At the risk of over exaggerating, this place changed my life. I lost 18 lbs so far and went down a…read morefew pant sizes. I would strongly recommend this place to anyone who is serious about losing weight. The personal attention from the trainers is what I really love about this place. They get to know you not just how you need to get you motivated but what your lifestyle is like outside of the gym. They keep you challenged and accountable. This not a place for judgment or negativity. This is not a place where you worry about how you compare to others. This is not a big place where you can avoid a good sweat. That said it is not cheap and there are no showers but it has what I need.

I love this place! I've worked out a lot in the past, but the past few years, I've been having…read moretrouble motivating to get to the gym. So, the accountability here really helped! It also helps to work out with the same people, so you get to know each other, and support each other. The trainers are great.... they really try to mix it up, so it's not the same. Each week is something different (upper/llowers, speed, slow, around the world), and then within each, the trainer suggests different modifications so you don't get bored. I like the accountability, and the mix of nutrition, weights and cardio!

Been reluctant to restart a workout routine. This place is great because it teaches replicable…read moreworouts. The coaches are all great but each has their own style which I like. You may just take classes with a few you like. Simple online interface.

I worked out for a year here and was sad to leave as I was moving out of the area. I had been doing…read morecrossfit for a year before then, and for my year at Commonwealth my technique improved immensely. The coaches like Brian, Larry and Abby are sticklers for technique, but as a result help you build safer foundations for movements. For example, I hadn't realized that I was basically throwing myself at the wall for handstand pushups when there was a much safer way of getting up on the wall, which then later allowed me to complete hand stand walks! People at this gym are great as well, laid back and relaxed. It's a great place to work out!

I was really excited to check out Down Under School of Yoga for a Heated Flow class, especially…read moreafter trying Flow (Infrared Heat) at Hotbox in Southie. When you arrive, note that the yoga studio is located in the same building as Life Alive, a health restaurant. Personal preference, I enjoyed the class at Hotbox much more. This class seemed to be a bit more advanced, with a focus on breathing and technique. Most people knew the names of the poses offhand and didn't look up at the instructor as much. The room itself was a bit cramped and I accidentally touched the feet of the person behind and beside me. That being said, I enjoyed the experience of hot yoga and left feeling refreshed. Be sure to bring your own yoga mat, as they require you to rent them otherwise (seems odd to me, as the classes are already quite expensive and the rental mats were of low quality). I'd recommend for those with more yoga experience, but I don't think I would personally return.

Wow, their yoga class was so intense! Make sure you read the class description, so you know what…read moreyou're getting yourself into. Here are a couple of things to be aware of: The facility is clean and is downstairs of Live Alive, but the space is small. It can get packed pretty easily with people leaving and coming in for class. There's not a lot of space to store your stuff. They have a shower facility, but make sure to ask the receptionist from Down Under, not Live Alive employees, for the code because Live Alive wouldn't have any idea.

I started training with Sean Germain about 2 months ago. I didn't have any previous gym training…read moreexperience and needed someone to kick my butt into shape. He easily taught me proper technique, guided me through proper eating, strength training, and answered any question I had. I lost 10lbs of fat and gained 5 lbs of muscle since starting with him. He's a great motivator and always pushed me to do those last two reps. I highly recommend training with him if you want someone who will motivate you, push your limits, and do it at a very reasonable rate.

We've been training with Steve Kiely in Porter Square for the last five months -- and it's been…read moreamazing! Steve is friendly, professional, and fun. We went from never going to the gym to daily visits, and we've completed 24 sessions with Steve and have just signed up for 36 more! He's worth every penny! As someone who was super gym-phobic, Steve's professional and friendly demeanor changed my attitude about, well, the gym!

I did not know much about Zumba, but decided to try this class since there was a special groupon…read moreoffer and its in a convenient location for me. I now love it! This class has gotten my gym-hating, mostly-lazy butt moving on a regular basis. Jess is really fun. She will teach you the moves over time, you will have fun but most importantly you will also get a good, big sweat-inducing work out. The class is good for both novices and experts.I still suck at many of the dance steps but it really does not matter and in just 2 lessons or so I have already picked up many.

I was slightly apprehensive to try Zumba especially since I may not be the most coordinated person…read moreon the planet, but my sister and friends who have taken Zumba before assured me I would be okay. I just went to one of the Saturday 11am classes and although I didn't get all the moves down pat, I had a ton of fun and had a great workout! Jess is fun, encouraging and despite the mirrored room, she doesn't call you out for messing up the moves. In fact, I felt better when she herself confused a step. She was really friendly too. I signed up for the class via Meetup and she recognized me when I walked in. I cannot compare this to any other Zumba classes because this was my first one, but the fact that there were so many regulars was a good sign. Also, I was nervous that other people would watch me and laugh every time I messed up a move, but you don't really have time to watch anybody but yourself and Jess. I can't wait to go back to another class! If you're a beginner, Jess recommends either the Tuesday night or Saturday morning classes btw. And don't fret if you are a man. There was a man in my class and he seemed to be having fun too! The only issue I had was finding the place and parking. But go through the door to the side of the building. It says Enterprise, but it's the main door for all of the businesses at 26 New Street. As for parking, the lot is tiny, but I saw some people park on the street even though there were signs that said "Tow Zone." I chose to park at the Danahy Park lot just in case and to get some extra walking in! :)

I had my new client introduction with Celia. When I expressed discomfort about providing an…read moreexcessive amount of personal information, she insisted. Later, she apologized, saying she understood I didn't want to share details "because ICE is snatching people off the streets." That comment was offensive and inappropriate, it felt like racial profiling. Having an accent or not being white does not mean I'm undocumented. I simply didn't want to provide unnecessary personal information.

TL;DR: I used to hate working out, but I now go to Pilates 3 days/week and have lost ~15 in 4…read moremonths. I love Pilates & this Pilates studio in particular. Diane owns the studio, and Amanda, Cilla, and Kate are the instructors. All of them are amazingly kind and supportive for any newbies looking to try Pilates. They're all STOTT trained, and they all love the work they do and really care about helping you advance. I had tried Pilates a few times before, and I hadn't been able to find a place in Boston that I liked. (I have tried two other studios in the area and left feeling miserable.) But all of the instructors here are so patient and helpful, taking time to talk with me and understand what I am trying to get out of these sessions, and I have seen a dramatic change in my body since I started in October. My upper back doesn't hurt any more; my leggings are loose; my body is stronger; my energy is up; and my mood is better. Before you can take any group classes, you have to do the intro private sessions (I think to make sure you don't injure yourself...which was, at least for me, so very possible lol). I started with once a week then progressed up to three times a week when I noticed how great I was feeling. I have continued with a mix of private and group classes, and I love it. I can not recommend FitLab enough. In fact, I recommend FitLab to everyone in my life--friends, colleagues, everyone lol. It has really changed my body, health, and life.

My wife and I have been doing CrossFit since 2012 and found KSCF when we moved here in 2018. We…read morehave been members since and to be quite honest it has become a home away from home, even after moving from Kendall Square to Davis Square where we have closer options available. Kendall Square CrossFit is a great location, a supportive and energetic community, and has great coaches that prioritize safety and range of motion/movement to heavy weights and maxxing out. Everyone is engaged, friendly, and supportive with no big egos or difficult personalities present in the classes no matter the level or how long you have been a member (we get a lot of drop-ins as well). Everyone is there to get better and achieve their goals and there is not a bunch of nonsense and power struggles that I have seen and experienced in other gyms. The equipment is well cared for and maintained and while not everything is present there for a dedicated games-style athlete, there is plenty of equipment to get your typical CrossFit-style workout in (except the assault/echo bike, but those things can stay in the trash where they belong :P). This is all managed despite a smaller space than some other gyms, but the coaches manage it so there is no danger of injury or overcrowding due to space issues. It's essentially two racquetball courts with a wall knocked out to give you an idea of the size of the space. It gives it a cool feeling with the vaulted ceilings but can carry a pretty heavy echo when instruction is going on... which also happens when the music is played which makes it really loud (which I like). Members also get access to the CAC amenities such as the locker rooms, showers, saunas, and other equipment. You seem to get more than you do for the same relative cost at other CrossFit gyms in the area where many don't have showers, saunas, or even lockers. We have been very pleased with our 7ish years at KSCF and despite having changing situations and evaluating options to go elsewhere, we never left or think about leaving. It is truly a pillar in our daily lives and the membership has led to many friendships in (and more importantly outside) the gym. I can't recommend KSCF enough to anyone in the area looking for a way to better themselves and not worry about how they are viewed while beginning or continuing their fitness journey, even if you are new to CrossFit or just want to see what it is all about!

I've been to my share of CrossFit gyms around Cambridge, but nothing quite prepared me for Kendall…read moreSquare CrossFit. Located in the heart of Cambridge's innovation district, this facility seems to have missed the memo on both innovation and basic maintenance. Walking into the gym feels like stepping into a time capsule -- one that's been gathering dust for months. Every piece of equipment wears a visible layer of grime, from the dumbbells to the rowing machines. When I asked staff about the cleanliness standards, I was told, matter-of-factly, "We clean, but dust flies around." It's the kind of response that makes you wonder if management has given up on the concept of deep cleaning entirely. The exercise floor mat tells its own story of neglect. Fraying edges and splintering surfaces turned my hands into pincushions during floor exercises -- a recurring issue that happened in nearly every class I attended. For a sport that demands athletes grab, grip and ground themselves constantly, having equipment that actively wounds participants seems counterproductive. Then there are the towels, which possess all the softness of medium-grit sandpaper. Using them feels less like drying off and more like an aggressive exfoliation treatment. I developed rashes that took days to heal -- hardly the post-workout glow I was seeking. The ventilation system appears to be more theoretical than functional. The air hangs heavy with the accumulated sweat of countless workouts, creating an atmosphere that newcomers will find overwhelming and regulars have simply learned to endure. It's the kind of environment where you find yourself taking deep breaths before entering, knowing fresh air will be in short supply. Space is at such a premium that peak-hour classes become exercises in human Tetris. Athletes regularly collide during movements, and navigating around classmates becomes part of the workout itself. Adding to the puzzling equipment situation: unlike every other CrossFit gym I've visited, this one doesn't provide jump ropes -- forcing members to bring their own or go without. The coaching staff presents the starkest contrasts I've encountered in fitness. Most instructors seem to view their teaching duties as an unfortunate interruption to their day. Jimmy Kuykendall projects such visible disinterest that his lack of enthusiasm becomes contagious in the worst possible way. Meaghan Shea displays a sense of deep apathy that permeates her instruction, making participants feel more like an inconvenience than paying customers. Stavroula Papdopoulos brings energy but delivers instruction that's often incomprehensible, leaving participants to guess at proper form and technique. But then there's Nery Amaya, who stands out like a beacon in this sea of mediocrity. Amaya demonstrates genuine expertise, offers clear instruction, and maintains the kind of motivational energy that makes the difference between a good workout and a great one. His presence raises an obvious question: how does such a skilled coach remain in an environment that seems designed to crush professional spirits? Having sampled other local options like Invictus and CrossFit Somerville, I can confirm that these standards aren't universal to the sport. Those facilities demonstrate that it's entirely possible to maintain clean equipment, breathable air, and engaged coaching staff. Kendall Square CrossFit feels like a missed opportunity in a neighborhood known for innovation and excellence. The gym charges competitive rates for what amounts to a substandard experience, saved from complete failure only by one instructor's determination to maintain professional standards. For potential members weighing their options, I'd suggest visiting during peak hours to experience the space constraints firsthand, and perhaps bringing your own towel -- and jump rope. For anyone with other options in the Cambridge area, I would recommend staying as far away from this facility as possible. Save your money, your health, and your time -- you'll thank yourself later.

i absolutely loved bspoke!! i tried my first ever heated pilates class and even though i was…read morenervous it was so much fun!! the instructor was great and it was a great challenge. i definitely want to come back for some other classes. the space is also beautiful down to the locker room and showers which i usually can't say about gym spaces lol

Such a good class! The room held so many people. The instructor was kind and very helpful with the…read moredifferent moves. It was challenging in a good way. I love a heated class that doesn't make me feel like I'm gonna pass out and this was a great combo of that. You use weights and bala bands and I really enjoyed it.