Denise Ristow

Coach
  • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
  • CPR/AED First Aid Certified
  • CrossFit Games 65+ Athlete 2021
 
Denny has been a CrossFit coach since 2020 and a member of Midwest Grit (FKA CrossFit Eastern Ridge) sine 2014. In the CrossFit world, Denny is considered a 60+ Master. By her own admission, joining CrossFit at an age when most people are thinking of retirement is a bit out of the ordinary, but once you get to know her you will realize she is anything but ordinary.
 
Denny grew up during the time in history when Title IX was passed opening the door for women’s sports. At the high school level Denny participated on the swim team and the volleyball team. She continued on to play volleyball and tennis at St. Norbert College. At that time, she minored in physical education and was only one of two females to do so.
 
Her love of competition continued throughout her life evolving into numerous team and individual sports, running half marathons and marathons all over Wisconsin, and eventually finding her home at CrossFit Eastern Ridge. 
 
Denny is unique on our staff because of all her accomplishments within CrossFit. As a multi-year regional athlete, she has finished in the top 200 in the world in her division 5 times, with two of those being in the top 25. In 2021, Denny qualified for the CrossFit Games and finished as the 16th fittest woman in the world in her division!
 
Denny enjoys spending time with her family: husband Ken, daughter Christine, son-in-law Ben, and the greatest grandson ever, Wade!