I’m really glad I joined Ronin CrossFit for a number of reasons.

First of all, it’s a lot of fun. Everyone in the gym, from the trainers to the Ronin CrossFitters themselves, are a very welcoming and down-to-earth bunch, and after a long day at work I look forward to getting together with people from all over the world for a banter and a good workout.

But I’m also glad I joined because it’s one of the few places I’ve trained where I feel safe when I’m working out. I came to Ronin as a relapsed gym-goer with shoulder injuries, dodgy knees and replacement hip joints. When you have an injury one of the things you worry about is doing something incorrectly – or doing the wrong exercise – and making the injury even worse. The Ronin trainers really know their stuff, and during every workout session they tailored all the exercises to what I needed, and I felt confident that I wouldn’t injure myself further.

But it didn’t stop there. They also gave me extra exercises to strengthen muscles that helped nurse the various injured bits back to health. So now, for example, I’ve gone from barely being able to raise my arms above my head to being able to shoulder-press more kilos than I ever thought possible.

Thanks for all the fun and fitness, guys, as well as the continued
motivation and encouragement!

Colette KinsellaIndependent radio producer

Started with Ronin about 12 months ago and all through that time the guys have constantly kept the work outs fresh and different. They’re great at explaining why we’re doing each workout / wod / exercise whatever you want to call it. And that allows you can take it away with you and do it in your own time. They consider all aspects of training from work out, rest and recovery. They’re a solid bunch of guys who have no heirs and graces and make everyone feel welcome.

Marty Kane

After years of low calorie dieting and constant cardio in my gym, with little success, I was desperate for something different, and although sceptical (I just didn’t understand how I could get fitter by training for a shorter time), I turned up.

Having never been part of a team before the atmosphere was new to me and I realised then that Crossfit was like nothing else out there. The sense of community and support that it gives is just as important as the workouts we do.

Through educating myself on the paleo diet many crossfitters follow, I can honestly say I feel better than I ever have. Now for the first time in my life I’m not concerned about the number on the scales, but the number I can deadlift, push press and overhead squat. The amazing drive and energy of our instructors is contagious, they follow their own example and practice what they preach, and it means for the first time in my life I look forward to working out rather than seeing it as a chore. Crossfit is tough, challenging, rewarding, ever-changing, exhilarating, fun-and I love it!

Nicola McGillicuddyAnalytical scientist

“After coming back from a year away and sitting on my ass for a few months I figured I should get fit again. Partially through a bet and my own decision I tentatively reached out to the guys at Ronin, which turned out to be a fantastic decision.
I had one initial evaluation where Eamonn got up to speed on what I was capable of by trying me out with various movements, and then into a short on-ramp course. This was great, myself and a few other newbies working together to get used to some of the movements and start to look at what we needed to improve on. I had issues with my back from sitting down for a year straight, and Eamonn gave me odd extra curricular work to help start setting that right.

Getting into the normal morning classes was fantastic, from day one everyone is supportive, high fives all round and altogether good fun. The morning coach was already aware of the limitations I had, and advised me when I had questions. I about died in those first workouts, but the feeling afterwards was great. Even when you’re last to finish, the others cheer you on and get you over the line.

Several months later and I’m the fittest I’ve ever been, loving getting up in the morning to join the crew for a blast, and I’m getting to ring the bell every week or two as I hit a new PR (a great addition, it gets a cheer from the entire gym when you do).

I’m eating well, training well, and my fitness journey is as enjoyable as it ever was, all thanks to the encouragement of the members and the coaches. That, and I can easily squat my girlfriend, a great laugh on top of all the compliments from friends and family!”

Cian Scolard