I've been on and off in boxing and Muay Thai over the years, but I've been consistent thanks to…read morefinding a home at Urban Boxing. The space is well laid out and kept clean; staff is friendly and gets to know you; and every coach knows exactly what they're doing. Boxing coaches like Jordan structure a class so you learn technique, get a good workout, and condition your body. And jiu-jitsu classes led by Ron or Mike challenge you to learn every time you visit. (They even got this girl rolling around for the sport!) This isn't a gym where you just slug your fists into a bag and get a summer body: You're going to learn real skills here to work your body and brain, and give you self defense techniques. If you've thought about trying boxing, kickboxing, or jiu-jitsu, give Urban Boxing a try - I think your first class is free, too.

I visited Urban boxing navy yard for the second time and took an all levels course. As a beginner,…read moreI appreciated their "no rush" approach to helping me wrap my hands and get situated. Front dark staff was great at giving us a run down of what to expect in the class prior to it starting. And where all the amenities are. The shower room Was nice and spacious (although being your own towel) and I appreciated that they had tampons in the women's bathroom. The class was a nice combo of cardio, core/strength, and skills. I appreciated the constant movement around. The studio to different areas, including the occasional lap around the entire facility. Class didn't feel too big and we had enough space to do our partner work and hit the bags without hitting each other. The instructor did some individual work but it was limited to 30 seconds or less give. There were 15-20 people in the class. He was available when I had questions about what the combo we were practicing was (if I didn't get it the first two times) and made several corrections to my form along the way. All levels class was good for beginners and definitely a moderate to high intensity workout (depending on how hard you go).

10/10 place!! Loved it so much and will definitely be back. The coach/instructor kept the energy…read morehigh. Loved the atmosphere was perfect. Parking is a little right but overall it's worth the trip.

BOOMBOX has it all--great music, fun instructors and a really friendly community. I've been to 2…read moreclasses now and can easily say that this will be my workout of choice if I need a cardio and strength training workout in DC. I highly, highly recommend taking Reggie's classes. They're well balanced and not too fast. Here's a little more information about my experience at the studio. Transportation: They're not very far from the metro in Navy Yard and also there is parking within the neighborhood with 2 hours of free parking if you're driving and don't mind a little walk. Ambiance: If the music in the lobby doesn't get you hype, the music inside of the studio will. I love that they have garage doors that open out to the street. It makes you just want to stop in if you're walking past. They have lockers that are easy to work and have a lock on them. A sweet touch is that they have song lyrics from artists like Biggie inside of the lockers. Class Experience: Love that they have red lighting inside. It allows you to zone out and focus on your workout. It was easy to see the instructor since they're on a stage at the front of the room and they also have their programming projecting on the wall so that you can follow. The class includes hitting the bag, some strength training/cardio/core, then some more boxing and stretching at the end. They offer classes on Classpass but honestly you might as well just sign up for a membership because you're going to be hooked (pun intended)

I'd bought a personal training package and when I had to leave town they wouldn't refund me. Even…read morethough I'd been paying for sessions for a while, and explained I had to move for my special needs son. $1200 down the drain bc they don't care about their customers. On a side notes Cordell is a great personal trainer. Highly recommend

For a gym charging a premium of $145 a month, my experience was a huge letdown. Day pass is $45…read more Steam room is out of service. I spent about five hours at the Yards location this week to thoroughly evaluate it before committing as I've been getting spammed in the mail, and I'm glad I did. The staff's attitude was consistently condescending, from the Senior Membership Advisor (Saad Siddiqui) upselling me, person trainers roaming around the facility, to the people at front desk. My main issue how the staff addressed my comment about the soft flooring in the free-weight area, which is completely unsuitable for barbell squats. When I brought this up, the staff condescendingly told me to just use the Smith machine or use the Olympic platform, completely dismissing a valid safety concern. There was a Titan Fitness safety squat bar (SSB) that I had no idea how much it weighed. I asked two person trainers (you'll see PT and their clients everywhere in the gym) how much the bar weighed. The PTs said they had no idea and left it at that. The front desk staff was equally apathetic. I've had better customer service at Planet Fitness for a tiny fraction of the cost. This place is motivated about locking you into their membership plan and signing you up to the many classes and services they offer. This place is not it and I highly recommend looking elsewhere in the DC area.

In the past I always struggled to motivate myself to regularly work out, but that completely…read morereversed when I started coming to N-Flux: I just wish I had more hours in the week for more N-Flux. First of all, the classes are challenging and engaging. The instructors do a great job pushing you just the right amount, so as you learn one thing, there is a new technique to improve. If you're like me and get bored at a regular gym, classes at N-Flux are great because you are building up to something and there is more to think about (although I'll admit my brain gets pretty slow by the end of an intense class, so I can't say *much* thinking happens at that point...). The second thing that makes me excited to get out as much as I can is that the community is incredible -- supportive, kind, funny, diverse, interesting. You definitely don't feel inadequate as someone new and inexperienced: more experienced students are always willing and eager to help out. The instructors work hard to cultivate an environment that is welcoming and supportive. So here I am, probably in the best shape of my life after just a few months, and it felt so easy! Well, not the classes, which are hard in the best kind of way, but I would take heading over to N-Flux any day over tv, social media, reorganizing, or browsing funny animal videos on the internet. If you want to learn martial arts, get in shape, and have fun doing it -- look no further, N-Flux is where it's at!

I came to N-Flux to find a hobby and ended up finding a passion and a home away from home. Yes,…read moreit's a gym, and the new facility in the bottom level of 1722 I Street will blow your mind with all the new equipment and toys (no more stripper poles, just tons of mats, gloves, pads and other goodies). But more importantly, this place is a community. N-Flux has the best instructors and classes you will find anywhere in DC if you're interested in taking Krav Maga, Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, and all sorts of other martial arts and combat sports. Chris and Colleen are the best instructors I've ever seen. They don't just want you to get skills, they teach concepts, conditioning, and character. Part of the training is how to be a good classmate, and experienced students help newer students and welcome new people. As a result, you're not just coming for a workout, you walk away welcomed and encouraged to be the best you can be -in everything. The classes are challenging in the best way, even their Yoga classes (and I hated yoga before I took N-Flux yoga with the amazing Scott and Maicie!). Chris and Colleen are tough and push you to be your best. Since starting, I've lost 25 pounds, gained 25 new friends, and according to my work colleagues, "am the happiest I've ever been." This place is way more than a gym and you won't know what you're missing until you come try it for yourself.

I've been a member of this gym since the day it opened, & I continue to be very pleased with it…read more One of the biggest pluses is that it's HUGE. The building is a repurposed elementary school. So it has charm as well as enough space that I never feel cramped. I also appreciate that staff members go out of their way to make sure I have a positive experience. They are courteous as well as professional & personable--always ready to talk baseball with me when I want! Finally, I want to mention that the owners/managers are constantly updating both the facility & the equipment.

I've waited quite a few months since joining to provide a fair review. I joined in October and my…read moresign up experience wasn't great. I felt like the membership manager was pushy and disregarded my requests and didnt answer my questions. I had to be firm in my request to see a trainer who was familiar and knowledgeable with rotator cuff repair surgery. I ultimately signed up and started my membership. The facility is ok. Its in an old school building and gives the feeling as such. I dont feel like they do a good job with cleaning the equipment and they could use additional sets of dumbbells between 8-12lbs for the main room. I have had sessions with a few different trainers and Chris is by far my favorite. He literally asks you a bunch of questions and personalizes your workout to align with your goals. The membership rate is a bit pricey but it gives you access to other facilities in the area and this facility also has a sauna and steam room and a recovery room. They also have a massage therapist and staff who provide stretch recovery sessions. I use them because it is conveniently located to my home and work but looking at other options for when my contract is up.

As you may know, there are not a lot of gym choices in SW DC. ROBFA (Regional Office Building…read moreFitness Association) is a gym located in the basement of the GSA building at the corner of 7th & D Streets ... that nobody seems to know about. And unlike many other gyms within government buildings, ROBFA allows government contractors as well as government employees to join. What a concept. Pros: * While the HHS gym, for example, is for HHS government employees only, ROBFA accepts *ANY* government employee or contractor, regardless of agency. You don't have to be GSA. Pretty cool. * Did I mention government contractors could also join? * $30 / month. * Your checking account can be auto-debited (using a voided check). * Small locker rentals are $35 / year, large $70 / year. Those are not misprints ... per year. * Lots of small lockers (maybe a hundred). * Locker room is open whenever the building is open (which might be 24/7, not exactly sure), which works well for bikers or runners who just need a locker and shower facility at any time (I know a couple of people who use ROBFA for exactly this purpose). * Lots of offered classes, like Power Step, Body Sculpt, Zumba, Spin, Abs, Cardio, Yoga, Circuit, Conditioning, etc. * Personal training is available. * MUCH neater than Gold's. Cons: * Only accepts checks or money orders - no credit cards, paypay, nor anything people of the 21st century might use. * Very few large lockers (maybe twenty). * A year long wait list for large lockers. * Lockers are pretty darned old. * No price reduction for auto-debit, or paying 6 or 12 months ahead. * Gym hours are funky, geared for govies - not open Friday afternoons nor weekends. It's a 4 1/2 day of the week gym. For this Gold's might be the better deal. * Not going to lie, not a lot of hot water in the showers. Other: * Day lockers are available for those who don't want to rent a locker, BYOLock. * Neither the locker room nor gym is luxurious, in case you thought it might be for 30 clams a month. * Definitely geared more for morning - and in particular lunch - crowds. All the classes are between 11am and 1pm. Again, govies. * Veeery quiet after 5pm. But still open til 7pm. 4 days a week, at least. * Has the standard array of fitness tools. About 2-4 of any kind of treadmill, recumbent, elliptical, etc. About 20 spin bikes. Weight benches, free weights, weight poles, fitness pads for stretching or yoga, vanity mirrors, those big plastic balls, etc. Your standard gym stuff. * Filled with govies, so if you're self-conscious about your body image, it's fairly un-intimidating. For the record, I've mostly only been there in the late afternoons, so I can't speak to how busy it gets at other times. Visit and see for yourself. ROBFA won't win any awards for flair, avant-garde design, chic motif, nor cutting-edge equipment, but it does have all the basics. It's a gym, not a fitness boutique. And for SW DC ... that's pretty good. NOTE: Yelp seems to have the gym location one block too far north on their map, FYI.

The best community I've been to in the U.S., in general. Very professional, supportive, and all the…read moreinstructors want you to succeed.

So I was purely looking for Krav Maga classes in the DMV area and they are hard to find. This one…read morewas the closest so once I saw it I hopped on the website to get some more information. My only complaint is they did take forever to get back to me, but hopefully that was one off due to a system issue they apologized for. I never looked at the reviews prior to booking my first class and I'm glad I didn't because I am shocked at them. So I had to write one myself because I very much disagree with them. First off Thomas, one of the sales reps who got into contact me was informative, professional, and easy to chat with. Then I got to the studio and had my class with Jeremiah. He was obviously very skilled but very inviting, high energy, and overall great instructor. I am a former crossfitter, current military, and still do a lot of strength training and this class had me dripping in sweat, but I also felt I learned a lot, and there was an obvious strength aspect as well. If you are new on your fitness/self defense journey this is for you and if you are curious to cross train and supplement your regime, this is also for you. I am trying to pick out a style and gym this past week and I went two three different gyms. I can say for fighting style classes in the DMV area their prices are competitive with the other gyms. They were actually a little below some I saw.

Living in DC leaves a young professional feeling...well, lacking. No matter where you come from or…read morehow bad your kung-fu is, moving here will be a humbling experience. And there's nothing you can do about it. You will soon find yourself surrounded by up-and-coming staffers, interns, and so many college students you can't stand it. 25-year-olds with everything still in the right place and no idea that it won't always stay there... When, you cross into that following decade and those "things" begin to slip, you will find yourself in need of a gym. And a trainer. Don't try to fight it. Get the trainer. Trust me, these people are professionals. Let them do their job. You'll feel better, happier, and more fulfilled when you leave. The Health & Wellness Center at HHS may not be the most well-appointed gym I've ever been to, but it's absolutely my favorite. I train two mornings a week with a trainer and venture there myself the other three. There are essentially four different workout areas - free weights, resistance machines, cardio, and a gym for the classes and basketball/volleyball sessions. The classes they offer range from kickboxing to balltastic to zumba. I haven't taken any of the classes, but I have played volleyball with the trainers and they take no prisoners. Given what I've experienced in both my training sessions and the open gym times, if you're interested in losing/toning/tightening, you won't find a better location with more caring people than at HHS.

Mike and Meipo Sensei are very dedicated to their students and everyone interested in getting…read morestarted on this wonderful Martial art. They take the time to demonstrate concepts and are very patient regardless of rank and experience. If you are a complete beginner do give them a call and try a few classes, you won't regret it.

This dojo is a community. The people who practice aikido here appreciate, and genuinely care for…read moreone another. In that atmosphere, learning the art of aikido becomes a joy.