Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Rysewyk.
Hi Rebecca, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
CrossFit First Creek started in February of 2015. In 2014, it was under a different owner and was about to close when 9 members got together, pooled their money, and became the new owners. They changed the name to CrossFit First Creek, gave the gym a major facelift, bought new equipment, and reopened the doors about four months later. Now, six years later we are averaging 180 members and still growing!
We have finally gotten to a point where we are able to give back to something that is close to our hearts. We have partnered with the local Military Recruitment Office and they send us new recruits every month or so for us to help get them ready for basic by giving them a membership for as long as they are here. We offer this to them free of charge because we are so proud to be able to help our great country any way we can.
We have many veterans and active military that are members of our gym so it’s really sweet to see them come around and bond with these kids.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The first 10 years of establishing a gym are the hardest. You are building your membership and your name. Obviously, Covid hitting in year 5 was a major challenge also. Our gym has continued to persevere though mainly because of the community we have.
When we were forced to shut down for a little over a month we had so many members contact us to tell us that they intended to keep paying their memberships no matter what because this was their family and they didn’t want us to shut down. That in and of itself speaks volumes to the character of our members. There have been very deep bonds that have formed throughout the years going through hard times together.
We are a family though and family helps each other out.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I manage this great CrossFit gym and am very proud to be a part of such a great community. We run on relationships and I make it a point to connect people and make them feel welcomed and loved. All of our coaches do the same and I feel like that’s what keeps people coming back.
Anyone can throw some good programming together but when people are excited to come and work out because of the friends that they are going to see and the challenges they are going to face in the workout, that makes my day. I just want people to reach their goals and continue to grow and become better versions of themselves.
Our coaches are top-notch and not only do they love what they do and are great at it, they care about the members.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
CrossFit is for everyone. You don’t have to get in shape before you try it. Most of us that came on our first day did so because we needed to get in shape. It’s a journey. You didn’t gain the weight in a month so don’t expect to lose it in a month. Always have a goal you are trying to reach and great things will happen along the way!
Pricing:
- $120 Unlimited monthly
- $216 Unlimited Couples monthly
- $75 Student monthly
- $250 3 months New Member Special
- $108 Veteran/Military/Firefighter/Police monthly
Contact Info:
- Email: cf.fountaincity@gmail.com
- Website: www.crossfitfirstcreek.com
- Instagram: crossfit_firstcreek
- Facebook: CrossFit First Creek
Image Credits
Brittany Bingham of Wilder photography.
