CrossFit Lorton
2025-10-19T06:13:37.220Z
I cannot recommend this gym enough. I was a member here for a little over a year. Every coach brought their own pizazz to class and was both knowledgeable and incredibly supportive. They always knew just what to say and addressed any concern I had. If my little one was crying, a coach wouldn’t hesitate to hold her so I could try to finish my workout. The community here is upbeat, encouraging, and deeply family-oriented. I’m beyond grateful for this place.I have some health conditions that I thought would prevent me from ever doing something like crossfit, but I was wrong.In 2022, I was diagnosed with Takayasu’s Arteritis - an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the aorta and other large blood vessels - along with an undiagnosed small vessel disease. These conditions have caused multiple mini-strokes, recurring pericardial and pleural effusions, pericarditis episodes, etc. In 2022, I almost died of heart failure. That was what led to my diagnosis. I was 22 years old at that time.By April 2024, I was tired of feeling like a victim to the constant pain, the medications (especially prednisone), and all the treatments failing. I decided to give this place a try, fully prepared for the possibility that it might not work out.But it DID work out - not because I’m suddenly in remission or pain-free (I’m not), but because even with ongoing health challenges and steroid use, I’m sooo much more capable on my good days. I can actually enjoy those days now. I also had improvement on my imaging this year!! Some of my doctors are even surprised at what I’ve been able to do now, and some were at first hesitant when I talked about starting crossfit. I could not have come this far without CFL.I showed up just as I was, and the coaches met me exactly where I was at.(I only mention this in case someone out there is feeling like their health conditions are too much and/or are scared to lean into something new.)Coach Sarah had been there for me every step of the way. I also did nutrition coaching with her during my first 3 months at the gym, and that initial investment was SO worth it for the lifetime of impact.Even though I missed 6 weeks at the gym during those first 3 months due to health flare-ups, I still met with Sarah weekly for nutrition support. She showed me nothing but grace - even when I felt like I was failing by missing workouts, skipping meals, or stress-eating snacks I shouldn’t have even had in my cabinet. She never made me feel ashamed. She even went out of her way to look for autoimmune protocol (AIP) friendly foods at the grocery store to help me stay on track.The progress pictures from that 3-month period show some physical changes, but the real transformation was how much more capable I felt inside.Sarah celebrated all my victories - like hiking Old Rag for the first time in five years!!! Which, I wouldn’t have been able to do without her support, seriously.She also modified movements in class to accommodate my medical conditions, including the stenosis and thickening in my carotid arteries, aorta, and left subclavian artery. After about four months of initially joining the gym, I even joined her trail running club - something I never imagined I’d be able to do!!! Like whaaa?!Eventually, I had to pause again due to health complications. But every time I stepped away, Coach Sarah was there with encouragement and support. Coming back never felt awkward - she was just happy to see me come back at all.I could go on, but this review is unapologetically** long enough already haha. Thank you, Coach Sarah, and thank you, CrossFit Lorton, for being such a vital part of my journey. My life has been forever changed because of you all.