Meet Alessandro Zanet | Crossfit Gym Owner/Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alessandro Zanet and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alessandro, what do you attribute your success to?
The name “Crossfit” sparks a lot of controversy among the general population. Whether you’re involved in some sort of fitness or not you’ve heard the name. It’s reputation proceeds it. Just search “Crossfit” on YouTube and you’ll get an array of videos mostly surrounding why it is dangerous or unusual. My business partner, Kevin, and I wokr well together because we agree on one ideology above all else; honesty and transparency. You be honest with us and in return we will be honest with you. We believe that to have a successful business we must embrace what makes us unique rather than shy away. We preach “Crossfit” because in our members we have seen it work. We have seen an extremely low rate of injuries and complaints and we believe that has to do with our honesty. If we don’t feel you are ready for certain movements we won’t teach them to you. If we feel your ego needs to be checked we will remind you the focus isn’t always about lifting the most but that technique and quality always trumps quantity.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started Crossfit back during the summer between my Junior Year and Senior Year of college back in 2016. I had finished playing competitive soccer and I had played with the practice squad at my college but it was just too much to balance. After soccer I spent the rest of my Sophomore and Junior Years doing nothing athletic. I felt empty but didn’t know why. I began going to Crossfit because my Father owned a gym back in the day so it was free. I’m an only child and so whenever my Father and Mother and dog went to the gym I’d be home alone. I hated that feeling so I hopped on the bandwagon and it became a family thing. I didn’t start off being so competitive and having professional Crossfit Athlete aspirations but that soon became my focus. I got my Crossfit license 1yr after starting and did a few months of shadowing before I took control of my first group class. For 1yr I coached at my local gym up in the San Francisco Bay Area before I moved to LA in 2018. When I moved I had no job lined up only a dream. I emailed 12 Crossfit gyms all across LA and only 3 gyms replied, 1 of which was K2 Crossfit, Kevin’s gym. I began working there and at another gym in Santa Monica where I was living at the time. It became obvious I needed to commit myself at one of the 2 gyms if I was to truly grow in the business and reach higher goals. I asked both and K2 immediately gave me my opportunity. I coached 3yrs there before I was offered a partnership with Kevin at the beginning of 2022. It was fast but it was not easy. I had nothing in place other than the belief in myself and my abilities as a coach, business owner, and an athlete. And I am blessed to say I get to do all 3 for a living.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First stop is Santa Monica for sure. Besides the beach and the pier and the Promenade there is this tiny little pasta spot called “Uovo” that reminds me of home. My Father immigrated to San Francisco from Venice, Italy in his late 20s so finding an authentic Italian restaurant with the flavors of home is not easy. Uovo has been my go to ever since I discovered it. Next is the Griffith Observatory for a picnic during the day and the returning at night for the view of the City of Angeles. In my neighborhood of Mid-Wilshire/Beverly Grove I love Terroni for a casual bite of authentic Italian as well as taking a stroll through Pan Pacific Park all the way to the LACMA and La Brea Tar Pit exhibits. If my guest is looking for a night on the town I never look anywhere else but Seven Grand, a classic almost speak easy gentleman’s club style bar nestled in downtown. A buddy of mine, Sean, works there and the man never misses a beat. You can’t go wrong with good drinks and even better people.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First, I would like to shoutout my Father, Luca, for getting me involved with Crossfit. Honestly, if it hadn’t have been for his already deep involvement in the Crossfit movement I doubt I would be where I am today. Second, I would like to shoutout my business partner, Kevin. The man took a massive leap of faith in me and there will never be any amount of “thank yous” or pay backs that I can give to ever truly repay him. The man saw something in me that I had always seen in myself but never had the opportunity to show to others. For this I am eternally greatful.

Instagram: @thealessandrozanet