Orlando Bermudez

The “O”

The first few months after Orlando Bermudez (AKA "O") joined CFLB, he put on about 20 pounds of muscle weight. He's since shed those 20 pounds as well as a few pant sizes, thanks to his Paleo eating habits. "This is definitely the thinnest I've been," Orlando admits. "My clothes are a lot looser."

Strong to begin with, Orlando has seen himself get significantly more powerful and faster since doing CrossFit. "It's not just that I can bench press more weight," he explains. "The strength I have now is a lot more functional."

Orlando's also seen dramatic improvements in his endurance and agility. He knocks out those pull-ups and has mastered the rope climb. His CFLB training has been spilling over into his outside life as well. "I'm definitely more active," he says. "I'm hiking more, biking more." He's even got his two sons doing more physical activities and eating a Paleo-friendlier diet. "There's no junk food in our house."

Ask him what he likes most about coming to CFLB, and he says it's the support you get from other members as well as the trainers. "Everyone's really encouraging, and we're all trying to improve ourselves, including the coaches. You don't get this kind of camaraderie and help at the big gyms."

"It's fun to tell people about what you did in the workout that day," Orlando adds. "And then they look at you like you're crazy." In fact, Orlando's been enjoying himself at CFLB so much, he's spent the last two weeks doing the WODs twice a day. Now that is crazy.

"Orlando has a lot of determination and is very strong. Everyone loves Orlando. He is kind of like the gym mascot," says CFLB Coach Chad.