Upper East Side

David Deninzon, Upper East Side

How/when did you get involved in CrossFit?
I started in July 2017. After being a water polo player for over a decade while in high school and college, I couldn’t find any sport that would excite me enough and that didn’t require 4 to 6 hours a day in a pool. I did a few EVF 360s in the last 2 to 3 years and loved them, but I really wanted to do CrossFit. Because of work hours and travel, I never had a chance to do the On-Ramp. In June last year, I finally discovered I could do On-Ramp on a Saturday and the rest is history.

Do you remember your first workout? How was it?
I think it was brutal, but I can’t remember. What I remember is that for the first couple of months on my early walks to the gym, I was excited and intimidated about the WOD, hoping I could “survive” it.

What were your goals when you first started? How have they changed?
I wanted to lose weight, and I’ve lost ~40 pounds since. Now I am focusing on improving my movements and skills, getting better and better and continuing to have fun.

How have you grown in that time — health, body, mind, etc.?
I feel healthier and in better shape, but the impact on my mindset has been the greatest. I have an extremely demanding work schedule, which includes long hours and weekly travel. CrossFit allows me to forget about work problems while I’m at the gym. It allows me to take time for myself and unplug for a bit.

What do you enjoy most about CrossFit?
The community and intensity of the exercises. I’ve met awesome people at the gym who have encouraged me to get better every day. Also, the intensity and constant change in routines make it fun as every WOD becomes a challenge and I enjoy pushing myself to accomplish it.

Favorite lift and WOD?
Snatch and “12 days of Christmas”

What about your least favorite?
Anything burpees

What motivates you?
The sense of competition and the ability to always do things heavier and faster. It is great to workout with individuals who have been at it for a long time who push me to do more and more.

Do you have any advice for new members?
It is a painful start but totally worth doing it. If you were to ask me about a year ago, I would have told you there is no way to get in shape at 35 after being tied to a desk for so long and still have fun. It takes dedication, but it’s nowhere near impossible.

What do you hope to achieve in the coming year?
I just want to continue having fun and learn how to do the more complex gymnastic movements I haven’t conquered yet.