CrossFit - Denver, CO

CrossFit Photography - Denver, Colorado

Photographing CrossFit athletes in Denver is an exhilarating challenge that combines technical skill with artistic vision. It’s about more than just capturing movement; it’s about telling the story of resilience, effort, and achievement. Whether you’re shooting in a gritty gym or against the vibrant Denver skyline, every image is about freezing powerful, fleeting moments that embody the spirit of the sport. From the explosive power of a box jump to the intensity in an athlete’s eyes as they push through a personal record, every frame tells a story.

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Denver CrossFit Gym

Denver CrossFit Photography

Female CrossFit athlete working out in Denver, CO

CrossFit Photographer

Black and white CrossFit Photography

Photograph of a girl doing an overhead press at gym in Denver, CO

CrossFit Photoshoot

Black and white fitness photography

Photograph of a male CrossFit athlete doing deadlifts at a gym in Denver, CO

The pain of CrossFit

Colorado CrossFit Photographer

Photograph of a girl working out on a rowing machine at a gym in Denver, CO

Photograph of a girl doing wall stands at a CrossFit gym

Denver CrossFit Gym

Partner workout - CrossFit

Photograph of a male and female working out together at a gym in Denver, CO

San Diego Fitness Photographer

Bear Republic Crossfit

Can't ever see becoming sick of shooting CrossFit. It's too real, which means that it never gets boring.  There is never a need to stage anything. You just let everything happen in front you and do your best to capture it. Real sweat. Not that from a spray bottle bullshit. 

www.robhammerphotography.com/crossfit

Bold, Gritty Fitness Photography for Athletes and Gyms

Dark, Bold, and Powerful: Fitness Photography with Edge

Denver, Colorado

Not every fitness shoot needs to be light and sunny. Sometimes, what tells the real story is darkness. Sweat. Steel. The sound of a barbell hitting the floor.

This gallery is a look into the grittier side of my fitness photography—shot in Denver gyms, CrossFit boxes, and industrial spaces where intensity lives. These aren’t posed lifestyle images or clean studio headshots. These are raw, high-contrast photos that show real strength, real effort, and real people pushing themselves further than most ever will.

I use studio strobes to carve out contrast, shadows, and shape—so every image feels bold, sharp, and charged with energy. It's the kind of visual work that feels serious, because it is. Whether it's a personal trainer who wants to reflect the edge of their brand, or a gym that’s built its name on hustle, this style is about owning the grind.

That said, the process is always collaborative. I work closely with each client to create images that feel authentic—not staged. Every athlete, every coach, every gym owner I’ve worked with brings their own energy, and my job is to capture that energy in a way that aligns with their brand.

If you’re a Denver-based trainer, athlete, or gym looking for visuals that reflect the grit behind the work—you’re in the right place.

Let’s make something powerful.

Fitness photograph of athletes doing handstand walks at a gritty gym in Denver, CO

Black and white photograph of a girl and guy doing toes to bar at a Crossfit gym.

Photograph of an athlete preparing to deadlift

Fitness photograph of a guy and girl overhead pressing at a gritty gym in Denver, CO

Photograph of a male athlete deadlifting in a warehouse gym

Portrait of a Crossfit athlete at a gym

Two friends laughing after a workout in a CrossFit gym

3 people doing handstand walks in a warehouse gym

Black and white portrait of a Crossfit athlete

Photograph of an athlete pumping himself up to do squats at a Crossfit gym

Photograph of a girl doing ring dips at a gritty gym

Two Crossfit athletes warming up with a jog on a city street

A girl and guy embracing each other after a workout

An athlete overhead pressing at a warehouse gym

An athletic girl doing clean n jerks at a gritty gym in Denver, CO

Photograph of a male athlete straining while deadlifting at a warehouse gym in Denver, CO

Photograph of a guy doing ring dips as he friends watch

Black and white photograph of a girl rope climbing at a gritty gym

Two girls pound fists after an intense workout.

Photograph of exhausted athletes after an intense workout at a gritty Denver gym

CrossFit - Boulder, CO

CrossFit Photographer - Boulder, CO

When it comes to CrossFit, every rep, every lift, and every drop of sweat tells a story of dedication and grit. For CrossFit athletes in Boulder, Colorado, the gym is more than just a training ground; it’s a stage where personal bests are shattered and camaraderie thrives. Capturing these moments through photography not only celebrates the athlete’s journey but also highlights the raw beauty of strength and determination.

Nestled at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder offers a unique blend of natural beauty and a fitness-focused community. The city boasts several top-tier CrossFit gyms, or "boxes," that cater to everyone from beginners to seasoned athletes. Gyms like CrossFit Sanitas, Roots, and Left Hand CrossFit are hubs of activity, attracting individuals committed to pushing their physical and mental boundaries.

This dynamic environment makes Boulder an ideal location for CrossFit photography. Whether it’s a sunrise workout in an open-air setting or an intense WOD (Workout of the Day) inside a gym, the opportunities for capturing striking visuals are endless.

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Fitness Photography-San Diego

Beach Workout - San Diego, California

Fitness Photography - Weight Sled

Really fun fitness shoot on the beach in Lajolla. Timing wasn't perfect, as we were fighting the tide, which just made it that much more fun.

Crossfit - San Diego

San Diego Fitness Photography

I've been shooting Crossfit for a few years now, and love it. There is a certain element that is missing in regular gyms. Most people in regular gyms get dressed up to "workout", but really they just stare in the mirror for an hour. Crossfitters want it to hurt. They are authentic. They want to be in pain by the end of their workout. This is a small collection of images I made over the past month, of that pain.

All images were shot on a Nikon D810/D4 and lit with Broncolor strobes.