I attended a workout class here thanks to a recommendation from a friend. Throughout the years, I…read morehave participated in many workout classes and gyms. This place is hands down one of the best classes I have attended. I had such a great workout! I was sore for 3 days afterwards. I appreciate how their workouts are efficient as they can get you a great workout in only 45 minutes. Additionally, they have different classes throughout the week to mix it up. The trainers are wonderful. They make sure you get a good workout and are very personable and caring people. They seem genuinely invested in your progress. It is more expensive than your average gym, but they do provide exceptional workouts and trainers, so it can be worth it if you utilize it!

Let me preface by saying everyone's fitness goals and needs are different. I also wish we could…read moregive half stars in ratings because I would go with a 3.5 for sure. This review is based on 3 consecutive sessions attended during a trial period for $35 for one week. Each studio is different as I learned the one in Durham only charges $7 for one week trial but I digress... The Good: The trainer goes through the workout before starting and there's video screens to provide an additional resources during. Each workout has a proper warm up before and cool down after. Everything is perfectly timed so all you need to focus on is the work you're putting in. The workouts change daily so there's something new to look forward to. Most members are friendly and welcoming, others are aloof which isn't a big deal because I'm there to exercise first. The first day was smoother than I expected. The trainer was ready for me, gave me the tour, and I was set. The workout itself really tested my heart rate, (which I track). I would max out at 170bpm. I took more breaks when it got that high because it's not healthy to keep going. Great workout! The Bad: The stations are properly numbered but the order wasn't the same from day 1 to day 2. Day 3 was the same was day 2 though but still a bit confusing. It feels like the flow should be counter clockwise going from the back to the front, then immediate left to the back. It doesn't and when I missed a station I had to scramble to find the right place which cost me some exercise time. A couple of members wouldn't adjust and stared at me until I realized my mistake. No one was out of line but not adapting was frustrating. The exercises at some stations don't provide an adequate amount of room so I found myself trying to avoid someone's feet in front of me or next to me. I also found the muscles worked wasn't balanced enough. All 3 days I noticed more burn in my quads, back, and shoulders. I should note that I do workout regularly with supersets for weights and jogging and boxing for cardio. I'm 45 and definitely not what I used to be but I'm not off the couch ice cold either. The Ugly: I noted the price difference in the trial periods for different studios and that was annoying. While looking through memberships before joining. I know for a fact I saw an option to buy a lifetime membership for $349. I showed it to my wife and told her that's a great deal if I end up liking the gym. I was about to join after my third session and it...wasn't there...I know what I saw. I mentioned it to the owner and he said he'd never heard of anything like that and there was no way to give me that price for that option. The other options are simply too expensive for zero amenities unless you want to include the restrooms and free oranges. $209/monthly or $159 every quarter. That's too much for what is definitely a great workout but little else. I also kept seeing videos and ads that showed weighted sleds and battle ropes and nothing like that was present. Finally, the owners are nice people but the wife kept interrupting me while I was cooling down and stretching on the floor with my head down. She kept asking people, "Have you met Bryan yet?" Look, it's a very nice gesture and I appreciate wanting me to feel included but that was irritating. It felt unnatural and forced. Let me be clear, she was very sweet during conversation and I appreciate what she was attempting but it was awkward. Ultimately I decided not to join and it's 95% based on that lifetime option disappearing.

This is exactly the workout I've been looking for! I had previously tried boot camps, crossfit,…read morespin, barre... but Orangetheory is the workout that I actually look forward to doing. In an hour-long workout you rotate between rowing machines, treadmills and free weights/TRX for the perfect mix of cardio and strength training. Plus, the instructors at the Meadowmont location are fantastic. They keep you on track and motivated, and provide great instruction so you perform the exercises with the proper form. And, by using the heart rate monitor to track my effort level throughout the workouts, I've seen significant improvement in my performance over the past three months.

Love OTF.... but current Meadowmont OTF studio customer service sucks…read more After 18 months loving my OT Beat Link (Apple Watch heart rate monitor), I recently lost it. It was a great option for me so I bought a replacement OT Beat Link ($140) on Monday at Meadowmont which is currently my home studio. I finally *found* my lost OT Beat Link on Tuesday night (of course ;-), and then proceeded to return the never-used-still-in-the-box-with-all-the-parts new OT Beat Link on Wednesday morning at Meadowmont. I was informed there is a strict no return policy for all heart rate monitors... doesn't matter if the device is still in the box and has never been used. I hate to give the Meadowmont OTF studio a negative review. I have been an OTF member based at Meadowmont studio for over 8 years, and overall OTF is awesome. I wish current Meadowmont OTF management had better customer service, IMO they used to do much better. Luckily there are several OTF studio options in the area and I would highly recommend trying those over Meadowmont.... I have found the MLK OTF studio in Durham to be a superior option and there are a couple other studios in the Chapel Hill/Durham area.

Terrific coaching never thought as a100 lb 74 year old I could deadlift 105 lbs or a 4 min plank…read moreand 25 weighted sit-ups Amanda is an amazing observer, instructor and Cheer leader.

Bull City is a complete, well equipped facility, but what really sets it apart are the coaches…read more Amanda in particular is an extraordinarily acute observer. She has been able to pick up on and correct flaws in body position and technique, making it possible for me to make much faster progress and avoid injury. In my decades of gym experience, she has been the best

This is a nice gym for a drop in if you're from out of town and looking for a box. The owner was…read morevery friendly and the coach Hugh was great to work with. All the members were friendly. Definitely going back for a drop in next time I'm in the area.

It's hard to find a better gym that CF Homeward. The coaches are welcoming, the community is fun,…read moreexciting, inclusive, and hard-working, the manager is always present and greets everyone with a smile, and the owners are always keeping their eyes and ears open for how to make the gym even more awesome. The programming generally follows classic CF programming - lift, skill, metcon - though we've gone through various cycles to emphasize certain skills or muscle groups (powerlifting, Oly-style weightlifting, KB, etc), and it's very obvious how much thought goes into the programming. They also have other programs - endurance, youth, KB, mobility, etc. And child care on Saturdays! And to boot, they have massage therapists, 2 PTs, and other body work professionals IN HOUSE. It's like a one-stop shop for getting awesome. Can't recommend it enough!

I found this gym in January and out of curiosity, I decided to sign up for their Bootcamp deal,…read moresince it was only 50 for the first month. I was returning to working out following an injury, and during that first class Morgan was super accommodating and showed me how to do all of the movements properly, ensuring I was comfortable and getting a good workout. The first class was so fantastic, I decided to sign my mom up. Almost three months later, we have each lost 15 lbs, gotten a hell of a lot stronger, and gained confidence in the gym. I've switched over from the Bootcamp to the full CrossFit membership and though the barbells were intimidating, the coaches made the transition so easy. The community is incredible, every single one of the coaches are caring and knowledgeable, and this gym got my mother to go from never having worked out beyond walking to weightlifting. Definitely stop by and try it out if you can!

Do it! I went through 3 hip surgery and I was inactive for almost 2 years! After gaining 60 lbs I…read moreneeded a supportive community. I was a bit skeptical to do Crossfit but this isn't your typical box they will not force you to do anything to break your back! I've been coming here since January till now and lost over 25 lbs I highly recommend this box! All the coaches are extremely supportive! Every workout is scaleable and not once did I felt judged for doing something wrong or not putting weights on the bar! It might look like a small box but cf CrossFit is very well equipped!!!Do it now, your future self will thank you!

I believe Kyle is the best kept secret in personal training in the Triangle…read more I want to tell you he is terrible, so you won't try to schedule with him. But, that would be a lie! He has listened to my goals, my challenges. He creates a weekly practice for me and one for me and my husband that is a thoughtfully planned workout, each session building to the next. I look forward to each challenging session because Kyle encourages me to exceed my best without pushing me beyond what is safe and reasonable. I feel safe, seen and know I will exceed my fitness goals with Kylie's guidance! Kyle is one of two trainers I work with at Empower ... I can't imagine any there who do not meet this standard ... if you are thinking of giving personal training a try, just go to Empower! You will be matched with a wonderful trainer who will do the same for you!

Great people, trainers, environment! Good for your body. The value in knowing what to do and how to…read moredo your training is of great value. Money is reasonable in maintaining your health.

I attended CrossFit Local (CFL) for the better part of two years, during which time I attended…read moreabout 175 classes. I liked it a lot at first but now have more mixed feelings, and recently switched to another gym. It's a nice facility, lots of space with high ceilings and big fans, and easy access to the back parking lot for running and any other outdoor exercises. It's clean and has great equipment (maybe aside from the bikes, which aren't used in workouts anyway). Everything is maintained very well. The coaching at CFL is terrific. Members get lots of individual attention even in the group setting, with good instruction about proper technique and plenty of encouragement when the going gets tough. Classes typically start with an icebreaker and a thorough warmup. CFL also has a good member community. It's a friendly and supportive environment. Class sizes are very reasonable -- a typical class might have anywhere from 5 to 8 people. Rarely did I feel cramped during workouts, even when the classes are bigger. The programming has more of a focus on strength than conditioning. There's a particularly heavy emphasis on the Olympic lifting and powerlifting. Each class has a conditioning aspect as well, but some other CrossFit gyms offer more in this regard. In general, the workouts lack the variety of movements that I've seen at other gyms. Not much core work, for example, and no bike work as noted above. So while you will definitely get strong if you go to CFL, it's not the most well-rounded exercise experience in my opinion. It really just depends on what you want. In terms of COVID-related safety precautions, nobody there seems to care very much. The classes usually occur indoors even when the weather is nice. Members are welcome to do it outside if they prefer (which may or may not be practical depending on the workout), but most people just do it inside, with no real effort to social distance or anything like that. In that sense, it's kind of like this weird alternate reality world where COVID doesn't exist, or at least isn't a big deal. If you're not that concerned about it and don't want to be inconvenienced by preventative measures, then this could be the place for you while other gyms have more restrictions in place. But if you are concerned about it, I recommend staying away for the time being.

I absolutely love this crossfit location! I have been going a couple times a week for a little over…read morea year now. I have to say it took me a long time to realize I should give it a try, so I eventually got myself in there and it was nothing like I thought it would be. I thought it would be intimidating-its not. Its super diverse in body size, shape, age, gender, and Chad and Kelly are amazing, along with the rest of the coaches ive been able to have this experience with. The people are great, the music is great, there is always a challenge, and its motivation to push myself! Its been a lot of fun, I suggest if youre looking for a great crossfit location THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE!!

Clean space. Friendly staff. Amazing workout!! If you…read morehaven't tried a HOTWORX session, you are missing out.

LOVE coming here to workout! The staff members are so nice and helpful. The workouts are intense…read morebut with the modifications I'm still challenging myself and getting stronger. Love the 24hrs access to be able to come and go on my time. So Happy I joined and feeling better in my body.

Very strong community across all classes that I've visited. I think this is a function of the…read moresmaller class sizes, older and more ethnically diverse demographic (though there is uniform probability of any age being represented) and the more personable trainers + studio manager leadership. Classes are normally limited to 36 people, though presently, I think it's limited to 12 for COVID. Masks are worn for indoor workouts, doors are opened for circulation. Come check it out and tell them I sent you :) Shoutout to Tripp, Daniel and Bimala. Very cool trainers and people who love what they do and the people they are coaching.

Earlier this year I joined F45 as a way to get back in shape, and be healthier overall. I had…read morepreviously tried things like T25 (Videos), and in the past had been a gym member (lifting weights); but none of them really kept me motivated and coming back...nor was I really very dedicated to cardio work. F45 kind of changed all that. Each session is pretty intense as far as a workout goes, but it's all about how hard you push yourself. Exercises can be slower and easy, or fast and hard (or slow and hard ;-) ) depending on how you feel, and your level of confidence. However, the trainers that are there to help you along and the team of people that you work out with that help you to get motivated make all the difference. The folks that come there are super friendly and engaging; and the trainers are personable and non-judgemental ;-) . It's a high intensity workout, and it's easy to get a lot out of it so long as you go on a regular basis. All that being said, I'm a fan of F45. There are some things that make it better (perhaps) than others: - Erika (the trainer that is usually there when I go) is super friendly and helpful; she's always greeting you with a smile on her face, and ending the day with high-fives; and during the workouts she's letting you know where you can improve - or where you can push yourself harder. - The changing exercises daily (both in terms of timing, flow, and exercises themselves) keep things from getting dull; and you're focusing on different body parts - which is also great. - There are NO TREADMILLS; it's personal - but I'm not a fan of those things at all, so the lack of them is a plus for me. I've met several nice people at the local F45, and although none of them have invited me or my family over for dinner, I remain hopeful. Seriously though - the people are great, the trainers are great, and they have these heart monitors you can strap on to see how much you are improving. I'd highly recommend you go and try it out if you're looking for something different, and engaging, in terms of high intensity interval training.

I love how safe and welcome I feel at this studio. I am new to yoga and I appreciate the options…read morethat are given for each pose so I don't feel left out as a beginner. They have plenty of supplies if you don't know what to bring and offer a variety of classes depending on your level. I have left every class feeling relaxed, challenged, and supported. I'm also grateful that they offer an intro pass to let you try before committing to a membership. Would recommend to anybody looking for a yoga studio to call home!

I've been taking Paul Sobin's Continuing Basics series for about 6 months, and this review is…read morepurely about this series. I'm very new to yoga. There are free classes at my school, but I feel like you need a certain level of understanding of the poses before going to those classes. I'm the kind of person that would feel VERY uncomfortable mimicking the poses in class without learning the ABCs first, just for the sake of feeling sore afterwards. I'm also uncomfortable when the teachers talk way too much about their spiritual journey. I respect other people's spirituality, but when it's hovering over the ENTIRE CLASS, it can be very distracting. Paul Sobin solves both of my problem. In the class we would move from pose to pose, but he'd always mention the mistakes easily made. So when I'm doing the pose, even when he's not nearby to correct me, I could still keep in mind what to avoid. He offers a sweet mix of the physical and spiritual practice. For example when we start the slow breathing at the beginning of class, he'd mention how life is always busy and stressful, and it's good to take just a couple minutes to breathe slow and deep to give yourself a bit peace of mind. I really appreciate this. The series are pretty flexible - if you can't make it to the class you signed up for, you can do a make-up with any other series class Paul/ Sommer teach. Whatever leftover classes you haven't used in this series can be carried over to the next one. Students get a discount, which comes to $10 per class. This is quite an investment compared to the free gym, but I'd be happy to skip a weekend drink for this. People seem very nice, chill, and friendly as well. They also offer a week of classes free before the start of the series. The only con I can think of so far: The class can be crowded, to the point that the distance between you and the next mat is half a mat's width. Come 10 mins early to secure a good spot.