We are very happy to announce that Chris Garay will be general manager of CrossFit Charlottesville starting at the end of the month. As you know, things have been getting very busy for us and we’re really happy to bring Chris on board make your experience at the gym ever better. We hired Chris because he’s an inspiring leader, a passionate fitness expert, an awesome member of our community and someone who has all the right skills to build CrossFit Charlottesville into a leading fitness center. Chris will be responsible for all general management at the gym and helping out with the SuperFit Games. Please join us in welcoming Chris to our family and we look forward to his leadership now and in the future.
We asked Chris a few questions about this role and thought you’d like to hear his answers…
Can you talk briefly about your fitness background and how you found CrossFit?
Although I played a variety of childhood sports (soccer, basketball, wrestling, karate), I spent my summers during high school and college traveling the country performing with drum and bugle corps. During my last year at UVa I began training for triathlons, and my sister recommended I check out CrossFit. I read and tried as much as I could, and luckily CrossFit Charlottesville opened its doors that summer.
What do you do outside of the gym?
I teach marching percussion at UVa in the fall, GMU in the winter, and for a group based in Atlanta in the summer. My band The Anatomy of Frank has also recorded our first album and tours regionally.
Can you talk about your experience with CrossFit Charlottesville over the last few years?
When I first started CrossFit I had never seriously lifted weights, so although my bodyweight movements and running capacity were both okay, the whole barbell thing threw me for a loop. During my first year at the gym I was also reading as much information online as I could to understand how to get better and train smarter. A few certifications later, I began apprenticing and eventually training classes at CrossFit Charlottesville, and I really enjoyed the whole experience. We have established a culture of hard work with a clientele of really smart and caring people, and everyday I get to see the results of my work.
What made you decide to take the general manager position?
Over the past three years one constant discussion amongst trainers and members in our gym has always been, “How can we make the gym better?” As the general manager I will have the opportunity to work with highly educated and super fit individuals all for the sake of answering that question!
What do you view for the future of CrossFit Charlottesville?
I see CrossFit Charlottesville becoming a leader regionally and nationally for how to effectively run a fitness facility that gets results, keeps people coming back, and promotes an atmosphere of hard work and enjoyment. Specifically, I am excited about potentially growing into a new and improved location, further expanding our website, and offering more goal-oriented classes and training programs.
Anything else you’d like to say?
Clean up your chalk, catch your wall balls, and squat lower! Haha in all seriousness though, always feel free to contact me about any aspect of the gym. I’m here to help! Thanks.
Chris, we are happy to have you on board! Welcome!
If anyone wants to contact Chris, his email is chrisg@crossfitcharlottesville.com.
Woo! Congrats Chris! Can’t wait to have you back!
Nice one dude, looking forward to your benevolent leadership!
Yay! Are you going to be doing the programming again too?
Chris, you will be fantastic mostly because you put your heart and soul into everything you do! We can all learn from you! Speaking of soul, when can we hear the band next???
So excited for you, Chris, and for the rest of us of who get to reap the benefits of having you at the helm!!
Nice, Congrats
Congrats Chris!