★ 3

My husband and I were in Seattle on vacation and visiting my son. We have been a part of the CrossFit community for about 12 years. We are from Texas so things are extremely different there. For one, people are nice! We were greeted and told where to put our things and then to do the warm up on our own. There was a 3 minute demo on the lifting complex and then set up to run through that. Equipment was pretty rough and needed to be replaced! The place could use a good cleaning and some tlc! Overall not what CrossFit expects from their affiliates.

Source: Google

★ 3

The coaches here are extremely knowledgable and the people are friendly. I have to emphasize the coaches are EXTREMELY knowledgable- most gyms you might have some that are extremely knowledgeable and others mediocre and some just wrong. I've added 1 star for the coaching. The workouts are the "same" for the most part on a weekly basis (variety being weights, reps, or time on a particular exercise). There is value to this since you become very good at certain things, and certain muscles do get stronger.

I've taken 2 stars off due the equipment (rig/ pull up bars) is not accessible for people under 5' 5" without using a box or 25#-35# plate. There are 2 bars that can mostly accommodate shorter people, BUT it usually gets jammed up because most of the women, teens and shorter men are waiting to use it. I'm 5'3" and I can barely jump high enough to grab and hang off this shorter bar, and in most cases need a 25# -35# plate. In a WOD, it can be chaotic. If you are over 5'10 pretty much 80% of the pull bars will fit you. If you are shorter you will experience exclusion by design. Because workouts are repetitive, this is a recurring problem. I've mentioned this issue a few times, and at one point it was indicated that people would hit their head on the pull bar when doing squats which logically doesn't make sense because not all bars on the rig can accommodate J-hooks (or they would have to be extremely tall for it to be a problem).

I'm taking 1 star off because I was literally boxed out during a workout due to the accessibility problem; full class 15 people, around 5-6 people can be on the rig to do burpee pull ups. They had 2 heats. No room on the rig to actually do the workout due to the limited amount of shorter bars relative to people needing to use it. Exclusion by design at play.

The programming is repetitive, leaning heavily on dumbbells and kettlebells (not barbells). The typical Crossfit WODs or skill building won't be found here. The upside is that this is softer on the joints since there are no DUs, BJ or other jumping with weights on a regular basis. This gym has more condition (cardio) than most other Crossfit gyms. Classes are 45 minutes. Warm ups are not included in the class or class time; programming is provided but I'm not sure it ties in with the workout- imho with decades of consistent workout experience.

I hope they can fix the accessibility issue as the coaching really shines at this gym.

Source: Google

★ 5

Great atmosphere! The group setting is awesome. Everyone is here to be better.

Still the place to be. The programming is just what everyone needs.

Source: Google

★ 5

They've been fantastic. Incredibly supportive trainers and peers no matter if you're starting out or experienced. Would highly recommend.

Source: Google

★ 5

I love going to CrossFit Issaquah! The coaches are very good, explaining the workout before the class starts and then during the workout they are making sure everyone has proper form. The workouts are tough but fun, exactly what someone needs to stay fit and build muscles. The location is great, having proper amenities.

Source: Google

★ 5

Great gym to be part of! I was nervous to try CrossFit again after 5-6 years of different styles of workouts but the coaches and the members made it a smooth transition. Coaches are knowledgeable, patient and supportive and I've built friendships that span past the walls of the gym. The gym is always clean, equipment is well maintained, space is adequate, and the programming is fantastic! Joining CFI was a great move for me, and I highly recommend giving them a try!

Source: Google

★ 5

With the amazing CF Issy coach's guidance, I have spent a few years growing stronger. Slow but sure and steady, with attention to form and gentle nudges to increase my self expectation, I look forward to the daily fun. The strong sense of community fostered at CF Issy is what wakes me up early and eager. At 68, I am grateful for the inspiration.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

LOVE THIS PLACE!!! I've been a member for many years, and it only gets better. Highly recommended if you are a first time (or long time) Crossfitter!!

Source: Google

★ 5

I couldn't be happier with my experience at CFI East. I've been to dozens of CrossFit gyms around the world and CFI is top notch. Their coaches and programming make workouts approachable for new or experienced athletes of any age, and the community atmosphere is supportive. Highly recommended.

Source: Google

★ 5

Crossfit Issaquah is an awesome gym with very well thought out programming that keeps members progressing steadily in a safe environment. This is not your run of the mill CrossFit program that throws up WODs and may push people past comfort or safety.

The coaches are very well educated, take great care of the clients and are invested in their success. I have a lot of experience in gyms over many many years both as a client and as a coach, and this is one of the best environments I have been in.

I have been a member for just over a year and recently joined the coaching staff myself. As a member and coach who also has a very demanding full time job outside of fitness, I would not be willing to spend my time or back a program that I could not be proud of.

People enjoy their time together, work hard and thrive. The price point is unbeatable as well.

Source: Google

★ 1

After 5+ yrs of CrossFit exprience, and 12+yrs in group fitness spaces, this was sadly and unnecessarily the worst experience to date. This is much more akin to body building programming rather than Crossfit, but kindly asking questions to figure out the thought behind it was met with great defensiveness and getting shut down.

CFI "fundamentally disagrees" with being constantly varied. But there is no plan for targeting muscles differently or staving off boredom and monotony. Making your own modifications in a non-disruptive manner is also met with great resistance even if modifying for medical reasons.

There is no ongoing integration of gymnastics skills or olympic weightlifting techniques as found in CF programming. Those are reserved for certain times of the year, so if you want to train skills or technique regularly you can pay extra for special sessions, or wait another year until they hit that phase for a few weeks.

There is no warm up in the class time. You are supposed to know to come early and warm up on your own. However, the suggested warm up is not movement specific to the workout. Even with doing the posted warm up ahead of class, and doing the first "evo" of the class, you may suddenly jump into 120 toes to bar without having done anything to care for your shoulders. In an ongoing basis this is completely irresponsible for the level of weight and skills suggested. This gym was also the only place in 12yrs of barbell experience where I couldn't escape from a lift and had a 215# barbell land on the back of my head.

Membership pays for access to the Wodify app. The gym, however, refuses to sync the programming to allow members to track their performance or weights used for the day. The suggested work-around is to track in your notes app. You'll notice I don't churn my own butter either because it is an insufficient solution for technology that is easily available and helpful toward personal progress.

Over and over again, by every staff member, at the gym you will hear "trust the programming" even when there are serious holes and blindspots. CFI expects you to give an entire year of your life to see the whole picture. As a one-off you can get a decent workout and feel sore. As a week over week, month over month experience, I was bored to tears and held back.

When addressing my concerns or trying to get a better understanding of how the gym worked (because I thought it would be a CrossFit, according to the name it carries) I was told by Mike that the gym was "never going to change" (or improve), he hoped I could "get on the same page as him or find a different gym," and Stacia suggested I use the monotony of the workouts to "build mental toughness." This is an absolutely bs response for anyone who has consistency and longevity in their fitness regimen and is an endurance athlete. The problem belongs to the poor programming, not my mental toughness.

The members of the gym were sweet, and ultimately I was really sad this was such an unwelcoming environment. Despite being told to find a different gym 10days into my 6mo membership, I was only refunded 5mo. This meant I paid for 2 gym memberships when it was clear this was not a place I should be and needed to find a different business to take care of my fitness for the remaining 21days of the month.

It didn't have to be this way and these scenarios could have had very different and beneficial outcomes. As it stands, it is clear these coaching dynamics are toxic and push out good athletes.

Source: Google

★ 5

Great gym and great coaching!

Source: Google

★ 5

Very happy with my experience so far. I have been attending the classes and gym 5 days a week for the past 5 weeks. I had tried CrossFit a few years ago so this isn’t my first experience with it. I am really happy with the attention to safety being shown how to properly lift weights and all the different exercises and stretches. Everyone is extremely supportive. This feels more like attending a gym with personal trainers than it does a CrossFit class. I like how everyone is encouraging and trying to do the best they can. They have removed the intimidation one might feel from doing something new. I am really enjoying this.

Source: Google

★ 5

Amazing CrossFit gym! Knowledgeable trainers, supportive community, and challenging workouts. I've seen great results and love every session. Highly recommend!

Source: Google

★ 5

CrossFit Issaquah rocks! The coaches are fantastic, highly skilled, and supportive! The community is welcoming and encouraging, making every session enjoyable. It's the perfect place to achieve your fitness goals. Highly recommended!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

I love this gym. It's not the fanciest, but it has everything you need, the classes/training is great and I absolutely love the coaches. Don't be intimidated by the crossfit name, give it a try!

Source: Google

★ 5

Very friendly staff and great workouts!

Source: Google

★ 5

Amazing place to work out!!

Source: Google

★ 5

Amazing place and loved every workout. The coaches are very friendly and observant during workouts.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Highly recommended to someone who is looking for a supportive community with friendly coaches. What I loved the most is they offer effective training programs through their engaging classes. Check the alternative class hours and sure you'll find one that fits best to your schedule. The facility is very clean and well-maintained all the time for the members. If you need help, Katy and Stacie are always ready and responsive with their best. If you live nearby and thinking for a workout, you should own and support this place to let them work more and harder ;)

Source: Google

★ 5

I dropped in and it was a great workout. Good coaching and instruction

Source: Google

★ 5

Best coaches, cleaner gym!

Source: Google

★ 5

Can thank this place enough for bringing in changes that my body needed. Even though I have restricted motion , I was coached personally to do modified exercises to focus on my body . All the coaches are so professional . I just love this place and would recommend to anyone who is looking for a holistic life style change

Source: Google

★ 5

Wonderful place, amazingly amazing team!! I joined CFI as a beginner in workout program and with multiple bone fractures (recovering)😀. I was totally very nervous for my first few sessions but all my fears, overwhelming feelings were always squashed immediately by the coaches. They all are amazingly patient , caring and understanding people who are always their to support, guide and encourage you . The other important factor is the environment at CFI is very friendly and supportive. Special Thanks to coach Katy who always answers my queries with full patience and squashes my worries!! :) It turned out to be a happy and exciting place for me.

Source: Google

★ 4

Source: Google

★ 5

I cannot say enough great things about this gym! I started lifting a couple years ago and loved it but was looking for another element in my workouts. I tried Coach Katy's morning class at CF Issaquah and loved it!! Having no CF experience, Katy was so helpful and patient with me. I will be starting my 2nd month and I have added on nutrition and accessory work. In addition to the great programming, the community is so nice and that's what I was missing. I really look forward to coming to CF Issaquah.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

CrossFit Issaquah has a very welcoming community of members and the coaches are really good. I had a great time dropping in while I was in town.

Source: Google

★ 5

The entire team is professional and great to work with

Source: Google

★ 5

Awesome place

Source: Google

★ 5

From the jump, CrossFit Issaquah was a joy to be a part of. Coach Stacia replied to all of my emails quickly and clearly, conveying friendliness and kindness. I didn't feel pushed into anything at all!

My wife and I attended for three weeks during our vacation to Washington, and we had an excellent experience with Coach Mike and Coach Katy. Both were knowledgeable and professional, and Coach Mike's music choice made the WOD that much better. Additionally, the members at this box are friendly and fun!

We will definitely be back again when we're in town. If you live in or around Issaquah, this is the box to join!

Source: Google

★ 5

I have been going to CrossFit Issaquah for over a year. I needed a jump start to begin working out again and I needed to be surrounded by positive and motivating coaches. I got exactly what I needed. Coaches Mike and Stacia are welcoming, experienced and motivational. I had never tried Crossfit and thought it might be intimidating. At this gym everyone is welcomed regardless of their experience level. The coaches provide modifications when/if you need it. And everyone who attends the gym wants you to succeed. I started out at my own pace and now feel like I can tackle any workout...I’m stronger and more confident every day. I have also surpassed many of my health goals. I highly recommend this gym!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 2

Dropped in here during our vacation due to the gym's proximity to our hotel. My husband and I have been doing CrossFit for years and I can say this is unlike any gym we've been to. WODIFY was open on the screen and it showed a very generic/typical non-specific warm up (think: bear crawls, frankensteins, crab walk, lunges...), and a login screen - the WOD could not be viewed yet so we had no idea what it was. Not a huge deal BUT, with the lack of a warm up, it would have been nice to know so I could do something specific to the movements. The coach did NOT lead the warmup at all, ok, again, no big deal right, but he didn't even say that we were starting. About 5 after, we notice a few athletes going through the motions of what was written on the screen. Around 20 after, the coach calls everyone to the screen and says there are 2 WOD options and just to pick one. I was most certainly not warmed up for either but luckily one was mostly bodyweight movements. There wasn't any coaching on the movements, just a warning on not rebounding the box jumps (or what level athlete might be capable of doing so) and not to drop the barbell until it was below eye-level. No coaching or even encouragement happened during the workout. We returned the next day because it was open and most gyms weren't. There was a female coach that offered the same "hands-off" approach in her coaching. She talked to us ONLY to inquire about payment. She did actually go over the movements in the workout and demonstrate them when she felt they weren't self-explanatory. But during the workout, she stood with her arms crossed near the modify screen the entire time. We paid $90 for 2 workouts and it was basically paying for the use of their facility. I agree with the reviewer below that said this is not a good place to start CrossFit....maybe good for experienced athletes that feel they don't need to be coached because their movements are just that good. Or, maybe both coaches were just having off-days and these weren't typical experiences.

I will say the gym was very clean and the some of the athletes were welcoming and kind.

Source: Google

★ 1

I had a free trial session this morning. The instructor was kind enough to let me in early and give me a tour as well as go over some of the movements from today's WOD. I had explained that I have not worked out in any serious way in most of my life and had no idea where to start. I was trying CrossFit based on recommendations and a little bit of research. During the warm ups I essentially stood around because I had no idea what any of them were. The coach chatted with a few of the ladies in the class and I ended up finally asking him how to do scissor kicks, but missed most of the other warmups for lack of instruction or guidance. He did explain the WOD at length, demonstrating each and was helpful throughout with making sure I was doing the movements correctly. I ended up tapping out before the last workout because I almost fell from my legs being so weak. This was the first time I had worked out in a decade and the first actual structured workout of my life. Overall, I am a fan of the workouts themselves but I do not think I will be returning to this box as there are others that offer fundamentals courses with one on one sessions with coaches to familiarize you with the movements before throwing you into a class. I had thought that was what I was getting when i signed up for the trial, but expectation is the enemy of happiness. If you're an experienced CrossFit athlete, I would recommend this gym but for the layman such as I, I would suggest a more beginner-friendly experience.

Update to response: this gym say they do not have an "on-ramp" program. I don't see this as any reason not to be careful with new people and pay more attention to whether or not they might be hurting themselves. Fitness coaching of any kind is a RESPONSIBILITY and to say that a layman did not get proper direction because you dont offer beginner courses is simply an attempt to shirk that responsibility. Sure, we sign waivers, but does that allow for disregard of safety? No. Also, from a business standpoint, not treating beginners or new clients as such and throwing them into the class with everyone else with only minor explanation of movements, hurts your chances of building new and lasting clients. Every box I have spoken with has agreed that it was irresponsible and that such experiences are why CrossFit does not gain more athletes more often. I have reduced the score on my review to one star for the insincere response and frankly insulting attempt to justify the poor coaching that was recieved.

Source: Google

★ 5

Mike is phenomenal as a coach. Patient, attentive and informative. He'll adjust to your level and still challenge you and encourage growth. If you want a no pressure, high encouragement gym, this is it. Your comfort level, your pace, your success.

Source: Google

★ 5

Great community, great coaching and wonderful owners. Best place to work out in Issaquah!

Source: Google

★ 1

Both me and my husband have class pass and booked a classes through them, we show up and Mike is trying to get rid of us saying he is not honoring class pass as his class is full. He said come back to some other class, the conversation was extremely unpleasant with Mike trying to make us go away. He said that he will give us the credits back, only for us we find out that we are charged 20$ each for no show. This gym is a scam.

Source: Google

★ 5

Great coaches and a fantastic environment to grow in your fitness habits.

Source: Google

★ 5

Best trainer, best workout, best workout mates. What more one can look for

Source: Google

★ 5

Awesome gym! I’ve been a part of several Crossfit Affiliates over the last few years and Michael Dolan is one of the best coaches I’ve been around. Great facility, great class atmosphere, and legit programming . Check em out

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Fun place to workout. Trainer is fun and knowledgeable and owners are great. Other members are supportive and personable.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Excellent coaching combined with a fun atmosphere and nice people! Coach Mike breaks down the movements for each session so people from all skill levels get a good workout. Also, the staff and members are supportive and approachable. Highly recommended gym!

Source: Google

★ 5

Solid, knowledgeable coach and great group people to workout with!

Source: Google

★ 5

I’m 45 and 3 years ago I REALLY was feeling my age, plus my Doctor said I was headed for diabetes town. 3 years later and what a difference! I have as much energy and strength as I did when I was 25. Coach Mike and the whole Crossfit Issaquah staff have been so great and always support my goals with a focus on injury-free progress, which I love.

The new space is great and the community is fantastic. Just a great down to earth group. I love this place!

Source: Google

★ 5

What makes CrossFit Issaquah amazing?
1 Owners & Coaching staff. Owners & Coach that are super supportive of its members, engaged in what we are doing (usually rotating their workouts in with us!), and very welcoming with a 'come as you are, and where you are at' approach for all fitness levels and abilities.
2 Community. Owners and coach are great, so no surprise that the members are reflection of that! Supportive, motivating, and welcoming members make a great environment.
3 Programming with intention and variety. Everything that is programmed for workouts (including warm ups, accessory work, and strength) is well thought out, building over time, and compliments the WOD, which can be easily scaled for all levels, beginners through to advanced members, if not already listed as options on the board when you walk in!
4 Facility. Clean and quality equipment to train with. KIDS ROOM! (Without it my training would be more limited)
5 Fun. I am not promising Disneyland level fun, but laughing during a hard workout makes motivating myself to go so much easier!

Source: Google

★ 5

Top tier coaching and exceptional programming for progressive athletic development from beginner to elite competitor. Great community, great value, in a gimmick-free down-to-earth environment. This gym has all the best things Crossfit has to offer.

Source: Google

★ 5

This isn’t your average Crossfit box! The programming is effective and intentional. The care in the coaching is evident as the head coach, Mike Dolan, really gets to know each member and their abilities. The members are friendly & welcoming and the community aspect will keep you coming back. If you’re looking to be your strongest self then Crossfit Issaquah is where you should be!!

Source: Google

★ 5

Coach Mike - you may have converted me to become a CrossFitter. Great training techniques and fantastic workouts. I'll be back.

Source: Google