Taking advantage of a 3 for $36 intro special, I tried out PVOLVE, one of the fitness studios…read morelocated in the newest section of the Westfield UTC Mall. It took me all 3 classes to finally understand what PVOLVE is. Their signature classes utilize a lot of proprietary props and accessories like the p ball (a resistance band that holds a ball that you put on almost like a belt or pair of pants). They do have a weighted training class that does involve light weights (up to 15 lbs). The movements are described as functional. As the instructors teach, they often describe how the movement mimics a movement you'd do in your everyday life like picking up something of the side of the bed or closing the door. There are foundational positions that you frequently work out of involving small, but effective movements. As someone whose done all sorts of group fitness classes, I can honestly say it isn't quite like anything else. While there are components that mimic barre or pilates, it's different. There are a lot of inverted positions in which one foot might be facing forward while the other is moving inward. That was unique and felt a little difficult to get used to, but the instructors are very attentive in helping you get it right. I especially enjoyed Maggie. She was so friendly and I took her classes twice! If you're a first timer, know that you do wear athletic shoes here. They have a nice locker room and changing area. You pick up your basket of props and drop them off at the end of class. Overall, I really enjoyed the classes. I think this studio would be especially great for those recovering for an injury as it feels slightly similar to physical therapy. It's highly accessible and there was a wide age range of participants in the class. The only thing that would prevent me from continuing to come here is the cost. The monthly unlimited membership is $400/month. It's a great workout, but that's a really high cost, even in comparison to many other group fitness studios. The benefit is that it does come with access to their at home classes, but it's still difficult to justify. A single drop-in class is $45. I really enjoyed the class and hope I can find a way to come to another class!

I tried out Katie's class at PVolve called Sculpt and Burn. It was epic! Very good for someone…read morebattling nagging injures etc. Very different from anything else I would do. This is top of my list of best new workout studios hands down. Good for all levels of exercise enthusiasts.

Moving to San Diego with my family, we knew we needed community. What we didn't expect was to find…read morea home. But that's what the Lawrence Family JCC has become. I grew up at the J in West Palm Beach, so walking into this JCC felt instantly familiar. Forty years later, I'm back, now with my own kid, and the feeling is the same. Warm. Welcoming. Real. In just a short time, we've gained so much. New friends. Family fun. Arts and culture. Holiday celebrations. I joined a basketball league. My wife and I use the gym. Our kids thrive in afterschool programs. There's something for everyone. Whether you're new to town or have been here for years, the J brings people together in all the best ways. It just feels like home.

I swam at the JCC pool. The water was much too hot for anyone serious about swimming, and the pool…read morecould use a cleaning. The staff were fine, but the other patrons were extremely unwelcoming and unfriendly.

I've been pretty hesitant to join a gym, partially because they can be really bro-ey, crowded, or…read moredirty (or all 3) depending on the location. I've been going to this Planet Fitness location for the past year and have never had that issue. This location is in an office park, so parking is plentiful. Most people that come in are diligent in wiping the machines down right after using them. It never gets too crowded, I've never seen them use the "Lunk alarm." There's almost always a massage chair or hydro massage open as well. Great reliable and affordable gym!

My teen signed up for the free Teen Summer promo and the app never indicated that we had to freeze…read morehis existing account. I came with him on Monday 6/22 at 5:30 pm and was told we'd be charged. I said but we didn't know to freeze it. The manager Stormy promised she'd handle it before her break. She never did. Got charged $15 three days later. Called in today 6/25 and talked to the GM. I believe her name was Crystal. Crystal said there was nothing she could do because Stormy never wrote it down. So their mistake becomes my problem? And the note of someone who didn't follow through on her word yields more weight than me telling the 100% truth. What!?!?! Crystal said that she's going to talk to Stormy during her next shift this Saturday. She said she'd have Stormy call me. When I asked her if she knew my name and had my mobile no, she said no. She was gonna hang up without ever getting it. There's also a guy with long dark hair at the front isn't helpful who just stares- very creepy It's only $15. But I was lied to, dismissed, and made to feel like I was the problem. A manager made a promise, didn't keep it, and leadership covered for it. That's a culture issue.

I moved to Carlsbad and still look forward to making my trip twice a week to train here. It's been…read morea little over 8 months, and Mia, Fernando, and Will have changed my life. But it's thanks to Justin's leadership the entire team inspires me, whether I'm hearing other trainers across the gym or chatting at the front desk, or moved just a bit extra by daily quotes on the whiteboard. Every hard rep is celebrated with high fives and every day I'm not training, the staff is working hard on my nutrition, my growth, and adjustments for chronic pain. John was there to hear *all* my concerns my very first day, top of which was that I've been recovering from an eating disorder since 2012 and had been fearful of training because of triggering language or incentive. John briefed the whole team for me, and 8 months in I've never once had to explain myself or course correct. They got me, they push me, they celebrate with me, and see me as a person they're really invested in. It's obvious that same level of energy and investment carries to all their clients. Today I feel strong, excited, powerful, and healthy. I fit my jeans again, I'm eating better food, and I'm still completely removed from bad habits, all because the iron orr team carries that weight (and counts for me every rep! ;) ) I've come to love them all as friends and members of a big San Diego community and I'm going to train there the rest of my life, on my way to becoming a ripped grandma.

I love this place, plus i have the best trainers! Fernando and Francesca are amazing and i look…read moreforward to working with them every week! They're really knowledgeable and help you meet your fitness goals within a reasonable amount of time. Plus it's literally right across the street so i can easily go over anytime. I love working out here and def recommend!

My favorite Pilates studio in San Diego so far, and I've tried three others! The classes are…read moredefinitely challenging but so rewarding. I actually feel sore in my abs the next day, which rarely happens for me at other studios. The instructors are also very nice and welcoming, which I sometimes didn't experience elsewhere.

Super nice and welcoming community! I tried BE Fit with ClassPass, and honestly, this is one of the…read moreonly Pilates studios that I'd recommend. Everyone is so welcoming, and they made plenty of adjustments if needed. It was definitely a push, and my abs were burning the whole day and the day after. Our instructor was Aaron, and he taught a good all-level Pilates workout with positive reinforcement and easy-to-follow directions.

This is a brand new studio and it shows the moment you walk in. Everything feels fresh. The…read moretreadmills, the rowers, the floor equipment, all of it feels crisp and ready for real work. The coaches are the real stand out (I'm looking at you Sara and Alex) Maybe it is the energy of a new studio or maybe it is a team that is genuinely locked in, but they feel present in a way that is not always the case at long running locations. They watch form. They give personal corrections. They keep the room moving without losing the individual in the crowd. At older studios it can sometimes feel like routine takes over and the coaching becomes familiar to the point of autopilot. UTC feels like the opposite of that. Coaches here get you engaged and do the work to keep you motivated. Classes run smoothly. The energy is strong. You walk out feeling like the coaches were actually with you the entire time. Parking is easy, which is rare in this area. The only odd detail is the set of thirty minute spots right up front even though every class runs a full hour. It is not an issue... just weird.

I absolutely love Orange Theory -- it is genuinely the first gym that has ever made me feel…read moreconfident, comfortable, and excited to work out. The coaches at the UTC location are all amazing, motivating, and professional, and I have consistently had nothing but great experiences here. I also want to address a recent 1-star review because I was physically present for the situation and do not believe it fully reflects how things actually went down. During class, I pulled my phone out without knowing the rule, and the coach politely asked me to put it away. Later, my friend did the same and we were reminded again. We were ultimately not following class rules that are clearly in place for safety and focus -- and that is on us. Coach Sara handled the situation professionally during a very busy class and later came over kindly to apologize and explain the rules to us, which I really appreciated. I think the entire situation was a misunderstanding, and I truly believe she deserves praise, not backlash, for how she handled it. Orange Theory UTC is an incredible studio with an encouraging environment, and I will continue recommending it to everyone.

Giving a shout out to all the amazing Pilates Instructors at LA Fitness: Angela, Danae, Mia,…read moreChelsea, Fatma & Irene. I haven't taken classes with the weekday mornings' instructors but I'm sure they are really good too! They teach classes where students are at different fitness levels and attitudes too lol. The instructors do an amazing job of correcting your form, providing modifications (always ask if something starts to hurt), and they also push you harder, especially if they have seen you in previous classes. My twin sister was in town and joined me last minute to a class with Angela! She's amazing, tough and nice enough to take a picture with us! My twin loved the class so much that she's looking into joining her local LA Fitness. My favorite part is the stretching leg circles & frog with the ropes at the end of class. I definitely come to class for "me" time and to shut the noise of work and the world.

I come here for pilates…read more The pilates is a 4 stars. I like the instructors and the classes are good. The only thing missing is more availability. Their isnt a lunchtime class or afternoon on weekends. So I have to go to 4s Ranch location. The sales pitch is a 1 star. I already knew I was going to come here. I just wanted them to work with me, instead they ended up making me rethink it. I almost said forget it. Their was a lot of "I have $20 voucher but I'm waiting to give to the next person if you dont claim it in an hour" then the next call was, "if you go somewhere else, its just going to cost you $300, so you might as well sign up now" I really dont like BS sales pitches, especially if im telling you I want to join just work with me. Luckily, a sales rep from another location signed me up no problem. The facility is clean, has lots of options and have had no issue since.

This is an awesome gym!! Big kudos to Gabby! She is an AMAZING instructor and one of the best I've…read moreever come across. I used to work at a fitness studio when I was in college (not as an instructor though LOL) and she is everything you could want in an instructor. She is kind, welcoming, explained everything very well to me, always demonstrates or helps me when I need it, and she's super fit and gorge~ Side note, this is probably the place with THE most fit people I've ever seen! At work-out classes I've tried in the past, I tend to see a lot of people who aren't so fit, or maybe there are some older people in there. But in the few classes I've taken here, everyone is really fit! Maybe because this location is in a college area so the demographic has more fit people? But either way, I think it speaks to the classes' effectiveness and the people nor class were intimidating so I think everyone should try it! The class is a little fast-paced and there's a lot of moves going on, but just copy whatever your neighbor is doing and since you are kind of doing them autonomously, you can go at your own pace and take breaks when needed. I also HATE running, but so far they've been in short bursts (30 seconds or 1 minute) so it is much more palatable. And their equipment is really cool! I've never used the air runner before but it is sick! Things they could work on: 1. The website is absolute trash for new customers, whoever is in charge of the site should definitely be reconsidered LOL. If you want to book at this particular location, you will face a few glitches but I think try booking it under the "UTC schedule" and hopefully you won't run into problems there. 2. The outside is very discreet so you might miss it, it looks like a vacant space...there isn't even a sign that says Renegade - there is just a subtle small "R." And they do not utilize their front space (not sure the story there...they should really take advantage of that sq footage!), so it looks like an empty warehouse. I honestly thought the place was closed when I got there.

This studio offers a really challenging hiit circuit type workout. Im in my 50s, and it took me a…read morefew months to get acclimated but my body already feels and looks stronger. I can push it hard or go easy depending on what else I'm doing, instructors give clear instructions and alternatives. At this point I'm starting to learn more of the exercises so It's not cognitive overload trying to remember everything at the beginning of the session. They always helped me out, but it feels good to just relax into the workout. So, give this a try and give it a few months. Only wishes are: 1) the mat smell can sometimes be overwhelming, not sure what to do about that. 2) they only offer 5 lbs weights and 10 lb dumbbells on the racks. As a woman (lots of us here!) it would be so much better to have some 7s or 8s because I always have to choose too low or too heavy. 3) No real community, but it's dark and loud so you can't really carry a convo inside. Dark and loud is great for concentrating on the exercise though so it is what it is. The coaches are phenomenal and get me to work harder than I ever would on my own and I am "forced" to do a cardio circuit which is my least fav and also getting easier. Yay renegade. Also, and people have mentioned this in other reviews: everyone is ripped here and I frequently see instructors in my classes so while I'm sure folks do other things too, I think this workout really gets results if you show up and push hard.