CrossFit and Community: A Look into Delaware Fit Factory

Delaware Fit Factory is a CrossFit gym in Delaware, Ohio, owned by Doug Wattenschaidt. The gym offers a wide range of class times to accommodate any schedule, whether you prefer early mornings, evenings, or late morning to early afternoon sessions. Special offerings include classes for teens, a 50+ group, and personal training for those seeking a tailored plan or a more individualized approach. 

I had to opportunity to speak with Wattenschaidt, who shared what Delaware Fit Factory aims to provide:

“We aim to make people healthier, stronger, and more fit through fitness and nutrition programs. For some, that could mean lifting more weight, running faster, or competing in some form or another. For others, it could mean building the strength to stand up off the couch on their own, having the confidence to live independently later in life, or even just playing with their children without feeling winded. Everyone has their own WHY, and it’s important for our coaches to get to know our members to learn more about their goals and help them see success.”

No matter your fitness background–whether you haven’t worked out in 10 years or are brand new to the gym–Delaware Fit Factory is designed to meet you where you are.

CrossFit is described as “a fitness program and methodology that emphasizes constantly varied, high-intensity functional movements, aiming to build a broad, general, and inclusive fitness.” One of its is scalability. Every movement can be modified based on your ability level. For instance, pull-ups can be adjusted to banded or jumping pull-ups, or even ring rows if needed. The idea is that everyone gets a challenging and effective workout, regardless of experience.

Beyond workouts, Delaware Fit Factory also offers nutrition coaching to help you reach your goals. Coaches work with members to create personalized plans, recognizing that fitness is about more than just what happens in the gym.

“I encourage everyone to come to Delaware Fit Factory because at the end of the day, most are not fitness professionals, but WE ARE! Take the guesswork out of how to work out, what to do, what to eat, etc. Focus on what’s important in your life, and give us an hour a day to help you become a better version of yourself through fitness and nutrition coaching.”

The gym also keeps things fun and community-focused with regular events. One popular event is the CrossFit Open–a global competition that anyone can participate in. At Delaware Fit Factory, participants form teams and compete over several weeks. The workouts take place during “Friday Night Lights,” where members cheer each other on, creating an exciting and supportive atmosphere.

Another community-focused event is “Calories for a Cause,” which benefits Maryhaven, Ohio. Teams of four (two men and two women) rotate through machines for an hour, trying to burn as many calories as possible. At the end, Delaware Fit Factory donates one cent per calorie burned.

Delaware Fit Factory is committed to helping members get stronger, feel better, and reach their individual goals through flexible class schedules, expert coaching, and a supportive community.

Looking ahead, Wattenschaidt is optimistic:

“The future is bright for Delaware Fit Factory. We want to get more people into the gym, off the couch and off processed carbs,” he said. “We hope to expand our outreach and programs — grow our teen and senior offerings, add more specialized programs like bodybuilding and Olympic weightlifting, and much more. DFF has grown tremendously thanks to our amazing coaches and our inspiring, enthusiastic members. We plan to keep that momentum going.”