I have to admit that I was a little scared about going here with some co-workers, mostly because I…read moredidn't know what to expect. I was picturing a gym full of meat heads I guess, which is not my scene at all. This place is further from that picture than you could ever get. The atmosphere of the place is actually very chill/relaxing. It's a big open space with tons of interesting looking equipment. Josh is probably the most friendly and welcoming guy you could ever meet. We even talked running a bit, and he is full of helpful information! The class we took, Sweat Shop, was not at all what I was expecting. Josh makes the workout not only interesting, but fun and I got to use some of that interesting looking equipment. I had never used kettleballs or weighted bats (not sure what they are really called) before! I left a little sweaty, feeling like I had a very good workout, and I had fun on top of it. I'm a little sore the day after, which my body knows it means I had a great workout that was a full body workout! It's way better than the typical gym circut where you just go from dull machine to dull machine. I will defintely be coming back for more classes at Gymnasium. I'm paticularly interested in Yogabells and the fencing classes.

It's a few minutes before my first class and I am nervous. I hear a cool 80's song as I open the…read moredoor. Immediately I am greeted by the owner, Josh Conway. I see him peering over a desk flanked by tall plants, smiling at me. It looks like he is briefing one of his coaches for the upcoming class. I take off my shoes, briefly speak with him and then proceed to the changing room. I noticed behind him was a lighted library of books ranging from Chinese breathing techniques to the history of European sword fighting. What a nice collection of varied interests I thought. As I grab a cup of water from the bubbler Josh informs me that although optional, I needn't to keep my socks on for the workout --part of the strength training involves training the feet, naturally. As I stretch out before class I see an older couple finishing up their kettle bell routine. They chalk up their personal best on one of the chalkboards on the wall. I see that one chalkboard is filled with quotations, comments and words of encouragement written by various members. Another board describes what 'theme' it is for the day. 'Stamina.' Today's theme is stamina I thought. Yesterday was 'Power.' Tomorrow is 'Strength.' The couple comes over and says hello to me and we introduce ourselves. This is pretty cool I thought. As I look around I see that Gymnasium is a nicely designed, large two section studio with cozy lighting, wooden floors, floor to ceiling mirrors along one wall and a huge Gymnasium logo emblazoned against another. Thick and heavy ropes hang from the ceiling, next to a row of pull-up bars. There are many tires stacked like a wall in one corner. A large variety of kettlebells and Indian Clubs line the back wall. There are also hurdles, metal stands, rope, straps, foam bricks, sandbags, fitness ladders, a peg climb and many other tools for circuit use. Intimidated, but curious. A coach comes over to me, extends a hand and says hello to me. 'Hello, my name is Marlon" I reply. 'My first day here.' Several more members fill the room as the clock winds to 5pm. The coach instructs us to get into a circle. The mild chatter quiets down as the coach-led group begins with a twisting and breathing exercise as 'Simple Minds' softly gets us into the mood over the gym's sound system. It's been a hair over two months since I've joined Gymnasium. I clocked in at 228 pounds the day I signed up. Today I am 202 pounds. I can't believe it. Twice the results, half the time. At first I was skeptical because there weren't any 45 pound plates, barbells and ellipticals which are usual staple found at regular gyms. At the risk of sounding cliché, this isn't a regular gym. After a few workouts I found myself crawling on all fours, doing planks, swinging kettlebells, hurling sandbags and performing an endless variety of floor work. The exercises are always changing weekly too. No chance for my muscles to become accustomed to anything. What is key, is that since the classes are small you get a lot of attention from the coach. There are always two or three alternatives to each type of exercise. An experienced member might perform a more difficult version of a pushup exercise while a new member might do them inclined along a wall. Gymnasium recognizes that each person is different. Another thing which is cool is that the community at Gymnasium is very fun, social and lively. There are tables and couches to sit and read from the library, sip tea or coffee which Gymnasium provides, or just to hang out. Josh organizes many other fun events such as evening runs, a variety of seminars, kettlebell challenges and a 60 Day Food Challenge in which I am currently involved. There is a great deal of personalization and interaction which is seldom if ever found at other gyms. I am simply flabbergasted as to why I don't see a lot more people doing natural movement exercises like the kind found at Gymnasium. However, I do know that this style of training is increasing in popularity. Also this type of training isn't as 'sexy' as pushing 10 pound plates on a machine. But for the record, given by my results I would never step back into a 'regular' gym--not if being strong and balanced, moving optimally and losing weight was my goal. 2/25/13 Sincerely, Marlon V

I am so impressed with Burn Boot Camp! The staff is incredibly friendly and motivating. They have…read morehad several pop up camps to meet the trainers and try out the workout. All fitness abilities are welcome, and the coaches really help you to modify moves if you need to. They are equally good at pushing you if they know you can handle it. I do a lot of workouts and have tried a lot of places, and I have really been enjoying Burn!!

I have been a member of Burn Newton for several years and cannot say enough about this gym! The…read morecommunity is spectacular and supportive, the trainers are full of encouragement, and the workouts are varied and fun! You'll never do the same workout twice and you're body and mind will be challenged with each exercise. The trainers are exceptional at challenging people or making modifications where needed and make everyone who walks through the door feel welcomed and ready to rock their workout! I highly recommend doing a free trial and experience this awesome gym!

If you're a busy dad of three like me, you know the fitness struggle is real. It's been a loooong…read moretime since my high school Track days, and trying to maintain a workout routine between kids and work was just not going to happen. I've lost track of the number of times I've said, "this is the time I'm going to stick with working out." I started going to Fitness Together last year and it's been exactly what I needed. No crowded gyms or waiting for machines. Expert trainers who handle all the thinking (and racking weights!) for me. Sessions on my calendar that keep me accountable. The trainers plan the workouts, track my progress, and actually make sure my form isn't awful. It's amazing how much easier it is to stick to a workout routine when all you have to do is show up and focus on picking heavy things up and putting them down. It's been the only way I've actually stayed consistent. If you've got fitness goals but zero time to waste, definitely check them out. Super glad I found this place.

"Fitness Together in Belmont has been life changing for me. Two years ago, I was living a pretty…read moresedentary life, eating poorly and dealing with multiple chronic injuries due to lack of exercise. I decided to try Fitness Together and the experience has changed my life! Unlike other fitness places I had tried, this program is tailored to my specific needs on a daily basis. I work with trainers one-on-one and they have come up with a workout plan and a meal plan that fits my personal goals. The trainers at Fitness Together in Belmont are extremely knowledgeable, encouraging and friendly. If I have any physical discomfort when I arrive for my session, they alter the exercises to accommodate my needs. Coming from someone who has always hated to exercise, I actually like going there because I feel supported and cared about by the entire staff. After working with them for two years, I am 40 lbs lighter and feel physically better than I have in a decade. I am so grateful to this amazing team of people for helping me obtain a healthier lifestyle! "

I've dropped in a few times over the years just to see how the Box is evolving, as I also do with…read moreother local Crossfits, just to compare them all over time. These are just my observations of the current experience. 1. Rusted/Old Bars - Most of the lifting bars (Men/Women) are in bad shape. Some have rust on them. I've been to many places that take care of their bars and lots of the time have all the same brand. There are numerous brands of bars in various levels of disrepair. 2. Rowers in Disrepair - They have a limited number of rowers (5?) of which are in really bad condition. One didn't register me rowing while another's chain was loose in the chamber with no tension, essentially not a functioning rower. 3. Assault Bikes in Disrepair - They also have limited Assault Bikes that are also in various levels of disrepair from broken foot pedals to unmaintained chains which is evident when pedaling. 4. Dirty/Separated Floor Tiles - The floor doesn't seem to have been cleaned in a long time, there were patches of mold in the area nearest the kettlebells. There was significant dirt in a lot of places as well as old tape for marking lines. The floor tiles have significantly come apart in many places. The widest I noticed was enough to place my hand inside and touch the concrete below. 5. Slated/Uneven Floor - The floor is uneven nearest the two side bay doors which has about 4 workout spots. So uneven that when I put my barbell down, the barbell rolled away from me pretty fast. 6. Filthy Bathrooms - Has to have the filthiest bathrooms of any CrossFit that I've visited and I've been to a lot! There were remnants of previous explosive visits to the toilet evident in the toilet and outside of it. 7. Unfriendly Coach - I went to a morning class and didn't receive the friendliest welcome. The Coach seemed as if they couldn't be bothered with me. This Coach teaches the early morning class at 5:30am. 8. Bad Wallballs - They are the cheap wallballs in which a lot of them have sand-like debris that falls out of them when you use them which gets in your eyes. Most are weight lopsided meaning that the weight isn't evenly distributed, common in the cheaper wallballs. 9. Bloody/Dirty Tapped Rigs - Some of the rigs have tape for a better grip. The tape grips have dried blood soaked into them. All were extremely dirty and hadn't been re-tapped in who knows how long. 10. Dirty Mats - The Box has the three-section folding mats as well as some larger black foam mats to lay out for HSPUs, for example, and they were all dirty. Didn't seem like they had been cleaned in a while. 11. Dumb Bells/Rubber Plates Broken - A lot of dumb bell heads are loose or the rubber coating is coming off due to wear and tear. Many of the rubber plates are in poor condition from the center metal ring being loose or the plate itself just being in poor condition or both. 12. Limited Class Times - There's a 5:30am, 9:30am, 12:30pm, 4:30 and 6:30am. You're out of luck if you want more flexibility for your schedule. Many of the area CrossFits have a more convenient morning class offering. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this Box. I've visited all the ones surrounding this one in the area and would recommend any of them over this Box. For instance, CrossFit Tilt and CrossFit City Line have state-of-the-art facilities with dedicated coaches. Everything is fairly clean and the Coaches are super friendly/experienced. The Drop-In fees are comparable and the entire communities at both are fantastic. The owners are all experienced CrossFitters that have made it to high-level competitions. They actually plan events together outside the Box frequently. There is a lot of parking at both places and they have doors to enter the facility. Oh, forgot to mention that CrossFit Newton doesn't have a dedicated front door, they have a bay door which you have to open and close in the colder weather. I also took some time and talked with some of the other members. There's a lot of drama and clicks in this Box. I will say that a lot of the members are fairly nice and pleasant. Most go because it's really close to them or because they are used to it.

Crossfit Newton is one of the best communities that I have ever been a part of. This gym has such a…read moregreat environment and the workouts are great! The coaching is fantastic and the people are even better. Everyone is so welcoming and the workouts over the past few years have put me in the best shape of my life. If you are looking to try something new but are a bit intimidated, don't be! This place is fantastic and I would reccomend it to anyone who is thinking of trying it out.

Went in for a massage with Twyla. Honestly this place is a hidden gem! Great service and personable…read morestaff. Give great explanation of the muscles being worked on and get to your tight areas. Went in for soreness in my back and we found it was linked to tension in my piriformis muscle, she gave me some stretches and exercises to work into my routine to relieve pain in the future.

Twyla is amazing and her personal training changed my life! She is a gem in terms of understanding…read moreyour body and using your weight to really tone and lose weight at the same time!! I have joined many gyms in the pat and this is the first time in my life I got really fit!!! Only stopped because I moved away!!

This place is amazing! It's really different from the other crossfits I've visited... Very clean…read moreand modern...all the bells and whistles of a top notch fitness facility... (Even the lockers have special locks you can use so you don't have to bother bringing one...) I'm new to Crossfit, and the trainers worked with me to quickly establish my fitness level and really pushed me when I needed it...but they also offer Boxing and "well-fit" personal training... I tried a boxing class, and was completely blown away... I got a fantastic full body workout, and left feeling stronger and faster..The instructor Todd was incredible...Im trying their Well-fit class next, and hear it really gives you a good run for your money... The staff is really friendly and for parents out there - they have childcare available... Definitely give this place a shot.. You'll be instantly hooked :)

I recently moved to the area, and it took me a few months to find a gym that worked for me. I am so…read moreglad I was able to find this place! I was (am) new to CrossFit but all the coaches and staff have been welcoming and understanding, taking their time to explain the proper technique and making sure I felt comfortable. Group classes is they way to go if you want to get real results, and there is no better place for that than CrossFit Marauder. In addition to CrossFit, they offer other types of group classes, boxing and even yoga. They offer many time slots, so you will likely find one that works for you. It really is the best place to get into and stay in shape in the area.

I've been working with Mike for 12 years now. Primarily, it was to get fitter for soccer, Spartan…read moreRaces, and such things. His boot camp delivered on all levels--body, mind, and spirit ... in a wonderfully supportive community setting. Now I'm in my 60s and my goals are less intense, but the work remains rewarding. Though he has many participants involved, each of us know that he truly cares about and supports each of us individually.

The best workout routine I've ever done. Focuses on accountability, goal setting, healthy habits,…read moreand most importantly, balanced workouts that include elements of Pilates, strength, balance, coordination, plyometric, and aerobic training. Mike is a dynamic leader that changed my thinking about fitness for the better.

I joined about 21 years ago when it was in Waltham. I quit at one point as one night a dude…read morerefused to leave the machine he was texting on. I was so mad I had to quit. Since I got back in about 3 years after the pandemic the Newton location is quite a different crowd now. Having limited parking has culled the herd. It's not quite the bargain it used to be. I get the top level membership as I need to do the yoga. The yoga classes could be expanded for sure to more classes and more difficult levels. Parking is the main bane of this gym. in warm weather months I try to bike over.

Love the gym and the cheap monthly fee. However they have not had air conditioning upstairs in the…read moreweight room for going on a month + and we are often working out in 92+ degree rooms.