Total Performance Sports in Malden ("TPS") offers client-focused athletic and weight training. You should join - now. TPS consistently delivers more value for money than any gym you've ever attended. The coaches work together as a team, have a plan that they stick to, and have the same goal: increasing your performance. TPS has every kind of gym equipment that you could possibly need, and the environment is all about training and improved performance without the BS you get at national chain gyms. TPS offers a basic gym membership that is their lowest priced option. If that's all you can afford, do it, but the smart money goes for one of the advanced training options. TPS recently rolled out an online program with hundreds of hours of training videos, articles and other resources. It's a bargain, and TPS also offers a variety of personal training services. I personally joined "The Total Performance Method" program in early 2017. Two years later, I'm still in Method. I attend three classes per week, and the classes are offered at a variety of times so you can train when it suits you best. In addition to the three formal classes, the Method program outlines what you should be doing on two additional training days on your own. The additional days are optional, of course, but they're part of the value you're getting. It's part of the program, and whenever I go for an "on my own" training day, I always have at least one interaction with a coach offering helpful (and free) advice. There are always coaches around, and you'll get to know them all. TPS Method is for both men and women, and many in Method have never lifted before. That was true of me when I joined. You just have to show up and be willing to put in the time. The program is built around the squat, the overhead press, and the deadlift with plenty of accessory exercises that vary in type and intensity. The coaches develop the program, show you what to do and, most importantly, provide a real-time assessment of your performance. The reward is in the results. I am lifting at levels that I did not think possible in 2017, but TPS proved me wrong. TPS has changed my mindset from "I cannot possibly do that!" to "What's the next level of performance I want to achieve?" Method is also about safety. If you follow what the coaches tell you to do, you won't get hurt. When I travel out of town and visit other gyms, I see people trying to lift weights that are too much for them or whose technique is completely off. You don't see that at TPS. They teach you how to do things right. It's value for money. Yesterday, I attended one of the monthly training days. Yesterday's session focused on the bench press. The monthly training days are a steal at twenty bucks - three hours of training for twenty bucks! Anybody can attend a monthly training day. It gives you a great insight into the TPS approach. You should plan to attend the next monthly training day, but frankly, you should join just TPS - now. If you have never done weight lifting, sign up for Method. You'll be glad you did. Hope to see you there. read more

I have been enrolled in Method at TPS Malden for 8 months now, and I got nothing but love for this place. I have been pretty active throughout high school and college with a major pause the last 2-3 years due to an injured shoulder. I wanted to get back into shape but with a bit of professional guidance around my injury. TPS worked with me every step of the way - if we found something that didn't feel quite right on my shoulder, we adjusted the exercise accordingly. In fact, one of my favorite parts of the Method program is just how much they preach injury prevention in the first place. My shoulder feels ten times better, probably because I packed on some muscle around the injured joint. I feel stupid for even considering surgery a couple of months ago. TPS is tucked away in Malden a few blocks from Malden Station, and it's got everything you could want and need to get in shape. I will admit, it can be intimidating to walk into a facility playing heavy metal music with 250 pound atlas stones glaring at you, but if you're worried that this place might not be for you, please give it a try. TPS Malden has the widest range of clientele I've ever seen - weekend warriors, the mom of three looking to get back into shape, sponsored powerlifters/strongmen and women trying to get their competition numbers up, and dudes like me who are just trying to look and feel better. The location and equipment are pretty cool, but the real treasure here is Murph and his staff: down-to-earth, no-nonsense coaches with years of experience and practical knowledge - they don't make 'em like this anymore. As someone who runs their own business, I know full well that there is no such thing as a 9-5pm. You need real drive and commitment to make it work - Murph and company have this, and then some. If you want to clock in, work out in peace, and clock out, you're certainly welcome to it, but this gym fosters a real sense of community. If you are at all interested in learning more or getting involved in this community, it's encouraged, and you'll be welcomed with open arms. If nothing else, follow them on social media - it's free. I learned a ton just by reading the articles they post weekly, and they hold countless seminars for members and non-members alike. I can't recommend their Method program enough, especially if you haven't worked out in a while. You'll be coached one-on-one for eight weeks, slowly building intensity, to make sure you're doing everything with perfect form before you join the main group. Once the initial eight weeks are up, the program resembles personal group training. Depending on what day and time you end up going, you'll eventually fall in with a certain group and start seeing the same coaches and members. The workouts are fun and challenging, and the people are awesome; we joke around, compete, and push one another to get better and stronger - can't ask for much more than that. read more

I joined TPS this past June after reading a number of great Google Reviews and was in dire need of a new gym. During my preliminary research, I knew I wanted a place where I could challenge myself. (I checked out a number of gyms and made this known to every person I talked too.) Being 5'2 and a super girly girl, I was beyond nervous walking in and had no idea if this place would even be a fit for me. But after conversations with Murph and Kevin, I decided to join the TPS Method group. As an ex-cardio bunny, I knew I needed help because I had no idea how to squat, dead lift or lift in general. The knowledge that Murph, Kevin, and the coaches bring to the table doesn't even compare to any trainer I've worked with in the past. They are some of the best people you want to train with, hands down. In the Method program, the coaches push you, challenge you, and encourage you. They will never put you down, but they will pick you up if you are ever having a bad day. They don't expect you to be perfect every single time and set new PR's every session. But they do expect dedication, hard work, and a good attitude when you walk through the doors. If you bring that into the gym every time you lift, you are going to do some amazing things in this place. TPS has turned into some what of a family for me. Murph and Kevin both mentioned this to me when I first signed up because you train with the same people week after week. Because of this you end up creating bonds, sharing laughs, motivating each other and celebrating new PR's. You are training with people who are there to do the same thing as you. Getting strong is one of the mantra's that TPS swears by because it's true. You WILL get strong. You WILL be able to do things you didn't think you could. For example, in the past 7 months i've gone from not knowing anything about lifting to being able to dead lift 205 pounds, squat 175 pounds and flip 350 pound tires. If that doesn't show you just how good the Method program is, then I don't know what else to say. (Thank you Murph, Kevin, and the Method coaches for honestly changing my life for the better. (SUPER corny but it's the truth.)) With the new move, the gym is smaller compared to the 3 floors the Everett location had. But the equipment you need to train is all there. Plus you aren't there for the "pretty" factor that some gyms offer. You join TPS because want a killer place where you can train hard, smash PR's, get strong, and have a heck of a time. The only advice I can give you if you are looking for a new gym is to get your butt to Malden and check out it for yourself. The energy and staff at this place has is unlike any other in the Boston area. Then you'll see why people (like myself) keep bragging about TPS to friends, family, and coworkers. And why I describe it as one of my favorite places. read more

It's rare in life to find a service that you can buy into that is indisputably better than any other competitor out there. Cell phone providers, auto shops, restaurants... or gyms. However, when I found Total Performance Sports, I knew it was a place that was superior to any other place to train. I almost didn't want to write a review about TPS, because I felt like I'd be spoiling a well-kept secret. But they deserve the attention. Before I started working out at TPS as a member of their Method class, I was definitely the least healthy I'd ever been. Now middle-aged, I was starting to consider buying some larger sized clothes and I was finding I had less energy throughout my day. Getting out to bed in the morning was noticeably harder. So, I started shopping around for gyms so that I could change things, but I didn't want to screw around with buying a gym membership that I'd aimlessly use for a couple months before slowly tapering off. I also wanted to get my money's worth if I was going to consider a personal trainer. Basically, I was serious about working out. And that's what Method + TPS is for. If you cut away bullshit excuses and want to earn results, then you go to TPS. Just walking in, you can tell the clientele there are determined. They're not playing on their phones, or having a chat with a friend - they're there to work. There are no frills, and there's no time to be intimidated. In TPS's Method class, you just show up, do the best you can do, and listen to the coaches. Having done just that for nearly four months, I've seen incredible improvements not just in my physical fitness, but in my frame of mind and energy levels. I've got more room to grow, but at least now I know which is the right path. Every coach I've encountered there knows exactly what they're talking about. They know nutrition & form, how to handle old injuries, and it's clear that Murph, the gym owner, has put considerable thought and effort in building a solid team that practices what they preach. Special shoutouts to Cody, Candice, Matt, and Russ - each of them have helped me push past what I thought were my limits, and I've witnessed them do the same with other classmates. There's always going to be something that will stand as an obstacle to you being in the best shape of your life. But if you're ready to overcome those obstacles, I can't recommend a better place to do it than TPS. read more

TPS is at it's core an old school relic of 80s / 90s powerlifting. Squat racks and benches are plentiful compared to most gyms and there are 3 dedicated deadlift platforms. This gym is intended for those who train and compete in strength sports so while there are no rows of Life Fitness selectorized isolation equipment and the cardio equipment is scarce at best. There is however an abundance of things you won't find at really any other gym - stones, kegs, farmers walks, high quality and plentiful squat racks, lots of speciality bars and an abundance of 45 pound plates. For the most part the staff is pretty knowledgeable and helpful. The gym has a great character although it will probably take some getting used to if you come from the world of commercial gyms. TPS' floor plan is neatly divided into 4 main quarters; the TPS Method room reserved for personal training / group classes, the lobby, the main lifting area, and the olympic lifting / strongman / turf area. The problem with this is that about 90% of the members use about 25% of the space. I think TPS could do a better job of addressing this by converting the rarely ever used boxing room into more space to perform the main 3 lifts as well as accessory lifts which is what the vast of majority of their members are there for anyway. I realize that TPS wants to offer a home for strength sports, plural. However, I think TPS is a jack of all trades rather than a master of one. I think the gym would be better off doubling down on what it's main business driver is - powerlifting - and offer an outstanding place to that one niche market, and hey maybe throw a few more pieces of isolation equipment in for those of us that like to get jacked too. I'm still giving TPS 5 stars because despite my gripes which there's really only a few of they're still one of the best gyms around. TPS also offers a totally free and non-committal 7 day trial. I highly recommend trying TPS out for yourself and don't be intimidated because most the big scary guys there collect comic books and wear tights. read more

I joined TPS about 7 months ago and was able to wrap up the last 6 months at the old location in Everett. Everett was great...so is Malden. I'm 51 y.o. and had some reservations about trying TPS as it seemed a little intimidating coming from a commercial/box gym. I went ahead and took them up on the 7 day free trial they offer...Glad I did . The owner and his staff genuinely care about the members,...this is not a money grab or a hard sell. The training days that they hold every 3rd Saturday of the month have to be one of the best deals you will ever find,if you want to learn the proper form for the basic lifts (believe me you're probably doing them wrong, I was). These guys are pros, some of them nationally recognized and spend about 2 hours going over technique and analyzing your form..twenty dollars !!!, even if you are not a member...Would you ski without taking a lesson? The staff and members are about as helpful a group as you will find. Have a question? Need advice? Need a spot?, just ask, if not, they just let you do your thing. Many members are so loyal that they volunteered to help move the gym from Everett to Malden...What???? Some equipment may seem a little worn...that's because people actually use it, rather than standing around texting or looking in the mirror...in fact there are no mirrors. Bottom line is that TPS is a great place if you want to get strong...never had time to take a class other than the training day, but they have many. The only drawback is that I started downloading Metal music on my I-Pod...wife is concerned. This gym may or may not be for you, but if you want to get stronger,what do you have to lose by taking them up on the free week they offer, I mean IT'S FREE...more than likely you'll get hooked just like i did. As a side note...2 American flags greet you as you enter and the owner gives discounted memberships to active police, fire, military and seniors (of which I am not)...That's old school. read more

This gym has changed my life! Over the course of the year, Murph and team have changed me from someone who always talked about wanting to get fit to someone who truly enjoys showing up at the gym and pushing myself hard every week. Fitness for me has gone from being just a resolution every New Year to be a vital part of my life. Seriously, this was the first year that I didn't have to say "Start working out" on my list. The entire team at TPS is great. As a member of the TPS method program, I have really benefited from their wealth of knowledge. As a person who had not seen the inside of a gym in maybe 15 years, the Method program was perfect for me since they take all new members through an 8 week training period. You start from scratch on all the exercises, including squat, press and deadlift. Week by week, your technique gets better and your lifts get stronger under the watchful eyes of your coach. I have tried other gyms in the past where I knew it was just a matter of time before I got hurt. At TPS though, Murph runs a legit operation. The methodical ramp-up phase, coaching expertise and a focus on staying injury-free are what makes this gym amazing. The coaches here have an insane level of expertise and love for what they do. It shows. Just go for one of their training days and you'll see what I am talking about. The last part of what makes this gym amazing is the community. We all support each other and make sure we continue to show up. I couldn't have asked for a better crew or a better gym. If you are on the fence or looking for a great gym to start your journey to a fitter life, I highly recommend that you show up and check this place out. If you do, you are going to be in the best shape of your life. read more

They 'trauma bond' you with a demeaning intro session where they take a photo of you, measure your fat, and tell you to bring a photo of someone you want to look like. Then they upsell you on a program that is very intense, everything is changing quickly, you don't have enough time to build comfort in a gym and aren't in shape enough to do it. They count on a certain % of people dropping out, while the intensity and advanced science of the program brings people in. They keep showing off how cool they are. It has a very a 'we are better than you' vibe. They love cops (no offense, cops are a great service to society, but they also commit a ton of corruption as well - my family are Boston cops and they say so themselves), the place is dirty, they shame you for not exercising but they can't pick up a sponge and wipe the sink in their own bathroom. It is kind of good, but is also kind of a scam. Some of the coaches and the owner? got injured from their own exercises. So go figure. This place is not necessary for a beginner. I found I could not do it. They just sort of shamed me, rather than provide adequate advice I could manage to follow. Not saying it is their fault - I had my own issues - but found the marketing a bit to take advantage of the weekend warrior types like myself. Just my impression. I could be wrong of course! A lot of the workers there are nice, customers are nice and polite. It is a fun place overall. Good exercises. Traffic there is a bit bad. For me going there was a waste of time, got a small injury that took a year to heal, ended up getting in worse shape. Should have stuck with whatever I was doing (or not) before. Personally, found it a crash-and-burn factory for myself at least. read more

My free trial expired and I have already signed up for a full year. That's how great this place is. I've been weightlifting for a number of years and have had a few injuries, my shoulder being the most significant. I searched out personal trainers and coaches in an effort to learn more and clean up some bad habits. When searching, TPS kept showing up, so I figured I'd give them a shot. I'm glad I did. I've seen a few reviews mention that it can be intimating when you first walk in. On my first day one of the members helped me set up a deadlift properly. He could tell it was my first time there (perhaps because I grabbed a bent bar), came over and helped me get setup. It sounds silly, but small things like this make you want to go back, because even on your first day you feel like a member of a community where everyone is looking out for each other. I participated in Saturday's Training Day focusing on the bench press. I can not recommend these training days enough. They focus on one of the big three lifts and go over just about every facet you can imagine. Proper warm up, positioning, movement, and the actual mechanics of the lift. We broke up into small groups, and I don't think there were more than three people to a coach. They generally go two hours, but our session went almost three hours, which says a lot for these training days. These aren't "fitness professionals" who are just looking to make a quick buck off you. These are coaches who are passionate about teaching and helping you get to where you want to be. TLDR; this place is great and whether you're looking to learn something new or up your training, TPS is well worth your time. read more

I first joined TPS around 2 years ago, after finishing post-rehab on a surgery for a torn pec. As a life-long lifter, I started coming in on my own and appreciated all the gear that TPS had available...Chains, bumper plates, kettlebells, prowlers, and all other kinds of crazy stuff. I got a lot of my strength back, but the major gains came when I joined their Awesome Camp. I've leaned out, built muscle and have gotten significantly stronger and more conditioned than when I was on my own. Training in a peer group, and also having a specific training regimen to work towards throughout a specific time period is ultimately a much more disciplined way of developing yourself vs. simply "working out". It's one of the best decisions I've made to date. This is the only gym I've ever been to with any kind of real vision. If you come here for the first time, you will be exposed to the strongest, hardest working men and women you have ever seen. What's surprising is that in spite of how hardcore everyone is, the members and athletes that train here are humble, nice people. You won't find any "bros" here. Just people who are committed and training hard, and it does rub off on you in a good way. I love this gym so much that even though I own a home in Brighton, I spend most of my nights at my parent's house, which is much closer and more commutable to their new location in Malden. There's really no other gym in the Greater Boston, or in New England for that matter, than can even compare to TPS. read more

I had the same sentiments as J.R. about the new space, but the locker room was not a deal breaker for me. I had joined around June/July of 2015 and previously had mainly been to commercial gyms. The Everett location was big but had everything I needed if not wanted. I had never thought of powerlifting before and actually never thought I'd ever squat or deadlift again, until I joined TPS. The new location is smaller, the personal training only area is annoying for non-personal training members, the cardio machine setup up is lack luster, lack of machines etc. But even with all that, I wouldn't trade my membership here for anywhere else. You can't buy the atmosphere TPS has. Just being in that gym makes you want to get stronger and better. This is not a god damn day spa it is not a social gathering place (most of the time). Its a place to come in and work your ass off and shut the fuck up. So yeah, I can't relax in the locker room after or use all the accessory equipment I'd like to, but that's ok. I'm a creative problem solver and can figure out how to do the things I need to in order to get stronger and better. CJ and the staff are great folks and I help volunteer as much as I can, don't think I'd ever offer to help Gold's gym move their shit. Bottom line is, if you're serious and not a total asshole, join this gym. Otherwise I think Crunch just opened up down the street. read more

"If you're serious about training (or at least serious about trying to get serious) you should check this place out. This size and equipment COULD be intimidating to some but don't be... these are the nicest friendliest and most knowledgeable staff you will ever encounter. I've paid twice as much for half as much gym." -I said that three years ago about the old location in Everett, TPS has moved to Malden and trimmed the fat of the old location. 10,000 square feet of the best training equipment made. I guarantee TPS has two of about half a dozen pieces of equipment you've never seen or heard of before. And its gorgeous, I should know, I was part of the crew of that helped build it. Imagine loving where you train so much that you are willing to volunteer 3 weeks of your time to move 40,000+ pounds of iron, that's TPS, and we had about 20 volunteers a night helping. That speaks volumes about the community here. Once you join this facility it really becomes family.Train next to the top strength athletes in New England. I can think of about 6 TOP TEN WORLD RANKED athletes here, and they're all the nicest, most helpful people. But don't worry its not ALL elite athletes, but it is all people who are serious about their health, fitness, and training. Come check it out for a week, its free if you go online and grab an MVP pass. But fair warning... you'll be hooked. read more

Moved back to the area at the start of 2020, tried one of the commercial box gyms before covid forced everyone to home. After gyms were allowed to open, I was recommended this location due to the owner as well as the environment. Best decision of 2020. It is mainly a powerlifting gym, with plenty of squat racks, benches and deadlift platforms where you never have to wait to use. Plenty of weights and dumbbells, along with bumper plates for olympic lifts. They have EVERY style of barbell imaginable, including "locked" bars kept in pristine condition for more serious lifters that a staff member will unlock if you ask. Turf area in the back with various farmer carry devices, 100+ kettlebells, tires to flip, prowlers, sleds, strongman stones, strongman logs, etc. If you can think of it, they probably have it. Was running my own program but hopped into their TPS Method program. The program is written by the owner CJ Murphy (google him/check him out on EliteFTS) and I've seen significant improvement in the 5 short months training with it. Gym atmosphere is the "no nonsense" environment that a serious lifter is looking for but also comes with a very friendly and helpful staff for pure beginners looking for proper direction & coaching. Cannot recommend this gym enough. Check it out read more

Like most people, I came to Boston looking for a gym and a good place to work out. I tried all the usual Boston gyms - the ones with a plethora of ellipticals, treadmills, Smith machines, and people scrolling through Facebook. You know the type - set up in a strip mall next to an Olive garden and smells like new years resolutions. I felt unsatisfied and was constantly looking. My wife and I wanted to get stronger using proven methodologies and smart programming. We were led to Total Performance Sports and found that they exceeded those qualifications plus others we weren't even thinking of - a community, an exceptional set of coaches, and the atmosphere necessary to push yourself. I told Murph, the owner and one of the coaches at TPS, that I felt like I had wasted the last year of my life before coming to TPS and training off their Beginner Powerlifting Block from the TPS Method. It's the truth - I am not only stronger and healthier than I was before, but I'm more confident in my ability to safely train for the rest of my life. If you are like me and most other people, come to TPS. You will receive unparalleled advice from world-class coaches, train using the best equipment, and ultimately be far ahead of where you otherwise would have been if you had gone elsewhere. read more

Just got done with the Total Performance Method seminar earlier today and it was worth every penny. I would recommend the seminar to absolutely anyone. The seminar covered the big three lifts (squat/bench/deadlift) in depth as well as a movement/mobility portion. Extremely informative and just flat out awesome. More than enough coaches for the group that provided insight and experience to every question the lifters had. The seminar started with the mobility portion where director of Strength and conditioning (Kevin Cann) took about an hour or so showing the group the methods he uses to test athlete mobility and stability. All movements were broken down and practiced by everyone in the group, along with test/re tests on multiple different movements. From there owner CJ Murphy (Murph), along with Kevin and the rest of the TPS Training staff, dedicated roughly 90 minutes each for the squat, bench and deadlift. Starting each portion with a brief overview of the techniques and methods they use for coaching the movements, before breaking off into smaller groups and practicing the movements alongside the TPS Training staff. This seminar was my first at TPS after being a member for about 6 months, and it will most certainly not be my last! read more

I've been a member for 4 or 5 months now, and it's been a great experience. I'm not a bodybuilder or power lifter, just a relatively average-size guy who wants to feel strong and build good body composition. They offer a lot of programs but I just do my own thing. That said, I've been to several of their monthly Training Days on the Squat, Bench, and Deadlift. It's 20 bucks and you basically get a fair amount of 1-on-1 attention during the 2 hour session, so I was really happy with the value of that deal, it's unbeatable really. I also go to their Yoga classes on Saturdays, which are included with membership and also very good. The vibe in the gym among both the trainers and the patrons is super friendly. Not a lot of ego or the typical baloney, people are there to work hard and they mostly keep to themselves. When it gets busy, people have been super friendly about sharing equipment and trading off in between sets. It's important to know this gym is no frills. The bathrooms and locker rooms are basic, and the equipment is vast and very well made but it's not shiny new-fangled stuff. If you're looking for an upscale joint, I'm sure there are places you can go. For my needs, this has been excellent. read more

This is the best gym I've ever been to. Period. I was tired of the chain gyms and figured I would give this place a try. It seemed intimidating at first to go to a gym, that on the surface looks like it was meant for just power lifters and stongman competitors, but it ended up being far from what I expected. Everyone is welcome in this gym and it has a great atmosphere. They have a lot of equipment from the standard bench to even Atlas stones, so there is a ton of variety. The classes are great, especially if you are a beginner. The staff I met are friendly and very knowledgeable and do a fantastic job. Importantly, I got great results. In my first eight weeks, I lost 8 lbs of fat, gained 8 lbs of muscle, and my bmi dropped 4%. The only downside is the size of the gym, as it is a little small. However, Murph, the owner, does everything he can to make sure all gym goers are happy. He also send emails regularly of upcoming events, classes, and promotions which I appreciated. Seriously, ALL of the staff are amazing. If you are serious about your health and want to join a gym with a great atmosphere, staff, and most importantly, will get you results, then TPS is the only gym to go to. read more

I was referred by a friend to meet with Murph at TPS to talk about a nutrition plan that would help be lean out while still building muscle. I'm not even a member of the gym and he was more than willing to help me out. At my first appointment, he mapped out an eating plan that was specific to me, my schedule, my training and my goals. It was all planned out, so all I had to do was follow it. After only 4 weeks of Murph's plan, I went from 28 % body fat to 19.5%! I have never felt better or stronger. At the follow up appointment, he also gave me a new meal plan based on my new weight and muscle percentage. I wish I lived closer so I could train at this place! I would recommend it to anyone, whether you're an elite athlete or just looking to get started. I will definitely be back for another appointment, so I can keep working on my goals. Definitely check them out! read more

This is one of the best gym I have ever been to. If you are serious about getting strong and not just loose weight, this is the place for you. . It was highly intimidating when I went in there the first time. The heavy metal music, the one eyed bulldog,..... But after like ten min of my first class, I fell in love with everything there. The method class was the best thing I did for myself. I used to go there for the Mon, Wed, Friday morning 9:30s. I had the best coaches and the best team to work with. You get both, the personal trainer help and a very good team to work harder too. They make sure that you do every single lift in the right way. They care a lot about everyone's form. They have equipment that you wont find at other gyms, like tires to flip, sandbags, prowlers, sleds, farmers, stones, etc... I highly recommend this gym!!! read more