Update: I've been to a few of the regular classes & I love the various instructors. Each class I've been to has had a different instructor, which means the focus changes & isn't boring. I've found the instructors very knowledgable & challenging (when I want it to be). Also love that I can drink when I feel I need it. There's even a water fountain IN the room in case you run out, so you never have to worry about that. Here's the thing: it's NOT bikram. So you either love it or hate it. I choose to love it because I like that I can use blocks to help me get into poses I'm not flexible enough for...or that my arms are too short for (seriously, I've got T-Rex arms for yoga). And anything I'm not comfortable with (like inversions in the heat), I just sit out. So don't expect "bikram," even though some of the poses are similar. Very satisfied & highly recommend. And I will keep practicing at this studio. Sticking with my 4-stars due to lack of showering facilities, making weekend practices solo events...& the start time of the weeknight class. Starting at 6:30 PM means I don't walk in my door until after 9 PM...& still require shower/dinner/sleep. Would be so awesome if these classes started at 6 PM instead. Those extra 30 minutes would be a real asset. I assume I'm in the minority though...I can live with that. Just my own personal opinion in relationship to how far away I live. read more

The instructor here was rude and narrow-minded. I was new to this studio (visiting from out of town) and therefore was not comfortable with the poses and skipped or modified some of them. I am a slow learner when it comes to yoga. He actually called me out about this in front of the whole class, implying that I was a yoga snob (i normally practice Bikram). He basically told me to practice his way or leave. I left. The only reason for 2 stars instead of 1 is because he gave me my money back. On another note, the studio is carpeted. Makes it difficult to balance in poses and also makes it quite stinky. read more

I don't think yoga is for everyone, and I definitely don't think Bikram yoga is for everyone; however, I also think it's worth trying at least once. Although I visit fairly infrequently (once a week at best, once a month at worst), I'm hooked on Bikram yoga. Whereas regular yoga seems to be all about the stretching, the 100 degree heat makes Bikram yoga seem like a cardio workout, which I love. I don't think Bikram yoga is offered anywhere else in Gainesville, and the prices are fantastic compared to other similar workouts (pilates and regular yoga classes). Each of the instructor's has his/her own style, so each class is unique. If you're a first time visitor, make sure you bring lots of water! read more

For some reason, I got sucked into going to this place for months at a time. Not sure if it helped me with my yoga practice, but I did get a good workout here. I'm not big into Bikram-like hot yoga, but this is the place to go in town. Who would've though a little man in a tiny bathing suit can leave you sweating and aching in a 90-minute yoga session. The cheesy beach scene wallpaper on one wall of the room is a good distraction while you sit in an awkward yoga pose. For those of you not familiar with this type of yoga you go through a seriesi of 26 positions (asanas as they're called) twice, each time deepening your stretch. With the depth of your practice it does help to work in a warmer room. Better come prepared well-hydrated and bring a couple of towels and come Gatorade-water drink or fear of passing out. This husband, wife and son-in-law establishment provides knowledgeable information about this form of yoga and is good with helping people of all levels of practice to deepen their yoga experience. I'm not into this form of yoga but if you are try this out! read more

I only went to one class, but that class was NOT TRUE BIKRAM. The room was also not as hot as true Bikram studios. I only gave 2 stars because I wanted and was expecting Bikram, and I didn't like the style of the additions nor the dialogue of the instructor. If you're going for the first time, make sure you tell the instructor before the class starts that you are new to the studio. I didn't make this clear because I thought I would be familiar with all of the poses. But, some poses are very different. For example, I wasn't aware that I should get blocks for some poses. It was also frustrating because he would ask if someone wasn't familiar with a pose, so I would raise my hand (indicating that I was new!). Then he would ask the same question for something like the final breathing exercise. Because I thought it would just be the Bikram style, I wouldn't raise my hand so he wouldn't show me even though he had the knowledge that I was new. It was really annoying. That happened on so many occasions. Don't make the same mistake. read more

Big Rons is great! I tried yoga here for the first time and it has become an addiction. I've been going for about a year now, and have experienced greater peace of mind and increased flexibility. The instructors are great and help to ensure form. The heat is an added plus that makes the workout even more intense and easier to stretch into the poses. read more

Extremely disappointing. I have been practicing yoga off and on for several years. Lately, I am making it a priority to practice more consistently. I live in PA and am in FL visiting my sister. I have had the opportunity to take classes from a number of teachers having a variety of styles. As well, I am a teacher (high school and group fitness) and believe that to be any type of teacher is to engage in a noble profession. Unfortunately, I did not read previous reviews on this Studio. 1. There were 5 new people in the class and two others. She did not introduce herself. She did not say welcome. She did not smile. She seemed very uninterested in connecting with us or in sharing any enthusiasm of or love for practicing or teaching yoga. 2. She did a very poor job of teaching. She would say things like, "Put your right leg out" and then practically berate any of the new people when the person failed to read her mind. "This is not just a yoga class. This is a listening exercise." Her instructions were vague at best and frustrating at worst. The only reason I knew what she wanted was because I was familiar with some of the poses 3. This is NOT a Bikram class. That word should appear nowhere in connection with the class so as not to be misleading. 4. I brought my niece and my nephew's girlfriend. I truly did not appreciate how the teacher spoke to them. My nephew's girlfriend is an excellent listener; she is a music major who attends one of the top music schools in the country. As a part of her music training, she must listen to very technical and difficult instrumental solos and be able to recreate that music verbatim without the benefit of using sheet music. In other words, she is a superb listener. The teacher was unclear. 5. She came off as fussing at or chastising the students. For example, when one of the other new students, a very young person who appeared to be of, perhaps, college age, stated that the class was the most difficult thing she had done so far, the snippy and short and cross teacher condescendingly quipped, "If this is the most difficult thing you have done then you need to be more active." I could say more but I'll stop. I will not come again. I am telling my sister not to attend and she will be sure not to recommend this studio to her friends. Nicola J. read more

I have been going to Big Ron's for years- not consistently due to other activities and three young children, but I always enjoy the class. I have always enjoyed the female instructors I have had (male also, but that was only twice). It is something I do for myself and it is VERY helpful. I should go more often. read more

This studio was absolutely horrible. The instructor was pompous and rude. I usually practice Bikram yoga, but live over an hour away from a Bikram studio, so I figured I would give this place a try. I was told that the class delivers every Bikram posture, but simply has 10 added postures. Each time I continued on my own into the next posture without using added postures, the teacher barked that we weren't there yet. Bikram works for me. I only went to the studio to have a hot place to practice with a mirror. My sister is an instructor, so I am well experienced in the correct formation of postures. The fact that each posture in the floor series is only performed once, without warning, and no savasana in between, was extremely irritating. The point of savasana is to allow ones body to absorb the postures performed. Besides that, my friend had never done yoga before at all and the teacher was rushing through without any consideration for him. The teacher would even sometimes stop and say "Oh, I forgot xyz posture, lets go back.". CRAY!!! Point is-- if you want a studio with inexperienced smart a** teachers who will give you CANDY RIGHT AFTER CLASS, go here. If not, save your $15. I'd rather drive 4 hours than go back there again. It especially pissed me off when both my friend and I thanked the teacher when leaving, and we were both ignored. NEVER AGAIN!!! read more

I love practicing yoga but I've also played competitive sports throughout my life and have had many hot headed coaches so I'm not easily offended by aggressive instructors...but the male instructor I had at Big Ron's Wednesday night class a few months ago was horrendous. He never stopped speaking, nay, he never stopped YELLING. Even during savasana he jabbered incessantly. As an added annoyance he made mocking comment about my top which happened to be an awesome gift from a friend who was practicing with me that night. read more

I've only been once, although it wasn't precisely bikram yoga, the flow was great. I felt that the instructor offered wonderful feedback to everyone in the class, she was very positive and had a good energy --overall great space. read more

I like the hot yoga class i went to here. I've been to a million different yoga classes but that was my first time doing hot yoga. It wasn't the absolute best yoga class I've ever been to but it covered all the bases and I definitely felt like I got in a great work out. It went for about an hour and a half which was a long time especially for hot yoga but the last half was all floor poses. It is definitely a good place to go if you are a beginner or do not like super intense classes. It was not the type of yoga class that had a big focus on mind or meditation. No music. Focused on the work out. It was a super crowded class though when I went at 6:00 on a Sunday. There were mostly older people in the class but some younger as well. Bring a big towel to put on your mat and some smaller ones for throughout the class. You will sweat a ton in hot yoga. read more

i used to live in gainesville unfortunately for 4 years and was VERY glad to get out of that awful city. HOWEVER, big rons yoga was a great place to workout and enjoy yourself and not really think about just how hard the class was. i practice mixed martial arts competitively and yoga is GREAT for flexibility and i never get injured due to practicing bikrams yoga. big ron was a great guy and i miss him and the classes i took there. i now practice at bikrams yoga st augustine. the previous reviewer must not be too familiar with bikrams yoga and if he is then i am not sure why he went to bog rons then complained in his review. some peope just like to complain because they are just always unhappy. thats like going to burger king when you know it isnt good for you and you dont like it but you still go then complain. makes NO sense. if big rons is still there, i highly suggest it and it is a hard work out so if you arent prepared to really work, dont go. i assume that might have been the case with the previous reviewer. he was looking for easy! read more

This yoga studio is terrible. I do yoga often and was visiting from out of town. A red haired woman taught the class. She referred to the poses as sets, told us use "claw hands," "tighten," and "make sure your legs are locked." I have done a lot of yoga and never has anyone told me to tighten and lock!!! Also, she pushed people to move in ways they were not able and treated the class as more of a boot camp. I was so horrified I left after an hour. read more

I love practicing at Big Ron's! Great environment and really great instruction. Rose teaches most of the classes and she is very patient and instructive. If hot yoga is something you are considering, Big Ron's is a great place to start. read more

LOVE this studio and the yoga practice. Each instructor has their own unique style so I can pick and choose which style I am in the mood for. As with any fitness class, what you put into your work out is what you get out of it. Rarely do I leave this studio without feeling both energized and tired at the same time. I had never been a yoga fan before attending Big Ron's but since I've incorporated yoga twice a week into my already hectic fitness routine, the muscle tone and flexibility I've gained in the past 2 years keeps me going back for more! Highly recommend this studio. read more

I've only been practicing hot yoga for several months at Big Ron's and I love it! After many years as a personal trainer and weight training I was looking for something to add to my own routine. I love the challenge and the enhanced flexibility and improved balance. Rose is the manager and my primary instructor. She has a passion for the practice that's infectious! She is soooo knowledgeable and patient with new students and challenges the experienced ones. Louise is also a fantastic instructor in the afternoons!! read more

I have been to a variety of Bikram yoga studios around the country and this one was by far the worst. First, the style of yoga taught, which is advertised as Bikram, is not at all (though I was told the original owner, who is no longer associated with the studio trained with Bikram). If you are looking for a true Bikram class, this is not the studio for you. I found the instructors to have little education (only one actually has a certification), and hardly any knowledge of basic muscle function or anatomy. I was horrified at some of the instructions students were given, that actually put them in danger of injury. I am a certified yoga instructor and the lack of experience and knowledge is completely inexcusable. I heard from other students that they had actually witnessed one of the teachers screaming (and cursing) at another teacher, which I can't imagine. I was told that for that reason, a few students decided not to return. The studio itself is not well ventilated (a common problem for Bikram/hot yoga studios). If you have allergies or respiratory problems, I would not go. Overall, I was extremely disappointed with my experience, it is studios like this one that make me wish there were more regulations on yoga studios, because this one is downright dangerous. read more