Manic Training Fort Collins

10/14/2026

⭐ Member Highlight: Reuben Luzano ⭐

🔷 How long have you been coming to Manic?

I have been coming to Manic since its first day of operation in late August 2017, shortly after I came by to check out the place after hearing about it from friends. You, Craig, were still diligently painting the place orange and black.

🔷 What made you decide to join?

My daughter-in-law had gotten me to try something called CrossFit in May 2015, because all I really did regularly for fitness was run. The place she got me to go to closed after two years. I had come to NEED something else to continue with the strength and resistance training I had been accustomed to doing 3 times a week. I had been told about a place in Fort Collins on Mason. After seeing the kettle bells, assault bike, and other equipment I'd used and become familiar with at "brand X", it seemed I had found a suitable replacement to continue working out.

🔷 How has your experience compared to your expectations?

I can't say I had any unrealistic expectations other than having a place to work out consistently/regularly. That you claimed three times a week would keep me fit and coming back was all I felt I needed. And I do get that from coming to Manic as I have been for the past nine years.

🔷 How is Manic different from other gyms you’ve been to?

Moving to Loveland from Fort Collins involved my wife and me signing up for one of the typical gyms there - non-Brand X/non-Manic Training. Going there for me seemed to require a lot of self-talk to go get a workout done. And I would have to come up with the workout for myself. Also, Brand X involved more Olympic-style lifting that I was somewhat averse to, i.e., not much to my liking. The camaraderie that developed and pervades over the years has kept me wanting to be at the scheduled workout sessions and makes the hour rewarding, something that does not occur when working out alone.

🔷 What has changed the most about you over your time here?

I think what has changed for me most is that I have become more consistently self-confident about myself when it involves social interaction, being an example for others to show up, and showing that our minds truly are the only limiting factor when it comes to challenging ourselves physically.

🔷 What are your goals as you continue to train here?

My goals are to continue challenging myself, even if only to increase weights incrementally or do the prescribed reps in the time allotted, and to continue to do what I can to keep age-related and degenerative ailments at bay so that I can live till 96 like my dad - 20+ years for this 73 y.o. Also, continue having fun even though some days have involved 3-bandana workouts.

🔷 Do you have any advice for someone considering trying out Manic?

Do the hardest rep of walking into the building and once the session begins, have it in your head and heart that this is the most important thing you're doing for yourself for the hour you're here, and leave feeling you've achieved something. Recover and return regularly.

Visit us: manictrainingfoco.com

09/16/2026

⭐ Member Highlight: Juan Villasenor ⭐

🔷 How long have you been coming to Manic?

For nearly five years. I started in December 2022.

🔷 What made you decide to join?

My good friend, Paul Maes, had told me about it. He had great things to say about the workouts, and he was in great shape. While he “warned” me about the intensity of the workouts, that didn’t deter me. In fact, I looked forward to the challenge.

When I joined, I didn’t have a gym and was feeling out at sea when it came to my fitness. When I worked in Denver, I had worked out at a gym there and when I became a judge here, I could no longer do that. I started working out at a neighbor’s “garage gym” and the workouts were decent. They weren’t the most challenging, but they got the job done. But then Covid hit and he shut that down. I put off joining because of life events and being busy with work. I also bought app-based workout subscriptions but had mixed results. One of them got me injured.

Finally, shortly after Christmas in 2022, I went to my first class, and it was the best decision I made!

🔷 How has your experience compared to your expectations?

I didn’t really have any expectations. All I knew was that I wanted to get back in shape and Manic offered classes at times that I could go—typically early in the morning.

I still recall my first workout—it’s one we’ve done over the years: we did thrusters and something else on the ski erg. I remember feeling woefully out of shape, but glad that I was back in a fitness outline.

🔷 How is Manic different from other gyms you’ve been to?

Well, it’s the only gym that’s named a warm-up after me. LOL [J-U-A-Ns]

Aside from that, it’s very different. The community is great. If you come to a specific class at a specific time, that’s a great place to make friends and feel at your “gym home.” You make friends easily here and everyone is always willing to help.

The workouts, which are, of course, the star of the show, are also very different. They’re challenging, both physically and mentally. But there’s something for everyone in them.

🔷 What has changed the most about you over time here?

My fitness has greatly improved but so has my mental stamina. I treat the workouts as misogi rituals: tests of endurance and challenges to my comfort zones. For example, if I hadn’t joined, I don’t think I would’ve ever had the desire to do a GoRuck Tough event with other members. (That’s the all-night rucking event with multiple physical and mental challenges.) Or to carry over 90 pounds of animal meat during a hunt and hike it back up and down hills. Or to soak in the Poudre River in the dead of winter.

🔷 What are your goals?

My goals are to keep moving, maintain my physical shape, not injure myself, reduce my chances of getting dementia, lift heavy things, continue challenging myself with more misogi rituals, have fun, and make friends.

🔷 Do you have any advice for someone considering trying out at Manic?

I agree with what most people say in response to this question: if you join, stick with it. Stay consistent, ask for help, and enjoy yourself. Oh, and make friends!

09/06/2026

What a (SUPER HOT) and fantastic Saturday morning yesterday at the annual Summer Games! 🔥 Thank you for participating and thank you to all the judges who volunteered to make it happen... especially to Reuben who manned probably the most exhausting station. Thanks for all the laughs and positive spirits! Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

08/12/2026

⭐️ Couple Highlight:⭐️ Cindy and Kent Gundlach

🔶 How long have been coming to Manic?

Cindy: I started Manic in 2023 when I was still going back and forth to Chicago. I have been coming more consistently since June of 2025 when we sold our home in Illinois.

Kent: I started on October 3rd on 2025. It didn’t last very long because I had a cardiac event at the gym on Columbus Day. My heart rate went to 260 beats per minute, and the hospital shocked my heart back into rhythm. I spent two days in the intensive care and had a cardiac defibrillator with a pacemaker installed in my left shoulder for my heart. I couldn’t raise my left arm for a month. I returned to Manic in January of this year being badly out of shape.

🔶 What made you decide to join?

Cindy: The reason I started coming to Manic was that Craig insisted. Most people know that he is Kent and my son and when I was here by myself before Kent retired Craig said that if he was going to be responsible for me, I had to come to Manic. He did not want me falling on his watch. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Kent: The reason that I decided to join the gym was to improve my physical fitness to be able to ski better in Steamboat being in better shape.

🔶 How has your experience compared to your expectations?

Cindy: I was very apprehensive for many reasons. I knew that I would be the oldest Manic member. Even before I had multiple knee replacements, I was always awkward and not comfortable trying to do such specific movements. I was so happy with the welcome I received from everyone. All the members and coaches were so encouraging and there was no judgement.

Kent: My experience has been amazing. I didn’t expect that everyone would be so friendly and helpful.

🔶 How is Manic different from other gyms you’ve been to?

Cindy: Manic is miles above anything physical I have done in the past. I was never a fan of organized exercise. I was always uncomfortable thinking that people were critical of my limitations. The best thing about Manic is the people! When I get lost someone is always there to lend a hand to get me back on track. The workouts are always different and interesting. Craig and all the coaches are so good at making sure I am doing things correctly and also providing accommodations for things I cannot do. I really like having the option of watching the workout online before going to the gym.

Kent: I have not been to another gym; I have avoided gyms because when I have viewed them it always has people exercising on a lot of different exercise machines and everyone is watching a TV. It didn’t appear to be very friendly. At Manic you rotate exercises with a partner or a small group, and everyone talks to one another, it’s a neighborhood.

🔶 What has changed the most about you over your time here?

Cindy: Everything has changed since I joined Manic. I have lost 70 pounds. More importantly, I have met so many great people that make Kent and me so happy we moved to Fort Collins for our retirement years. It has been an adjustment for sure but now that Kent and I come together it is a good schedule. We know every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday starts with a workout. We laugh all the way home at how many things we screwed up and are still losing weight and feeling fit. Stairs and high cars are no match for me anymore!

Kent: Slowly but sure I’m get a little strong and improving my balance. My heart rate is decreasing with exercising and I’m starting to lose some weight.

🔶 What are your goals?

Cindy: My goals for the future are to continue to stay mobile and build strength so I can keep up with Skylar and Gavin and our two Golden Retrievers.

Kent: To gain endurance with better strength and improved balance.

🔶 Do you have any advice for someone considering trying out at Manic?

Kent: Give this gym a try, it’s a fun place with friendly helpful people that make working out more fun!

08/05/2026

Still Mom and Pop here. We still know you and still care, and we’re not going anywhere.

07/31/2026

‼️Our first ever Manic X class starts THIS Sunday at 8:00AM!‼️ Manic X is your ultimate preparation track for your next Functional Fitness competition, including the Denver Hyrox in November. Or, just attend to improve your fitness.

💥 Rule Mastery: Learn the exact movement standards, transition flow, and penalty traps to save precious seconds.

🔥 Physical Conditioning: Build the compromised running endurance and power output needed to crush all 8 functional stations.

Contact Craig if you're interested!

07/23/2026

At Manic we are all about getting you ready to go out into the world and bring your very best. Here are a few of our athletes kicking some butt! Chris was dominant at Nationals Rowing competition and Bill is out fighting fires to keep us all safe. This tribe is full of the best people!!!

07/16/2026

07/08/2026

Member Highlight: Morgan Williams

🔷 How long have you been coming to Manic?

Since December 2021. It’s been one of the greatest blessings in my life these past 5 years. Being a mom can strip you of your hobbies & feeling proud of yourself, and Manic has brought those things back into my life in many ways.

🔷 What made you decide to join?

Pure desperation. The post-partum slump was real, especially after having two babies during COVID & doing home workouts I dreaded. In a strike of fate, I met Pam and Craig at a park while carrying my 3-month-old…they could see the desperation, and I was immediately convinced. Manic has exceeded my expectations in the quality and intensity of the workouts, but also the genuine commitment to each members holistic health and wellbeing. I love it here!

🔷 How is Manic different from other gyms you’ve been to?

I am a bit of a gym snob…so the fact that I’ve been here for almost 5 years speaks for itself! I love the people, the intensity, and the functional fitness.

🔷 What do you like to do outside of Manic Training?

I work one day a week as an oncology nurse, but I would say my favorite hobby outside of working out is studying the Bible, as it’s the greatest story ever told. My friend and I recently wrote a bible study together which was a new endeavor that I really enjoyed. My dream is to go to seminary one day.

🔷 What has changed the most about you over your time here?

I used to work out for myself, but since having kids I seek to be strong and healthy for my kids and family. They’re my greatest motivation. I want to be the grandma hiking 14er’s with her kids and grandkids, and I know the training at Manic can actually get me there.

🔷 What are your goals as you continue to train here?

I love the culture here that pushes you to sign up for things that scare you…or as we like to say Type ll fun :) I want to continue to say Yes to things I’m not really sure I can do, and I’m grateful there are many here seeking to do the same. Hard is not the same thing as bad and I hope to live by that moto. Also, would love to be able to do a pull up

🔷 Do you have any advice for someone considering trying out Manic?

Keep showing up, sign up for something that scares you, and consider Jesus.

06/20/2026

https://www.instagram.com/p/DZxHd_ujQUA/?igsh=NWFqMDQ3NTR4cDNx