I really enjoyed the intro to aerial silks class. Our instructor was amazing and the experience was exhilarating. It definitely required a lot more upper body strength than I gave a credit for, but once you actually climb a little and get in the air, it's so fun. Our instructor was incredibly strong and showed us a number of moves in our short amount of time together. She was overall good vibes and made the entire experience really enjoyable and approachable. I would highly recommend. read more

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My husband surprised me for Christmas for an intro silks class. When we walked up to the door, I was excited but also quite intimidated! I think silks are so cool and am always so mesmerized watching silks shows at the Renn Faire. But it looks so hard that I doubted I could do any of it! The class was an hour long and our instructor was very friendly and helpful. She explained proper form and how to get into the different poses, that I actually ended up flipping upside down and successfully getting into each of the different poses she taught us! More than that, it was SO much fun. I'm so thankful for her patience and teaching style. read more

I signed up for an introductory parkour class via ClassPass, not really knowing what to expect, and ended up having a really great time. I believe it was Dre who taught my class, and he is probably the best person to have taught this class as he has such a cool and calm demeanor and was so helpful to each and every student in the class! This was a great way to switch up your typical date night and something I would highly recommend as well as consider going back for, especially to try the aerial skill classes that they also offer! read more

I had an awesome personal training session with Alyda on aerial silks. I was able to select what I wanted help with and got tips and tricks for the skills. I reviewed a few skills I learned from before COVID lockdown and learned a new skill/trick. Everything was done at my pace and for where my strength and skills are at. They've adapted to the current COVID restrictions, so smaller class sizes, masks, and hand sanitizer/washing hands encouraged. Plus cleaning of mats and spray sanitizer on the silks between classes. It's a bit less hands on, to prevent the spread of COVID, so more focus on working within your strength and ability, than providing a push to to get you into position for a skill. read more

Amazing!! Everyone at the gym, teachers and clients, are always kind and welcoming. It honestly just has a wonderful and supportive vibe. I had a small party here and it was perfect. All of my friends that attended had a good time and when I asked for their feedbavk they said "a million stars! Wish I was closer and could come back." read more

It was an amazing personal training session! The trainer worked with my child to assess her abilities, and guide her on skills and tips for backflips. The lesson was at the right pace and skill level. The trainer was professional and had a great sense of humor. My child thought it was really fun! read more

This place is so much fun! We had a ladies night of aerial silks and parkour. The staff here was very friendly, fun and knowledgeable. I will definitely go back and soon! Great adult fun and exercise read more

MindShift Gym - Summer Camps Near Me - Reston, Virginia

My 5-year-old son loves coming to UE for the pico parkour classes, so we decided to do his 5th birthday party here. We had a wonderful time. We had a 2-hour time block and for 15 kids had two instructors who kept them active and engaged for a full 90 minutes! We had loads of happy kids and parents. I highly recommend UE for kids parties and their kids parkour classes. Oh and the adults I see there look like they are having fun too. :) read more

My kids and I have been going to Urban Evolution for parkour for about 9 months; I take classes for adults over 35 and three of my kids take classes for kids (different by age group). It is a really neat place, very welcoming and also alot of fun for people of all ages and abilities. My kids have done camps there and most recently my 13 year old had a birthday party there. He asked if I could give a 7 star rating because 5 out of 5 wasn't high enough, and his friends loved it and have asked about coming to classes. read more

We purchased a punch-card for our son's 12th birthday - he's been asking to do parkour for quite some time - but he never had an opportunity until now. He loves it! We've been coming for several months and it has been a really good experience. The staff is extremely helpful and the teachers constantly switch up the routine to keep it interesting. I definitely would recommend them to my friends & acquaintances! read more

MindShift Gym - The white wristband for beginner level reminds us that "there is no easy way" - but that doesn't mean it can't be fun learning! - Summer Camps Near Me - Reston, Virginia

We did a birthday party here and the kids had a lot of fun. The staff did a nice job before the party checking in and making sure we had what was needed. During the party the staff was attentive and great with the kids. Overall I would recommend this place! read more

It's been a life long dream of mine to take up gymnastics and after doing some research I decided to check Urban Evolution out. Impulsively, I signed up for the Intro Level Course.I walked in with a little bit of anxiety, not sure of what to expect and how many people would be there. I was shortly put at ease. The decor is super cool, sort of like New School street art. The staff was friendly and the other students in the class were very helpful and nonjudgmental. We were all in this together. The instructor was very knowledgeable and accommodating to the different needs of the class. We learned the basics of tumbling, vault running, handstands, and cartwheels. What I REALLY love about this place is that it doesn't prohibit women from learning the rings nor men from doing the uneven bars. "Everyone learns everything". She was always willing to help us and put a strong emphasis on form. It was also so refreshing that the instructor was not trying to "upsell" us and guilt us into getting a membership, which a lot of fitness providers do. It was very nonchalant; she told us about the Level 1 classes they offer and the general times, but left it up to us. I love the fact that it was very no pressure. I will definitely be back again and I've already signed up for a Level 1 class. If you want to do adult gymnastics, parkour, or even aerial silks, this is the place for you. read more

I took their Intro to Aerial Silks class and was NOT prepared for the workout I would get. I have been looking for new activities to help get me in shape that isn't as monotonous as running or going to a traditional gym, and this is a great solution. Upon arrival, the front desk was helpful, and I was whisked away to the Aerial room quickly. There my teacher, Lauren, guided me through some basic strengthening activities before we started learning skills. Immediately I could tell I was in terrible shape for an activity like this, but Lauren was patient and encouraging. She demonstrated all of the skills for me and helped me when I was struggling or doing something incorrectly. I started getting light headed and shaky at one point and was able to take breaks to ensure I didn't collapse. The class was structured perfectly so that we started with strength building, learned some of the harder techniques and ended with some simpler/less strenuous fun skills (like cocooning)! The best part of trying something like Aerial Silks is that while it is a workout and you're sore/exhausted after, it doesn't feel like a traditional workout. I left feeling like I had learned/accomplished something and I'm ready to go back to my next lesson so I can continue improving and building upon this new skill! read more

MindShift Gym - Summer Camps Near Me - Reston, Virginia

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My kids have taken both parkour and aerial silks here. They've really enjoyed the classes. The sign up is easy. They are extremely safe. Love the variety of classes and class times. read more

I've been going to UE for almost a year now with no regrets. UE provides a fun and safe environment for me to learn and train parkour, weightlifting, and even adult gymnastics. What I like about UE in contrast to all the other McGyms is that the people who go to UE love being there. I have grown to love UE so much, I think of them as my family. If you have your doubts, try a class on a whim like I did a year ago. You won't be sorry... well you be sorry you didn't start sooner. read more

Fantastic--my 10 year old daughter has been coming here for classes for about 9 months and LOVES it. The gym itself is fantastic, laid out with all kinds of gear and obstacles you're not going to find anywhere else. Her instructor is awesome--I don't know how they find parkour guys who are so great with kids! I worked out with one of their trainers last time I were there (last week). Excellent. I have worked out with probably half a dozen trainers and this guy was a total pro, lots of focus on form and very clear. Most of all I love the vibe of this place--it's FUN and not laden with that macho feel that so many gyms have. The folks who run it are super nice as well. Go for it! read more

My son has been going to Urban Evolution in Alexandria for almost a year. The new location is right off 395, so it was more convenient to us than the old location. The location is a little odd and it might take a little extra time to find it for the first time. We have been there for afternoon and evening classes. I wish they would having more lighting near the entrance. It is a little dark near the entrance and the parking lot. As another review mentioned before, there are dogs at this location. While I am not allergic to dogs, I thought it might cause problem for other people who are allergic to dogs. This is definitely a fun place to be. The owner, staff and instructors are friendly. The music is a little loud. You can tell that people hang out there for hours and really enjoy the place. read more

This place is apparently closed and i was never able to get my money back from a birthday party deposit. No phone email or any response.

We can't be any happy with Urban Evolution! My son loves to climb, jump and run. What better way than to join a parkour gym. My son loves the gym, and his instructor, Mr Sprinkle, rocks! If you want to gain strength and work on your agility,join Urban Evolution! read more

Urban Evolution has exceeded all of my expectations. I researched every gym that offered Ariel silk classes for kids. When my daughter went to the intro class I knew she had found somewhere that understood her. My daughter struggles with learning new skills. I can't praise the entire team at Urban Evolution for their patience, guidance and support. We come from Reston because the entire team is compassionate, helpful and amazing. My only concern about posting this is that too many people will join and my daughter won't be able to get her classes. read more

This place is phenomenal! My son is incredibly active, but requires structured play to keep him focused. We signed him up for a class and this place provided a knowledgeable instructor with experience teaching young kids parkour. They also finished up with free play and jumping in a foam pit which the kids always love. read more

I checked their website and they showed that they had classes starting on June 11th. I signed my son up for a class and paid the $20 for the class. Showed up tye day of the class and the place was locked up. Tried to call tye number and non one answered. Someone walked out of the business and locked the door behind him. Tried to talk to him and he would not even acknowledge that I was there. The chat on their website is not responding to me and they are not responding via email. This is a terrible business practice. read more

We hosted our 8 year old's birthday party here an it was FANTASTIC! The instructors were incredibly good with the kids, the activities were like nothing any of them had done before and all the parents were a little jealous we weren't the ones trying out the obstacle course/foam pit. This place was a home run for our family! Tips: Take slow-motion videos of the action - they are hilarious to watch Brush up on your camera's sports mode - the facilities are pretty cool and make a great backdrop for photos read more

The instructors are a bit off putting. Not very friendly or welcoming and a little degrading. The space is great though. High ceilings and thick mats, unfortunately, if you are looking for quality instructors with a vast knowledge of aerial technique and tricks, this is not the place to go. If you're looking for a gym with a lot of open air time, this would be a fabulous option read more

We just had my son's 5th party here and I'd say that for their price point you could get much more for your money. The instructors seemed like they didn't really want to be there and their enthusiasm must have overslept today. Our group was 10 kids who ranged in age from 3-5, read: lots of energy. There didn't seem to be much structure to the party at all, the "open play" wasn't a good idea IMO, it was more dangerous than anything else for a group of kids who've never been in a parkour setting. Too much sitting on a mat to "stretch" isn't he beginning and given instructions with the most monotone delivery ever, and the words used were better suited for big kids, not early elementary/preschool kids. Towards the end the instructor let the kids vote on playing tag, hide and seek. And some other game and honestly by that point I was ready to get the food and cake going and get home. I feel as though if you're going to offer kids parties you should have more structure, enthusiasm and staff who knows how to speak to and a manage the age group that they're working with. All in all, my son had fun but all I could about was how much more I could have gotten for that price point elsewhere. Maybe put more thought into the party services so people feel like they're getting $35/pp worth of a party. read more

I started going to Urban Evolution in July '13 for aerial silks, which I still practice. However, the lure of parkour eventually became too strong to resist and I now practice that too, despite the fact that I'm a female over 40 and the typical parkour demographic consists of guys in their teens and twenties. Age is no obstacle at UE. I have a blast every time I visit UE, whether it's for silks or parkour in Alexandria, or whether I drive to the Manassas location to flip around on the tumble track in adult gymnastics class. I've even driven to the Baltimore location for a day of parkour, yoga and silks - I loved it there too. Every single instructor I've worked with (at least 13 now over all the different classes I've taken) at UE has been GREAT - friendly, fun, safety-conscious, knowledgeable and helpful. The new location in Alexandria is a big improvement over the previous one in terms of spaciousness, climate control, adequate restrooms, and parking. The fact that aerial silks has its own space, fresh new fabrics (thanks Aco!), dedicated mats, and speakers is fantastic. The one and only bummer about this gym is the lack of metro access - driving after work from DC is nothing short of a nightmare, though once I'm there I burn off my traffic-induced stress pretty quickly. One of the best things about UE is that - if you have the energy and time - it can be an incredible value. If you buy a punch card, you are charged PER VISIT, not per class, This is the most amazingly wonderful policy I've found in any type of gym or exercise studio in DC. The schedule makes it pretty easy to stack up two, or even three classes back-to-back, bringing the cost-per-class down dramatically. This policy is one of the many reasons I plan to stick with UE as long as my ancient, creaky body holds out! read more

Came in from out of town to visit family for a few days, with two 9 year old twins in tow. We had some down time and needed some activities to do with the kids. Enter Urban Evolution. Having two kids, we worked with the team and Urban Evolution to get some personalized training with a trainer to introduce my kids to Parkour. The kids were very excited to try this out and I have to say that I'm very happy with the way this place does business. They are flexible and have knowledgeable and friendly staff. The instructor assigned to my kids was young, but he knew his stuff and he knew how to convey it to my kids and get them engaged. The gym has a lot of options for Parkour and Ninja training, but don't let this place fool you, it's a Parkour gym with some other niceties. My kids learned a lot and want to continue to pursue Parkour training, as well as Ninja Training, rock climbing etc, but this was an excellent intro and I recommend this place to anyone!! read more

Can't say enough nice things about Urban Evolution. The owners and the staff are amazing. I have two young children and they LOVE coming here and anytime I can get them away from their electronics AND get exercise that they really enjoy is a win win. This place is not just for kids...don't be afraid to check it out. The two hour intro class is fun and will teach you the basics of parkour. They also have classes for 35 and up which is still bad a$$ but lower impact. Fun workout that doesn't feel like work but will give you that nice muscle soreness that let's you know you did something. Thanks UE for the coolest gym in the area. read more

Urban Evolution (Alexandria) has moved to spiffy new digs at 5505 Cherokee just two quick turns off the I-395 Edsall Ave. exit. The urban graffiti Aeroholics designs that were such an energy boost in the old open bay building are gradually reappearing in this two story playground which features more distinct and expanded areas for the three main offerings Parkour, Aerials, and Urban Fit. At 71, I'm unlikely to do Parkour moves in this lifetime, but it is fun to watch the kids bounce off the walls doing Parkour tricks while I recover from a lift set.. I went for the Urban Fit. This is almost a perfect combination of classic Olympic style weight lifting and metabolic conditioning. A typical class starts with about 30 minutes of weights beginning with dumb and kettle bells for weaklings like me and barbells for the more experienced. The instructors are universally knowledgeable and helpful with an uncanny knack of understanding your individual capabilities. They have strong focus on proper technique to avoid injury and accelerate results. After a couple of broken wrists and a 'scoped knee, they had to modify some of the routines until my strength built up. The weight portion focuses on the basics, squats, dead lifts, and presses. The second part of the class is for metabolic conditioning. Here you are doing multiple reps/sets of body weight exercises, push-ups, pull-ups, combined with some dumb/kettle bell presses, swings and rows and an aerobic. The various sets are designed to integrate with the day's weight lifting. The MetCon is usually timed with a goal of a certain number of sets for each exercise. It will test your limits and you feel real accomplishment at the end; after you catch your breath and the exhaustion fades. Because of my travel schedule, I buy blocks of classes rather than the monthly membership. That way I can reenter the process, at lower weights if necessary, after extended absences. Even if you are old, fat, and out-of-shape like I was, I recommend Urban Fit at Urban Evolution as a proven way to the joy of deep squats and steady presses from your now sturdy core. read more

Great classes but the Dogs that they allow to roam around really kill the atmosphere. We had other kids with us and I didn't want to put my youngest on the sofa because the large dogs were laying on them...they were covered in dog hair and when I pet the dogs head my hands smelled sooo bad. Not to mention the clothes they had for sale (that I almost bought) were covered in dog hair. read more

Having seen videos of their services on YouTube and on the news, I was very excited to learn more about this place. I was primarily interested in classes for my son and possibly for my husband and me also. We stopped by and received a tour. The tour was very informative. It seemed like a great place for my entire family. My son thought it was cool as well. Unfortunately, there were two medium to large dogs roaming around the place. One was sitting on the sofa in the waiting area when we arrived. They were friendly dogs; but, there was dog hair everywhere. I inquired with the owner if the dogs were there all the time or if it was just a fluke. He told me that they were his dogs and they were always there. Given that my son and I are allergic to dogs, this would definitely not work for us. I shared our health issues with the owner and he didn't seem to care as he had no response. So, we left. So, it might be a great place; but, don't go if you have dog allergies or have issues with dog hair everywhere. read more

We hosted a Ninja Warrior/Parkour Birthday Party at UE for my two kids and it was a wild success. The kids loved their two staff directors who were engaging, instructional, and catered well to both the boys and girls ages ranging 4-8. They had a very flexible set-up for food and cakes, and activities. They accommodated all my requests and exceeded expectations. They were informative and communicated well with me throughout the party planning process. The staff at UE are just phenomenal with kids and we can't thank them enough for making the event so memorable. I would highly recommend this for anyone looking for a fun, engaging kid or adult birthday party idea. read more

I really can't say enough good things about this gym. I started in the old location, and the new building is such an improvement, especially the aerial silks room. I started going to Urban Evolution last August with the punch card and tried out a couple of the classes: gymnastics, break dancing, parkour, and aerial. I really enjoyed them all, especially parkour and aerial. Overall, the gym is a really fun place to be and the instructors and owners all seem to know how to make working out fun. It is more like a little community than a gym, and going there gets you excited about fitness. Before going to Urban Evolution, I couldn't do a real push-up, and now I would consider myself pretty fit, so that is awesome! In January, I decided to focus on aerial silks, and I have been doing that exclusively. The aerials room at the new gym is beautiful and having tried out a couple other places on trips out of town, you can't beat their setup. They recently added a lot more structure to the aerial program and I really like the changes they made. I like all the instructors that I have worked with (Kate, Nadia, and Kat are great), but Aco is usually my instructor and he is really amazing to learn from. He makes everything look so easy, and of course it never is, but he keeps telling us we can do it until one day we actually can. You can tell he loves teaching and he is really good about teaching proper technique while still giving us fun new things to try. There is nothing like an aerial drop to get your adrenaline going. We also have a lot of inspiring people in the classes and it is a really fun, encouraging environment that just makes you want to be there. My only warning is the gym is addicting, so if you go, expect to get hooked. read more

This is just good clean fun. I've been here twice so far with my kids. They really love this place. They have nice offerings for all ages. The punch card is a good deal and averages about $10 a class for kids (with sibling discount). You can go to multiple classes a day on one punch. There is a decent waiting area with wifi and lots of seating. The only thing that stopped this from being a 5 star rating is the owner. She has a shrill voice and doesn't always speak nicely to her staff (although to be fair I don't know if she is trying to be mean). She's also obsessed with "the count" and making sure everyone has signed in. They really need to figure this out. For her comfort and the ears of everyone in the front desk and waiting area. Regardless. This place is definitely worth a visit. read more