OUR MISSION IS TO:

OUR MISSION IS TO:

Provide a first class facility that has the resources and knowledge for any athlete, regardless of ability, to achieve their health and fitness goals.

Our Facility:


  • Over 9000 sqft to accommodate large group class sizes, a weightlifting club, and space for open gym all at once
  • Endurance - Concept 2: Rowers, Ski Ergs, and Bike Erg, Assault Runner Pro, Rogue Echo Bikes
  • Weightlifting - bumpers, training plates in KG or LB, many nice barbells, pulling/jerk blocks
  • Multiple 15ft ropes, GHDs, and Speal bars
  • Recovery station - Normatec full body compression equipment, Hypervolts, vibrating foam rollers and massage spheres
  • Hours - Gym is accessible from 5am to 8:30pm on weekdays and 9am to 1pm on Saturday and Sunday

WHO WE ARE

Meet our knowledgeable and personable team!

Decades of combined experience coaching functional fitness and leading members through their health and fitness journey.

To get to know your coach a little better, we thought it would be a good idea to ask them about their why. Plus, they share a little bit about their favorite and least favorite workout, their mantra, and their go-to spot in D.C. Check it out.

Michael Paesano

Michael Paesano

Co-Owner / Coach

Vickie Paesano

Vickie Paesano

Co-Owner / Business Strategy Manager

1: I chose to shift gears in a field and share something with my husband. We opened this gym together. I brought in my business experience and he brought in his year's of experience with the Invictus brand and together we have created an inclusive community where athletes can succeed.

2: Favorite workout: Olympic weightlifting program, functional body building program, and grunt work (carry/ sled drag/ pull). 

3: Go to spot: By definition, the most frequented place: district performance and physio! But I also frequent Call Your Mother bagel shop in Georgetown and Compass Coffee.

4: My least favorite workout would be dubs.

5: Your passion translates into performance. When you come and workout at Invictus DC you will join a community of like-minded individuals who will cheer you on along the way.  

Andrew Gilcrest

Andrew Gilcrest

Head Coach

1: My passion for fitness and wellness has led me to coach with empathy. My coaching power is that I can put myself in other athletes' shoes and their goals become my priority. I get so excited
when they get closer to their goals, and I love being a part of their journey.
2: Feel uncomfortable with a barbell, or wanna learn how to become more efficient? Let's talk, especially when it comes to the Snatch.
3: I'm not a DC local, so I don't know a whole lot about it, but I love Navy Yard.
4: I wouldn't say I have a least favorite workout, but the one that gave me the most lasting impression (and took me to a very, very dark place) was Open 16.5.
5: Life is too short to take everything too seriously. Relax, have fun, and learn to love the journey.

Nick Delong

Nick Delong

Coach

1: I hated my job. I loved CrossFit. Had been asked several times to be a coach. Wanted to do something that actually positively affected someone else's life and gave me purpose. Decided to give coaching a shot.
2: Rowing.
3: For Food? Bistro Arcosia. To get away and relax from the "city"? The National Arboretum.
4: Don't really have a "least" favorite workout. What I like or dislike changes with my state or current "season" of fitness. Heavy DB Box Step Overs are one of my least favorite movements.
5: Maumivu Ya Ushinde = Pain of Victory. Means you have to endure a lot on the path to winning consistently.

Nick Dondzila

Nick Dondzila

Weightlifting Coach

Katey Paraskiewicz

Katey Paraskiewicz

Coach

1: I chose to coach Crossfit because my specialty is cranking up the intensity and keeping workouts interesting. Helping my athletes stay accountable for their own fitness while keeping them laughing is why I do it!
2: Ask me about handstands (or anything gymnastics related). I don't just talk the talk, I also walk the handstand walk.
3: Favorite DC spot to eat is Las Placitas - gimme all the papusas! A favorite spot to run and cycle is the Anacostia River Trail.
4: My Least favorite workout would be any combination of rowing and deadlifts. These two movements are NOT my idea of fun - sorry not sorry.
5: Get right or get left! To me, this mantra is all about constantly pursuing ways to up your game and be the best version of yourself.

Eric Ransom

Eric Ransom

Coach

1: The community that you become a part of is one of the best things that I have found since starting CrossFit. I can't put into words how good it feels to show up to the gym and it feels like you're with family. Another thing that I love about CrossFit would have to be just being able to push myself and try to make myself a little better every day. CrossFit allows you to do that but
will always show you what you need to work on.
2: If you need to know anything about mobility or endurance workouts, talk to me!
3: I'm still too new to DC to have a favorite spot - only been here for a few months.
4: I don't really have a least favorite workout. I don't enjoy heavy snatches but they still are important.
5: "It can always be worse"

Sam Ade

Sam Ade

Coach

1: I enjoy coaching because I want to challenge people to exceed their expectations of themselves and to do so while having fun. No matter the goal, you have to love the process and the practice. It is amazing to help people achieve something they didn't know was possible and even better when all that hard work
pays off.
2: Ask me about pacing or efficiency!
3: La Cosecha
4: DT is my least favorite workout. It's all barbell and just heavy enough that moving quickly kills me every time.
5: "If it's not fun, why do it?" - Ben and Jerry