Crossfit Beacon

I dropped in twice recently while in Portland for a conference. The staff was super-​friendly and the WODs and facility were great. And great t-​shirts too!

Portland has a wonderful athletic vibe represented through the athletes and coaches here at Beacon. My biggest gripe with crossfit is that the people involved are lifting heavy things, really heavy things, and that other non-​crossfit people expect that if you go to a cf gym/​box that you will need to do the same or risk looking like a wimpy failure. There are definitely some places that make you feel this way… and I avoid those. Crossfit Beacon is not one of those, hurrah!
CFB makes you feel welcome on any level. As a drop-​in visitor, it can be scary to walk into a new crossfit community, because sometimes, they’re not nice and just wicked clique-​y. CFB is definitely filled with nice people who happen to be able to lift really heavy things. There is no slack here, but there is a great feeling of camaraderie. This means the athletes and coaches know each other and can push each other, as well as to just push each other’s buttons. The sense of levity is only counteracted when the game faces are on for the WOD, Metcon and/​or lifting, but during stretching and downtime, it’s pretty chill.
The variety of classes and coaches is what drew me to this crossfit. Very flexible, knowledgeable and understanding staff of coaches that push you without causing injury. The space is cool — split into a front space (with rowers in the back) and a back space with higher ceilings, a bunch of rigs, wall ball targets, wooden floor markings, ropes, rings, stretching space with bands/​rollers, and all the equipment your cf’ing heart/​muscles desire (s). It’s also cool that CFB hugs a strip of asphalt paved city-​trail: makes for an easier set of intervals of varying or the same distance for the day’s activities.
Cool cubbies for your personal stuff. Plenty of parking. Easy to get here from downtown Portland. The 1-​hour classes are pretty packed with various skills and activities, so you will feel like it was a good workout — how it plays out will depend on your fitness, motivation and strength, but it will be a good one! Would definitely stop by here again if in Portland! Thanks to the Unilocalers, this was a great place for a drop-​in or two.

When I first heard of CrossFit I was very intimidated. My parents started it a few months before I did and when my Dad mentioned trying it out I was very skeptical. Finally I decided to give it a try. Being in the Portland area I had a few options when it came to choosing a «box». I dropped in to a couple places before Beacon but once I visited Beacon my mind was made up. I walked through that door and it was nothing but friendly, knowledgable coaches answering any question I had. I am reaching my 2 year mark with Beacon and I have zero complaints. The facility is clean, the class time options are convenient, the coaches are amazing, the community that Beacon has created is beyond words. You really feel like part of a family while you are there and you leave with a smile on your face. Five stars for sure!

Crossfit Beacon… love this place! The coaches, staff and members are all awesome. Classes are run smooth by professional coaches and solid programming with more class times than any other gym I have seen. I recently moved to a new state and can’t bring myself to join the local gym because I am spoiled from Crossfit Beacon! Stop on by for the workout, stay for the fun!

CrossFit Beacon has great coaches, community, and workouts. The facilities are top notch and you can always look forward to a personally challenging workout. The pace and programming really helps with full body development. I feel better about my ability to exercise and lead a healthy lifestyle from going to CrossFit Beacon. The great atmosphere encourages everyone to work at their pace and the community environment is very uplifting. If you are looking for a regular workout place or dropping in while visiting Portland, come workout at CrossFit Beacon.

«Constantly varied, high intensity, functional movement» only scratches the surface. That’s just CrossFit. But at Beacon, those three things are delivered by amazing coaches within an amazing community. That’s CrossFit Beacon.

Came in for a drop in class. The members where friendly, the coaches organized the large class pretty well for a smaller box. When i come back to Portland ill be sure to drop in again.

I’ve been going to CrossFit Beacon for more than two years. I am a former marathon runner, but have to say that working out at Beacon has gotten me in the best shape of my life, high praise from one of the oldest members of the Beacon community.
For those who think CrossFit is too physically demanding for the average person, I am here to prove you wrong. This is a close-​knit community of athletes committed to life-​long, functional fitness. Each movement and workout can be scaled to be safe and effective for any level of fitness and ability, from novice to advanced.
The coaching staff at Beacon is dedicated to helping each member become the best athlete he or she is capable of becoming. Beacon coaches motivate, encourage, teach, and inspire… and make it fun, every single time.
There is a true feeling of camaraderie at Beacon that starts the minute you walk through the door. New members are welcomed, not just by the coaching staff, but also by other members. We are always happy to have CrossFitters from boxes around the country, and around the world, drop in to WOD with us.
If you’ve ever been curious about CrossFit and you’re in the Portland area, stop by Beacon and say hi. Maybe check out the free Saturday class at 9:30 — just be forewarned, it’s very popular and often crowded. Or make an appointment with one of the amazing coaches to find out if CrossFit Beacon just might be the fitness solution you’ve been looking for.

I play a lot of hockey and just wanted to get better. I felt like i was starting to digress. I would go to the gym consistantly for about 4 – 5 weeks but would not get the results i was looking for.
crossfit isn’t cheep. About a $ 130 unlimited or $ 100 for twice a week. For me it wasn’t about the money… it was to see and feel results. that is what i got at Beacon and continue to get. Just keep showing up, give it your best and take advice on what to eat and you’ll love what you get out of it.
Just like in every gym there is better coaches then others. The majority of coaches at Beacon really do care and love what they do. but at the end of the day… you should be there for you and no one else.
I give it 5 stars because i got what i wanted. Give it a shot, give it some time and listen to what they say. You might be surprised.

This is a great gym I find that the coaches are really nice and help you know how to do crossfit. The gym it self is very welcoming. The free class idea is amazing and I am definitely buying a membership!

Considered giving two stars, then I realized I can’t really say a positive thing about my experience at Crossfit Beacon.
That being said, I only went for one class (Free Saturdays at 9:30am) and I would be willing to give it a second shot.
I was greeted at the desk by a trainer who seemed less than impressed that he had to interrupt his conversation with the other 5 or 6 trainers that were standing around chatting and completely ignoring everyone. I signed some papers (release forms) and was told where to find the gym.
There were tons of people there (maybe 30 to the actual class) and I overheard the «coach» say it was their smallest free class ever.
So, we get «started» and by that I mean at 9:30 we «talk» for a good 15 minutes about crossfit and the WOD… Run 400 meters, 40 lunges, 40 burpees, 40 sit ups and 100 jump ropes… Which you apparently divide up with a partner. Then we stood around for about 15 minutes (no joke.)
I am partnered with a stranger as I went by myself, (fine with me!) but she was an avid crossfit enthusiast and I didn’t realize our own workout would depend on eachother. I think that is a ridiculous philosophy. We have to run the 400 meters and the first partner that gets back can’t start until the second partner does… And then the 40 lunges are divided up between the 2 of us, same with the other exercises. We see how many rounds we can do in 16 minutes. Bottom line is that you work out for 8 minutes and that’s it– not to mention you feel pressured and rushed because your partner is waiting for you to finish before they can do their round.
I felt warmed up for a workout, not like I worked out.
The price of a membership is also astronomical.
I am a regular at dynamics fitness which is loads more professional (trainers actually went to school for exercise, didn’t take a weekend course which is apparently the requirement for crossfit trainers) and you get a WAY better workout and more bang for your buck. The atmosphere is motivating and friendly, and you work at your own level and pace. If you’re looking for a gym/​boot camp in the area, try dynamics, not crossfit beacon.

I’ve visited this CrossFit box a few times while visiting my brother in Portland (I live in NY and do CrossFit regularly at home). I’ve seen quite a few CrossFit boxes, and while I always have loyalty to my home box, this place is a gem.
The facility itself is carefully planned and really beautiful. When you walk in, there is a large room for mobilizing and stretching if you choose to do so before a class. They have four bathrooms (some have showers, not sure how many) and cubbies to put your belongings. Their equipment is in great condition. The winner, though, is that this place is right on the water with a nice long track for running outside. They won me over with the scenery.
The classes are well orchestrated. The coaches have time management down pat — not a single second is wasted and you’ll be in and out of there in an hour to an hour and a half. Everyone is really positive and friendly — the coaches are always really encouraging, even though I’m a visitor, and I’ve always felt really welcome here with both the coaches and the members.
If I lived in Portland, I would definitely be coming here daily to work out.

When I first got interested in crossfit, I had three questions: 1. What is it? 2. Can I do it? 3. Where’s the best place to go? After almost two years, here are my answers.
1. The official answer to «what is crossfit» is that it is comprised of high-​intensity, constantly-​varied functional movements. The translation: crossfit is the best workout you will ever have. You will work every muscle in your body doing movements you’ve never heard of. And, the beauty of it is that all you have to do is show up. The coaches have programmed the workouts every day. You just have to show up and do it.
2. Yes, you can absolutely do it. I don’t care who you are or how fit you are. Crossfit is about modifying and starting where you are now. If you aren’t as fit as you’d like, there is absolutely no reason to worry or to wait. Just come in and start. You’ll be amazed and you’ll love it. If you are already super fit, there’s also no need to hesitate. Crossfit will kick your butt and humble you, and you’ll love it.
3. Finally, where? In my opinion, if you are in the Portland area, the only place to go is Crossfit Beacon. It’s the best for all of the reasons you might expect: the facility is great — well equipped and clean. The schedule is diverse so there is bound to be a class that you can fit into your day. Most importantly, the coaches are amazing. They are so knowledgable and ready to help. And, they truly care about each one of their athletes.
Beacon is also the best for reasons I had no real concept of when I first joined. With crossfit, if you find the right gym you’ll get so much more than a workout. You truly will find a new community of people you care about and are excited to see every day. When I started I was just hoping to get in shape and maybe stick with something for once. What I found was that crossfit isn’t just a workout. Hitting Crossfit Beacon is nothing like showing up to a big box gym every day. Instead, this is a community that motivates you, inspires you, supports you, and cares about you — and it is all of that that brings you back every day. The amazing results are kind of just a bonus.