I have been a regular member at 5+ boxes (gyms) and have dropped in at many more and I can honestly say that I have never seen another as incredible Daybreak. Mel (the head trainer) has a unique ability to make every class challenging for experienced CrossFitters while still being completely accessible and manageable for TOTAL beginners. It is an unbelievably welcoming environment and has been such a breath of fresh air to find owners who truly care about the wellbeing and happiness of their members.

There is a big focus on safety at Daybreak and beginners are always encouraged to work on the basics first. Before every workout begins, the coaches walk through each movement and its scaling options in detail. Then, they talk with athletes individually to find the scaling option that matches his/her personal fitness level. They are so attentive that I really think athletes are more likely to get injured walking to their car than they are inside the walls of Daybreak.

As an experienced CrossFitter, I originally thought that the daily movement explanations would become repetitive and boring. However my favorite part about Daybreak is that every class is COMPLETELY different. There may be a new cue or a different order to the movement breakdown and every time I’m left with something new to think about and improve upon. I’ve been to many other boxes where they do a variation of the same warm-up every day or the same sequence of drills before doing a movement, but neither is the case at Daybreak. There is always a different warm-up, movement explanation, and cool-down, all of which are designed specifically to help athletes prepare for and recover from that day’s workout.

In the two years I have been doing CrossFit, I had never recommended that my parents give it a shot before I started at Daybreak. But once I found the welcoming environment and coaches who care about their athletes and supervise their safety, I knew this was the place for them to give it a try. Now, both in their 60s, they’re two of the most dedicated members at Daybreak!

If you’re interested in improving your fitness, losing weight, adding muscle, or just in meeting great people - come check out Daybreak! Even if you’re currently working out at a different CrossFit, give Daybreak a try. I switched from another local box and the difference is like night and day. I could not recommend them more!

As a curmudgeonly physician with chaotic schedules and lack of sleep, I was finding it very difficult to follow an exercise and nutrition regimen with any meaningful regularity. I stumbled upon Daybreak CrossFit as they were the only one's polite enough to respond to my calls. I was very anxious as it had been some time since I was in a gym and did not want to make a fool of myself. While I'm not sure if I ever really avoided the latter, Daybreak is without question the most significant investment I've made in personal health in many years. Mel and the team have a "religious devotion" to safety and tailoring a plan that is clearly individualized to best address one's fitness goals from the time one ventures inside. Mel has set the tone by a thoughtful understanding of the full spectrum of peoples needs and has established a uniquely welcoming environment. She is constantly considering new and innovative methods for community health outreach which is supported by hand picked coaches who focus on the members. This is definitely not the aggressively competitive environment of people seeking medals and awards, but rather the camaraderie of getting healthier together or in private sessions. The atmosphere is extremely supportive and friendly, with people collaborating to achieve a common goal of health, fitness and social connections.
Daybreak is definitely the "jewel in the crown" of preventative health care and fitness in Wayland, and I cannot recommend the team highly enough for their clear commitment to people of all ages and all levels.

This wonderful gym is near my parents home and I drop in any chance I get. The community is SO welcoming and kind and I always get my butt kicked by their excellent programming. Every coach is knowledgeable, fun and brings their unique personalities to the class. I really admire the culture the owner and head coach Mel has cultivated at this gym. I have also watched my parents begin their strength and conditioning journeys at Daybreak at the age of 63- Mel and her team create a safe and fun environment for beginners- do not hesitate to check this place out. Can’t wait for my next visit!!

Wasn't sure if I was ready for CrossFit full-time but after meeting Mel and her coaching staff, it became very clear that they're not cut from the typical CrossFit cloth. I dabbled in CrossFit before I moved to Sudbury, and now I see what I've been missing. Mel's team is laser focused on their members and it's their coaching experience that sets them apart.

They got to know ME and MY goals and made sure to customize workouts to MY abilities. The other members were welcoming and are the reason why I'm motivated to get my butt to the gym every day. After trying the other area CrossFits, the choice for me was easy... Daybreak delivers a very special CrossFit experience.

Love it here! Experience coaching, awesome community!!

great gym if you're in the wayland/subdury area! lots of friendly members

Other than getting married and having kids, joining Daybreak 7 years ago has been the most important development of my adult life. It's hard but satisfying and I walk out every morning with a daily confidence boost that gets me through the rest of the day. I'm well into middle age and I've never felt more fit. My wife and I (she's a regular too, and our kids now work out at Daybreak when they don't have sports conflicts) have dropped in at other boxes in a number of places but none have ever come close to the coaching and community at Daybreak.

Daybreak has been a part of my life for the past 4 years. It has been the turning point for me to get healthier and manage my overall nutrition in a quality manner. Overall I have emerged as a more confident, disciplined and a physically stronger person.

It truly feels like a community - the people you meet everyday come from different walks of life. Let us not forget the coaches - they are the best, specially the head coach - Mel! They are actively engaging with you daily to work on different aspects of your workout and nutrition. They develop personalized plan to improve your endurance and strength, invest time after the workouts and check in on your progress - even for the smallest of things associated with getting your form right! and there are a lot of laughs to make the workouts fun!

CrossFit workouts can get intensive but Daybreak has made it easy for my husband and me to make it a part of our daily routine that we do not want to miss (even when we are travelling we would follow the travel workouts!) Yes, I convinced my husband to join Daybreak and his three year journey has done wonders for him. We love it here and are proud to be DAYBREAKERS!

I was a little intimidated by crossfit and wasn't sure what to expect. But as soon as I walked in, I felt at ease. Hardest part was getting in the door. From there, they simply made working out fun again. I tried but grew bored of other area gyms claiming to deliver "functional" fitness. And I certainly was tired of my P90x/Insanity DVDs. Daybreak was what I was looking for.

I left long course triathlon due to burnout. Jumped into Crossfit July 2017 with Mel, Erica, Bill, Michele, Jackson - hope I didn't miss anyone. I was TERRIFIED. They could not have been nicer to me. Extremely helpful with technique. Safety is paramount with these folks. I've had rotator cuff surgery and really had no upper body strength, just lots of endurance. Every coach has been supportive and provided modifications. I am getting much stronger and every class I feel like I get an excellent workout. Every member is welcoming and really nice. The best gym of which I have ever been a member.

I moved to Boston early-pandemic, and spent half the year totally alone and super isolated most days. So on a whim I joined Daybreak, mostly just to see other human beings and maybe get a bit less fluffy. The very first afternoon, at least a dozen smiling (presumably) faces introduced themselves, welcomed me warmly to Boston, and took the time to ask all about life. This is seriously the friendliest, kindest group of people I have ever met. But not in an overwhelming creepy cult-ish way. They’re just all SO nice, always smiling, and accepting of all. It felt like the world’s kindest Instagram-esk family. The gym owners and coaches are seriously THE coolest, most humble beasts you’ll ever meet. They KNOW their stuff, and they teach you, step by step, to be better. They’re also super accommodating to any skill level, and any health issues. Going there felt more like going to the playground with friends than going to get a workout (that still always occurs). Worth every dollar, every minute, and every drop of sweat. Trust me, from one anxious person to another… Just give it a try. Chances are, you won’t regret it. 🙂

Mel is unparalleled as a teacher/coach! I use teacher, because unlike ANY other gym experience I've ever had, she is all about improvement & development, while adapting to each "students" strength and weaknesses. She is absolutely phenomenal!

Fitness and "working out" will never be the same. Daybreak is life changing in the most positive way. Mel and her staff are incredibly talented, skilled and will change your life and body like you can't imagine. Everything you need and beyond to change your entire fitness, health and lifestyle, results are tangible for the first time ever!

I have been a member of Daybreak for over one year now and I love everything about it. The couches are amazing, especially Mel ♥️, and they really help you reach your goals. One of my favorite things are the nutritional challenges that help us create good eating habits without giving up much of our favorite foods. The community here is great and everyone likes each other. I highly recommend this place.

daybreak CrossFit is an awesome community of athletes that welcome and challenge you to push your physical limits. The coaches are very professional and proficient in the art of CrossFit. also there are some great people to work out with and they all have a great sense of humor!

10 STARS! I just checked in for my 1,000 time. Mel and all the trainers are AMAZING. You will not find a better place.

Daybreak Crossfit is a first class box. Mel is an outstanding coach and trainer. She can breakdown every movement, allowing you to perform at your best. The community of athletes are welcoming and motivating. The facility is top notch from the extensive equipment offering down to the cleanest restrooms. I highly recommend Daybreak Crossfit.

I give full credit to the Daybreak Crossfit coaches, approach and community for putting me in the best shape of my life (both physically and mentally) - at "middle age." For years I had done a mix of the "normal" exercise activities like running, aerobics, some weight training - but never felt really "fit" all around. Joining Daybreak was the pivot point for me - the point at which I started on a new path to fitness and eating and came to love a new group of friends. After a few years I can honestly say I am leaner than I have ever been, happier in life and maintain a manageable and reasonable way of eating (not a diet!) with loads of veggies. I'll give you my top 3 reasons I love Daybreak:

1. The overall Crossfit (and Daybreak) approach to all aspects of fitness just makes sense. It is not about only running or only weights or only stretching - it is about doing all of that and even a bit more in a way that makes sense for each person so you have a broad fitness. Mel's programming is honestly top notch - she knows the right types of workouts to push certain muscles and get you stronger gradually.
2. The community at Daybreak is a family and a fab support system. (we see each other more than most family members!). My husband and I (we both go) look forward to seeing our friends every day and often also on weekends or nights for added fun. The pandemic has made us all an even stronger community.
3. Specialized coaching. I have been through (like many people!) various issues with my hips, knees, shoulders, etc. Mel and the Daybreak coaches know about all these issues and have helped me tailor workouts so that I can still continue to get fit while avoiding bad pain (as opposed to good Crossfit pain). This is pretty special actually. They know me and know the best way to motivate!

Daybreak Crossfit is the best way to start off my day! The coaches are incredible, and the members are like a second family!

There are decisions that change your life, and joining Daybreak Crossfit was no exception for me. I first joined Daybreak 8 or 9 months ago when they first opened their doors... well "parking lot" I'll get to that later. However this was not my first introduction to crossfit. I joined another Box a couple of years ago and thought that it wasn't for me, not because I didn't like the movements of Crossfit but because the atmosphere wasn't what I expected... I only lasted about 5 months there.
Now fast forward to me hearing that "The" Mel Ockerby was opening her own box in the lovely area of Wayland/ Sudbury I didn't skip a beat to join. They had such demand off the bat that they took advantage of the nice weather and held parking lot workouts before they even finished construction. Even though this was legit crossfit that I am looking forward to doing again outside they still did not charge any of us a penny until they truly "opened their doors". This is a true testament to how caring Mel and Rap are to their members and to the sport and community of Crossfit.
I could not recommend Daybreak enough to my friends, family, and anyone I meet on the street. I myself have lost inches, improved strength and energy, and gained confidence since joining. I have even begun competing and will do many more to come, and Mel is always at my side training and rooting for me along the way. There are no numbers that can describe everything else Daybreak Crossfit has done for me, and I will be eternally grateful for all they, and my new wonderful community has given me. I am a happier, healthier, and better person because of Mel, Rap and their team of trainers.

I had a great drop in class. The gym is huge with plenty of equipment. It’s clean and the locker rooms are the nicest ones I’ve ever seen at a CrossFit. Everyone was very friendly from the coach to the other athletes. If I didn’t live in NY, this would become by regular box.

My wife is a regular, and I go when I can. And what I like about this gym is that we are both welcome, any time. Regardless of your current fitness and ability level, Mel, Rap and the others will be enthusiastic, motivating and welcoming.

Daybreak gets CrossFit. I tried other CrossFits in Sudbury and I was simply a membership fee. At Daybreak, they know me and my goals and take care to get me there safely. CrossFit gets a bad rap for being dangerous and it can be with inexperienced coaching. Mel and her coaches know CrossFit and how to deliver a premium service safely and effectively... even to newbies like me. Their facility is brand new, clean and has showers! If you're on the fence about trying CrossFit, this place will win you over. It did for me.

I've been kicking off my mornings here for almost 8 years and can't say enough about the supportive community, the amazing workouts and the awesome coaching. Looking back, I still remember my first day. The workout was "Fran" and I thought I was in decent shape, but I could barely hang from a bar or hold an unloaded barbell over my head. Fast forward through the years and I've been cheered on by countless members always eager to celebrate every milestone and achievement and I've developed strength, a stronger will, and some really fun friendships.

I love the different workout tracks. Depending on how I'm feeling, I can walk through the doors and get that exhilarating feeling of being pushed beyond my comfort zone, focus on a skill or technique, rehabilitate, or just move and recharge my batteries. There is no doubt that a Daybreak membership will elevate your fitness and help you look and feel better than you ever have in your life, but the bigger win for me has been the way it has enabled me to place more value on my body for what it can do than what it looks like. Love this place, it's always a great way to start the day.

I have been to other boxes and I love the different character and feel of most of them. Daybreak is all about the coaches. It still blows my mind how hard they work at every class. I feel like I have a personal trainer monitoring my workouts, my progress and my motivation level. The coaches spend time on everything from injury prevention to nutrition. I have been here for 18 months and I can't imagine not having this place to come 3-5 times per week.

There is a wide variety of class times and options for specialty workouts each week. The members are great and are very inviting. You can walk into any class and feel welcome.

In case you can't tell...I think this place is amazing!

7 Things to Know About My Daybreak CrossFit Experience...:

1. I am having so much fun! I admit to loving CrossFit! I love Daybreak and the crew! I actually love exercising now and look forward to the workouts! It's feeling like a kid again at recess! I get out what I put in and the results have been amazing....I am a self proclaimed "homer"!

2. Six months ago, I sat with my doctor and we discussed medication to combat a diagnosis of high cholesterol, high triglycerides and the pronouncement of being pre-diabetic. Six months ago, I was woefully overweight and declared obese based on the BMI scale. Six months ago, I refused to be put on medication for something that I seemingly had control over but had been denying for years. I needed to make some serious changes. I was a 52 year old, out of shape, small business owner with little time for herself...or so I would tell myself....Six months later: I am 21 lbs lighter, my triglycerides dropped by 21 points, my cholesterol dropped by 28 points and my blood glucose has dropped a full point putting me one point from normal levels. Six months ago I met Mel at Daybreak CrossFit.

3. "CrossFit is a cult". "CrossFit is dangerous". That's what I heard...that's what I read. Let's put this to rest. If you want to compete with the fittest guy or gal in the room without paying attention to what your body is telling you because in your head you hear "I'm strong, I can do that, no problem" then CrossFit can be dangerous. If you pay attention to your body, to your form, to your coaches and reside to compete with/within yourself, then CrossFit is a wonderful and engaging physical challenge. As for the "cult" statement, if finding like minded people who support you getting healthy and cheer you on to complete the workout of the day, then I'm in!

4. If you plan to attend the free intro class at Daybreak, know this: it's challenging....but in a good way. The workout is totally scaled to your ability. My thought process during and after the workout went something like this: "wow, I'm really out of shape", "you want me to do what...?","this is like the Presidential Physical Fitness Awards when I was a kid", "what happened to the athlete in me?", "I have to sign up and try this for a month, that was fun!"

5. I wish CrossFit was around when I was 25! But it wasn't and I am happy to say I am proud to be in the "over 50" group of Daybreakers who show up everyday to work on improving their health and fitness. We do what the 25 year olds are doing...maybe not as fast, maybe not as strong but we are doing it!

6. I decided upon Daybreak because: it is woman owned, it's clean and open, and most importantly, I demanded not to get hurt (I read the same press you probably have). That sounds funny but when I presented that to Mel, the owner, she didn't laugh. She smiled and knowingly said "I don't want you to get hurt either" (we're not talking about insurance reasons here but a real genuine compassion for her athletes) "so this is how we are going to do this..." I have had classes with Kate, Michele and Sara. Not only are they amazing athletes themselves but they each promote and value Mel's commitment to quality and excellence.

7. If I were you, I'd give it a try...just try...one class, maybe two...see if it's for you. As for me, six months later, I am stronger and fitter, more agile, energetic and confident. I am having a tremendous amount of fun all while huffing, puffing, sweating and learning about myself and those Daybreak CrossFitters around me!

If you want some motivation and inspiration, Daybreak Crossfit (DCF) is the place to go. Here are just a few reasons why I keep going back:

Crossfit intimates me, but DCF does NOT: I never thought I could ‘do Crossfit’. The first time I walked into a Crossfit Box (not DCF), there were two very fit individuals walking across the floor on their hands, so my first impression of Crossfit was simply ‘WTF?!’ Everything about that moment intimidated me, their bodies, their strength and the fact that I am pretty certain that I will NEVER be able to do that. Needless to say Crossfit, in general, did not have me at hello. Then I heard about Mel Ockerby and DCF and decided to give them a try. And Mel did, indeed, have me at hello. I still will probably never walk on my hands (except that if Mel reads this she will probably say that I can), but I know that Mel will always encourage me and push me, as will the rest of the DCF community. At DCF I can ‘do Crossfit’. At DCF I actually enjoy it and look forward to each workout, even when I know they are going to push me beyond my comfort level and even when I am working out with more fit members. I just feel comfortable there.

Great Community: Mel Ockerby greets me (and all members) by name every single time I walk in the door. This small gesture really means a lot and makes me want to give Mel my best for that hour.

Top-Notch Facilities: DCF is clean, spacious and bright. That may or may not matter to you, but it does to me as a stinky, crowded, dark place is neither motivating nor inspirational.

Varied, relevant workouts & coaches who know what they are talking about: At DCF, you know the coaching and the workout is current, safe, and varied. You will NOT get bored and you can be assured that every WOD is deliberately designed to do something, be it test your strength, endurance, speed or mental toughness.

Results will come – You will notice small changes quickly (standing taller, feeling stronger) – more significant changes will take time (more defined muscles, clothes fitting better) – but they do come – and surprisingly, they are not necessarily only physical changes. Crossfit and DCF make you mentally stronger – you will just be a better you.

Co-Owners Mel Ockerby and Eric Rapisarda ROCK! - You will not meet two nicer people. Two people who are truly interested in each and every person who walks in their door. They are passionate about creating a unique Crossfit experience for their clients. They will listen to your goals and they will help you on your way to get there; you’ll have to put in the work and they will motivate and inspire you every step of the way.

Even if you think Crossfit is not for you, I would recommend that you give them a try. I am pretty sure that DCF will have you at hello!