Right in the heart of Europe’s political playground, CrossFit White Bull is home to a community as diverse as the languages spoken in the European Parliament — a place that brings us back to what really matters: showing up, sweating, and leaving just a little better than you arrived. In a world where loneliness is common and purpose can feel far away, White Bull offers more than just workouts. Here, locals, expats, and even EU bureaucrats train side by side, building not just physical strength, but also mental resilience and personal growth through a truly holistic approach to fitness and life.
Boris and Johanan- Owners of White Bull CrossFit
My Drop-In Experience
CrossFit White Bull is located in Ixelles, a buzzing neighborhood that blends urban vibes with local charm. Just a short walk from the European Parliament, the area is full of contrasts: people in suits soaking up the sun, defrosting from air-conditioned meetings, rushing between appointments — and at the same time, students hanging around and locals going about their day with that effortlessly smooth pace.
I arrived 30 minutes early. Yes, I’m Brazilian — and yes, that might sound controversial. But I hate being late, and Brussels’ public transport actually made it easier for me to be even earlier than usual.
At the front desk, I sat on a couch to wait for the class and was immediately spotted by Otilia — a curious and friendly Romanian woman who was also waiting and clearly interested in the new face at the box. She pointed me to the restroom and offered me coffee — the universal CrossFit love language.
Looking around, I felt a strong sense of identity: t-shirts, bold colors, and even a mascot on the counter — a metal bull. Everything carries the spirit of the place. Later, I’d understand that in a box that welcomes so many expats, this strong identity is essential for creating a feeling of belonging.
I booked my class with Urban Sports. Even though I have my membership in Amsterdam, I was surprised to find I could work out in other countries too. I booked, got there, scanned the QR code, and checked in. Easy like a Sunday morning. I was ready to sweat.
WOD
First two questions of coach Yo.
1. How are you doing?
2. How are your shoulders doing?
Skill
Handstand holds and wall walks ( I got the second question)
Main course:
8-minute AMRAP
Buddy WOD- Luckly, I had already my new friend Otilia
- Partner A: 4 wall walks
- Partner B: Max Calories Ergo-bike
2-minute rest – Then
8-minute AMRAP – You go, I go
- 6 burpees
- 6 kettlebell lunges (24/20kg)
Funny WOD and competitive vibe of Otilia, who even after the 8 minutes, was still finishing her last round. A Machine!
About White Bull
The box is on the ground floor of a commercial building — right underneath the KPMG offices. (I am absolutely sure those consultants would rather be doing burpees than working late into the night.) At the back of the main training space, there’s a beautiful garden and an outdoor lounge for post-WOD hangs.
They have a team of seven people — including CrossFit coaches, yoga instructors, and nutritionists — because the core value of this box goes beyond the physical. It’s not just about workouts or movement, but about offering a transformative journey that brings change to the body, mind, and spirit.
Their approach is called Holistic Approach (I already liked the name before even understanding the concept), and that’s how the owners — Boris and Johanan, or Bo and Yo — describe their method.
CrossFit already embraces the principle of developing all ten physical skills, but White Bull’s program goes further. It’s a lifestyle transformation, not just traditional training. Their goal is to empower people, helping everyone live with more vitality and confidence.
I was super curious to talk to the owners and understand more about this holistic approach and what drives them.
Meeting the Owners: Yo & Bo (We were already on a nickname basis by this point)
Yo is owner, coach, artist, and former journalist. Raised in Brussels to a Chinese-British father and a Swiss-French mother, he is the city’s layered identity in one person. About ten years ago, his heart shifted toward fitness, and now he combines creativity and coaching in a way that feels totally authentic.
Bo, also owner and coach, is French. He moved to Brussels in 2014 as a Booking.com executive. He tried to escape the corporate world and even lived in Lisbon for a year — that’s where he took his Level 1. But life brought him back to Brussels, where he reconnected with Yo — his leaderboard rival, friend, and future business partner.
They first knew of each other through the leaderboard, without ever meeting in person — they were always battling for the top. Their paths are pretty similar: both came from outside the fitness industry, started out as athletes, earned their CFL1, and slowly transitioned into coaching. It was a long journey, full of growth — from athletes to coaches to friends to co-owners.
Their vision for White Bull is clear: CrossFit as a tool for personal transformation. To become a better, happier version of yourself.
Their programming runs in thoughtful six-week cycles, focused on endurance, weightlifting, cardio, and all ten fitness characteristics. They emphasize efficiency and injury prevention to ensure performance and long-term evolution.
The part that stuck with me most?
Bo told me his biggest win as a coach is not when someone have a PR, but when they say, “I feel power in myself again”. That’s what they’re building: a place where people don’t just train, they transform.
Yo touched my heart when he said that in today’s world — where people tend to isolate themselves and question their purpose — having a space where you feel at home and surrounded by people who share your values is powerful and essential for mental health.
Watch the full interview in the link:
Community
They didn’t build an international CrossFit community on purpose — Brussels did it for them. In a city where over 180 nationalities live side by side, where people speak three languages, and where institutions like the EU and NATO shape global policy, it’s no surprise that CrossFit White Bull reflects that same spirit of diversity.
75% of the members are from outside Belgium. Among them, you’ll find people working on major global projects — and the box’s most iconic members: a Brazilian couple in their 60s who show up every single day at 6:30 am. That’s the vibe.
The whiteboard doesn’t care what you do or where you come from! And to make sure this beautifully diverse group stays connected — not just by the barbell but by a shared search for community, resilience, and belonging — White Bull regularly hosts events that bring together expats, locals, bureaucrats, and students in a space where everyone can just be themselves.
Well, it’s no secret that a healthy life is a balanced life. And I LOVED White Bull’s approach to that balance.
The behavioral changes we see in people who do CrossFit are real — but few places talk about that transformation so openly. CrossFit offers benefits not only for your body, but for your mind and your emotional well-being too. It’s a tool for self-discovery and resilience-building.
So whether you’re rushing between meetings at the European Parliament, visiting Brussels on holiday, or just wandering the world one WOD at a time — don’t miss a chance to drop in at White Bull and feel the vibe for yourself.
Drop-In Information
📍 Address: Rue d’Idalie 9-13- 1050 Ixelles- Brussels- Belgium
💻 Booking & Payment: https://whitebullcrossfit.com/resawod/
💰 Price: €20
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Stronger, Healthier, Anywhere. 
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