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Tuesday 110426
I decided that it was time for me to address what happened last month in Mississauga's CrossFit community. There seem to be thoughts and opinions of me floating around that are simply not true and this message is my answer to the ones I am aware of.
I have been criticized for being “99% business 100% of the time”. In early 2007 when I first started training people in CrossFit, I did it out of love and passion. My intent was not to own a gym. I simply wanted to show people the best way to get fit so I invited them over to my house where CrossFit Bolton started, in my garage.
I built my CrossFit Bolton one member at a time through good old-fashioned, honest, hard work. My priority was and still is to help the members of my gyms to achieve their fitness goals and realize their true potential both in fitness and in life. I have been and will always be dedicated to the athlete's who train in my gyms. I work very hard to earn people's trust and the title of coach. A title that most people find is more difficult to achieve than they thought.
People may perceive me as being abrupt but for some, this trait is much appreciated. There is no wondering what I'm thinking, no games and certainly nothing sneaky about my personality. I also won't blow smoke up anyone's ass so if that's what you're looking for there are other gyms for that. Not this one. CFM will always be for fitness first and foremost. As some of you will find, the key to the community is fitness, not the other way around.
Obviously a lot of members were not happy with the way that CFM was running after I took it over. I made some changes that a lot of folks didn’t agree with. I changed the schedule, raised the prices and tried to implement group sessions. These changes were made because this is the absolute best and most efficient way for a CrossFit gym to run. It keeps people training together, prevents holes in athlete's fitness and is the model that created this wonderful way of life we call CrossFit.
I think one of the biggest reasons some of you didn't get along with me is that I set new prices and I stuck to them. I realize that many of you were receiving discounts for various reasons. Many of you did something for Eric and Mark but I'm sure you can appreciate that I did not need all of the same favours that they may have needed. Don't mistake my strict policies on payment for not caring about you as members but rather a detailed understanding of what it takes to keep the doors open so that each and every one of you has a place to continue to build your fitness. Yes this is a business and yes, I need to make money, no one works for free, but my love and ultimate respect for fitness is the reason I needed to collect. Long before many of you even began your fitness journeys, I was training every day in globo gyms because those were the only places available. Many of the gyms I trained at closed in the middle of the night leaving me and all the members with no place to go (a common practice for globo gyms). I know how that feels and I would never let that happen to any of my members but the only way to do that is to make sure there's enough money to pay the bills at the end of the month. Many of you may forget to pay on time but equipment, rent and utilities are always paid right on time, or the doors get locked. That is my reality.
One more very important point on the issue of payment; if you are part of a community that you truly love and respect, you gladly pay to support it. I thank the few of you that never made me ask for the money.
As far as trainer's pay is concerned, many of you heard a story that is a far cry from the truth. If anyone wishes to discuss this further, I would love to put this issue to rest. What I will say here is that even though many of these trainers are your friends, they were not attending to what we (myself and the trainers) set out as their duties. On this issue, I owe no one an explanation but will provide one for the good of my name. I am always available by phone or to meet in person as I have been for the trainers all along. I encourage anyone who wishes to call and I also encourage the trainers to return mine.
I think it is great that a new gym is opening up. If you think you have an idea of a place that only you can create, by all means, create it. If I had been enlightened sooner about your plans, I would have helped you in any way that I could. I wish you all of the success you deserve. However, plans were kept secret and I trusted information to some of you that has been used to hurt me. At the same time you sold your false and negative opinions of me to others in the hopes of benefiting yourselves. Though I am a businessman and respect even the most cut-throat of practices, I do not operate this way. If my biggest fault was being too much of a businessman then I don’t feel so bad. At least I can look at myself in the mirror and know that I never hurt, lied, cheated, used or manipulated anyone.
At first I was surprised by how everything unfolded but now I am more excited than ever for CFM. Eric is back kicking ass and coaching people. Mark will carry on running an Olympic Weightlifting WOD every Sunday. We also have the man, the legend, Jason Bird as a trainer at CFM. Eric, Mark, Jason and I have over 15 years combined experience teaching CrossFit. Need I say more?
New specialized equipment is on the way. We are getting atlas stones, farmers walk handles, a yoke, a log and some big ass tires for strongman style training. We are also getting platforms and a number of other new pieces of equipment.
Right now I'm offering everyone a membership at CFM for $100 a month before May 1st.
I'm willing to let bygones be bygones and everything that happened last month will be water under the bridge. I have no hostility or animosity towards anyone despite the rumors. All former members and trainers are welcome back any time.
There is much more news to come in early May. We are looking into dual memberships for those of you that want to train at both locations as well as 24-7 access to the gym.
This is only the beginning! Stay tuned folks.
Please call me or email me if you have any questions.
Alex Possamai
Hang Power Clean 1-1-1-1-1-1-1
Rest 5 minutes
"Tabata Something Else"
Complete 32 intervals of 20 seconds of work followed by ten seconds of rest where the first 8 intervals are pull-ups, the second 8 are push-ups, the third 8 intervals are sit-ups, and finally, the last 8 intervals are squats. There is no rest between exercises.
Post total reps from all 32 intervals to comments.
"Working Handstand Push-up Negatives" with Jeff Tucker by Again Faster Equipment - video [wmv]
Comments (12)
"At least I can look at myself in the mirror and know that I never hurt, lied, cheated, used or manipulated anyone."
Never cheated? Never Manipulated? I BEG to differ good sir...wait I really shouldn't call you that now should I.
Karma's a bitch isn't it?
"As far as trainer's pay is concerned, many of you heard a story that is a far cry from the truth." - Alex
Alex, since you won't return my texts, I'll try here. The TRUTH is simple, You were angry, kicked us ( trainers ) all out and refuse to pay us. How can you possibly use the word "HONEST" to describe yourself?
To all the wonderful people I have met over the past 3 years,
find a box that works for you, and get back to what really matters ...... training hard for life !
And one more thing,
If you are gonna be brave enough to make a comment, attach your name or keep it to yourself- there is enough DRAMA going on.
Well said Alex. Each gym can serve its purpose and there is no reason why multiple gyms in this city can't thrive working together. I think with the experience of trainers like Eric, Mark, Jason and Alex, Crossfit Mississauga is as strong as it ever was and with the passion of those at Crossfit Select I am sure they have a bright future as well.
Personally, I am on my way back from an injury and need to decide which gym I will come back to. I have people who I consider friends in both gyms but the most important thing to me is my fitness. After working at Crossfit Mississauga for as long as I did I came to believe that a class structure offers better fitness for most people including myself. Looking forward to getting back at it with Alex and the brothers and looking forward to meeting Jason as I have only heard good things about his coaching.
I have been one to remain quiet while the battle lines have been drawn and the bullets flying, however the silliness of these comments on a bulletin that is designed to motivate and inspire us to achieve greater fitness to me is quite sad. I personally have not had any grievances with anyone on either side and feel that you people should keep your personal grievances personal, and not use this public forum to spew venom at eachother. If this is Alex's attempt at an apology to those who feel mistreated accept it and move on. Act your ages!!!!
On another note, I did Jason's class last night and have to say it was my single most best Crossfit experince ever. THANK YOU JASON. You are an invaluable new member to our team and I can hardly wait to be put through the paces again.
Alex helped me hit a PR dead lift last week. Thanks Alex!
What I love about Alex is that he not only coaches and inspires us (and he does an AMAZING job at that, it should be said), but he educates us, too. He takes every question asked of him as an opportunity to help us become better, healthier and stronger individuals. And he's passionate* about it all--more so than anyone I've ever known. And that kind of passion is hard to find :)
I've never had a bad experience at CFM with any trainer old or new. I wish the old trainers a million successes and look forward to training with the new team!
Loving the new structure of the WODs! It feels like knives are trying to escape from my upper arms and I think it's a good sign. Also, not sure what a yoke is but I can't wait to jump on that mother sucker when it arrives!
Alex, it's your "no bullshit" attitude that made me one of your biggest supporters. You are VERY good at what you do and I respect your abilities, knowledge and the way you handle your business. This will be my third year with you and I have NO plans on going to anyone else. If people can't see how valuable you are, then so be it... You will succeed regardless. BTW... Id work for you... anytime...anyplace... FOR FREE!
I've known Alex for a long time, before both gyms.
I have never known Alex to not work hard in all that he dedicates his time and himself
too.
His work performance is profound, his honesty - real!, his respect for individuals,
inevitable. Never once have l seen him not to work hard, FOR OTHERS. He is a true
dedicated individual and the ones who work along with him will definitely be pleased by
his genuine committed personality. I think Alex deserves to have, not great, but the "best" trainers to instill that respect with eachother, and for the image dedicated to the gym.
How Alex had approached the exit of the previous trainers, l think we all would have done the same...if mistrusted, dishonest and disrespected.
Moving forward, l am happy to hear Alex has gained great individuals to help
make this gym a great opportunity for fitness goal successes. Therefore, what makes a
great gym...is the individuals that make it that way.
Much success to you Alex with a positive outlook ahead...and to the great individuals of Eric, Mark and Jason that have come together...looking in the right direction.
Success to you all
JR
I also agree with Kat "...anytime...anyplace...FOR FREE!"
See you may 1st CFM! Looking forward to an amazing summer of training. I think I smell a comp between both gyms at the end of the summer.
my two cents worth! i don't go to cfm, but am a member in bolton. have been for a year. i walked in there as an ultra runner, figuring i was in pretty good shape - HA! did i have a lot to learn. and learn i did. i was taught and encouraged to do pull-ups, proper push-ups, ring dips and to deadlift 240lbs, to name just a very few. alex, and all the trainers at cfb are amazing. perhaps one of my biggest accomplishments was being able to go to colorado last summer, with MINIMAL running at the time, and complete a 6 day stage race - the transrockies run - totaling over 100 miles. i finished strong and feeling like i could run another 100. with alex there was no messing around, no excuses and yet praise when it was earned. this whole incident was unfortunate and very unnecessary. but it is what it is, and like kat, i couldn't imagine training with anyone else. turtles rule . . .