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    The Study

    5.0 (115 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    Services - The Study

    Group fitness

    Personal training

    Therapeutic massage

    The Study Photos

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    Recommended Reviews - The Study

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    Reviews With Photos

    Cara T.

    This gym is awesome. I trained with Alexander and it was a much needed session. One thing I have to work at is my form and he stayed focused on keeping me in check. I am definitely to keep going back. YAY!‍ Also I really loved how clean and pristine everything was!

    Some of the apparatus you will be using during your session.
    Jason S.

    While I will tell you a few of the things that I really like about coming here, I'm going to try not to repeat what others have already said (and it's all true) and instead give you the reasons why I chose to go with Alexander Bruce at The Study over a DVD. Alexander (and he prefers Alexander over Alex) keeps an immaculate place that is spotless and odor free. In fact, the first exercise you will learn is the two-footed shuffle (which is what he will ask you to do on the Astroturf outside and/or the door mat before entering his establishment). I assure you that you will not want the embarrassment of seeing your waffle iron shoe footprints cascading across his nice clean floor if you forget (like I did on my second visit). But Alexander is always very nice about gently encouraging you to help him keep his place clean and germ-free. He cleans the areas where you worked out right after your session and makes plenty of filtered water available for you as well. And he maintains his own filtration system by regularly changing the filter (nice!) Now if you're like me, you may be trying to decide between using the services of an experienced personal trainer, or using one of the many available DVD programs for your exercise regimen. I don't think I would've realized how many advantages there are to using a personal trainer had I not gone in for the initial free evaluation workout that Alexander provides for new clients (and it's a very good idea to take him up on this offer, whether you think you need his services or not). You may think you will be able to work out effectively with a DVD, but here is what you would miss: 1. Alexander watches your movements from every possible angle to see if there are any problems with your execution. And when I say every angle, I mean he literally walks a 360° circle around you watching you from every possible angle. A DVD doesn't watch you at all. 2. Alexander notices your breathing pattern and reminds you to "breathe out" on the work, a DVD doesn't. 3. Alexander notices when you scrunch up your face when exerting yourself and reminds you to relax, a DVD doesn't. 4. Alexander notices your form and offers you ways to modify it to make it easier for you to do an exercise properly, A DVD doesn't care if you do the exercise properly or not. 5. Alexander tailors your workout to the goals you discuss with him as well as your current level of fitness and continues to increase the complexity of it as you progress, a DVD doesn't. 6. Alexander makes you want to come to The Study for your regular workout and he will call you if you are a minute late for your session, a DVD won't care if you miss your workout or not. 7. Alexander takes regular measurements of your body mass and progress through weight loss and muscle gain every two weeks, a DVD doesn't. 8. Alexander has a sixth sense about what to follow up with you about so that he knows that you are addressing the issues that he brings up with respect to your progress. After giving you a new assignment, like a food plan or stretching out or using a roller to work out the kinks in your muscles, he will follow-up in the coming weeks to make sure you are addressing it, a DVD won't. 9. Alexander can tell if you're not doing an exercise properly and he will immediately correct any mistakes that you are making, all while providing extremely motivating encouragement aimed at making you want to do things correctly so that you will obtain the maximum benefit from the time spent developing each skill, a DVD won't. 10. And finally, Alexander will make sure that whether you choose to continue with him or not, by starting with a personal trainer, at least if you later move on to working out on your own (with a personalized workout that he will design for you) or using a DVD, you will at least have developed a very good skill set with good habits on how to continue your training. A DVD will never be able to provide that! So all in all, when I first went in for my evaluation workout with Alexander, I really didn't know whether I would be using his services or not. But the time and attention to detail and expert skill level and advice that Alexander provides is something that you really cannot put a price on. And though I will acknowledge that a personal trainer is a bit more expensive than a DVD, I have to say that I think the investment I have made in myself is very much worth it. And I'm pretty confident that once you try one workout with him, you will agree that an investment like this -- an investment in yourself -- is one of the most important and worthwhile investments you will ever make!

    Working on perfecting Superman (or woman)!
    Jane F.

    UPDATE: (session: January 6 - March 3) Still giving this place a 5 star rating. I completed another semester with Alexander (and my two workout partners) and it was another successful 2 months. Now: 130lbs, 20.5% body fat. Over the course of 8 weeks I: - Lost 2 pounds body fat - Gained 4 pounds muscle On top of these numbers, I've increased my endurance, stability, flexibility and of course strength. The numbers tell the story folks, great trainer, has a fantastic attitude and clearly knows how to help you make a difference! :) Thanks Zanman!

    Sometimes when something is so great you just take it for granted and forget to get the word out, so this review is long overdue. I've been coming to "The Study" and training with Alexander since the 2nd "semester" they were open in Santa Monica, so for many years now. The word "semester" sounds like school, which of course is appropriate for "The Study", but in this case you are committing to train for a period of about two months. It's an excellent way to start working with a trainer and truly see how much you can optimize training, nutrition, and recovery. Over the semester, you'll get a real measurable sense of the improvement possible depending on how diligently you stick to the excellent training and nutrition advice you will receive. I've trained with probably 5 different trainers at The Study over the years and all have been excellent and will give you different specialized focuses, but you will always receive an elite training session. Don't underestimate the value of a trainer, no matter how good you think your form is when under stress or pushing for that last rep having a trainer there to make sure you not only don't get injured but get the most out of doing a rep properly is invaluable. The work on your diet and recovery is up to you, but they will give you the advice/tools to meet your goals. The environment is what really sets this place apart from any place I've ever worked out, it's impeccably clean (I'm scared to walk in with any dirt on my shoes). I've trained at Sports Club LA, Equinox, and other private facilities but none compare to The Study. It's perfect for Covid, you are one on one with a trainer in a clean environment with great airflow, a large garage door at one end, and an artificial grass strip area outside. Alexander and the other trainers are always encouraging and great to talk to as you struggle to complete that last set. Alexander is a smart entrepreneur who has figured out how to deliver a five-star training experience considering all variables and making everything as smooth as possible - if you are looking to take your workouts to the next level, this is the way.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - The Study

    Does anyone know the pricing?

    the semester consists of: -9 weeks @ 3 sessions per week (1 session = 1hr)… Read more

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    Review Highlights - The Study

    Alexander is a knowledgable and professional instructor who seems truly invested in the progress of his clients.

    Mentioned in 58 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Trifit - Tennis Courts with priority booking

    Trifit

    4.3(245 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    No question, it's the best gym in West Los Angeles. Great classes, clean facilities and locker and…read morepool.

    This facility is small but has the bare minimum in terms of equipment, showers, sauna, pool. The…read morecycling room was a selling point to paying almost $200/month, yet half the bikes don't work. When you ask the employees, they say "I don't know, I don't really cycle". I'm not sure what that has to do with knowing how to use the equipment at the gym that you do in fact work at. The staff is the primary reason I decided to cancel my membership. They are simply bodies in a chair. They won't help, they don't say hello or greet you, they seem like they'd rather be anywhere else. They act like you're interrupting their personal conversation when you need to buy a water or ask literally anything. Cycling classes come and go without wiping the equipment. The cleaning standards here are 7/10. The best selling point here is the pool. It's nice to swim indoors, but there are only 3 lanes. Also, the cycling instructor, (Bernard I believe?) is the reason this gym gets a third star vs 1. Overall, the staff not knowing how equipment works, saying you're SOL when none of their bikes work, and being overall rude and unpleasant really kill the energy here more than I imagined. When I first signed up, I felt like it did not matter if the staff was rude- but here we are. I would rather pay less, knowing i'm going to get sub par service. If I'm going to pay almost $200, I would expect cleanliness and employees who know anything about the gym.

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    Trifit - Front Desk/Entrance

    Front Desk/Entrance

    Trifit - Lobby with fresh, clean towels.

    Lobby with fresh, clean towels.

    Trifit - Sauna

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    Sauna

    LIFT Society - Santa Monica

    LIFT Society - Santa Monica

    4.8(24 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    The Hollywood location has been my home gym for years now but discovered the Santa Monica location…read morewhen I started a new job almost 2 years ago now and it's great! This location is larger than the others so it's really spacious. At the SM location I've trained with Martine, Conrad, and Sean and, as usual, all are well trained, know their shit, pay attention, and are fantastic trainers! They keep you motivated. And it's great taking classes from different trainers because each one will give you a little tip that will land different for everyone. So something small, a slight adjustment, might change the way you do a lift for the better. Another reason I love this place. It's not cheap but it's worth it and so are you! No better $ spent than on your health!

    I am a regular at the Studio City Lift Society but love visiting this location if I have to be on…read morethe Westside and love having that option. I love this gym and let me count the ways. 1. Clean facilities and everybody gets their own squat rack for an hour. Time is our most precious non renewable resource in our hectic lives. To get in a full body workout without waiting to share equipment and not spend any mental energy and time programming my workouts makes this membership a great value. 2. It's not HIIT, it's pure strength training using barbells and dumbbells. With 2-3 minutes of rest in between sets. 3. The classes are small and maybe 10 people at the most. It is more of a semi private training experience - all the attention and individualized focus of a top trainer with the social benefits of being part of a positive community. 4. Fast Results. Pure and simple. I've done it all: F45, Barry's, Orangetheory, Indoor Cycling, Hot yoga, kickboxing, etc. I am the strongest, leanest I've ever been and because my metabolism has skyrocketed by adding muscle mass, it's so freeing not to watch calories anymore.

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    LIFT Society - Santa Monica
    LIFT Society - Santa Monica
    LIFT Society - Santa Monica

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    24 Hour Fitness - Santa Monica

    24 Hour Fitness - Santa Monica

    2.4(990 reviews)
    1.5 mi

    I don't get the slander for this place. Been working out here since 2022. Sure, it's crowded, and…read moresome of the machines are old. It also used to be really stuffy lol. But with the recent renovation, it's a lot more airy, and the equipment is slowly getting updated and modernized. Rates are decent-anytime fitness and LA fitness do NOT undercut the prices-and parking is free up to 2 hours I believe. The main lot is wildly cramped but you can just park off to the side and walk maybe what an additional 20 feet? You're there to workout anyways lol shouldn't be a big deal. Staff has always been friendly-maybe not bubbly and wanting to give you a hug when you walk in but idk why people are coming after them. There used to be a significant amount of homeless here who would live in their cars in the parking lot but I haven't seen that since I started coming back here. As for the crowd factor, just go a bit later than you might like. There's a ton of free weights and a full two rows of benches so really not many complaints. I do miss the outdoor weight area

    To get the pros quickly out of the way, (1) it is open 24/7, (2) plenty of equipment, (3) they…read morevalidate parking, (4) $40/month + $60 annual (cheap for West LA standards). That's where the pros end. I've been to much cheaper gyms in 3rd world countries that can figure out how to keep a gym at least base level clean. This is the filthiest gym I've ever been to. Mold, hair, and some disgusting smell fills the locker room and bathroom. The urinals look like they've never once been cleaned as there is black mold in all of them. Onto the weight room: it's extremely crowded, none of the equipment is put back properly, and pretty bad etiquette from the other members. It's rare you'll find a barbell or leg press that's actually been deloaded after use or equipment without sweat stains (this one is partly on the gym for not having nearly enough wipes accessible). Recently, the A/C has also been broken, so expect to be sweating profusely during your warmup. If you're like me and don't want to dish out $100+/month for a gym, you're likely subjected to this gym as your only option in SM. I'm paying $40/month which is more than I've spent on any gym before and is by far the worst I've been to. Bottom line: unless there are SIGNIFICANT changes here, I wouldn't come here unless necessary.

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    24 Hour Fitness - Santa Monica
    24 Hour Fitness - Santa Monica
    24 Hour Fitness - Santa Monica

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    The Study - gyms - Updated May 2026

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