CrossFit Vertical

Fantastic experience: Highly recommend! This is my neighborhood gym and I LOVE IT. The atmosphere is welcoming, inclusive, body positive, focused, and FUN. The coaches are great at teaching fundamentals and helping everyone find and push their own personal limits in ways that feel encouraging and safe. I avoided crossfit for a long time because I was worried it would be an overly macho/militaristic vibe. Crossfit Vertical is the opposite of that. I've been going for four months now and feel part of a community that cares about me. Plus I'm getting stronger and more confident in my everyday life.

Fantastic experience: My husband and I started together a few months ago and are really loving it. We were starting from zero and we both have felt supported by each and every coach. They take the time to answer all of my (many) questions, help me learn all the Cross Fit movements, and to find scaling options that work for my body. I really appreciate that I am encouraged to work hard, but also to listen to and respect my limits. It has been really fun and connecting to do as a couple (even if we usually can't go to class at the same time). As a remote worker, I love that it gets me out of the house and connecting with community regularly, which has been an added mental health support!

Fantastic experience: I came to CrossFit vertical 6 months ago with no prior experience and very low overall fitness. The community and coaching staff are welcoming and kind. The scaling options offered make every workout accessible. I enjoy making steady, measurable gains in my health, stamina and strength. If you are looking to improve these things and don’t know where to start, this is the place.

Fantastic experience: I first tried out CrossFit at CrossFit Vertical and I’m really glad this was where I started CrossFit. The coaches are all excellent. They really took the time to make me feel comfortable while I learned all of the movements and showed me options to modify everything based on my skill level and comfort. I really appreciate that at the beginning and end of each class they lead us through stretches and break down the movements to make sure everyone works out with safety in mind. It’s a very inclusive and welcoming community. I’ve had an extremely positive experience there and would recommend CrossFit Vertical to anyone in the area looking for a new place to get fit and build their strength!

Fantastic experience: As a longtime runner, I started Crossfit in September and attend 2-3x per week in order to gain general strength. I love the sense of community, the dedicated coaches and can now carry 50 pound bags of dogfood with ease, and have noticeable biceps for the first time. I look forward to classes and always feel great afterwards. The other athletes and coaches are friendly, supportive and want you to get stronger at your own pace and ability. I highly recommend Vertical!

Fantastic experience: Before starting Crossfit a year ago, I never ever (not once) called myself an athlete— I didn’t even like exercise. In the last year, I have witnessed all aspects of my health drastically improve and my confidence grow immensely. I’ve felt so supported by the coaches who knew how to meet me where I was on any given day— I’ve been so lucky to work with Andy, Jana, and Jon and all the other coaches. At Vertical, it goes far beyond the actual programming. So many places claim community without actually building it but CF Vertical is one of the most nurturing, spirited, and kind communities I’ve been a part of anywhere. Vertical’s commitment to serve and be in conversation with the community at large aligns with my own ethos around community care. Not to mention their sliding scale membership fee which I haven’t heard of anywhere else. If you’re considering, let this be your sign!

Fantastic experience: I've been doing CrossFit for quite some time and wanted to do a drop-in to visit some old friends and see the new space! It was one of the best experiences I've had at a CF gym. The owners, Jana and Andy, are incredible people. They are caring, kind, passionate about their community and have created a wonderful space for people to work on their fitness. The space is super clean and organized. The equipment is well taken care of and looks like it was purchased yesterday. Everyone in the class was friendly and supportive. I'm looking forward to my next visit. If you're on the fence about where to go, invest in your health and take a look at CrossFit Vertical.

Fantastic experience: My CrossFit Vertical membership is easily the best investment I've ever made in my health. Before signing up for a trial class at CFV, I'd never even picked up a barbell, and all the CrossFit lingo sounded like alphabet soup to me. But the coaches met me exactly where I was at fitness- and knowledge-wise to help me feel comfortable and welcome from the start. Fast-forward almost a year, and I'm in the best shape of my life -- both physically and mentally. I love the community here, and I learn something new every time I come to class. Whether you're someone looking for a new fitness routine or a seasoned CrossFitter, check out CFV -- you'll be glad you did.

Fantastic experience: I seriously--seriously--love going to CFV. I wish my home scheduled allowed me to go five days a week--or eight--instead of just three. The coaches are attentive, expert, fun and great at pushing me to do and be better, always from where I'm at. It's a highlight every day I get to work out here!

Fantastic experience: CrossFit Vertical is a great place to work out! The owners and the athletes are encouraging and welcoming to people of all ages and ability. I am 71 and the workouts have scaling options that allow me to feel good about what I can do. There is a lot of smiling there.

Fantastic experience: Winter is coming! And where will I be? At CrossFit Vertical -- a bright, new, cheery, supportive place to work out. Come for the community and fitness, stay for the really cool glass art everywhere. My partner and I joined CrossFit Vertical on Day 1 and have found it to be supportive, a place for community, and top-notch instruction. They're open about welcoming everyone, every identity, and making sure that lessons can be scalable for your fitness ability. Day 1, community members came in off the street -- people of all ages. Gym members ages range from Cornell undergrads to members in their 70s/80s. To start classes, owners Andy and Jana have you sign up for on-ramp classes to make sure you "move well to live well" -- the gym's motto. The whole group of coaches are kind, enthusiastic, and ready to instruct -- pushing when it's right, paying attention if your movement is off. We recently moved to Ithaca, and the pandemic destroyed chances of building community. As a competitive swimmer and athlete, I am wholeheartedly in love with this place, and I look forward to learning new things and building up my health. I'll also say this -- the owners are super aware about their impact in the community. The goal is ultimately to bring joy through movement. There are even scalable payment plans -- they want to be a fixture in Ithaca -- and I think they will be.

Fantastic experience: I am grateful for the opportunity to be coached by Jana Leyden and Andy Lonsky. My fitness, strength and stamina...not to mention my confidence... have increased remarkably. I never believed I could progress this far and could not have done it without the inspired and supportive coaching that meets me where I am and takes me further than I believed. Thank you CrossFit Vertical ♥️

Fantastic experience: Crossfit has been so beneficial to my health and well-being. CrossFit as well this specific type of coaching that Jana offers is a huge part of my life, allowing me to stay strong and healthy after a pregnancy and the birth of my daughter. I can’t imagine any other type of fitness keeping me motivated the way this has! Sammi Dickerman Crossfit Vertical Member

Fantastic experience: I’m very new to CrossFit and was quite apprehensive about working out in a gym and with a coach. Jana’s coaching style and extensive fitness knowledge put me at ease and I have grown tremendously as an athlete while working with her. I never thought I would be excited about functional fitness, but I love putting in the hard work and seeing small improvements every day. Jana and Andy go out of their way to ensure that everyone feels welcome and that the workout/movements are accessible to folks of every skill level and ability. Not only do they emphasize the development of solid, foundational skills, they are able to develop tailored programming that continues to challenge my abilities and encourage long-term growth. Jana and Andy are warm, friendly people who are passionate about the work they do and the people they train. They have intentionally created a positive and welcoming atmosphere – their zeal for functional fitness and their clients is palpable.

Fantastic experience: CrossFit Vertical is my favorite gym in Ithaca! I like the coaches here, all of them are super nice and very professional. They have been giving me a lot of guidance and support to improve my training performance. The friendly and community environment in this gym makes it easy to stay motivated. I usually take the early morning classes here, and it’s my favorite way to start a new day.

Fantastic experience: CrossFit Vertical is a great gym for people who are looking for a friendly, accessible, and well run box. The small class size and skilled coaches make for a very personalized experience which I value greatly, because learning technique well makes for better fitness, and a greater feeling of accomplishment and progress. And it's really nice to have a gym that's kept very clean!

Fantastic experience: My only regret is that I did not start CrossFit sooner! Working with Jana has been an amazing experience and I will be forever grateful for the time, patience and expertise she has shared with me. I am so inspired by Jana and Andy and how they are making functional fitness accessible to everyone in our community. So much so that I have chosen to become a coach so that I can share what I have learned with others. I become one percent better, stronger and healthier each and every day and I am so thankful to have the support of the CrossFit Vertical coaches cheering me on! Stacey Caskey CrossFit Vertical Coaching Intern

Fantastic experience: Crossfit Vertical is such an amazing community filled with people from diverse backgrounds and stages of life. Jana and Andy have dedicated so much time to making it not only a great place to workout, but also a home for everyone who attends. The workouts are varied and extremely accessible to anyone. The coaches work to make everyone feel challenged, no matter what level of skill the athletes may have. I always leave this gym feeling like the best version of myself, and I can attribute that to the tireless work put in by all of the coaches. I cannot recommend Crossfit Vertical highly enough, and I can honestly say that the best hour of my day is spent here.

Fantastic experience: I recently moved to Ithaca and I was looking for a CrossFit box that was accessible and that had great coaches. CrossFit Vertical is exactly what I was looking for. I am so glad I found CF Vertical. Andy, Jana and the team are friendly and such great coaches. The programming is amazing and will definitely help you reach your fitness goals. I would highly recommend especially to students, just like me, at Cornell or Ithaca College.

Fantastic experience: Andy and Jana have gone out of their way to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and their team provides safe, effective, and expert coaching that is tailored to each athlete's capabilities and experience. It's a great community of supportive athletes and I love the mix of those who are just beginning their fitness journeys, seasoned athletes, and everyone in between. I always find a doable, challenging, and fun workout, programmed to pack maximum fitness into a 40-to-60-minute block of time. I think it's the best bang for my fitness buck, and the most efficient way of maintaining strength, stamina, endurance, and flexibility. A special shout-out to those who are 50+ - you can totally do this, and you will feel the benefits everyday, I promise. CrossFit Vertical is a wonderful experience! What are you waiting for?!