeks before that, something else clicked, and I got a little better at double-​unders.
For most, attending first WODs at PVCF is a new social situation where you don’t know anyone, most of the moves and techniques are completely new to you, very challenging, and you have to perform in front of a room of beautiful, healthy strangers. Fortunately, self-​confidence and humility you didn’t even know you had will emerge from this experience, and make you a better person. Additionally, having to say «hi» to people you don’t know on a daily basis, and learning their names will expand your social skills and community network.
Learning where all of the equipment is, how to use it, how to efficiently set it up, and put it back will increase your assertiveness (as you have to ask those around you for tips and info, etc.)
Going through the sometimes painstaking process of learning your numbers (the amount of weight you’re lifting) keeping track of all of this and writing it down, knowing your reps, is all part of an empowering self indulgent experience that will be unlike any other part of your life. This is where you gain drive, motivation, and competitiveness that you might not have found within yourself before.
As you can see, it’s really a holistic fitness experience that rivals any other I’ve experienced here in the five college area. Not to mention there’s convenient parking, gorgeous bathrooms and showers, plenty of equipment, room to put your stuff, and access to nutritional support. The management is constantly tailoring the schedule to fit members needs, and rearranging things to improve the space.
Also, there are crazy stereotypes running around out there that crossfitters and crossfit trainers are just a bunch of jocks who think that crossfit is the be all end all of the world. This isn’t true. Crossfitters are a diverse group of people including kids, tweens, artists, veterans, first responders, colleges students, and people of all shapes and sizes, and all fitness levels. If you are looking for a gym, definitely give it a try before automatically going up the street to BigBox Globo-​Fitness, and bring a friend!

PVCF is an excellent training facility and is a great return on your investment in terms of money and time. Their workouts, combined with Paleolithic eating, reduced my weight from 214 lbs to 185 lbs in 4 months. At the same time, I gained strength, endurance and agility.
They have a nice gym, airy and spacious. The trainers know their stuff, and most of the members are friendly.
Crossfit in general, is a great way to train. Give PVCF a spin, you will not be disappointed.

Was in the area for work and wanted to continue my workout. I’m new to cross fit and from the west coast. This gym has lots of space and nice setup and couches for hangin out etc. However, the real exception are the people, Sean and liz. Both have that combination of expertise and enthusiasm which is super important for newbies and experts alike. Sean has a lot of technical knowledge about form, while Liz was just enough motivating to keep me moving during the 6am class. Also noticed the variety of students, from college to workaholics to older parents. That was another sign that this is one of the better gyms I’ve been to. Extra kudos for the warm welcome I received when I dropped in for classes.

This CrossFit box ROCKS. Trainers are awesome! The place is nice and large with lots of natural light. Lots of great people to cheer you on. No better place to workout. Period.

i love this place so much. sean is a hunk.

The best gym /​fitness class I’ve ever been to. I’ve never been much into fitness. I played sports as a kid and teen, but mostly dieted to keep my weight down and never got into the whole «plodding on a treadmill» thing because it was SO BORING. I also never got into weights because I was intimidated.
I started to hear more and more about Crossfit as I got involved in the Paleo eating community and went to PVC to give it a try. Everyone here is preternaturally friendly. At first I thought it might be some kind of act… but no. Liz is almost hypnotically friendly. All of the instructors are somewhat tough, but understanding of everyone’s fitness level or lack thereof. It’s inspiring to work out next to super strong, super fit athletes — but I never feel that I’m «out of my league» because the instructors are so helpful in teaching me all the right movements.
Everyone in every class introduced themselves to me when we first met, and they are all helpful in figuring out how to do everything. Most of all, everyone else seems SO HAPPY to be here — it’s contagious! I have been sore for a few days every time I come (trying to do twice a week) but I feel so much stronger and happier already. I hope to work out here for years to come.
Note: Reposted from the previous Unilocal site (for the old location) but it has just become MORE true as I’ve been going here longer. Crossfit rocks!

Pioneer Valley Crossfit is hands down the best gym I’ve ever worked out at. It my nine months at PVCF I’ve added 220 lbs to my deadlift, 55 lbs to my squat, learned a number of new skills (olympic lifts, ring work), and can still run a mile in under seven minutes.
Crossfit is many things. It’s technical definition is «constantly varied, if not randomized, functional movements performed at high intensity.» When I’m asked what crossfit is, I usually tell people it’s a mixture of sprint work, gymnastics, and weightlifting. More than that though, it’s a community. It’s a group of people who are consciously saying no to plodding away on a treadmill at some globo-​gym, never seeing the results they so desire. It’s about finding within yourself the ability to do hard things and to relish in overcoming obstacles.
It’s a great gym, full of good, motivated, and supportive people.