This review is LONG overdue! I joined Bunda as a founding member and have been with Bunda Encino…read moresince the doors opened. I was in the end stages of an unhealthy long-term relationship and my stress relievers were comfort food and alcohol. I was at the heaviest weight I'd ever been in my life at 195 lbs. I had never heard of this program before but was intrigued by their "Backed by science" slogan. I did a lot of research into their program and submitted my contact request form.Day 1 (opening day) I showed up feeling excited, nervous, and scared a bit. I had not worked out in years, and did not know what I was in for. The program was HARD for someone like me who was now considered overweight and almost 200 lbs. I struggled on the stairmaster feeling like I couldn't keep up with the ladies next to me who were moving at a faster pace. I was out of breath feeling like I was going to collapse, and my form on the weight station was BAD. I had thoughts cross my mind that "this isn't for me", "I'm too out of shape for this", "this is for more advanced people", I felt like I mattered. The girl who was next to me that day, watched me struggle and turned to me and gave me guidance as I made the most common mistakes for a new Bundi. During the bridges, I was approached by a wonderful trainer who warmly corrected my form without making me feel inadequate or incompetent. That trainer, Bryan, has become someone I hold dearly and in very high regard.
I was sore for about a week after that class. I felt like Bambi just born and learning how to stand. Little by little and without realizing it, this place started becoming an important part of my life. Fast forward 2 months, I did my first InBody assessment knowing NOTHING about body recomposition and still focused on getting to a certain weight. Bryan walked me through my results, goals, lifestyle, and changes I needed to implement in my eating habits. I learned so much about nutrition and macros and started transforming into a different person.
2 years later I have gone from 195 lbs to 134 lbs ONLY with the Bunda program and following the guidance of my trainers. I cannot give Bryan, Michael Khan, and Dallas enough credit and accolades for being the best and most patient trainers as this formerly overweight person transformed into the person I am today. I started going to Bunda for my physical appearance, and I continued because it has become necessary for my mental health and what I look forward to at the end of the day. I've made so many friends there, I've celebrated birthdays there, holidays, you name it.
This place is NOT like your typical gyms; if you come to Bunda, you are serious about change, coachable, and are serious about being consistent. This change took me 2 years of sweat and discipline. If you are a new member, we will welcome you just like that lady next to me welcomed me on my first day. I wish I knew who she was but she will forever be a part of my journey. The few negative reviews you see on here are absolutely not a representation of what the community here is about. Many people have come and gone because they're more focused on taking selfies, making sure they don't sweat, looking cute, and having social hour on the stairmaster. This is not that place.To many of us, this is our sanctuary, our safe haven, our happiest place on earth.
I cannot imagine my life without the team at BUNDA ENCINO in it. I am a self-proclaimed Bundaholic, and have zero plans on ever leaving.
I've gone from someone who has never done one regular push up in her life, to for the first time EVER having the upper body strength to do pushups, and not the knees down kind. I am mindful of how I am eating and know the difference between eating mindfully and with purpose, versus starving and dieting. I don't deprive myself of anything, I enjoy food very much daily. I just know how to select options in a way that I didn't know before. This journey has not been without its challenges. I've had setbacks, I've gone backwards in my goals, I've cried over InBody assessment results because I lost half a pound of muscle mass (shout out to Bryan for talking me off the ledge that day). I've had days when I had so much on my mind that I was unable to concentrate during Bunda, and as much as I tried to hide it, Bryan knows me so well he approached and asked me what was wrong. I've had moments of complacency when I don't want to go heavier because it's too hard and Michael Khan called me out (THANK YOU). I've had moments of doubt when I didn't think I could go up a level on the stairs and Michael Luna took me up that level.
I cannot recommend this place enough for breathing life back into me. The person I am today, would not be possible without the entire Bunda family.
If you're ever in the 7 PM class, I'm the one on Stair 6. Please never be afraid to say hi, ask questions about anything, whether it's about class or my experience. Despite the lift aggression, I promise I don't bite!