Crossfit and Weightlifting in Almaty Reactor Crossfit

Reactor is one of the best weightlifting gyms in the world.

I have a lot of fond memories of Reactor Crossfit. I joined roughly one week after moving to Almaty in November 2013. I continued until May 2014, at which point the Crossfit box moved to another location too far for me to commute daily. Lucky for me, they moved to Navoi Street within walking distance for me from my apartment at Mega.

Reactor Crossfit was the first gym since 1996 that allowed me to do the Olympic Lifts. How awesome was that? It also has a great community that I still communicate with today.

The original Reactor Crossfit at Mega Center - Almaty, Kazakhstan
Reactor Crossfit located at Mega Center was the first location.
Reactor Crossfit at Mega Center - Almaty, Kazakhstan
Since this location was small, Reactor moved to a new location about five months later.
Ilya Illyin at Reactor Crossfit - Almaty, Kazakhstan
In January 2014, I met World and Olympic Champion, Ilya Illyin, at Reactor. His team worked out at Reactor for a couple of months before leaving for Poland. They later returned in the year for the World Championships. Ilya is friends with the owners of Reactor.
Reactor Crossfit on Navoi Street - Almaty, Kazakhstan
I spent a year at Crossfit Bruteforce near Mega. Then in May 2015, Reactor Crossfit moved to Navoi Street near Mega. I was so happy. I missed these lockers.
New plates at Reactor Crossfit - Almaty, Kazakhstan
They equipped the gym with new plates measured in KG.
Reactor Crossfit - Almaty, Kazakhstan
This location had its own "runway" platforms for the Crossfit classes.
400 lbs deadlift at Reactor Crossfit - Almaty, Kazakhstan
Two members lifted 400 lbs, not KG. These guys were funny and hard-working.
My lifting platform at Reactor Crossfit - Almaty, Kazakhstan
The two lifting platforms moved here. We were getting in the way of the class. I really loved it here. I did most of my training with Coach Nikolai Ge here.

Reflection

A great community. Reactor Crossfit is the place to visit if you are in Almaty and need to lift. The owners are in New Zealand now, but many of the same trainers are still there.