Testimonials

Wonderful!!!!! I am new to CrossFit and also haven’t worked out in several years… what an amazing place to be learning and sweating and running and pushing, etc.! I cannot say enough good things! I feel stronger already!

I’ve had a wonderful experience with Crossfit and especially at Gateway. I got the expert advice I needed to help me become a faster runner, avoid injury, and improve my race times. I loved the one-on-one training, and I felt that my trainer, John Seiler, really cared and wanted to help to achieve my goals. I would recommend Gateway Crossfit to anyone who is looking to improve in their sport, improve on strength training, or wanting to become fitter overall. The coaching combined with the knowledge was exactly what I needed for success!

Prior to working with Mark Whitener at Gateway CrossFit, I had been taking Cross Fit classes in a large group setting. While I enjoyed the CrossFit classes prior, I feel as if I was not getting result or t the needed individualized instruction. I wanted to ensure that my form was correct so I can maximize the benefits of the very technical Olympic lifts and to avoid injury. In a group setting, I know I was getting it wrong at times and putting myself in harm’s way unnecessarily at times. As a result of better instruction and having a program tailored and scaled to my fitness and strength level, I am getting much better results. I am able to execute the lifts much more safely and am building strength and muscle endurance in the process. I can see the benefits of my improved fitness level carry over into my runs and into my workout regimen outside of CrossFit. Mark keeps it interesting by putting my through my paces and changing up and varying my Workout of the Day (WOD) in my sessions with him and prescribed WOD’s to do on my own time. I have been training for 4 months with Mark and am excited about the distinct possibility of even more positive results and more fruits of my labor a few more months down the track. In addition to the two affable blokes in Mark Whitener and John Seiler who run Gateway CrossFit, Josey the wonder dog is a great workout companion and motivator in her own right.

Gateway CrossFit has been an amazing experience for both of us. As former athletes, we went from high-intensity workouts and training to sitting behind a desk all day. Mark has been the catalyst for us to get back into the shape we once were in. While no one likes being told what to do, having Mark there to push us, develop the right workout, and make sure we are doing the best training to get the most out of our sessions has been the reason we keep coming back.

Gateway Crossfit is the best training I have done since college to get my body in the best shape possible. I am doing things that I never could do before and I was a three-sport college athlete. John motivates and pushes me to the next level.

I started at Gateway CrossFit in May of 2011 weighing 232 pounds, the heaviest I had been in ten years. Going into my training I was a bit intimidated after reading about the workouts, watching others in the gym, and knowing my current fitness situation. Mark and John both not only reassured me that I would be able to do the workouts;they spent time explaining and showing me what we were going to do and the correct way to lift and/or move during an exercise. The weight loss was a big deal to me at first, but the impact it has had on my daily energy and lifestyle has been the true reward. I wake up every day excited to get after it. I am very thankful for the time they have spent with me and the lifestyle I have now as a result of Gateway CrossFit. Mark, thank you for the support, hard work, and time spent with me over the last 3 months.

I first got introduced to CrossFit back in 2008 with a trainer I was working out with at the time. After just a brief few months of training he ended up moving, but introduced me to a few guys at the gym who were familiar with CrossFit that could assist me if I needed help. One of those people was John Seiler. Before long, I was doing CrossFit with John 3 or 4 times a week. Previously, I had worked with a number of different trainers and did various workouts but none got me the results like Crossfit or working out with John. I soon realized that it wasn’t just CrossFit that was helping me out, more than anything else, it was who I was training with. Out of any trainer I have ever worked with, John is by far the most knowledgable, motivating, exciting and greatest coach I have ever had. I have learned how to do countless Olympic movements with proper form, push myself in the gym farther than I ever thought possible and get into the best shape of my life. Without John’s expertise, patience and dedication, I never would have learned so much or achieved such amazing results. Not only is he so knowledgeable in what he does, he is very passionate about it as well and anyone who works out with him will see how much he truly cares and wants each and every one of his clients to succeed. Recently, I moved to Florida and one of the things I miss most about St. Louis is working out with John. I’m always counting down the days until I’m back in town and get the privilege of training with the best 🙂

Mark’s has a true passion for his job and that translates over into his in-depth approach of reaching his client’s individual personal training goals. All human beings are built differently and many have pre-existing injuries, flexibility issues, and specific muscle weaknesses among other things. Mark’s greatest asset is his ability to constantly adjust a workout regiment to meet the needs of his clients as they change. I was an athlete in my former life and have never had a personal trainer prior to Mark. My experience with Mark has been great and I perceive great value in the knowledge and guidance he gives me on an ongoing basis. My perception of value: Prior to meeting Mark I had no desire to pay a fee for someone to show me how to work out? My opinion has completely changed! People surround themselves with attorney’s, bankers, accountants etc. because they have an expertise in an area. Personal training is the same way. The efficiency, productivity, and results of training with Mark have made me realize the value in training with him.

It was with no small amount of trepidation that I decided to join Gateway Crossfit. At the ripe old age of 45, I had never belonged to a gym, never
lifted weights, and sure as heck never had a personal trainer. I was concerned that I would be overwhelmed and ultimately fail. I could not have been more wrong. John was able to tailor a workout program that not only fit my needs but recognized that I was starting on the ground floor. I have progressively gotten stronger and increased my workout load with each session. Gateway is able to walk a fine line of being a relaxed atmosphere yet also encouraging you to push yourself to reach your limits. It is impossible for me to overstate how glad I am that I joined Gateway Crossfit. John and Mark are not only great trainers, but are two of the most decent men I know, and I know that I would not have stuck with the program at any other facility.

In 2 words or less: IT WORKS! Gateway Crossfit may be the business name, but the men who own this business, these proficient trainers are “CROSSFIT”. Mark and John not only are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about training, but are down to earth, non-judgmental, and understanding. They are willing to work with any level of fitness of that individual client, to help him or her achieve their goals. The physical results are what most people are looking for. That happens! I am more fit, have increased stamina, have lost weight (18 lbs.) and inches in arms, legs, butt, thighs, plus I have a waist again! But the added bonuses to the physical results are also tremendous. (Obviously, you do get compliments, and who doesn’t like those!) I am so much happier; Gateway Crossfit definitely helps alleviate those day to day stresses (we all know about those endorphins kicking in). I also love the inner satisfaction of improving my skills and endurance. Mark skillfully coaches me, as I work weekly on these personal challenges. The program is pretty simple. Mark and John work to individualize a program for you depending on your particular interest and goals. With clear instruction, they train you with short, intense workouts. By using a variety of workouts you will find that the sessions are never boring or routine. They incorporate stretching with all of the strength training, and information on diet too. Not only do they train with the right encouragement, Mark and John are sincerely very happy to see their clients’ skills, strength and accomplishments grow. Their personalized program works. Try it. Gateway Crossfit is a fun place to be!

I have been working out for years… weight… cardio but I have never seen results like these with CrossFit!! I have never felt so strong or looked this trim and toned in my entire life!! Gateway Crossfit has definitely changed my life. If you haven’t checked it out, you need to today! All it takes it one time and you will know what us CrossFit peeps are talking about!!

I’ve never worked out a day in my life and decided to get off my butt and do something. So I signed up with Gateway Crossfit. It is a great way to get started. It gave me the one on one time I needed to learn how to push myself. I feel great and would recommend Gateway Crossfit to anyone of any size,shape or age.

By the first of the year in 2012, I was overweight. And, I was miserable. My diet was terrible, and my exercise routine was sporadic and boring. I was a member of a fitness club that I hated, and I could barely muster up the motivation to workout. I needed something different. I tried Crossfit after hearing other’s testimonials. The first session was free, so I figured “what the heck?” I remember working intensely that day. Mark (one of Gateway’s personal trainers) pushed me harder than I have ever pushed myself! However, it wasn’t a particularly long session. I was surprised at the intensity and pleased with the smaller duration. I really didn’t like to work out at this point. The next day my muscles ached. I could tell that I had actually done some work. But I felt really good. I decided at that point to continue with the sessions. In the beginning, I dreaded my sessions because they were hard. But I really liked the variety of workouts, and I really liked that they didn’t take too long. I was able to push past my ‘dread’ by reminding myself that the workout won’t be long…and, I will feel great afterward. As I continued with Crossfit, I began to change my diet. I began to transform my thoughts and feelings about the workouts. I became less and less dreadful of my workouts. And, I began to see a change in my body and feel a change in my fitness level. I was able to do workouts faster and was able to lift heavier… and, the changes happened FAST!

9 months later I have lost 40 pounds and wearing clothes I haven’t worn in twenty years. I look better than I did when I was a professional athlete! I have had to replace my wardrobe, but that is a great problem to have. I now look forward to my Crossfit sessions. I love how I feel afterward, and absolutely love the transformation that my body has taken. My energy level is much greater, and I have confidence that I haven’t had in many, many years. If you are thinking of trying Crossfit, stop thinking and just do it! You will never regret it!