CrossFit Roselle - dedicated to building a fitter, healthier community since 2008

I started CrossFit Roselle in September 2008 in a small, 450-square foot storefront in Roselle, IL.  When the doors opened, I didn't have a single person waiting in line to get in.  So I passed out flyers, and I held an open house that was attended by maybe 15 people throughout the day.  From that open house, I got my first clients (husband and wife Glenn and Donna).  At the time, I was marketing the gym as more of a personal training studio specializing in CrossFit.  I remember when this guy Norberto stopped in to check out the gym.  He had been driving from Roselle to St. Charles every day to attend Tri-Cities CrossFit, and he was interested in something closer to home.  I told him that my gym was more like personal training than small group training.  I didn't hear from him again.  I knew I had to be doing something wrong.  How could someone prefer to drive all the way to St. Charles instead of working out a few blocks from his house?

I realized that CrossFit isn't about one-on-one training.  It's meant to be experienced in a small group environment.  It's about comaraderie.  It's about family.

So I made a few changes, and I soon found Eric A.  Well, actually, he found me.  He's still with me today and is one of CFR's trainers.  George J. was next.  Then, just after I finished the 2008 Chicago marathon, I ran into Norberto again.  He was in the crowd waiting for his wife Liliana to finish.   I talked with him briefly, and I told him that I was now holding small group classes instead of the one-on-one sessions.  That's all he needed to hear.  He was soon a member at my gym.  His whole family followed shortly after (seriously, his WHOLE family).   Funny how things work out sometimes.  It's hard to believe that with tens of thousands of spectators at the Chicago marathon, I ran into him.  He too is now one of CFR's trainers.

Since then, CrossFit Roselle has continued to grow.  We're now at our third location.  We currently occupy a 2500 square foot warehouse.  There may be another move ahead of us; however, there will be a limit to how big we get.  I never want to lose the small gym atmosphere like we have now.  I think its part of what keeps people coming back.

- Jason

More to follow...

The original CrossFit Roselle...

To see more of our history and how we grew, check out http://crossfitroselle.blogspot.com/