If there were 6 stars I would rate this place just that. I am in awe of the training I had with…read morethem, I have been in my fitness journey on and off for the past 8 years and have gone to multiple studios, and personal trainers in the NoVA area to find the right fit for me, my body and something that was challenging enough as well. Clarendon Personal hit all these in just the first session and every session I continue to take. I am someone who can tend to want to slip off my fitness journey every now and then but with them... nope, they pushed-me, encouraged me, reminded me of what I'm capable of, and were so consistent with their communication in and out of the center, that I ALWAYS felt so welcomed and appreciated going to work out with them. My body thanked me each time after the sessions, even though I did feel sore and felt every body part being put to work ...it felt amazing because I felt i was getting my moneys worth and felt like I accomplished workouts I wouldn't of ever thought I would do. I walk out proud of myself and thankful to have found a personal training center that focuses on me and actually puts the personal to personal training. UPDATE: I recently sprained my ankle pretty bad 3 weeks ago and thought I wouldn't be able to workout but after asking my doctor for the okay to workout, I got back into the gym with my trainer Pascal. He was really patient with me and even adjusted workouts to where it strengthens my ankle and even makes it easier to walk on. I have even gone to my physical therapy after my training sessions with Clarendon Personal Training and am being told by my physical therapist I am making great progress with my ankle due to the personal training I am doing with Clarendon Personal Training. I am so happy I have found this place with trainers who know what they are doing and are super knowledgeable. I know I am in good hands! Can't wait to re-up my package.

I genuinely don't enjoy bashing a small local business publicly, but when you act like a big chain…read moregym towards your clients, well then I think it's warranted. I honestly don't understand why any able bodied human spends their money here. You can take that $250/mo right to your local SolidCore or Orange Theory and actually get an awesome group workout. If you're like me and legally a cripple, well then your options are more limited. I came here looking for one on one training/motivation to get back on track with working out after 6 months of a new job and a 15 lb gain. They sucked me in via a discounted package for the first month. My hope was that this would get me started and comfortable enough to work out in the group classes (since I couldn't afford their regular cost for one on one). It worked. For a while. Until it didn't. The turnover in personal trainers was insane. When I started, there were 4 trainers. Two had a very hands off approach, two were the opposite. Of course the 2 that were eager to work with me and give me that extra few mins of individual attention to make sure that I was still getting a solid workout left a few months after I joined. Several more trainers cycled through but none lasted more than a month. In addition to the above, the schedule changed frequently. When I first started, there were 4 x 30 min classes in the morning and then in the the evening. It was great and incredibly accommodating. The vast majority of members would stay for a full hour, but I liked that I had the option to just do 30 mins with such a large time window. It made it so easy to just show up. Then the classes transitioned to a more standard 45 min 4 times a day, however a lot of the times classes would be randomly cancelled if no one signed up fast enough. So basically, no last minute decisions. In terms of the facility, it's in a dingy basement behind Ambar. No AC in the summer and no heat in the winter. One bathroom that has never had any soap in it and half the time doesn't have paper towels. Allegedly, there are cleaners who come in 3 x a week, but the floor is always filthy in the gym, and after a flood ruined the workout mats it was several billing cycles before new ones appeared. There are generally not enough weights when class size reaches more than 4. And of course not enough space to comfortably work out, especially when the other trainer has a one on one client. The thing that made me write this was the big chain gym approach when it came time to try and end our relationship. I realized that this studio wasn't working for me anymore. I had no motivation to go to the classes and when I did, I basically had to do my own thing with little to no instruction from either trainer. I mean why would I get in my car and drive there only to have to listen to someone else's music and workout by myself in a corner? The only advantage over the small gym in my apt building was more equipment. I approached the owner about this. He directed me straight to one of the trainers. Didn't even bother to have a discussion of why I wanted out of my membership. The trainer and I had a semi productive conversation where I got to voice my concerns, felt that they were heard, but ultimately little to nothing changed and the end result was another month of money wasted and no change in my progress. When I emailed them again w my concerns...radio silence. So I guess my parting gift is a final $250 for CF and this review. Maybe they can put that money towards buying more dumbbells. Please don't waste your money here.

I tried the Iron Circuit class at GetFit Studio in Alexandria today and honestly had a pretty…read morefrustrating experience. When I first arrived, the front door was locked. I walked around the building trying to see if I was in the wrong place or if anyone was inside, but I couldn't find anyone. After waiting a few minutes, I called the studio and no one picked up. I went back to the front, and eventually a guy opened the door for me but when I mentioned it was locked, he said it wasn't, which was confusing and didn't sit right. The class ended up being just me, which already made the energy feel kind of off. It was set up as a circuit with eight exercises and four laps. The warm-up alone was three rounds, and I was honestly exhausted by the second round. I told the coach that, but he kept pushing me to finish the last round anyway. I get that coaching involves encouragement, but it felt more like pressure than support. The overall vibe of the class was pretty dull and unmotivating. I'm not sure if it was because I was the only one there, but there was no energy or effort to make the session engaging. I completed three out of the four rounds and told him I didn't have it in me to do the last one. His response was basically, "So you're just going to leave early then?" which came off dismissive and a bit rude. At that point, I was already drained and over it. On top of that, the cleanliness didn't inspire confidence. The shower supplies looked really neglected, residue buildup, cloudy containers, and just generally not something you'd feel comfortable using. It added to the overall impression that the space isn't being maintained as well as it should be. Between the confusing entry situation, lack of responsiveness, the coach's off-putting attitude, and the condition of the facilities, this just wasn't a great experience. I don't see myself coming back.

I am absolutely thrilled with my experience at Get Fit! I was struggling to achieve my fitness…read moregoals at another local gym but everything changed when I started working out at Get Fit. Under the guidance of Carlo, I lost 30+ pounds in less than a year and significantly increased my strength. Carlo truly cares about his clients. The weekly weigh-ins and personalized encouragement are invaluable. He is an expert in movement and how to build strength based upon individual needs. If you are looking to achieve your fitness and weight loss goals and are ready to do the work I highly recommend Get Fit!

I was surprised by Kelly's email I received the morning of March 23rd in regards to her dropping me…read moreas a client because my response time was not to her liking. She gave me no warning and didn't inquire about why I didn't respond in a timely fashion. Obviously, her lack of empathy for her clients is on full display, despite her telling me that she cared about your client's success and fitness goals. Her inability to properly address me on March 14th and March 21st requesting my weight, showed no respect for me as a client. She didn't address me by my name, ask me how I was doing, or ask me how was my day. For example, March 14th e-mail read, "You didn't send your weight yesterday". That email was so unprofessional. Greeting and asking about a client's day may seem trivial to her but in the world of decency and respect, it shows some personal short comings on her part. I have two co-workers who live in the city of Alexandria who are looking for a Personal Trainer and wanted to know the outcome of working with Kelly. Clearly, they won't be signing up! In hindsight, her decision to drop me as a client is good for me, because I don't want to work with anyone with her issues.

I met with Kelly for the first time in May after I had hit a wall with trying to lose weight on my…read moreown for my September wedding. We focused on nutrition and I learned how to better manage my food intake in a healthy and sustainable way (I think I was actually eating too little before meeting with Kelly). In the past 4 months with her, I've lost 25 pounds and 12% body fat! I feel stronger and am absolutely thrilled with where I am for my wedding (I've actually had to alter my dress because it was too lose). Highly recommend for anyone wanting an encouraging and motivational partner in this journey. Even though I've done a lot of work in the past with other trainers and had an idea of how to meet my goals, Kelly was able to give me specific direction based on my personal needs. I definitely wouldn't have been able to do this without her and I expect to continue working with her in the future.

There is no shortage of CrossFit gyms in NoVA but Sand & Steel Fitness strikes the perfect balance…read moreof exceedingly knowledgeable coaches, thoughtful programming, an enthusiastically welcoming community, and the cleanest gym you'll ever walk into. The exercise equipment and pro shop gear/supplements are all top of the line - you can tell that a lot of time is invested into making sure that S&S is outfitted with the high quality fitness products you need to reach your goals. Group classes are intentionally small so coaches consistently provide the feedback necessary to promote progress and prevent injury. In conjunction with the workouts, Nutrition and Mobility coaching create the perfect antidote for the desk life that plagues many of us in the DMV area. Sand & Steel meets everyone where they are, making it easy to just show up and do the work. Paul and Dawn maintain a strong culture of safety, standards, and support so, no matter what class or session you're in, you will get top tier instruction, modifications, and motivation from day one.

Pros: squeaky clean (even my home gym is not that spotless). The owner, Paul, is super nice,…read morehelpful, and inspiring. The overall atmosphere is not intimidating at all. There are so many activities and things to do besides the actual workout which provides for a strong sense of community. All the above make it a great box, what makes the place exceptional is the fact that they go out of their way to help and support you. Paul worked with me to create the best plan that fits my time, finances, and goals. My coach, Ben, who is super nice and knowledgable, went above and beyond to teach me the right form and technique. When I told him I was little nervous about taking the first class, he offered to workout next to me to make sure I was doing well. That is a level of care you only see in people who are passionate about what they do and take pride in their work. Cons: None. Really, none!

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.

I'm so impressed with the progress that has been made working with Madison at functional fitness…read more The trainers here are incredible human beings and always puts you in an uplifting mood, plus Kayvon's two pups here are always a plus. Previously I was doing workouts on my own and CrossFit, however always ended up being injured. We worked on form, lots of variety in our workouts (eg Indian clubs, kettlebells, etc), and progression. It's never static. Despite not dying/injured after every workout, I've become stronger and more fit in every aspect of my body. PT should push you in just the right way not to overdo it but to condition and strengthen you! I've been doing personal training sessions and it's been a game changer for me. Very affordable. Plus weekends I do a couples workout with my partner as a bonding experience. They offer small classes as well in person and online. Addicted to their Hyrox and kettlebell classes, currently, and breaking through my plateaus! My shoulder pain I've had for 2 years is completely gone. Love it here at FuncFit!! Huge plus is a well stocked snack, fit drinks, and even prepped food by Paula in the fridge AND fully stocked shower.

Experienced, watchful trainers who emphasize correct form, steady but careful improvement, and…read morebalance both strength and flexibility.

I visited BASH Boxing for the first time this past Saturday and all I can say is WOW. I had an…read moreincredible workout with Coach Jonathan and, most importantly, I had a lot of fun! The class was about 45 minutes long and half of the time was spent on the bags while the other half was spent doing floor exercises. The floor exercises were mostly strength and core based and were more about precision and accuracy over speed. The coach demonstrated everything before we began each set (for both the bags and floor side) and it was also illuminated onto the wall in case you forgot. The class was PACKED and as a first timer I was a little intimidated, but overall I had a great time and was able to pick up on most things pretty quickly. Because it was my first time the coach did take us into the room a few minutes early for a tour and a general description of what to expect which was awesome and did really help! Again the workout was awesome. Both high energy and fun and if you're unsure I definitely recommend giving them a try. Now taking a step back (LOL) - I do also want to acknowledge how welcoming the staff was from the moment I arrived. Kelsey was awesome and made the check-in process smooth while easing some of my concerns. Since I was visiting with a friend who is a member everything was mostly handled before class. I just had to grab wraps and gloves and luckily Kelsey was able to get my friend and I on stations nearby each other. As we headed to the lockers that's when I met Coach Jonathan and he was also very welcoming and kind. As I mentioned earlier he even took all the newbies through the studio before class started and was great about checking in during class and giving shoutouts (by name!). The last thing I wanted to mention was the community! A few minutes before class the lobby was packed but everyone was socializing with one another and there seemed to be some genuine relationships that have been built! That's important to me when considering a gym and I think it's great that BASH has built a strong and inclusive community. Looking forward to coming back again in the future!! The memberships were a little pricey, but they do have some great specials you can purchase after your first class.

Love the brand of the place and energy from the coach during class. It's very similar to Rumble but…read morenot quite there yet - I felt the class wasn't as challenging and it was a bit hard to follow. They don't have examples of the workout on the screen like Rumble so sometimes I got lost during the workout (even though the coach showed the example in the beginning). I also found it odd that they separate the screen into 3 sections by showing combos. And its the same damn combo for 2 rounds... like pls show something more and let each combo take up the screen so I can see more. Overall, the energy and playlist is bumpin but idk if this is something I'd come back to. Rumble is far better in comparison imo.

Overall it is a good gym, the equipment is good and I normally don't have to wait to use mine too…read morelong even during peak hours, it's clean and spacious. The trainer I had, I had a free one hour introductory session but he kept acting like he wanted to leave early even though this was my first time at the gym in a while. He kept basically asking "are we done here?" before the hour was up. Also another time I asked if he could quickly show me how to safely use a new machine and he refused saying I had to book a paid session for that. I later got injured on that machine and had a couple of near misses. Also in the steam room it's not obvious where the steam comes out so if you sit in the wrong place you can burn your ankles.

I've been coming here for a while, and the recent renovation has completely transformed this gym…read more It honestly feels like a brand new place. Everything is cleaner, brighter, and much more modern, which makes a huge difference in the overall workout experience. The upgraded equipment is a big highlight, plenty of new machines, well-maintained free weights, and more space so you're not constantly waiting around. The layout is also much more functional now, with designated areas that make it easy to move through your workout without feeling cramped. The staff has been great throughout the transition, friendly, helpful, and clearly invested in making sure members are happy with the changes. You can tell they put a lot of thought into the renovation. If you've been here before, it's definitely worth coming back to check it