In 2011 I gave up. I was not investing in my health or my body. I walked into Seacoast Kettlebell with major back issues and arthritis. My body weight was out of control for my short 5'3 stature. I was hitting 6's and 7's on a pain scale of 10, some days it hurt to walk down the stairs. Being veteran of rugby, a sport I played for nearly 10 years, I needed some sort of extra push, walking on a treadmill, hanging out on an elliptical machine just wasn't doing it, I wasn't committing, I wasn't working very hard. Meeting Colin (the owner) for the first time I was overjoyed at knowing that he had a sense of humor, not something I thought I would find in an army kind of guy. He made me feel comfortable, showed me how to do the kettlebell movements before I was even allowed to go to class to ensure I was being safe and was pumped that I was there. Not just because I was another person spending money at the gym, but because he thought he could help me. And he did. Right away I realized this was not your typical Planet Fata$$ $19.00 a month gym. He knew everyone's name, remembered which weights they should be using, challenged them when they didn't work hard and joked with them when he hadn't seen them in a while. All the trainers are like that, they make you feel like family and come to find out, so did a great number of people that go there. No one looked at me like I was fat and didn't belong, they pushed me when I slowed down, asked me if I was ok when I needed to stop and challenged me to go heavier and harder. Someone even ran with me one of my first workouts, after he had already done the running, just so I wouldn't give up. I've lost weight, lost inches, my back doesn't hurt anymore and beyond that I'm more invested in my body and my strength and my will more than I ever have been. I am in very little to no pain, my arthritis is handled and instead of hitting 6's and 7's on the pain scale, I'm hitting PR's on my weights, barbell and kettlebells alike. Is this the place to go if you're looking to walk around, waste time, maybe burn a couple calories and eat some pizza? Not at all. Well, maybe, you'll just get disappointed when there isn't pizza and someone is pushing you to your max. This is the place to go when the gimmick of $10 a month fails you and you realize that you need more. This is the place to go if you want to meet some of the most incredible, inspiring people you've ever met in your life. This is the place to go to become part of something bigger than yourself. Lastly, this is the place to go if you want to change your life, just like I've changed mine. Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity. John F. Kennedy read more

I have been a member at Seacoast Kettlebell for about a year and a half now and it is certainly the best gym experience I've had. I had spent years doing the traditional gym thing and not really getting anywhere as I was very unmotivated and inconsistent. Frustrated with my lack of progress and ever expanding waist line, I did some research into Crossfit which a couple of college buddies seemed love. I found SKB on the crossfit affiliates page and decided to give it a shot and I've been a member ever since. Each work out has a similar structure, in that you start with a brief warm-up (jogging, rowing or jump rope), a joint mobility/stretch session to increase flexibility and reduce the chances of injury, then a strength building session and the work-out of the day (WOD). The instructors are very knowledgeable and do a great job at keeping the class on track, ensuring everyone knows the exercises and performs them with proper form. Each work-out is scalable so you can make it as challenging as you would like, by adjusting weight or reps. If you have a particular injury, the instructors have no problem recommending alternative exercises to keep your work outs moving. The work outs are performed in a class setting, which I found to be daunting at first, but now enjoy as it is great for motivation. Everyone is incredibly nice and very helpful, answering any questions I have had about the work outs. When I started at SKB, I weighed in at around 232 lbs and my 5K time was a pitiful 31ish minutes. Roughly 10 months later, after going to SKB around 3 times a week and a very beneficial "Accountables" session with SKB's incredibly knowledgeable registered dietician, I lost roughly 18 pounds and trimmed my 5K time to a still sluggish (but not quite pitiful) 28 minutes. Overall, I can't speak highly enough about Seacoast Kettlebell and the staff there. If you are reading this at all, I'm assuming you are at least a little interested in trying it, so do yourself a favor and visit the website where you can see the WOD posted daily, check there Facebook page, where you'll see a tight-knit community of friendly, fitness enthusiasts, or stop in, talk to some of the staff and watch a work out in action! read more

All of the reviews identified here with the exception of one, are very accurate descriptions of the experience had at Seacoast Kettlebell (SKB), the staff, its owner Colin, the community of members, and the impact of the gym. Funny, when I read the post by whomever "Sherry" is, I thought.........she must be talking about a Seacoast Kettlebell in a parallel world, because the experience she described is so far from what everyone else here has posted, and what so many others have said about Colin, his highly credentialed staff, and their professionalism. I have never been a very religious person, however, I will tell you that SKB has had a spiritual and emotional impact on me. As others here have mentioned, Colin and his staff have been nothing short of amazing. They are responsive to all members, they truly care about their gym and the experience the members have, and above all, they are highly professional and well trained/certified instructors. I'd mention names, but I'd probably leave someone out. I just celebrated my one year anniversary at SKB. I began with a thorough orientation-introduction, followed by a six week nutrition class with their nutritionist Jenn. I've been working out 5 days per week, and the changes in my body and mind have been nothing short of a miracle. I've lost 50 pounds, and an incredible amount of body fat. I have also found the trainers to be very meticulous in the attention they pay to each and every member. Regardless of class size, they are friendly, engaging, encouraging, and they help each of us aspire to good form, and personal physical growth. If you are looking for a gym that will help you make a difference in your life, this is the one. I can't thank Colin, Lisa, Jenn, Ray, Chris, Artie, Ben, Steph, and Brittany enough. You have changed my life, and I'm eternally grateful to each and every one of you for what you have given me. There, I think I got everyone mentioned. I'd add in all the friends I've made through SKB, but I don't think Yelp would give me enough space to do that! read more

When I first heard about Seacoast Kettlebell I was very interested in joining but was scared I wasn't going to know what I was doing and look like a fool in the class. I wasn't overweight but I had poor eating habits and my weight went up and down like a yoyo. A few months later and a couple of pounds packed on from the holidays, I had hit a plateau not only in weight, but mentally. I no longer was seeing real results from what I was doing at the gym and the pounds I had put on over the couple of months refused to budge. So I decided that I would try out Seacoast Kettlebell for a month and it was the best decision I ever made. The first weeks were tough I could barely even do a burpee to save my life. I was extremely sore but the other class mates and instructors were so supportive and welcoming that I kept at it and immediately I started seeing how much I had progressed. The exercises we do in class are things I have never done before and certainly would never do in the gym by myself. I am significantly stronger and actually feel like an athlete some days!! Jenn is a wealth of nutrition information. I enjoy so many wonderful things that I had never even tried previously like, kale, dates and shirataki noodles to name a few! If you had told me 2 years ago that my weekly grocery haul would be mostly vegetables with not a Lean Cuisine, Diet Pepsi or Kraft Mac & Cheese in sight, I would have laughed. I can never thank Jen enough for starting me on the path to better nutrition it is going to add quality years to my life. The journey is not always perfect and for me stress and anxiety can allow poor habits to try to creep back in. But the difference is I now have the tools, confidence and a wonderful support system from the trainers and my fellow classmates to stay strong, focused and on track. With every day that goes by the changes I have made really do become my normal way of life, a much healthier life!!! I love seacoast kettlebell!!! read more

I was recruited by my sister in law to try out Seacoast Kettlebell. I hadn't done any type of exercising in over 4 years and I thought there was no way I could do it. I started with the trial membership. I went in for my Intro with Chris and thought it was pretty fun working with the Kettlebells. A few days later I went in to my first class. I could not believe how fun it was and how nice every person there acted towards me. I'll admit, I almost threw up after the workout but it didn't matter....I was hooked. I have tried other local gyms and never have been more motivated and excited to go workout. I actually find myself trying to adjust my schedule so I can make a class! Every one of the trainers is knowledgeable and personable. I think they all new my name before I had even attended one of their classes. The people you work out with are all supportive. I love how you work in groups or with a "buddy" a lot of times. I have never felt intimidated or out of place. I also took advantage of the nutrition classes with Jenn. Thanks to her and my workouts, I have lost almost 20 lbs and went from a size 16 to a 10 and I'm still going! Jenn offers you great advice, meal plans and recipes and never makes you feel bad if you don't reach your goal. Just like everyone else there, she is very motivating and encouraging. I have friends who run marathons and do triathlons and I always laugh when I tell them where I go to workout and they say, "Wow! I could never do that!". I just say, If I can, you can too!" Thank you Colin and the rest of the staff at SKB, you have changed my life! read more

Obviously the previous "review" was one of a more personal attack than any kind of a review of services. It's unfortunate, but I guess this is how the world works. I have known Colin (the owner) for several years and he and his staff have been nothing but professional and courteous to EVERYONE he meets. What he has developed at SKB is a community that is inclusive to EVERYONE and not exclusive. You can have brand new folks working right next to experienced veterans. Not too many gyms can do this.... Not too many instructors can do this. It takes real talent and professionalism to develop a community like this. SKB instructors are more than qualified...beyond certifications...they are qualified as good people, professional and care about their members. A great teaching mantra that pertains to anyone in this business is "show them what they can do.....not what you can do." SKB instructors are not about listing off resumes and accomplishments. They are about teaching good form, setting great examples and caring for their members. I'm not sure what more you could ever ask for from a gym. I have been in the fitness/athletic world my entire life. I have competed at the international level in two different sports. I say this not to impress you, but to impress upon you that I have seen gyms of all likes and SKB is a place for everyone.....from beginners to the most advanced. Don't just take my word for it....call SKB and see what you think. Let your experience dictate what you do....not just some review on a website. Andrew Moores read more

The positive, community-based culture at Seacoast Kettlebell is something that I've never experienced in any other gym. My first experience at SKB was training with my team. Colin adapted to create basketball oriented workouts with ease and, needless to say, we went into our season in the best shape we've ever been in. When it was time to decide where I wanted to do my internship to finish out my exercise science degree at UNH, SKB immediately popped into my head. Awesome people, a supportive environment, effective fitness training - what else could I ask for? What I didn't realize was how much this place would impact my future career path. It's rare to go a day without hearing a member mention a goal that was a met or notable improvements seen in his or her fitness or overall health. When you join SKB you are not just joining a gym - you are committing to a lifestyle change. The well-trained and encouraging staff, supportive members, and highly accountable environment will push you to make the necessary health changes in your life and become better all together. Whether you are a top tier athlete or have no prior exercise experience, SKB is the right place for you. The workouts are tough but can be modified/progressed based on your injuries, goals, and fitness level. Not to mention, the coaches will know your name and something about you within the the first week you begin... among almost 500 other clients. This place has inspired me to work in this type of field when I graduate. I highly recommend SKB to anyone, I can't say enough about it! read more

My wife and I attended the intro session at the end of May. Chris was the trainer that night, and we became hooked immediately. We started out slow trying to go at least a couple times a week. However, I quickly started going more often. I try to go five times a week, but at a minimum I go three times a week. SKB is the most unique gym experience that I have ever had. The trainers are always available for questions, provide encouragement or provide guidance when you need it. They pay attention to your form and the weights that you are using. If you're using a weight that's too high, they will encourage you to go lighter. On the other hand, if you are using a weight that is too light, they will also encourage you to go heavier. Their interaction with everyone helps motivate everyone to do their best. The best part of SKB is that it is a community of people who all have the same goal ... to workout and give their best every time they do. I have met so many great people at SKB, and now many of them feel like they are family. You notice when they're not there, and they notice when you're not there. The more experienced members are also quite helpful and are a great source of encouragement and inspiration. In 4-1/2 months since I first joined SKB, I have lost approximately 60 lbs. Working out at SKB has also greatly enhanced my running. I am running faster and farther, because I have improved my core muscles as well as my overall musculature. My wife and I couldn't image our lives without SKB in it!! read more

I joined SKB right before Thanksgiving 2014 (crazy, I know), but I was sick of being lazy, I was tired all the time, I ate poorly and was getting pudgy. I made the decision to join and take part in a six-week challenge - best decision I made FOR ME! I have joined many gyms in the past and have never been as committed as I am to SKB. Why? Because I am seeing results - all the time, because the coaches truly care and push you, because it's more of a community than a gym. I wouldn't dream of waking up at 5:30am almost every day if it weren't awesome....believe me. I like to sleep. Working closely with SKB's nutritionist is also a huge plus and has taught me healthier eating habits for my entire family. I used to run the occasional 5K and really didn't focus on time until my first 5k of the season when I was running to the finish line and saw my time was around 28 minutes. I was so excited that I cut off about 4 minutes off my last 5K from the year before. I did more 5K races and with each race came a new PR. My last PR was 25:42! I credit the training at SKB to my success and my husband who helps me at the finish line :). I even ran my first 10k. I had NEVER ran more than a 5K before, so this was big. If you are looking for a gym where you will feel like you truly belong to and will get real results, definitely check out Seacoast Kettlebell. I am so glad I did and wish I found them sooner. read more

Seacoast Kettlebell is not your average gym. The staff knows you by name. And not only that - they pay attention. They encourage you when you're struggling. They recognize when you're improving. They celebrate with you when you achieve goals (then help you develop new ones!). They push you to be the best athlete you can be - no matter what your background is. The community at SKB is the absolute best. Some of my closest friends are people I've met at the gym. Not only do I look forward to seeing everyone at class- but I also run, bike & just hang out with them. These people are nothing short of inspiring. I've never built relationships like this at a traditional gym (kind of hard when everyone is plugged into their iPod, right?) I am a much stronger, faster and happier runner thanks to Seacoast Kettlebell. They've found a way to make cross training enjoyable. If you're also a runner, you might understand where I'm coming from ;) One of my favorite things is how varied the workouts are each day. I show up - work up a massive sweat - and am back on my way within an hour. Nothing I was doing on my own before (or even with a personal trainer) was nearly as efficient. If you haven't checked out SKB yet, you really should. In regards to the monthly membership fee... you get what you pay for. I think my health is worth more than $10 a month. Yours is too. read more

I can't say enough about Seacoast Kettlebell. So far I absolutely love it here!!! It is VERY difficult but leaves me feeling incredible. I have had stomach issues my entire life and last year things got really bad. I could barely eat anything and I was in constant pain. In the past year I have lost about 65 lbs on my own with a 100% diet change and I feel so much better. I am doing my best to learn to value my body more and take care of myself. I feel like I have made real progress and I want to continue. That is what brought me to Seacoast Kettlebell. I am so glad I made it to my Intro with Sarah. I instantly felt like I belonged. I haven't worried once about anyone judging me or shutting me out because I am not in great shape. The person lifting hundreds of lbs is just as motivating and supportive as the person lifting ten. It almost feels like a family where everyone looks out for everyone else. The coaches are so knowledgable and they teach you correct form and how NOT to hurt yourself. They make sure that no one gets lost and they will walk you through the exercises 100 times if you need it! They are so incredibly motivating and they really do make you believe in yourself. I can't wait to see what comes next for me or how my body will change during my time at SKB. read more

I was a little apprehensive about going in to Seacoast Kettlebell, not because of them specifically but because of the preconceived notions I had about gyms like theirs. I was pleasantly surprised about EVERYTHING. From the minute I walked in, I was impressed. It's clean- even the bathrooms; well organized (I got a confirmation/reminder for my small group class the day before); and literally everyone is super friendly. Every. Single. Person. I had zero experience with kettlebells and weights other than some light dumbbells at home and that was also a little intimidating, but not for long. There are coaches everywhere- there were at least 5 this morning alone- to motivate and encourage and monitor everyone's form. I absolutely love it there. I'm really into fitness and I enjoy things that are constantly challenging. This is a perfect fit for me because I can forever push myself to keep things interesting and reach the goals I have set for myself. I strongly encourage anyone and everyone to check out SKB. You won't regret it. read more

I've been a member of Seacoast Kettlebell for over two years now and it is definitely the best gym that I have ever been to. The workouts are always different, yet always challenging. There are plenty of class times to accommodate any of my schedules. I started going because I had a goal of getting in better shape to try out for a division 1 hockey team. I knew that my workouts just were not cutting it at a regular gym, sure I knew my way around the weights and cardio machines but I was hitting a fitness plateau. At seacoast Kettlebell the coaches and community members helped me get over that and keep climbing up my fitness ladder. My experience at Seacoast Kettlebell has been amazing, they helped me reach my goal and I still look forward to going to the gym everyday knowing that the coaches and community members at the gym actually care about me and how I am doing, and they are willing to push me past what I think that I am capable of doing. read more

Going into the field of law enforcement I knew I had to get myself in the best shape of my life. in only three months I have seen incredible improvement in my strength, endurance, and general health. Since joining SKB I have transformed inside and out. the great team at SKB keeps you motivated and pushing yourself to do just that little bit more every day. Within 2 visits most of the coaches already knew my name which made me feel very accepted and welcomed. If your feel that you are stuck in the same old gym routine SKB is definitely the change you need. With their own on sight nutritionist, you also get coaching for in the gym and for eating right at home. At SKB the routine is always changing and very dynamic from day to day to ensure that you never have the same old gym day. I would recommend SKB to anyone wanting a change in their life! read more

Joining Seacoast Kettlebell is a life changing experience. It is not a "chore" to workout each day, but something to look forward to each day. Colin not only runs a gym, but a welcoming community setting where everyone is accepted and respected. I believe this is what makes SKB stand above all other gyms. Colin, along with Lisa and the rest of the coaches are knowledgable, inspirational, and push each member to their personal limits. This is always done with consideration to individual fitness levels or physical limitations. I would suggest SKB to anyone looking to get in shape and become a member of an outstanding establishment. read more

I have been a member of the SKB family for just over 6 years now & I can't imagine going to any other gym! Since joining Seacoast Kettlebell I have gained strength & endurance and best of all I've had the pleasure of meeting a bunch of amazing people over the years and I've even made a bunch of really close friends there. The SKB community is amazing and everyone (especially the coaches) are very upbeat, supportive and we cheer each other on through out each work out! It doesn't matter what your athletic ability, shape, size and age you are I'd highly recommend anyone to join our SKB family! ‍ read more

I have been a member of the Seacoast Kettlebell community for a little over a year now and can not believe the changes that I have made in my life and it's all thanks to the awesome people at Seacoast Kettlebell!! Because of the support of the coaches and nutritionist (on site) I have lost weight and inches, become more toned and defined, changed the way I eat and think of food and the biggest is that I quit smoking :) I have also made many friends that I now consider family and am very fortunate to have this whole group in my life!! THANK YOU SEACOAST KETTLEBELL !!! read more

I joined Seacoast Kettlebell about a year and a half ago and I am completely hooked. The workouts are very challenging, but the rewards are tremendous. I've gained muscle, stamina, flexibility and confidence. It's never boring because everyday is different. The staff are incredibly friendly, attentive and well trained. They know how to motivate you so that you get the most out of the workouts. Because of their dedication they have created a community that is caring, supportive and fun. Nothing compares to SKB. Thanks Colin for creating such a special place. read more

So for the last several years, I refused to have my picture taken, I hated what I looked like, although I am not nearly where I want to be, I feel great and look 100 times better...i am so thankful to you guys as I was willing to be in family photos for my daughter's 8th grade graduation. #skbstrong #lfs Here is a before, they are hard to come by, and a few afters... 20 pounds and over 13 inches (in the places we measured) The instructors are knowledgeable, fun and care genuinely about you and your journey. I am so happy I found a gym I fit into! read more