Branford CrossFit is the premiere CrossFit gym on the shoreline. Our mission is to inspire and challenge our community to be better every day, in and out of the gym. We want to help you develop healthier life styles, while creating better habits in order to achieve achieve and maintain your goals. We offer many different types of programs for ALL ages, and ALL abilities. With our remarkable community, dedicated and genuine staff, you will not regret walking in. That is the hardest part, just showing up! DO IT!

Craig Kenney

Since I can remember hearing stories of Deke’s gym from my Dad and Godfather it has always been a dream of mine to open my own gym.
While I began competing in CrossFit I was also working a “steady career path job” for the state, which I thought was the right move. Climb the ranks, get a pension. Soon, I was presented with an opportunity by a great friend and mentor Jim Lapia. I decided to follow my passion.
I couldn't be more proud of our members, staff, and product at Branford CrossFit. The community we have, the comradeship within our gym is unmatched and is a joy to be around. My wife Marta and I are blessed to be able to surround our children David, Wade, and Caroline with such positive and motivated people.
I cannot thank you all enough for the ability to share my passion every day for fitness and sport. I will continue to serve this community, with a full head of steam every single day. Nation.
-CrossFit Games 14’,18’,19’,22’,24’
-CrossFit Level 2, Kettlebell Trainer
-Certified Personal Trainer, National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
-Northeastern University- Football Captain 08’,09’

AJ Alessi

AJ grew up playing sports at Branford High School and continued to play four years of lacrosse at Quinnipiac University. It was there where he discovered his passion for strength and conditioning and working hard. Upon graduation he began a career as a teacher while coaching lacrosse and CrossFit.
After coaching at Branford CrossFit for four years he took over as full time owner in 2016. He continues to be the head lacrosse coach at Notre Dame of West Haven and is the Director of CT Blazers Lacrosse Club. At NDWH his teams have qualified for the state semi finals five times and has been named CHSCA Coach of the Year, New Haven Register Coach of the Year (4x) and The Tom Marcucci Coach of the Year. AJ holds a Level 1 CrossFit Certification, as well as a USA Weightlifting certification and has worked extensively with BCF youth programs ranging from daycare through high school.
BCF has become a second family to me. I look forward to coming into the gym everyday and helping people of all abilities reach their fitness goals. Working out besides our community in class is motivating and pushes me to work harder than I ever have before.”

Hajrolda “Haj” Bell

I started CrossFit in January of 2013 & never looked back! It didn’t take long for me to further my passion in the sport of fitness & obtain my L1 certification where I began coaching shortly after.
I have always strived to do my very best both as an athlete & coach & give 100% in whatever it is I do. From competing in local & regional competitions to training through pregnancy & postpartum, expanding my knowledge and experience in the sport in any way that I can is my main goal!
My passion for this sport remains eminent & I am always looking for ways to improve as an athlete and coach not only for myself but for our members & the community.
Most importantly, fitness and health hold significant value in our home as well. I met my husband at CrossFit back in 2013. While much has changed since then, the one thing that has remained constant is our commitment to living a fit and healthy lifestyle both in and outside the gym. We are SO excited to raise our daughter, Charlotte, on that same path!

I56A5683 (1).jpg — Diane Stone

I started CrossFit in September 2012. In July of 2013 I received my CFL-1 certificate and started coaching. Over the past 6 years I have enjoyed coaching and CrossFit competitions. In 2017 I finished the Open in 17th place and the AGOQ in 23rd worldwide. I have qualified 4 times to compete at the Granite Games, finishing the 2018 event in !st place. My certifications include CrossFit CFL-2, CrossFit Weightlifting, CrossFit Gymnastics, 30 year member and Level III Professional Ski Instructor of America, AFAA Personal Trainer, CPR, Reebok Indoor Cycling Instructor and CPR.

I was born raised in Atlanta, GA. After graduating high school I moved to Aspen, CO where I met my husband, Charlie. We have 2 children, Hannah and Berkley. I love to ski, surf and spend time with the kids.

Other accomplishments
2 Marathons
2 Tough Mudders
Town of Aspen Race Series- Mountain & Road Biking
US Swimming Athlete

Haylee Molloy

Haylee, originally from New York, has made Connecticut her new home. She played lacrosse for four years at Arcadia University where she was first introduced to strength training. She began CrossFit at this time and hasn’t stopped since.
Her love for fitness and training is what drove her to a career switch in 2018. She went on to receive her masters degree in Physical Education from Hofstra University. In summer 2022, she will also have a masters in Health Education.
Haylee is a Physical Education teacher, soccer coach, lacrosse coach, and CrossFit coach. She has also spent summers Lifeguarding at Fire Island Seashore. She also likes to garden, paddle board, and hang out with family + her dog, Blake.
“I’m so lucky to be able to teach/coach people in something that I am so passionate about. I love helping others reach their goals and seeing the sense of pride they experience afterwards. The best part about fitness is that there is always room to grow, always something to work for, and always something to be excited about— thank you for letting me be a part of that!

Taber cheesing.JPG — Christopher Taber (Weightlifting Coach)

PhD., CSCS, USAW2, PES, EP-C
Christopher is an assistant professor at Sacred Heart University in the exercise science program. He is the head coach of the Sacred Heart weightlifting team as well as a coach and athlete with east coast gold weightlifting. He has been coaching athletes for the past 8 years and has developed athletes from a multitude of sports. Prior to teaching at Sacred Heart University he was an assistant weightlifting coach and sport scientist at the Olympic training site at East Tennessee State University. His research is focused around optimal training methods, strength and power development and athlete monitoring and testing. Christopher lives in Branford with his wife Lucy and his dog marble.