What brought you to Ariston in the first place?

I came to Ariston to get fit, keep healthy and be consistent.

Mel joined Ariston when we opened in May of 2016. Unsure if CrossFit was for her and if she could do it. Mel stuck with it, determined to lose weight. After 12 months of regular classes and balanced nutrition Mel lost 20kg, most of this being body fat. This was a huge achievement! Mel continues to strive towards losing further excess weight. Watch Mel’s full story and how her daughter triggered her change below.

What brought you to CrossFit in the first place?

I wanted to so something to get fit, was considering joining a gym but decided to try CrossFit instead.

What was your first impression? How has that changed?

First impression ‘this is hard, I’ll just do three days a week’. After the first month I started going five days a week. It’s not hard, just a challenge!

What was your first proud moment?

Completing a full workout of RX (as prescribed)

What are you working on now?

Upper body strength. My goal is to do muscle-up

What’s your favourite Ariston memory?

The amazing trainers and team who provide support and encouragement.

Before joining Ariston Narridy had already managed to lose a lot of body fat. She achieved this through a balanced approach to nutrition. Through Narridy’s approach of doing things she can do for life she joined the Ariston community. Our program is perfect for Narridy as it is always different she never gets bored. Learn more about Narridy’s story below.

What brought you to CrossFit in the first place?

It was conversation with a work colleague and her good friend and Crossfit coach at the time who asked me straight up what positive lifestyle choices was I currently showing and or instilling into my daughter’s life? My first reaction to this question was “I’m doing heaps of things” but the longer I pondered over this question I soon realised I wasn’t doing anything!! I’d never exercised EVER, I didn’t get out and play or run around with my daughter as I didn’t have the energy and I certainly didn’t take my daughter to the beach as I was too ashamed to put on a swimsuit?!? But more than anything I realised I wasn’t doing anything for myself and I certainly didn’t want my daughter to grow up not appreciating the body she’s been given and or ever thinking she wasn’t capable or worthy of doing and or achieving anything she sets her mind to.  So with this I made contact with my work colleagues Crossfit coach and arranged to attend my first class to see what this “CrossFit” thing was all really about.

What was your first impression?

My first class was like nothing I’d ever experienced….. I went alone so I knew absolutely nobody!! I will definitely admit I was super anxious as I had always feared going into a gym for I didn’t have an athletic body and I wasn’t sure what was going to be asked if me? Upon arriving to my first class I was pleasantly surprised to find everyone in the class very welcoming and the constant encouragement each member gave each other throughout the class was so inspiring.  The coach was amazing taking the time to chat with me to get an understanding of my fears and abilities.  But I’ll admit that’s where the warm and fuzzies ended for me and what came next was an overwhelming feeling of disappointment and disbelief that I was so incredibly unfit, I walked most of the 400m warm up, I could barely do a crunch so a full sit up was definitely out of the question and then there was the box jumps….. I couldn’t even complete a 15 cm jump up onto a foam mat???? It was this feeling which left me wanting more as it was in this moment I realised I didn’t want to be an unfit mum and more importantly I wanted to make sure I was going to be a great active role model for my daughter.

How has that changed?

Crossfit/exercise is now a regular part of my week.  I actually enjoy going for a run, sit-ups are no longer a challenge and best of all I have a much more active lifestyle with my daughter we love nothing more than getting out and about on the weekends going to the beach etc.

What was your first proud moment?

Running a full 3kms non stop!! I was definitely not the fastest nor did I have the best technique but I did it nonetheless and that feeling of accomplishment is something that will stay with me for a long time to come.

What are you working on now?

I’m currently working on strengthening my core as this is definitely a weakness for me and an integral component for most of the movements we do.  

What’s your favourite Ariston memory?

My favourite Ariston memory would definitely have to be the atmosphere/camaraderie I experienced during the Crossfit open workouts.  It’s this level of team spirit that I believe makes Ariston unique and something I’m so very proud to be apart of.

What brought you to CrossFit in the first place?

I was bored with gym classes and the impersonal environment, I wanted a new challenge.

What was your first impression? How has that changed?

I felt really daunted going to my first academy session, that I was not going to be strong enough or fit enough. That feeling soon ended when I realized everything is scalable and there is no pressure to do a certain weight or movement.

What was your first proud moment?

Getting my first double under.

What are you working on now?

Getting to my first pull up and PB for 10km.

What’s your favourite Ariston memory?

Completing the triple 3 WOD full distances.