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About Us
We are comfortable being UNcomfortable!
The Crate is home to athletes of all fitness levels, ages, sizes, and walks of life.
We pride ourselves on providing our members with the resources and support they need to succeed, not just selling gym memberships and empty promises with no guidance.
No matter where you're starting from, we want to help YOU reach YOUR goals.
We started this community because we truly are passionate about helping people in their journey to become a better person physically and mentally. Each and every person that walks through our doors to seek improvement whether it be for health, fitness, quality of movement, or their mental capacity, we are excited and willing to share all the we have learned throughout the years.
- Angelo Lee, Owner/Head Coach
Our Story
I started coaching Functional Fitness methods in 2014. In 2019, I decided to start training clients out of my best friend’s garage for fun. After a couple of encounters with the county for noise complaints we decided it might be time to move and make this dream come true. In June of 2020 during one of the toughest times our nation and world has had to endure (COVID pandemic) we opened our doors to the public. Our name started as a joke we had at the garage. Another one of my best friends always carried his things in a crate. It dawned on me, how brilliant!!! A crate is breathable and airy and prevents that stinky gym smell that comes from our knee sleeves and wrist wraps. From then on we all got crates and used them as our gym bags and now we are proud to call our family The Crate Crew. And we also haven’t had any foul smells coming from our crates at the gym!
Meet the Crew
Angelo Lee
Owner & Head Coach
Angelo has been active and competitive since he could walk. He earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do at just 8 years old and began teaching TKD classes at his studio in his early teens. He also competed and became a two-time Maryland and Virginia state champion, qualifying for the Junior Olympics. For many years in his 20s, he became a sponsored skateboarder. He still enjoys skateboarding today and continues to promote and live an active lifestyle with his wife, Gretchen, his son, Grayson, and their dogs, Benny and Cooper.
In terms of coaching, Angelo is as technical as they come. His experience in martial arts and skateboarding laid the foundation for his incessant drive to improve when it comes to any of his passions. When he puts his mind to something, it becomes an all-consuming challenge: he dives head first into a black hole of self-education, mindfully studying and practicing movement.
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This attention to detail paired with his impressively keen eye make him the ideal coach for even the more technical sports we incorporate into our functional fitness classes, such as Olympic lifting and gymnastics.
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Coach Angelo takes great pride in seeing his athletes thrive, improve, and reach their goals. Just as he pushes his athletes to be their best, his own intrinsic sense of motivation keeps him constantly striving to better himself as well - truly leading by example.
Gretchen Lee
Owner & Nutrition Coach
"You will never always be motivated. You have to learn to be disciplined."
Not until I started Functional Fitness did I realize the importance of believing in myself and the true importance of community. I went from having doubt in myself to confidence, from frustration to devotion.
In 2017, I had the opportunity to compete at Regionals on a team and the following year in 2018 as an individual. The competition is built on so much more than fitness. It is a community of incredible athletes and people. It is the people within each gym that inspire me to be a better athlete and coach every day. I strive to achieve more because of the community we have. Live each day knowing you did everything you could to be the best you. Life is too good for regret. Be your best you.
Candace Muramoto
Coach & Manager
Sports and fitness have always been a part of my life in some way: track and field, soccer, Tae Kwon Do and other martial arts, traditional strength training, skiing/snowboarding, rugby, flag football. You name it, I've probably tried it.
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Funnily enough, I initially avoided Functional Fitness due to all the negative media surrounding it. After hitting a fitness plateau, I decided to give it a shot... and haven't looked back since! I am now in the best shape of my adult life, and there are still so many things I look forward to improving on and learning with the crew at the Crate in the years ahead.
Just as I hope to see in my own coaches, I aim to lead by example. I therefore constantly strive to become a better athlete and coach not just for my own growth, but to benefit our community.
Travis Gomez
Coach
I am active duty Air Force and fitness/sports have always been a part of my life. Outside of the gym, I spend most of my time getting worn out from my kids, cheering them on at the diamond, doing house projects, and trying to keep up with my wife. I am so grateful for our Crate Crew family and hope that you come try us out!
Miranda Gomez
Coach
I am a mom to 4 wonderful kids and working-out keeps me in shape so I can try to keep up with them. I love helping others along their fitness journeys. I am so excited to be part of The Crate Family!
Erin Cianciolo
Coach
I'm not a former athlete of any kind, but I loved the competitiveness and drive the workouts gave me! No other way to stay fit in my opinion.
Benedict Sales
Coach
Anjo Talastas
Coach