In a word, CrossFit Eden Prairie is AMAZEBALLS…read more I was highly skeptical of CrossFit despite rave reviews from my sister, who has been CrossFitting for over two years -- first in Lincoln, NE, & then with CFEP. I was in the camp of people who had never tried CrossFit, but I was a non-believer any way. Why would I join CrossFit if I can go to LifeTime & lift weights? What about all of those health & wellness articles taking over my News Feed about the risks of contracting rhabdomyolysis from CrossFit? Or what if I go & everyone laughs at me because I can't squat more than a 33lb bar? Embarrassment might be worse than rhabdo! To all of you who also have these thoughts, I say: FEAR NOT. I'm wrapping up the nine-class on ramp this Friday, & I couldn't be more excited to officially become a part of the CFEP community. (I say that now, but after my first WOD & another 100+ burpees, I'll probably be regretting that statement.) CFEP is insanely professional & above all else it values safety. The on ramp has challenged me because many of the movements are new to me, or I'm re-learning exercises that I thought I knew correctly, but in reality I've been doing them wrong on all along. (And as a four year college athlete, that's embarrassing to admit.) Justin has been my on ramp coach & he is a rock star -- friendly, fun, & encouraging. Curt, a co-owner with his wife, makes a point to drop in & cheer for our group in between the work outs that he leads. I think that says a lot that a co-owner makes an effort to check in on his new recruits! Even as a beginner, you are made to feel like one of the family at CFEP. I highly encourage anyone who is even remotely curious about CrossFit to drop in & meet one of the CFEP coaches. They offer two FREE intro classes each week -- Tuesday at 7pm & Saturday at 11am. You have absolutely no reason not to check out CFEP! You'll be welcome with open arms :)

CrossFit Eden Prairie Gym and owners Curt and Anna provide accessible fitness for all people, all…read morelevels of fitness, including people who are not active at all. Egos are checked at the door and this is a supportive and encouraging environment. Among CFEP Gym etiquette is: Personal records are "celebrated as if you just got a new puppy" and no team member is left behind - the workout is not over until everyone is finished. The CFEP trainers are well credentialed, heavily experienced, and biased towards safety, proper form, and scaling a workout to each individual so it is both challenging and safe. Trainers do not sit around talking to their friends - they are constantly monitoring everyone's performance and ensuring all gym members are using proper technique. Many CFEP team members and gym members compete in CrossFit events across Minnesota. Those who are extremely fit, who want to push themselves to be the best they can be and compete with elite athletes will find a community at CFEP who will help them reach their goals. CFEP has a free introduction class that is well worth the hour for all who are curious about CrossFit and are looking for a place to get started.

If you're someone who usually dreads working out, StudioME is the place that will change your mind!…read moreI'm not a gym person by any stretch, but the trainers here are simply amazing. They go above and beyond to make you feel comfortable, and they genuinely meet you where you're at, be it through fitness coaching or private training. They never push you beyond your limits, but instead, encourage you in ways that make you want to keep going. What really stands out is how welcoming the atmosphere is; there's no judgment, just a sense that everyone is there to feel their best. The trainers take time to understand your goals and challenges and adjust routines in ways that feel manageable, which has been huge for me as someone who feels intimidated by fitness. Every session feels like progress, and I leave each time feeling accomplished rather than overwhelmed. StudioME has really shifted my perspective on working out, and I'm actually excited to keep coming back! For anyone who feels hesitant about the gym scene, I highly recommend giving this place a try.

Studio Me focuses on personal training and small group training, with some bootcamp and yoga…read moreclasses. The facility is a little hidden, and only accessible through a door inside the parking garage (see photo of mural near the doors, and the buzzer). When I went, the buzzer wasn't working, so I was stuck in the garage for a few minutes until someone saw my email for help and came to let me in. There is free parking validation for the parking ramp available. The workout space and changing area was very nice- colorful, clean and with lots of plants as decor. I was part of a semi-private training group of 4 people. The coach was professional and friendly, and rotated among each person to supervise or demonstrate movements. The workout started with foam rolling and some warm-up movements, then transitioned into high-rep low-resistance activation movements, incorporated 3 different higher-weight movements, and ended with a short cardio finisher. The entire workout was guided by a tablet, onto which the class plan for the day had ben pre-loaded. It had a timer and listed the weights and reps for each movement. When you finished one set, you simply clicked "continue" on the screen and the next exercise you had to do would appear. I think this tool is useful for keeping track of individual progress (both with overall weight progression over time and during a particular workout), especially when in a group setting, but I found the constant required engagement with the tablet to be annoying. I really didn't like having to click after every set of every exercise. It made me feel like the tablet was telling me the workout, rather than the coach, and given that the studio only allows access for guided workouts, this didn't work for me. (Note: when you sign up, you also get access to 8 bootcamp or yoga workout sessions a month in addition to your personal training). The studio was having an upcoming 10th anniversary celebration, so there is a community of people who utilize the offerings. Studio Me also offers fit testing, and quarterly challenges for clients. They want you to come consistently and ideally at the same times each week to ensure you progress. I can see this kind of workout being good for people with a very specific goal (like they say on their website, some kind of physical therapy or lifting goal), but it wasn't the right fit for me, as I didn't feel like I got a full-body workout from my 45 minutes, and I didn't like the tablet system. The sessions are also super expensive: 2 sessions a week under a 6 month contract costs $359, 3 sessions $539. 2 sessions a week under a 12 month contract costs $327, 3 sessions $490.

I've been going to Ax fitness for several months now. I love that I can get such a great workout…read moreduring my lunch break! Christine always has creative and fun workouts, and the community is kind and supportive of all fitness levels. I feel so much stronger and comfier in my body!

I've been going to AX Fitness weekly since October and I love it. There is a mix of classes; all…read moreare challenging, varied workouts that have you feeling stronger every time. Christine has pushed me more than I would ever push myself working out alone, but she always offers modifications when appropriate. I had an ankle injury this fall and she made the classes work for me, no questions asked. If you love a mix of strength and cardio, and know you need someone to keep you accountable (like I do), this is the place.

I was referred by a friend and tried CrossFit for my very first time here! I cannot say enough good…read morethings about Jorge, who taught the class. He was friendly and empowering from start to finish, and always made sure I was accessing the workout. When I tried to back down,he productively pushed me because he knew my limits better than I. After the workout, he was helpful in recommending a fitness plan based on my needs. Thank you, Jorge!

Took a yoga class with a couple buddies of mine and I am a pretty regular yogi elsewhere. I was in…read moretown for the holidays and got in a class with Logan on Saturday morning. It was blissful and humbling and I appreciated that he cued well to athletes. Great voice, awesome balance! Will come back when I am back in town!

Everyone here is super friendly. The first workout might feel awkward, but that's how it is trying…read morea new gym for the first time. Everyone is awesome and there to help! This is a great space for anyone who may not typically feel comfortable at the gym. Very inclusive.

This review is based on my experience with Solcana both before, during, and after the state-wide…read moreCOVID shutdown. I'll leave the obligatory note that COVID is still a real threat to everyone's health, and I am glad Solcana is one of the businesses in Minneapolis that is truly taking it seriously. I've been a member of Solcana for nearly a year, and before COVID, the gym itself operated much like many crossfit gyms, with lots of classes, good equipment, and a friendly atmosphere. There has always been a strong focus here on equity and equality (at least as long as we have been members), and that's one of the main reasons why we chose to join. That focus has only become stronger over the past year, and I will touch on it a bit later. When COVID came around, Solcana, like all other gyms, shut down. I have to hand it to them though, they really tried hard to keep delivering a quality product to members, mostly through online classes. After the state started allowing gyms to open up on a limited basis, outdoor barbell classes began again. I've observed quite a few post-covid outdoor classes run by other gyms (whether out on a bike ride or in the park by my house), and many of them have seemed to completely ignore social distancing guidelines. Solcana has been completely different; all of the outdoor classes have felt really safe, with specific areas marked out for every athlete, small class sizes, and strict cleaning practices. This week, we were allowed to go back inside. However, that didn't mean Solcana relaxed their commitment to safety...if anything, they strengthened it. Indoor classes are even smaller, the distance between athletes has grown, masks are mandatory all of the time, and they are making sure everything is cleaned between classes (and there's at least an hour between classes). There are also still outdoor classes, depending on what type of workout you want and how safe you feel indoors. Even with all the new safety practices, the programming has been great, and we feel like we are getting a lot out of our membership, despite not being able to go as much as we were able to before (due to smaller class sizes and fewer classes, there is now a limit on classes per month, but that's completely understandable). Back to social justice...in the wake of the tragedy surrounding George Floyd, Solcana made an even stronger commitment to promoting equity and equality for all, and that's included doing even more with the BLM movement. The gym as de-affiliated from crossfit because of their comments/positions following the tragedy, but aside from not using that name any more (or giving them any money), the programming is pretty much exactly what you would expect from that type of gym. You will also find that this gym is extremely welcoming of all athletes, no matter who you are, what you look like, or how you identify, a trait not all CF gyms share. All in all, this is a wonderful, welcoming fitness community that promotes social justice AND takes COVID very seriously. The owner herself told me that she wants to be the safest gym in the Twin Cities, and so far, it seems they are succeeding.

Great place to workout! It is clean and staffed with friendly people. Price is really good and they…read moreaccept my insurance so if I go enough in a month I get a $20 discount and when I see that come through it is like a pat on the back. Rachel showed me how to use the equipment. She was willing and available if I needed more help. They have trainers that aren't pushy. The training area is private but large enough for several people to be trained, but the room is available for everyone at selected times, which is a great place to stretch before my workout, if they aren't training. The main room is large, has nice equipment and new equipment coming in all the time. Cool free weight area and it is spaced well, no smelling the sweaty person next to you. No one seems to be trying to impress anyone else and it isn't packed so it is less intimidating.

If you are looking for a quality no frills gym this is it…read more Gym is only staffed during the day but access is available 24/7 with the appropriate membership. Gym is never overcrowded and there is usually minimal wait time if someone is using the equipment you want. From what I have noticed people pretty much keep to them self and do their thing without trying to impress others.

"The Studio Eagan" in northern eagan is very close to where 494 and 35E intersect. It is located…read moreinside of an office building and you might miss it if you weren't looking for it. It is a club designed around group fitness classes including Spinning. The owner is Jen who is also one of the instructors. I have taken 3 classes there so far and these are really good workouts. The instructors are friendly and very motivating including one that they have nick named The Velvet Hammer. Class sizes have been about 10 to 20 in size. Class times are generally morning and evening during weekdays and then more on weekends. Jen herself is great and very inviting to new members and committed to their goals. She is also happy to have people try a few classes for free to check it out so why not go for it. I have really enjoyed my classes there.

Union Fitness is my favorite gym EVER, and I have attended many before landing here. The…read moreinstructors are top-notch and know how and when to push you. The membership are friendly and welcoming. Everyone cheers for and inspires each other. I couldn't ask for a better community to help me reach my fitness goals!

As a protective mom, I was hesitant about finding the right martial arts environment for my…read moredaughter. Enrolling her here has been the best decision. Coach Kurt is exceptionally knowledgeable and patient, but most importantly, he provides a safe and trustworthy space where parents can feel completely at ease. I would recommend these classes to everyone!

Kurt and Amanda are AMAZING! No trainers I know of are as motivational or inspiring as they are…read more Movement is life, and consistency is the key, and they preach that every day.