CrossFit Balance

My husband and I dropped in for the Fourth of July WOD.
Danielle was polite and welcoming. While she did not lead class, she had a nice presence and I noticed her walking around throughout the WOD cuing other athletes (maybe I should have been WODing harder). The male coach who led class (sorry, forgot his name) was enthusiastic and encouraging. There were WOD dogs, too, which we LOVED — we have one of our own at home :)
The space is ample, especially for a city box, and I didn’t notice any shortage of equipment. In fact, I saw several air assault bikes — sweet! The barbells were nice to work with, too (we’ve been to plenty of gyms with crappy bars, these were not). The only downside is the pull-​up bar. They’re hung very high, and I’m very short. No biggie, I used a box to hop up there.
Keep in mind that there IS a difference between the CrossFit Balance boxes and the Balance Gyms themselves. Where there is a Balance box, there’s also a Balance globo gym. But the dedicated CrossFit space is smart and felt very comforting and welcoming. And the locker room (shared by both, from what I could tell) is absolutely beautiful.
Thanks for a great experience, Thomas Circle!

I’ve been training at CrossFit Balance Thomas Circle for nearly five years and decided it’s finally time to share my love for this box. The programming is on point, typically combining both strength work and a MetCon into one workout, as well as some mobility so everyone gets what their looking for. They also do a great job of mixing things up between well known WODs like Fran, Grace and Murph and their own creative programming.
Since this is important to a lot of people, I’ll touch on safety. They’re experts at teaching technique and appropriate scaling to minimize the potential of injuries. In my five years, I’ve never had a problem, except for the rope burn here or there.
Another plus that you don’t always find at other boxes is that CF Balance is female friendly. Chick clients are made to feel they are just as important as male clients and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. This goes to the point that CF Balance is so much more than a box, it’s a community. This is not always the case.
I can’t imagine training anywhere else.

This is the best place in the world. I’ve been to a couple of other boxes in DC, but none of them offer an additional gym, locker rooms, and classes that Balance does. Some people like to do crossfit and only crossfit and revel in their strict crossfit paleo cool-​aid, but I have pretty muscles that need tending to. So after my daily class I can get swole on the 2^nd floor weight room. Also, sometimes my bones be a hurting so why not go to one of the FREE yoga classes before/​after class or on my rest day? Or sometimes I’m feeling a little sexy, and I want to take a pole fitness class and learn a routine. All of that comes free with my monthly CF membership.
OHHH and with your crossfit membership you can go to the Thomas Circle, Glover Park (THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LOCKER ROOMS EVER + Steam room) and Foggy Bottom (HAS A FREAKING POOL) locations. So you have no excuses to not be ripped and jacked after your first 6 months.
Also, the coaches are all amazing athletes and great friends. The community is tight-​knit, fun and supportive of whatever your goals may be. I’ve met so many inspirational like-​minded women there whether they be coaches (Danielle Dionne, Alison Bender, Emily Baskin) or fellow crossfitters.

I have been training at crossfit balance for a month, and I love it! The workouts are difficult, but I am seeing results already. The trainers are nice and they help you as much as they can. I am already recommending crossfit balance to my friends and family.

Only have been here once, but I loved it!
I do Crossfit back in Atlanta, and I was in town for just a couple days.
They were just a few blocks away from where I was, so I ran up and was able to jump into the class without any hassle.
There was a group warmup (which was pretty thorough by my standards).
We did some skill work on clean & jerks, and then worked with a partner up to a 1 rep max. I got a new PR (personal record) while I was here which was awesome, and learned some different approaches to technique which were much appreciated.
The main workout (WOD) was an ungodly amount of sprinting. I guess they must have known it was my weak area.
The back alley serves as the «track» which was nice, so that there weren’t too many spectators to see me finish last. (haha!)
The instructor had great energy, was skilled and also funny (which took the edge off that dastardly running) and one of the guys that finished way early actually ran my last lap with me to keep me going. Awesome crowd.
Whenever I’m in DC, I’ll be here!

I went through a month on a Living Social special and ultimately did not sign up. Their foundations program to get people up an running is not structured well. I didn’t get much of a workout during the first three weeks of classes (with workouts only 2 times a week). Then you get pummeled with the speed and intensity of the regular classes.
On the plus side, the classes have a lot of variety, so you will not be bored and will work hard. However, with all the talk of proper form so that you don’t hurt yourself, when it came down to it, they just push you hard on speed. I had imagined I would be able to slow down and just take a long time to get through the workout for the areas I was weak in, but that’s not really the dynamic during classes. Since I’ve been going to a chiropractor, this was a big deal for me and after many of the exercises, my knees and joints hurt. I want my muscles to be sore after a workout, not my joints. Its ultimately why I decided not to continue.
I think people who already have a great level of fitness and strength will enjoy this place. But if you are looking to use this place exclusively to get into shape, I would expect more at their prices, which are very steep ($ 195 a month).
Other plusses — the facilities are very nice. The inside is a bit cramped, especially with more than one class going on. Fortunately, they have outside areas they can expand into to make up for it. The instructors are very nice and have great energy. They have a good number of classes. Perhaps if they had classes of different ability levels, it would be more accessible.

CrossFit is like boot camp with a much friendlier trainer and cohorts that cheer you on, pushing you just far enough beyond your perceived limits to get a kick ass workout!
I tried CrossFit for the first time this weekend. The workout began with some warmup stretches, followed by burpees, inch worm walks, push ups, squats, and lunges. The most challenging and fun element of the exercise was doing 500 meter sprints on the rowing machine while competing for the best time against others in the class. Our trainer, Meghan, divided the class into two groups so that each group would have a cheering section as they completed their heat. The cheering motivated me to keep pushing when my arms felt like they were going to give out.
This workout brought out my competitive edge in addition to giving me a great upper body workout.
I’d definitely take another CrossFit class here. My biceps would be thankful!

I’ve been training at Crossfit Balance since February, and frankly, it has completely transformed the way I approach training and fitness. The facility is amazing: with a dedicated 2,700 sq ft Crossfit studio, complete with rowing ergs, a massive strength grid, bumper plates, tires, barbells, dumbells, kettlebells… the works!
But it’s not just the facility that is amazing. The Crossfit program is run by a stellar group of trainers and professional athletes, under the supervision of Danielle Dionne, a Crossfit Level 1 Certified Instructor and accomplished athlete in her own right. The program Danielle and her team have developed allows people who are new to Crossfit training ample time and attention to work on technique prior to joining the regular daily training schedule. Through a comprehensive Foundations Course, all new entrants undergo a 4 week (8 session) course designed to teach participants ideal Crossfit technique and mechanics, to improve skills and avoid injury.
The programming for the more experienced Crossfitters is also designed to achieve progress and gains in strength, with a consistent focus on proper technique and mechanics. Each daily workout, communicated through the daily CrossfitBalance blog, is designed to provide challenging workouts to promote strength and improve metabolic conditioning and athletic performance.
Classes are held throughout the day: with workouts in the early-​morning, mid-​day, and four consecutive evening workouts that kick off at 5 pm. The frequency of these allows for class numbers to stay small, so that the trainers are able to provide sufficient attention to each athlete.
The Crossfit program is also complemented by regular workshops on areas like Kettlebell Training, Olympic Lifting, Grip Strength, Paleo Nutrition, etc. The gym also offers great services like Functional Movement Screenings, conducted by their in-​house Physical Therapist.
The diversity of the athletes in the program is great– people of all fitness levels, and all ages are welcome. Unlike other Crossfit programs I’ve tried in the past which can sometimes be intimidating, the atmosphere at Crossfit Balance is super-​friendly and welcoming, without compromising the intensity that is integral to Crossfit training.
So whether you’re a seasoned athlete, or someone new to fitness training– this Crossfit program will help you achieve significant progress. Personally, although I’ve been a regular gym-​goer for a number of years and played varsity-​level sports, I am challenged to push the limits of what I am able to achieve physically almost every day I work out at Crossfit Balance. In a few short months, I’ve noticed considerable progress not only in myself, but amongst almost all the regulars at the program.
I’m hooked! You will be too.

I’ve been training at Crossfit Balance for about 6 months, and I have nothing but good things to say about it. The gym is a typical crossfit setup– lots of rubberized floor space (both inside and on a small patio in the back), plenty of pullup bars and rings, and a variety of barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, sandbags, boxes, etc, plus several rowing machines. The most unique feature of the gym is the strength grid, which is a nasty combination of monkey bars, u-​shaped bars, and I-​beams that athletes (try to) traverse to build grip strength.
As for the trainers– everyone is friendly, motivating, and very knowledgeable. I’ve gained strength in every major lift, while improving my conditioning, building muscle, and losing fat. I had pretty much plateaued in strength for several years before starting here, so that’s saying a lot.
The best part of the gym is the atmosphere– the trainers push you to consistently (and safely) improve, the classes are lots of fun (in a masochistic kinda way), and the other athletes who work out here are just awesome. I actually hate to take days off to recover because I enjoy class so much. I definitely recommend Crossfit Balance for beginners to fitness enthusiasts.