Bearwalden Crossfit Gym, Fitness & Personal Training

Head CrossFit Coach & Owner • Gymnastics Coach / Mobility CoachCrossFit Kids Coach • British Weightlifting Coach Level 1Strength & Conditioning Level 3Personal Trainer

Bearwalden is all about the community. We value personal goal setting, progression through training with a smart approaches to fitness, providing a balance of challenging programming & coaching support to achieve the results you desire. We understand your needs and make sure you get the best out of every session. Our members agree – see what they are saying below.

…is an amazingly effective and efficient way to achieve your individual fitness goals. Your coach will work with you to identify and clarify your fitness goals, conduct a functional movement assessment, and design a program specifically targeted at improving your deficiencies and optimizing your strengths, thereby enabling you to achieve your goals as quickly as possible. One-on-one coaching is recommended if you have been sedentary for a long period of time, are training for a specific sport or event, have significant health limitations or just prefer the additional attention and accountability.

The Foundation Course is designed for the total beginner and will prepare you for our general CrossFit classes. This is a minimum 6 session introductory programme each lasting 60 minutes with one of our CrossFit Coaches – the course has a maximum group size of 4 people.

You will receive a daily email with your personalized workout specific to your goals. Your coach will provide detailed notes and instructions for your workout. At the end of each training session you will update your coach with your stats and receive feedback. Your coach will use this data for workout programming and to guide your monthly consults.

I’ve done differently types of exercise over the years but had got stuck in a rut & bored. 6 months ago I started CrossFit & I can honestly say I have found my passion again. Despite some health issues, with the support & encourgement from the amazing coaches I’ve managed to continue exercising & feel stronger for it. I love the variety of the workouts & the support you get from everyone. The coaches are all knowledgeable & supportive regardless of you ability.

I used to work out with Sam back before he had his own box and knew that I would sign up for Bear Walden when it opened. I joined after having my second baby in August 2016. I saw how much fitter and stronger everyone had become whilst I was away and I wanted to join in the fun. I love boot camp and crossfit and I have been so surprised at how well my endurance has come on, especially as I used to avoid cardio as much as possible. I love the fact that there is no mucking around, you get given the workout, you go hard and you always finish with a sense of achievement. You won't go back to a normal gym after coming here.

Signed up to Bear Walden in January with absolutely no previous fitness or other physical activity in my life. What looked like it might be intimidating turned out to be a welcoming and awesome environment. The coaches and other members make it a great place to be, there’s a genuine community at Bear. I’ve lost a ton of weight, gained loads of strength and made a few friends in the process. 11 months later I can’t get enough of the place.

Everybody is friendly and encouraging to one another and I love the atmosphere! Have left feeling like I've tried my hardest and smiled all the way. Fantastic team of people. Highly recommend to anybody wanting to give boot camp a go! Tough but fun all at the same time!

Absolutely the best place to workout and achieve physical fitness in Saffron Walden. Welcoming and inclusive community at CrossFit and Boot Camp - Sam, Barny, Mark and Will all superb coaches. On site physio. Excellent facilities.

Great training, great crew, great fun. Have been made to feel one of the gang from day one and am always encouraged to achieve and improve my own personal best with the correct technique.

I dropped in this morning whilst travelling with work. Sam and all the members were very welcoming and the facility is well maintained and kitted out. Looking forward to coming back later in the year, many thanks again!

Joining Bear Walden was without a doubt the best decision I have ever taken. I'm fitter than with any other training I've done and it's enabled me to push myself to do things I never thought I could. We might talk too much about Crossfit but that's just because it's awesome.

I have been training with Sam for about 10 months now and feel like I have so much more confidence than when I go to the gym by myself. I feel so much stronger and fitter, his classes and personal sessions are always different and feel like your working out every single muscle. Highly recommended for losing weight or getting more toned and fitter!

Cracking CrossFit! I love Bearwalden. I had my Fundamentals with the awesome Barney - he really made me at ease and his teaching skills made it all sink in quickly. I was even able to do full press ups after his guidance (if you know me and my piddly wrists, that is something of a small miracle...!!) The equally brilliant Sam and all the guys in my classes could not be more supportive and friendly. I'm addicted now and I could not recommend them highly enough. Great guys, great box, great kit and above all they make you work!!!!

Only been a couple of times but everyone is friendly the workouts are challenging but still able to work at your own level. Really would recommend for all fitness levels.

I've been training with Sam for a while now and the difference in my entire well-being is immense. Physically I'm much fitter and stronger and emotionally/psychologically I feel I can cope with the stresses and strains of life much easier with a CrossFit class to look forward too. It's bloody hard work but you leave feeling like you've achieved insane things. The people are awesome; really encouraging and friendly. Love this place X

I started at Bearwalden CrossFit earlier this year and suffer from back problems. I love the classes as Sam and Barney offer support and push you as well as managing limitations which is a massive comfort when you're scared of failing. The work outs are always different so there's no way you can get bored and it's a surprise when you arrive for each session. An amazing place with a lovely group of encouraging members!

I've been doing Sam's circuit classes and PT sessions since August. He is so knowledgeable and bespoke. He helps you smash your targets and makes you feel great after each class... He works you hard but I absolutely love it. I recommend Sam & Bearwalden CrossFit. Totally affordable too.

I started Personal Training with Coach Sam after a long term injury from running. Training tailored to suit I was soon fighting fit and stronger than ever. Soon I was in the CrossFit class and now I’m a regular CrossFitter. Love the community and the support from everyone - no matter what level they are at. The encouragement and the team work at every WOD are second to none. Mark, Barney and Will are all superb coaches. The sense of belonging at Crossfit Bearwalden is what makes me go back day after day for more.

Being new to Saffron Walden, I've tried outdoor bootcamps, PT sessions and community classes as a way of getting fit and making friends. All have ended in wasted memberships and little motivation. Bearwalden Bootcamp gives me all three and more. I've not only challenged myself more than before, but have gained a new social circle and sense of community, whilst still receiving personal one-to-one coaching and support. Thanks Sam and the Bear Walden community - you've turned me from fitness phobic to fitness fan!

I was in the area visiting family and went along to this out of curiosity as at home I do lots of different training but had never done cross fit. This was brilliant challenging and very very enjoyable, great atmosphere great feel and i think the guy training us was Mark and he couldn't have been better, considering moving to the area and if I do I will definitely be a regular!

I would highly recommend CrossFit to everyone. I have improved my fitness and strength more in the past month at CrossFit compared to years going to the gym. The classes are so varied and no two classes are the same. The classes allow beginners and advanced to train together and help push each other.

To the CrossFit coaches - thank you for for pushing me past what I thought was my limit and for your continuing help to ensure good technique and posture (which I found difficult to begin with), to the CrossFit community at Bearwalden - Thank you for being so welcoming when I first started, I was tentative at the beginning but you have all been great at helping me build my confidence. I look forwards to every class and cant stop talking about how much i am progressing to my friends and family! Its been fantastic, Here's to the next few years!

First time taking part in a properly structured cross fit class and it was brilliant. Coach was amazing, helpful and an all round sound guy. The atmosphere was like nothing I've ever seen before, people were coming over and asking me who I was, if I needed any help and just being nice. Bearwalden CrossFit in Saffron Walden is a fantastic box with great members!

I started doing Bootcamps at Bear Walden in August 2016 after it being recommended by a friend. Fairly unfit and gym shy I plucked up the courage to go. I fell in love instantly being worked harder than I ever thought possible with great people helping you through. I would arrive early and watch the end of the Crossfit class and see people pulling them selfs up on bars/rings, jumping on boxes, climbing ropes and lifting weights above there head thinking I would never be able to do that. Well I started crossfit a few months later and I can now do all of those things! Great people, great coaches and always a great workout.

I can't recommend Bearwalden Crossfit highly enough. The tuition from the coaches is awesome. I've learned a hell of a lot more than I thought possible and they've helped improve my fitness no end and encourage you to keep setting new goals. Really friendly professional atmosphere.

I've been at Bearwalden since it first opened and I love it. I'm so much fitter and stronger since I've been going! Every class I do is different which is why I love it! You never get bored!! Fantastic coaches always there to help while you work out! I highly recommend Bearwalden CrossFit!

My husband and I joined Bearwalden when it first opened. We had just had our 3rd child and had never tried crossfit before. Within days we were fully fledged "crossfit wankers" and talking to anyone who would listen about it. Eighteen months down the line and we still wear that badge with pride, but now with more self-confidence; knowledge; mental and physical strength, alongside a whole bunch of new friends. To say Bearwalden changed our lives for the better in every sense would be an understatement. Family friendly; First class coaching; proven results time and time again; welcoming; supportive. What's not to love?

It's a really welcoming box, with great people, incredibly varied sessions and it caters to all fitness levels. The coaches are great and will scale the sessions if needed. I really would recommend giving it a try!

A brilliant place for all levels of fitness. Fantastic, real results and for us just an amazing family activity. From x-fit kids to teens & adults. All levels, all ages. No more wasted standard gym memberships. Sign up & you won't look back ????

Bear walden has been game changer for me for several reasons. I was post shoulder reconstruction in physical rehab when I was first introduced to Sam and his bear walden box through my great friend Barney who is one of the coaches at the gym. Because of my weaknesses I needed extra help and guidance and generally a more specialised programme to get me back to my best, I found so much more. I didn't really know about Crossfit and the community that it creates and I didn't know that working in this group would go towards helping me in so many other ways outside of the box, I wish I could encourage anyone who wants long lasting healthy lifestyle changes to seek out crossfit. I'll admit it can seem daunting when you first walk in but we'll all buddy up and you will be accepted and you will want to come again and again. I'm now an addict to making physical improvements and it's making me happier and the family arround me is benefitting from this, my work is better and I know I'll deal with life's challenges in a much stronger way. If your reading this and your curious Pop in give it a go chat to the coach chat to us members and you'll be welcomed into this community and you'll want more and more. Looking foward to seing some new faces ????

I've never really enjoyed going to a gym, but I LOVE cross fit and have been going to bearwalden for over a year. It is very addictive. Probably because the coaches are excellent, everyone I have met is friendly and encouraging and the classes are never the same. From handstands to rowing to weightlifting - all are enjoyable and scaled to your ability. There's nothing quite like achieving your first rope climb or pull up and just generally improving your fitness and strength. Cannot recommend highly enough!

Over the last year one by one our whole family has joined Bearwalden crossfit, including our two girls aged 11 and 13. All the coaches Sam, Barny, Mark and Will are fab mentors who are focused on helping the individual progress at their own pace and to achieve their own goals. My husband and I were both gym goers before we started and now having experienced crossfit/ bootcamps and the community and comraderie that Sam at Bearwalden has created, we will never go back to just a normal gym.

Bootcamp started on the field !! Never done anything like it before and from the first run Burpee battle rope I was hooked!! Week after week I travel 40 mins each way to get to bearwalden ... my favourite box and family ... the atmostphere is amazing no one ever makes you feel bad about your self always encouraging and you come out having learnt something new every time with a ache that you didn't know would exist but it's the most amazing feeling ! It's definitely my happy place your never alone a hug a smile and cheering on always makes your day ... Thanku bearwalden xx

I went along to my first boot camp session when Bearwalden opened, mainly because my wife wouldnt stop banging on about it and that I should try it (and she can bang on!)

I am hugely competitive by nature had always done exercise, playing football, doing circuit training and was a member of a 'normal gym, so thought boot camp was going to be a piece of piss for someone of physical prowess. Being the fact boot camp is what you put in you get out and going with the wife (who is just as competitive as me) after the hour I was babbling mess drowning in my own sweat.

From that moment on I have been going as a hard-core crossfit junky, I am in the box at least 5 days a week. I love competing with my own scores and pushing myself to the limits I didn't think possible. I climb ropes, jump on boxes, swing on rings, so handstand walks what's not to like.

I joined Bearwalden in May 2016 and from the moment I walked through the door I felt welcome... even after I fell of the box during my first visit!! What Sam and Claire have created, along with Barney, Will and Mark is amazing. Bearwalden is not just a gym, it's a family and I love being a part of it!! Everyone is really supportive and encouraging so you find that you enjoy whatever the WOD is and keep coming back for more. This type of motivation has helped me to run a mile, climb a rope and complete a box jump for the first time (and many more after!!). I also believe that Bearwalden has helped me not only physically but mentally, as I am alot less anxious and stressed out.

My 5 year old Daughter loves attending the Crossfit classes and showing off her burpee skills. She thought I was the Best Mum Ever when she had her Crossfit Birthday party with Sam and Barney. The Summer Camps are ideal for them, as the children make new friends and experience their own sense of community and then come home so tired and happy that the bedtime routine is easy!!

There are classes available at a time to suit everyone and we are very lucky to have the option of the Kids Club so they can play whilst we work out - so no excuses!!

I attend Crossfit, Bootcamp and Barbell classes and can guarantee that you won't be disappointed. I would - and often do - highly recommend Bearwalden to everyone!!

As a complete and utter novice; nervous and unco-ordinated, I was welcomed from the very moment I set foot through the door. This is not a place where you are judged, it's a place where everyone is valued and treated equally and egos are left at the door. Yes the coaches Sam, Barny and Mike push you hard, but just hard enough and always with a smile.

I started with the intention of improving my overall fitness and losing some weight after becoming a Mummy. I've ended up kicking my anxiety and mental health into touch, lifting weights I never imagined I would, achieving press ups, learning to climb a rope (to the ceiling) and generally smashing my own expectations of myself. I've gained incredible new friends and finally feel that I belong somewhere. As a nice side effect, I've also lost that weight.

Brilliant facility and staff. Within less than 2 months after major surgery i feel completely back to normal and possibly better than i was physically and mentally. big thanks to Sam and Mark for all their help and tips that helped me through physio and into a general work out routine. highly recommend for people looking for something different from the average gym

Its difficult to put into words what this place does. It is simply the best community - the gym is only part of the deal. No matter what level of fitness you are entering at this place; the coaches & the people around you will make you wonder why you waited so long. Jump in with both feet ❤️????

I have been doing crossfit for just over a year and it's not like anything I've ever done before. It changes your body and your mind for the better. Bear Walden is a friendly and diverse community - full of people from different walks of life, with different fitness levels, different abilities, different body shapes, different goals but all with the same aim - to help, support and look out for each other, to do their best, to keep their bodies healthy and to have fun in the process. I love it and I'm proud to be part of it.

Having recently moved to Saffron Walden and not exercised for a few years I was anxious about trying to get fit and healthy again. This transition was made easy with the welcoming community that has been built at Bearwalden. This community is complimented by extremely patient and knowledgeable staff that have helped me regain my fitness, while fueling my passion to want to achieve more with my fitness.

When my 24 year old son was diagnosed with a rare Cancer in Sep 2017 and refused Chemo and Radiotherapy I began researching and knew we would need an A team to heal him and make sure the Cancer couldn't come back after the removal of the 14cm tumour. The oncologist told me there was a 50% chance of reaccurance. We got a great experienced naturopath on board. He changed his diet to mostly plant based, Vegetable juices, 0 sugar, researched supplements, more water..The surgeons couldn't believe how well he had healed after such a major operation. We knew after much research how critical exercise is to healing and preventing disease so we now needed a new team member to guide my son and Sam came into our lives. He researched, asked other professionals to get a plan together. He came over to visit us on a really bad day when My son was coming off the Morphine and gave us such a lift by his positivity, his kindness and his experience. My son attends every week, starting very slowly then building up and the last bloods he had done came back normal. He has never been fitter!! Sam and all the instructors are friendly, approachable and down to earth. What I like about attending myself is the sessions although tough are really fun and varied and I never look at the clock.

I've been going to Bearwalden Crossfit for nearly two years, but only recently dipped my toe into PT. One session with Sam and I feel like my training has just shifted into another gear and opened up all manner of new horizons. He's really helped me with ideas that i can work on in my own time and regressions which still feel like exercises in their own right. I would heartily recommend it to anyone whether they are just starting with a new exercise regime or have been doing it for years.

I was a regular gym goer but found myself getting board, finding gains hard to come by, my fitness level was crap and I grew sick of watching others lifting weights while checking themselves out in the mirror! I needed change and Bearwalden and CrossFit couldn't have come at a better time for me. The classes are great, the coaches are amazing and the other members couldn't be nicer I really have been welcomed in and feel part of the CrossFit community. We never do the same class twice and the programmes are well designed. I am now stronger and fitter than ever so I am feeling great...I always look forward to the next class... I had back surgery in Feb 2017 and CrossFit has not only helped me get back to fitness but is pushing me to go further than even I thought was capable for myself... I would recommend CrossFit to anyone no matter age, size, fitness level to join everyone is made welcome and everyone can benefit...

Bearwalden was my temporary home whilst I was back in the UK preparing for my wedding in 2017. The workouts are tough but very rewarding, the coaches are all fantastic and the community is very tight-knit and welcoming.

I wish I could have stayed for longer as I've really felt the benefit of Sam's programming but I know that I'll be back whenever I'm in the country. If you are in the area then don't hesitate getting in touch and heading down for a session or two.

I started training at BearWalden thanks to a recommendation from a friend. After attending a bootcamp I was keen to start my crossfit foundation in order to take part in the main crossfit classes (at this point i still didn't know what crossfit even is). Completing my foundation was the first taste i had for what crossfit training is and how it works.

At the time of me starting I was a slightly overweight, pretty unfit bloke with a dream of joining the armed forces. Now not far off a year later I've lost loads of excess weight, my fitness has improved ten fold and I'm hoping to realise my dream soon.

I cannot recommend BearWalden enough. All the coaches have an amazing knowledge of how your body works and how to tailor movements to your needs, as well as how to reduce the risk of injury. Not only do they teach you how to get fit, but they will teach you how to recover as well. The community itself is enough to get you coming back over and over.

Sam and the gang at CrossFit are awesome. We manage to have a laugh, try loads of new stuff and get mega fit all at the same time. I’m fitter than I’ve ever been in my life and have finally got some muscles! Thank you!

I started training with Sam when he was still in the army. I was 6 months pregnant with my 3rd child (I have always loved sport and exercise) and I loved not being told to hold back as I pushed tyres and sprinted across fields. I joined Sam’s CrossFit gym in Saffron Walden 4 months post birth and after two surgical ops - so to begin with Sam tailored the group classes for me. I had very good aerobic fitness but no upper body strength or core strength and struggled to lift the warm up bar. 18 months later I can now lift my body weight, climb ropes and jump boxes. I am the fittest and strongest I’ve ever been and really happy with how my body has changed too - love the muscles! What I really love about CrossFit is that it’s always challenging, always working different muscle groups and there will always be room for skills improvement (walking handstands, double-unders etc). Sam is an amazing motivator and the best coach I have met. Most importantly he has been supportive and enabled me to train with children around. He has brought brilliant dedicated coaches into the team - Barney and Mark. Oh and it goes without saying that as I love fitness I love the people I workout with too who also want to push themselves to be their best X

Sam and his team provide a welcome like no other gym I’ve seen - and I’ve seen plenty. They’re dedicated to you as an individual, developing your strengths and your personal goals. You get a bespoke but shared experience where we all encourage one another to push our own boundaries. The trainers, unlike many others, are expert in what they do and what they know, and will watch you closely, helping you feel like you can take on anything. They’re serious about fun. There’s really something here that’s special about everyone.