Aside from being an amazing place to reach new heights physically, KOA's best quality is that is strives to create a positive atmosphere for all of its members.
There are no egos, and everyone (coaches and fellow athletes included) are as happy for you as they are for themselves. There is a special bond that forms from doing workouts together, that I wouldn't of ever thought was possible.
Whether you're a former athlete trying to get back into it, an elite athlete trying to reach the next level, a casual gym goer, or an athletic novice like I was, this is the place for you.
Koa will push you to be the best you can, and this is not only physically. They teach you to be mentally tough and to keep striving to improve. There is a mental toughness, determination, and aggression that you need to be able to lift a bar over your head. I found myself unknowingly taking the same confidence into other every day things in my life. You learn that things you never thought were possible, are very possible if you put a plan together and execute it.
When I started, I could barely lift the bar over my head, couldn't do a pullup, and was out of breath doing burpees within seconds. However, the community never let me feel down, and kept encouraging me. It would of been very easy to stop, but KOA has an atmosphere where you want to keep getting better, even when you are struggling... I really felt awful physically, but emotionally the support I got far outweighed it.. This pushed me, and others to keep going.
I stayed with it, and It's amazing how 3 years later to see how far I've come. I've gone from not even knowing how to squat to squatting nearly 400lbs. I couldn't do a pullup, but now can grab the rings and pull off some muscle ups... Somehow I can even throw up over 150% of my bodyweight over my head... The program just works!
If there is a negative, it's that this place has somehow created a magic atmosphere and unbelievable positive energy that makes you think you can do anything if you put a plan together and execute it..
The confidence I gained from KOA made me believe that I could run the NYC Marathon, and a 70.3 Ironman Race... And somehow I did them both... If not for everything KOA has taught me, then I don't think any of these would of even been thoughts in my wildest dreams...
The constant motivation to get better never ends no matter where you are... Right now, I'm signed up for a 140.6 Mile Ironman Race in July, and because of KOA I'm crazy enough to know I can do it...
Join, and never look back!
Update, 8 years later, still all good. Since that time, I've done 5 full distance Ironmans. Definitely the best gym you can find. ~Georgios
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