As someone who dedicates their life to work and exploring new food spots, working out has never…read morebeen my forte. I am a notorious quiter. If I struggle at something athletic, I am usually the first person to determine my time would be better spent completing work tasks not done during the work day. Turning 30, I decided I needed a change and signed up for the Southern Maryland CrossFit "Fall Into Fitness" Special. The "Fall Into Fitness" Special included unlimited classes for six weeks totalling $125.00 per person. My husband agreed to do it with me as support for a new step we both knew was going to be a struggle for me. Walking into Southern Maryland CrossFit, I did not know what to think but I was immediately greeted by Coach Amy who wove humor into her customer service paperwork requirements to help ease the obvious anxiety I was feeling upon walking in. Once you leave the small office, the entire remainder of the space is dedicated to work out space and equipment. Classes are on a rolling basis so when one is ending, the next class is preparing to warm up while other members are on the perimeter doing independent lifting tasks (ie. bench press, squats, overhead press). Warm ups are similar each day allowing for members to have some similarity and focus on the other components of the work out for the day. Each day of the week is different at Southern Maryland CrossFit and each coach works to support every members at their individual level/area of need. As a noob, each coach works with me on my form and help me scale the work out to a reasonable level (even when I am feeling spunky and try to go too heavy too soon). The coaches suggest members use a notebook of some sort to track their individual working weights and PRs; but if maintaining a notebook isn't your style (or you frequently forget where you put things), Southern Maryland CrossFit posts photos of their daily board onto their Facebook page. Overall, Southern Maryland CrossFit is extremely active on their website and social media platforms posting the daily work out, daily work out results, and even weekly messages from the owners! After a few months at Southern Maryland CrossFit, I feel stronger but something more important happened: I started to feel like part of a community. Each member is friendly, social, supportive, and down to help/scale with anyone whether you're new or a seasoned CrossFit participant. Even during the Corona Virus (COVID19) Pandemic, the Southern Maryland CrossFit Coaches and members have online virtual workout plans, virtual workout challenges, video meet ups, and frequent social media engagement. If you're a CrossFit kind of person or even if you're someone like me just looking to make a change to bring some healthy-ish balance to your life, consider Southern Maryland CrossFit. You won't regret it!

This place is a scam. Won't let you even see the gym in person until you sign a contract. Took me…read moreseveral months just to get in the door. The place is not welcoming, the owner doesn't answer questions/phone, the hours are terrible. For me, crossfit gyms are supposed to be community-based. This is far from it. They won't allow for drop ins, supposedly because people are not respectful, but it really to lock you into the contract. On the only class was able to go, they give you all the rules. Drop the bar and that's 8 minutes of burpees for everyone but you. So much for community, pinning people against other. Drive 10 minutes more. Go somewhere else.

Great studio! I came with a friend who is a member while visiting town. I signed up the night…read morebefore for class and arrived several minutes early. No one was at the desk, but all the studios/spaces are clearly marked so I found the barre studio and walked through the door. Our instructor Zoe was a ton of energy and led a great workout. Didn't realize there are lockers past the bathrooms in the back of the space, but now I know for next time!

Great new fitness center in Fredericksburg! I love the lighting, the music, the expertly programmed…read moreworkouts. Just show up and the rest is a peace of cake. Everyone was so friendly, from the front desk to the trainers. The place is very clean and following all Covid precautions. They offer A Hiit type class, barre, stretch, and cycle...all for a price that's pretty great considering all you get. Unlimited classes a month. Give them a try!

I have been here for 6 months now and I feel like I have been here for years, well at least since…read more2015 when they opened. What a great CrossFit community feel. The staff and members do more than just workout at the box. Several competitions and events throughout the year bring everyone together. The owners and coaches are all fantastic. From beginner to experienced, they will help you along your journey of elite fitness. The gym is clean and equipment is spotless. Don't hesitate if you want to check this place out. Drop in if you are traveling. If you are local, make an appointment and see how structured and tailored it is for you. You won't regret it. Good pricing for unlimited and discounts for certain professionals as well.

Absolutely great coaches who truly care about you. Every time I am there the environment is always…read morelively and everyone pushes each other to do the best you can do. Highly recommend checking them out!

I started going to Mayweather 3 1/2 months ago and I can honestly say this place has been the best…read more The exercises are great, the class setting is motivating and I love the fact that class isn't just about punching a bag, but also utilizing footwork and form. I'd definitely recommend this place to others!

Initially I was excitedly about this gym, however the excitement changed when I realized that this…read morecompany is not transparent or honest. I went to the gym to inquire about their training (personal) and everything seemed okay. I asked about pricing and exceptions The man in the front explained everything however what was not posted or even stated was their agreement rules. I was told that upon signing up I would receive a call to set up a day and time with the trainer; 299 for 4 weeks one day a week. When I signed up it was the beginning of the month ( February 2nd) strike 1 did not receive a call to schedule until a week later, strike two could not match schedules so I asked them to cancel my membership and because we could not find something that matches our schedules and I never was given services to refund me. They said in their agreement that they do not do refunds. Where is the agreement posted in their gym, and it was never sent to me. I literally had to search their website to find information. I disputed the transaction within my bank and lost...ok fine but now they say I owe 65 after multiple emails telling them I want nothing to do with company is crazy. This company is not honest, not transparent, and my experience has been the worst!

The 411: this is a stellar example of a completely average gym that is very crowded most of the…read moretime. Since other options in this area are either A: far away, or B: really pricey (like the crossfit gym), this is likely (regrettably) the best option in La Plata, unless you want to travel 20+ mins to Waldorf. The money: I signed up during the New Years resolution special. My deal is as follows: 1 year agreement. Pay month to month $28 per month PLUS a mandatory "gym enhancement fee." So basically I pay $30 per month. Without this special, I believe they offer a month to month deal at an absurd price where you pay $45 or more. There's also a two year deal. Without the $30 monthly special, I think you pay $38 per month for a one year deal I was lucky enough to get the sign up fee waived. Idk if they actually hooked me up or if they pretend to waive a fee that doesn't exist to reel you in. IF YOU DECIDE TO CANCEL YOUR MEMBERSHIP BEFORE YOUR CONTRACT EXPIRES, you will have to pay a mandatory $150 cancellation fee (which is freaking ridiculous if you're living on a budget). All of your money concerns are not dealt directly at the gym, either. They use a third party financier named ABC financial. You should contact them with your money concerns since the gym will just look at you with shrugged shoulders. The equipment: The machines at this gym work fairly well except for a few that I'll mention soon. There's an average number of dumbbells at the gym (2 sets of dumbbells up until 50 pounds and then there's one set of each up to about 120 I believe. Not the most accommodating but it's average (better than the dumbbells at planet fitness) There are about 5 or 6 standalone benches for dumbbell exercises and 4 or 5 barbell benches for assorted benching exercises. These get really crowded at peak hours. The weight machines are all fairly new(as of 2018) but I strongly dislike the leg curl machines and leg extension machines since they're very uncomfortable and lack customization for leg height and range of motion. There's a rack room in the back corner for powerlifting, but be advised that certain clubs reserve that room during peak hours of the day during the week. The cardio section seems big at first but it's quite lacking in stair masters (only 2 and they're always occupied during rush hour) and the rest is just average machinery. I can't review the women's side of the gym but I'm betting that it's also very average. I haven't tried to get into a class but I hear that they fill up quickly and have limited options. The front desk has a protein shake station that looks limited and meh. I would expect a little more flair for a $6 shake to be honest. The men's locker room is also average. It's pretty clean most of the time. I think there's a steam room but I'm not sure, I don't go to the gym for that lol. I advise you bring a lock if you want to leave valuables in the locker room. I have trouble with the wifi when I go here so I don't even try anymore. If you don't like headphones, this place plays the same pop music on repeat. I personally would enjoy more hip hop and diversity in music but I swear I've heard "sorry not sorry" by Demi Lovato more times than I care to admit. Hours are very meh as well. I think they're only open until 10...look elsewhere, night owl strong folks! If you're just a guy who needs a place with heavy toys, this will get the job done, but it is by no means above average in any attribute that people look for in a gym. In short, there's no novelty or anything particularly special about this gym at all. The only thing this place might have that others probably don't is a small track lane for sleds...even though it's only about 25meters of workable space. Overall ratings** Price: 2.5/5 Novelty and cool factor: 1/5 Size and availability: 2/5 Hours: 3/5 Atmosphere: 2.7/5 Hygiene: 3.9/5 Bottom line: don't expect anything special about this gym. Lack of competition enables it to be the best even though it's average at best. You will definitely get frustrated if you come between 4-6pm.

This gym (now named Meridian) has a very terrible policy. I need to cancel my membership. Their new…read morepolicy is to require members to come into the gym if they want to cancel, probably so that they can try to persuade them not to cancel. This is a particularly bad policy in light of the Covid pandemic. If someone is trying to limit contact with other persons, someone should not have to physically travel to a gym when the task could be easily accomplished over the phone or through email.

Repost from Google for people that use yelp instead:…read more Here is a long review since I feel there is a lot of things to say. Started off is that for ME this is a five star experience from the first day that I stepped foot in this gym. I am someone who treats the gym like a second home; lift for a couple hours, cardio after, and stretching and recovery. I was tired of all the overcrowded commercial gyms and this place really fit the bill. This gym, in my opinion, is not for everyone though. The $199 price tag per month is over triple the amount of over any other commercial gym in the area, so unless you have more disposable income or really take the gym fairly seriously, then I would think twice. With that said, the price, in my opinion, is well worth it. The staff have all been super nice and Katie was there to hold my hand each step of the way, figuratively, showing everything from the app and amenities, to how to validate the parking. Before I even signed up she made me and my Fiancé feel like VIP guests. Equipment wise there are so many hi-low cables, LAT pulldowns / rows, and leg machines than any other gym 10 times the size would just fill with 100 treadmills rather than equipment people actually use. Machines are PREMIUM and have the best resistant curves and arm paths that I have ever felt. Don't like leg day? I guarantee you'll look forward to them here! Five different squat machine variations, every isolation machine you can think of, they probably have it, and if you don't like machines, well they have five, I think, deadlift platforms that double as squat racks, then and additional two power racks on top of that. I don't think I have ever needed to wait for a machine or piece of equipment besides their gym80 lateral raise machine (oh this machine makes the membership worth it itself) The trainers all seem knowledgeable and are all super friendly if you have a question for them in passing, and I also have seen Tess for their in house nutrition, who was great in giving me the information I needed to reach my goals. Between the gym, PTs, nutrition the only way I can fail is my own willpower to stay consistent. Cardio wise I have never really seen the treadmills completely full, but there aren't too many and there are multiple different brands of treadmills that will spam and minimize your workout until you log in and create some account with them, which is actually super annoying (looking at you technogym!) and I have accidently hit the stop button more times than I can count, which might just be a skill issue, but I haven't had that problem anywhere else so I am nitpicking there. The few times I have used the sauna and steam room it was clean and the people using it were all respectful of space and being sure to cover themselves appropriately. Making it much more comfortable while I am about to pass out while chugging water in the sauna. I have not used the cold plunge nor think I would ever want to so no comment on that. So yeah.... that's it I think. TL;DR: Gym is expensive but if you take the gym and health seriously then it is well worth the price tag, or if you just are in that higher tax bracket lol. So many high quality machines it'll bring a tear to your eye when you first use them. People I have run into are very nice and respectful.

I've been a member at VIDA Fitness for about a year now, and my mom is actually a founding member,…read moreso I've seen the gym from both a long-term and more recent perspective. When I first joined, the experience felt aligned with the "luxury" brand they promote. The classes are still a highlight because they're engaging, well-run, and one of the main reasons I've stayed. I also genuinely like the bar area, and most of the food I've had has been solid. That said, the biggest issue for me, and it's a major one... is cleanliness. It's honestly disturbing to see the same stains on the gym floors day after day. I understand the flooring is a neutral color, but that's not an excuse for it to look visibly dirty all the time. The areas near the windows and equipment are especially bad. At $200/month, I expect a consistently clean facility, and that standard is not being met. The bathrooms are no better. The floors often look stained and unclean, and there are almost never toilet seat covers available in the women's restroom. It feels like basic upkeep is being missed regularly. The cold plunge has also been an issue!! I've gone to use it before and noticed a visible film, which made it completely unusable. That shouldn't happen in a facility marketed as high-end. On top of that, the staff isn't particularly welcoming or attentive, which adds to the overall disconnect between the brand and the actual experience. To be fair, not all of this falls solely on the gym.. many members don't wipe down equipment after using it. But that's exactly why there needs to be stronger oversight and more consistent cleaning protocols in place. During the summer, the rooftop pool gets extremely crowded. The pool itself is nice, but it's clear they need more staffing during peak months. Service becomes very slow, which takes away from what could otherwise be a great amenity. As someone who works in facilities and understands operations, this feels like a management issue. There needs to be more attention to daily maintenance, cleaning standards, and overall quality control. Right now, it simply does not reflect the luxury experience being advertised. I'm willing to give it a little more time to improve, but based on my experience so far, I would rate it a 2.5 out of 5

SweatBox is located inside the Vida Fitness in Ballston. The first time I went, I nearly got lost…read moretrying to find the studio on the lower level of the gym, tucked in the back. It's worth finding! It's like a fun fitness party. The workouts are all a bit different and all incredible. I felt stronger and more energized after starting at SweatBox. The main SweatBox classes offer a combination of cycling, weights, and more in a high-intensity interval training format. It's a full body workout. Expect high energy, upbeat music, dim lights, and plenty of sweat. There is also a Stretch and Mobility class that is great for loosening up tight muscles. The instructors have a very positive attitude and inspire the students. This isn't one of those studios where you'll feel shamed or intimidated. Much of the credit goes to the Studio Manager, Gwen, who is also a fantastic instructor and lovely person. Gwen makes sure that everyone gets a great workout while having a great time in class. SweatBox is super lucky to have her! For me, it comes down to this: SweatBox motivates me to beat my own personal bests. I saw huge changes in my endurance and confidence after only a few classes. I would definitely recommend giving this studio a try.

Truly love SweatBox. Fantastic music! This is the best workout if you want real results. It's tough…read morebut doable, well-structured, and keeps you engaged the entire time. I always leave feeling accomplished and energized. Worth every minute.

Amazing gym with amazing people. If you find yourself in Dahlgren you need to drop in. I can't…read moresay enough good things. Highly recommend!

I took one class and really had a great time! My schedule became hectic but I would recommend this…read moreplace. People are super encouraging and kind. It's a family feel and everyone pushes to be their best. Great atmosphere!

Love this gym. I am a gym rat and I belong to all the gyms in the southern Maryland area, and DC…read more(and even the one in Prince Frederick). This is the one I come to, especially post lockdown. The gym is never packed. It has all the equipment I need. They (seem to have) kept all the staff post lockdown !! They even offered virtual exercises classes during the lockdown. Their staff constantly sanitize and clean all the equipment and floor. I do feel very safe and comfortable coming in here. Thanks so much !