From HIIT fatigue to long-term strength: How Alperen found progress through coaching, curiosity, and consistency
“I’m a curious person by nature,” says Alperen Tügen, a 30-year-old doctoral researcher in Physics at ETH Zurich. “I experiment for a living — and I love experimenting in life, too.”
That curiosity is exactly what led him to CrossFit Kreis 9. Like many people who care about doing things right, Alperen didn’t want to walk blindly into the world of strength training. He wanted to build a solid foundation for the big lifts — especially deadlifts and squats — but he also knew that YouTube videos and random online programs weren’t enough.
“I didn’t want to develop bad habits or get injured. I needed proper coaching.”
Before coming to CFK9, Alperen had followed a few online programs — mostly HIIT and general strength training. They worked, for a while. But after repeating one two-month program five times in a row, something clicked. “I had memorized the timing of every single scene. That was kind of a wake-up call,” he laughs. “I realized I needed more — more challenge, more coaching, more depth.”
A new approach
Alperen joined CrossFit Kreis 9 with a simple goal: take strength training seriously. He started with our group classes and quickly found his place in the weightlifting sessions. For someone who thrives on learning, it was a perfect fit.
“It was all new to me — and that felt great. I really enjoyed learning the techniques from scratch.”
Soon after, Alperen added nutrition coaching with Eric into the mix. His goal wasn’t to lose weight — it was to get leaner without losing muscle. And that’s exactly what happened.
What stood out to Alperen early on was the depth of coaching. At CrossFit Kreis 9, every class is led by professional, full-time coaches who don’t just supervise — they teach. The focus isn’t on grinding through a workout, but on long-term development, proper technique, and helping each member move better, not just harder.With guidance and accountability, he was able to fuel his body more effectively, without stress or restriction.
“It made a huge difference,” he says. “I finally understood how to eat in a way that supports my training, my energy, and my lifestyle.”
Results that go beyond numbers
For Alperen, training at CFK9 isn’t just about lifting more weight — although that’s happening, too. It’s about routine, recovery, and creating a sustainable rhythm.
“Evening training has become part of my daily routine. It helps me end my workday and switch gears — mentally and physically.”
With the physical demands of CrossFit, he naturally began prioritizing sleep and recovery more. That, in turn, boosted his energy and focus during the day — a win-win for both work and life.
But what stands out most to Alperen is the ongoing, personal coaching — even in a group setting.
“The constant small corrections I get in class make a big difference. The coaches always take time to give individual feedback, especially when I’m learning a new skill. And they genuinely celebrate your progress — even the small stuff. That kind of support really means a lot.”
The power of showing up
What we see in Alperen is what we hope for in every member: someone who doesn’t chase perfection but commits to progress. Someone who keeps showing up, even when life is busy. Someone who values coaching not as a quick fix — but as a long-term investment.
“Joining CrossFit Kreis 9 was the best decision I’ve made in the last two years,” he says.
We’ll take that as a 5-star review.
Because in the end, transformation isn’t about flashy before-and-after photos. It’s about building habits, learning to trust the process, and letting your curiosity lead you somewhere better.
And that’s exactly what Alperen has done.
