★ 5

I’m a former CrossFit L-1 trainer and I’ve attended a number of CrossFit gyms in the past 11 years. Cottontown CrossFit is second to none!
The programming, community, and facilities are top notch. If you’ve never done CrossFit, you should start (irregardless of your fitness level), and this gym is the best in the state!

Source: Google

★ 5

No judgement here. Come as you are. After searching years for a gym with a strong and supportive community, I knew immediately I’d finally found the place at Cottontown CrossFit. I started in 2020 and I’m as grateful for this gym as I was then.

Source: Google

★ 5

Love this place. Coaches very professional and helpful. Newbies welcoming environment as well. Recommend anyone interested in Crossfit or fitness in general.

Source: Google

★ 5

10/10. Great coaches who promote a great community. Come as you are. Highlight of my day each day.

Source: Google

★ 5

Top notch gym! The owner here is amazing! Knows his stuff 100% if you're looking for a gym that can truly elevate your level, this is the place to go!

Source: Google

★ 5

Recently moved to the area. Checked out a few boxes and this one was so friendly. Highly recommend!

Source: Google

★ 5

Dropped in while in town. Friendly folks, good facilities, and great programming.

Source: Google

★ 5

Dropped in twice while in town, and I am happy I did. The gym is spacious and the coaches and members were welcoming and inviting.

Source: Google

★ 5

Super well organized gym for crossfit in a cool old building.

Source: Google

★ 5

Could not recommend this gym enough!
Very inviting atmosphere and community!
Programming and Coaching staff are top notch!!

Source: Google

★ 5

Dropped in for the week. Spacious. Clean. And all the equipment you need. Workouts are great. Coaches are welcoming and the atmosphere is amazing. Please please make this your choice. 10/10. My only spot if I return.

Source: Google

★ 5

I am brand new to Crossfit and am now about 4 weeks in and it is great at Cottontown Crossfit. I have had class with every coach and all of them take the time to explain what is happening and how to do every workout. Beginners and veterans are in nearly every class so never feel out of place. Highly recommend if you have been considering for awhile and want to join. My experience thus far has been fantastic.

Source: Google

★ 5

I loved to atmosphere and Coaches are top notch!!!

Source: Google

★ 5

Cottontown Crossfit (formerly known as Forest Drive Crossfit) embodies what Crossfit is all about - great programming, awesome coaches who truly care about members, amazing facility and equipment (including 4 bathrooms and kids room!!) and members who embrace and support one another. They encourage growth in all aspects of your life and everyone is welcome (from seasoned athletes to those who have never stepped foot in a gym). Love this place and these people!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

We really enjoyed dropping in. It was a great atmosphere, great coaching and programming. The gym had all the amenities and was large. Both, the owner and coach, welcomed us and were really nice. Strongly recommend!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

I dropped in while in town and had a great workout with the noon crew. Coach Mike was very welcoming and I appreciated that. Gym is very spacious, fully equipped, and actually one of the nicer boxes I have visited. Will visit again if I come back to Colombia.

Source: Google

★ 5

Easily my favorite CrossFit Gym in Columbia, SC.The community here is amazing. The small classes made it feel like I had my own personal trainer.

Source: Google

★ 5

Travel nurse here! After reading reviews and talking to a few friends, I landed on Cottontown in my short time in Columbia. Marc, Matt, and the entire coaching staff is top notch. I’ve traveled all over the country and been to more gyms than I can count & Cottontown is one of the best. Huge space, clean equipment, and a welcoming community. They make you feel like you’re at home from day one. 10/10 recommend this place, even if you’re just dropping in!

*its right next to a craft brewery AND a killer coffee shop, too, which is a plus*

Source: Google

★ 5

Amazing Community - Fantastic Coaches - Challenging Workouts (this is Cottontown CrossFit!)

I was very hesitant to join a CrossFit gym - I was afraid that it'd feel awkward since I didn't have a background in extreme fitness or really know a lot about weight training. To my surprise, I was not only welcomed but also encouraged by other AMAZINGLY fit members of the gym. Everyone's kindness spoke volumes to the culture that is fostered at Cottontown CrossFit.

If you are looking for a challenging workout but want to be in a place that makes you feel like family, you NEED to visit Cottontown CrossFit - it's truly the place to be. I love it there and always love meeting new people, come by and say hello!

Source: Google

★ 5

Cottontown Crossfit is a wonderful community. Marc and Michael are stellar coaches. We are very new to this box and they have welcomed and challenged us to get better. Marc made us a modified jump rope, we felt loved, seen, and included. Highly recommend.

Source: Google

★ 5

Awesome coaches that meet you exactly where you are on your fitness journey. Not intimidating at all! I’ve never felt stronger and more encouraged.

Source: Google

★ 5

Superb location, facilities, and people! Awesome gym.

Source: Google

★ 5

Amazing gym paired with great coaching and programming! Very encouraging and positive community. My favorite place to drop in when I’m back in Columbia. I highly recommend to people of all fitness levels. You won’t regret it!

Source: Google

★ 5

I drop into this box every time I visit Columbia. Great new facility/location and the coaches are top notch. Lot of focus on stretching and technique to help avoid injuries. If I lived in Columbia this would definitely be my gym!

Source: Google

★ 5

Great staff, great location, all around great gym.

Source: Google

★ 5

FDC is one of the most welcoming crossfit gyms I have been to. All the coaches are so attentive and hands-on making sure you are doing exercises properly. The camaraderie of the gym makes working out fun and motivating! For beginners or advanced people, I highly recommend joining FDC!!

Source: Google

★ 5

I LOVE FDCF. I reluctantly walked in almost 5 months ago and I am forever changed. You know that awesome nervous excited feeling you get when you're about to do something amazing? I get that feeling every time I walk in. It's a challenge but you will surprise yourself with how strong you already are and how strong you will become... In all areas, mind, body and soul! The coaches genuinely care and are awesome at what they do and they WILL get you where you want to be if you are willing to work, be patient and trust in the process. Thanks FDCF!

Source: Google

★ 5

Can’t say enough great things about the people at FDC. From the coaches to the members it’s truly a great group to be around. The workouts are well thought out and planned. Marc and all the coaches show you proper techniques for all movements and that makes all the difference in the world! If you’re considering CrossFit, come to a free Saturday class. You’ll be hooked!

Source: Google

★ 5

Fantastic gym with wonderful, friendly, and motivating members. The programming is very well thought out and the coaches are very professional and encouraging! Would highly reccommend!

Source: Google

★ 5

This gym is great. Everyone from the coaches to the other members are motivating. I’ve noticed a huge difference in my physical abilities since joining. This was the only CrossFit gym I checked out and instantly wanted to join. I wouldn’t take that decision back.

Source: Google

★ 5

Started my Crossfit journey at this gym. The head coach is very knowledgeable and has taught me how to power lift, olympic lift and some cool gymnastics. The programming was awesome as it is tailored nicely to the wide array of athletes that attend. Even better is the community that has formed through the short time this gym has been open. There's something about this gym that brings the most friendly, and family like, people together for a great time working out together.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

My first introduction to CrossFit was when I joined Forest Drove CrossFit. I was trembling and terrified. I remember being embarrassed because I couldn’t do a push-up. Fast forward to a year later, it’s the only fitness regime I’ll ever consider. I tried all the other ones and nothing stuck. Forest Drice CrossFit has been life-changing. The coach, Marc, is passionate, patient, encouraging, motivating, etc. Insert any positive adjective for a coach and he exudes it. He truly cares about each member of our gym. Simply put, he is the best coach and this is the best gym I’ve ever been a part of. (It is the only one but it’s still true). FDCF gave me life. *end sappy post*

Source: Google

★ 5

As someone who has never played a sport in their life, I thought Crossfit would 100% not ever be for me. But thanks to a friend, she dragged me down there for a Community WOD on a Saturday and I fell in love with the gym, the people and of course, Marc! Everyone is so supportive and encouraging. You could be the last person to finish a WOD and still feel so accomplished because you had so many people cheering you on to finish. Everyday is a new adventure at Crossfit and I couldn’t be prouder to be part of such a loving community. I’m so happy I joined and even though I’m in Spain at the moment I already can’t wait to get back to my home away from home.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

FDCF Rocks!! I don't have much motivation to work out on my own but am extremely motivated in these group classes. Its competitive but a very supportive group of people. The people are the best part! I look forward to working out.

Source: Google

★ 5

As a CrossFit Coach I know exactly what I want in a CrossFit box and Forest Drive CF met my expectations. I moved to Columbia summer 2017 and had a choice to join any of the local boxes. After trying a few other boxes I joined FDC for two simple reasons: great coaching and solid programming. You can find gyms of various size, equipment and community, but nothing replaces quality coaching coupled with a good fitness program. Now I'm part of the FDC family. Come try us out!

Source: Google

★ 5

Great location. Marc Sanger knows his stuff and has helped me improve in all areas.

Source: Google

★ 5

You can be assured to have a workout family who are not just enthusiastic and motivating but also push you to achieve the best! A small class, great coaches, fun athletes - Come try a free class on Saturday morning at 9am and then right into foundations!

Detailed review:
It’s a shame I haven’t yet written a review for this place in 6 months. Usually with restaurants and such you can write a review on your first or second visit, but with gyms you always want to wait a month or so before you can judge entirely. I used to be someone who hated working out in groups, felt uncomfortable or overwhelmed at big gyms so most always worked out by myself at my apartment complex gym. But I reached a point where I was tired of looking at videos and figuring out a movement or not knowing if I’m doing something right and around that time I stumbled upon Forest Drive Crossfit. This box is not a place where you would feel overwhelmed, coz there won’t be more than 10 people at every class. Which means personal attention from your coach! Which to me is extremely important, coz what’s the point in doing something wrong and not being corrected, or not knowing there is room for improvement. Coach Marc Sanger is very attentive, extremely detail oriented and is not all about just higher weights on your barbell. He is all about form, technique, hand/leg position while doing a movement – it’s not just how much weight can you lift, or how fast can you do a workout. He’ll work with you till you get it right, he has all the patience on earth and he’ll explain it to you in 20 different ways till you understand it. I know people who get frustrated if you don’t get something after explaining 2-3 times, but there’s no room for that at Forest Drive Crossfit. And hence I recommend this place!

Source: Google

★ 5

This is an awesome place to workout. Ashley and Marc were very friendly and they have really positive vibe going. My favorite part is definitely the astroturf stretching/playing area in the back. Nice equipment, nice location.

Source: Google

★ 5

Huge fan. Great space, small enough to give each client the attention they need. Awesome staff that cares and is passionate about what they do. Highly recommend.

Source: Google