Ethan founded CFWP in 2012 and his been the sole owner and head coach ever since. Read in his own words why this all started!
Enrich. Empower. Inspire.
“In 2010, I felt like I was drifting in life - unmotivated, without a clear sense of purpose, not unhappy but not happy either. I discovered CrossFit by starting to do it by myself in my garage, and found more than just a way to get in incredible shape. I found inspiration. The more I learned the more passionate I became. My wife and I started CrossFit Wash Park because we realized something had been missing in our lives. We wanted to be happier. We wanted to gain confidence. We wanted to be the best possible versions of ourselves - physically, mentally, and emotionally. And most importantly, we wanted to find others who felt the same.
We believe CrossFit is an ideal pursuit with which to chase these goals. In the 13+ years since we've been helping people across Denver get healthier and happier, we've developed a growing community that is a focal point of our lives. We have no aspirations to have 500 members or a stadium sized facility. For us, the primary goal is to build strong relationships with a vested group of incredible people who want to improve inside and outside the gym. Coaches and athletes alike, helping each other to grow.
We realize that every gym’s website says similar things - community, coaching, culture, etc. So we don’t expect you take our word for it. Come in for a free week or set up a time to meet with me so I can show it to you in person. I look forward to meeting you soon!”
-E
CFWP Timeline, 2010-today
2010: E hears about CF from a college friend at a wedding and is immediately intrigued. He goes home and starts learning from CrossFit “mainsite” and youtube. After unsuccessfully trying to do CF at a globo gym, he buys a barbell, pullup bar and kettlebell. One small section of garage becomes the gym. He trains alone after his small kids go to bed, following the 3 on, 1 off CF protocol.
2011: E is hooked. He adds 10# of muscle, and also gets his L1. He convinces one fellow dad to try one workout. That leads to another dad, then their wives. Once he’s training friends and neighbors, Kristina (E’s wife) starts coming outside to join in. Everyone working out in the garage lives within walking distance and have small children - just a bunch of friends laughing, learning, doing things they’ve never done, and slowly getting ripped. There is no heat in the garage, in the winter we use a propane heater and wear gloves. We stop parking in here.
2012: We “go public” with a website, facebook page, and craigslist. In April we formally become a garage affiliate. We run classes before work and after work, using a google doc for our 15+ members to sign up for 6 person classes. The entire garage is now a gym.
2012-2015: CFWP 2.0 - “the little gym”; our first commercial space. It’s 2000 sf - fitting 12 people at a time is a challenge, and sometimes the next class warms up outside for lack of space. We do a lot of stuff in the parking lot on weekends. E leaves his former career behind.
2015-2017: CFWP 3.0 - “the Kmart gym”…because we shared a wall with Kmart. It’s massive compared to the little gym - 6000sf - and we have our first big growth. Our regulars are getting so good at CF! Friday Night Lights are can’t miss events. E gets his L2. We love this space despite getting some weirdos from the shopping center coming in to see what’s happening. Our lease is (legally) broken as the landlord is selling for redvelopment. This is stressful haha.
2017-2022: At a wedding of two athletes who met at the gym, we make the decision of which location will be our next. After a grueling move, in August we start at CFWP 4.0 - “the Mississippi gym”, across the street from Rome’s. E gets his L3 and we hire our first second full time coach. We make the leap to be open all day (not close between class blocks). We make it through COVID, and the growth that followed the lockdowns means we need a bigger spot. We have now had some people training with us for a decade.
2022-current: CFWP 5.0 - “the Evans gym”, 7000 sf stand alone building. A large percentage of our community has been with us for 5+ years, and we’ve been around long enough to have what we refer to as an “alumni” network. We regularly have 100+ register for the CF Open, and host many annual traditions. We’re up to 7 gym weddings (met at CFWP), even more gym babies. We have the most equipment and space we’ve ever had, and a few of our athletes build a bar out back. Come check it out!