An amazing gym, knowledgeable coaches that set the tone for a friendly and supportive environment…read morefor me to challenge myself without judgment. I'm in to my second month having started with the on-ramp, happy I did! The on-ramp showed the proper technique for the type of exercises that are done but most importantly to me, it identified the areas I need to work on such as flexibility. The coach explained how a lack of flexibility was causing issues with certain exercises, showed me workarounds and what I needed to do to gain the flexibility needed. In the short time I have been going to the gym, 3 times a week, I have started to gain that flexibility and I'm already noticing improvements with my overall fitness. I was looking for a gym that would set me up with a good overall fitness regime for both strength and cardio, my expectations have been exceeded.

I never in my life would have thought I would be a butt-kicking, fierce lady who actually enjoys…read moreworking out, but this place, and my instructor Nick Denis, have actually changed my life. I started taking classes here a few months ago and have gone from a complete novice in Muay Thai Kickboxing to feeling confident, healthy, and able to defend myself. I take classes two times a week, and different packages are available. In addition to the MTKB class I also attend Nick's Fire and Ice class, which combines a half hour of intense conditioning work with 30 minutes of stretching/cool down poses. Nick is a retired UFC fighter and is fantastic at providing encouragement, support and pushing you to your limit. The classes are challenging, but many techniques can be done at your own pace and skill level. No matter what your level of fitness, you will feel welcomed and supported in this studio. Lal, the owner and traditional martial arts instructor is also a welcoming and encouraging instructor, and their energy really makes this place a great spot to work out. There are adult and children's classes (there's a summer class for kids going on right now!), and they currently have a beginners trial for $20. If you're looking for a fun and challenging workout, or have always wanted to try martial arts, I highly recommend this new studio.

The pros: - Good technique explanations…read more- Good studio - Great atmosphere - Less expensive than other martial art schools The cons: - Poor technique practice (most people in the gym are afraid of touching each other) - Classes are very short - (some) Black-belts have superiority complex, and treat newcomers disrespectfully. I've been told multiple times "don't stand there" or "got sit over there". This was done *during* class and no beforehand. - "McDojo" when it comes to belts. You have pay to get a belt with a stripe, belt with two stripes etc...

Amazing gym! Jess (Smash) is a phenomenal instructor who…read morefocuses on the individual needs of every client. He took the time to understand my goals, strengths and weaknesses and then connected me to a group that he knew I would thrive in. The community of people who attend this gym are amazing. Everyone is encouraging and supportive. I highly recommend them!

Jess and the Strength Lab have changed my life and transformed my body. If you are tired of going…read moreto the gym by yourself and not moving the needle and making progress, give the Lab a shot. Jess has a coaching style that can push you beyond what you think you can do. It's a fun atmosphere and not intimidating at all. Jess has helped me get in the best shape of my life. Try it out!

I'm a fan!! I am new to CF, having recently joined this gym to work more with weights, and have…read moreenjoyed the experience. The owner, Everett, has been extremely helpful, thoughtful, and teaches really well. He demonstrates the moves, and is aware of how the body works, and how folks learn. He does not sacrifice form for reps or weight and is focused on moving in healthy ways. He suggests various modifications for those who need them, and is easy to work with. He is definitely aware in the emotional/cognitive aspects of health - a trait that makes him stand out. The classes have been extremely unique, with varied exercise routines each time, and challenging to all parts of the body. The people at this gym are friendly and helpful, and easy to approach. The more experienced members help out the newer people...it's great to be welcomed in this way. This gym is clean, reliable, and low-key. There is sufficient equipment for the classes, it's neat and accessible, and there are thoughtful touches such as a pile of cloths and cleaner to use for wiping down equipment, a 'dirty cloths' pail to discard used cloths (so they are not hanging around all over the equipment), and plenty of fresh air circulating. All of these might sound like minor details, but these are things I feel and notice when I'm spending my time in a gym. Crossfit Bytown has these small touches mastered. It feels like my home in there. Finally, there is a social aspect to this gym that extends beyond its walls: Social media connections, email, and text messaging are added touch points that keep me and other members in the know, and I can opt in to whatever amount I want. I feel very supported! Nice work, CF Bytown!

I travel a lot for work and usually drop in at a CF gym in whatever city I'm in. These guys did not…read moredisappoint. Everyone was really nice. I showed up with US dollars and Coach Taylor was nice enough to lend me some change so I could get a drink from the machine. Typical Canadian, super nice and personable. This gym is fantastic.

Gym where you train with a personal trainer. Each personal trainer as a different style and you get…read morematched with the personal trainer closest to your needs and personality. I had some success here in 2011-2012, but after a quick weight loss I ended up gaining the weight back even while still training here. I noticed Free Form Fitness train their personal trainers with their " health and fitness knowledge " and it feels they push this way of thinking to their customers. Some of their advices are not accurate for all and you would be better served getting the knowledge from the appropriate professional. I'm no longer sure of the value provided by Free Form Fitness.

I started going to FFF in the Glebe early this year and I'm astounded by just how good their…read morepersonal fitness trainer-based program is. I have been working primarily with Oona, but have also had the opportunity to work with Diego. Both are amazing, knowledgeable and supportive and I (and others) can now see significant changes in my bearing, strength and flexibility. FFF says they are the gym for people who hate gym; I also see FFF for those (like me) who never learned how to exercise properly or effectively. Thank you FFF!

It may seem odd that a college has one of the most amazing gyms in the city, but I promise you if…read moreyou check out Algonquin's Fitness Zone, you will not be disappointed. I came here as a student, then as a staff member and still work out there as an alumnus. The front desk staff are always helpful, attentive and friendly and the change rooms are super clean and really spacious. And they have steam showers...NICE. The equipment and atmosphere is awesome. All of the cardio machines were changed out about 8 months ago so they're all in great shape and top of the line. For those of you who need to catch your shows but still want to work out - GOOD NEWS: each cardio machine has its own screen. Amazing.The strength training equipment is also quite good, and they have some cool machines like the rope pull and some super cool zero gravity thing (note my intense knowledge of the fitness industry...) and the staff are all super helpful and friendly. There are trainers on staff as well as group fitness classes that you can attend. Algonquin also has an add-on called the Impact Zone. The Impact Zone is right across the hall from the Fitness Zone and is a state of the art martial arts training facility. They specialize in Thai boxing, boxing, kickboxing, MMA, Krav Maga, wrestling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and every time I walk by it's always being used. In order to get access to the Impact Zone you have to add $50 to your membership...which is a bit pricey for my taste. The only reason I'm not giving this fantastic gym five stars is because of the aforementioned price. For a community member (yes, anyone can join - it's not just for college peeps) it's $65 a month or $10/visit. If you're an Algonquin student, alumni or staff you can only get a four month membership or a one year membership, which can be an issue for people that want to join a month-to-month gym. Students are looking at $130/4 months or $260 for the year. Alumni prices are $160/4 months or $350/year. Staff are charged $180/4 months or $380 for the year. Despite the seemingly expensive prices, the one awesome deal that I come back to every year is their $35/month during the summer. Remember, the summer goes from May-August in the post-secondary world so this can save you a ton.

This gym is for weight lifting, with a few cardio machines. they don't have any cross fit equipment…read moreand room for interval training. The staff are protein shake pushers and have no knowledge of fight training or diet. The staff has poor cardio and the actual MMA or boxing classes are not enough to get fit and not recommended for intermediate fighters. I do recommend this gym for beginner body lifters but nothing more.

Burke's method is amazing. I've lost about 40lbs in 6 months, but most importantly, I've kept it…read moreoff. There has been no "yo-yo-ing" back and forth and my motivation has been high all the way through. He isn't the type of trainer who will yell at you and shame you into doing more. Burke's philosophy - and he'll tell you the first time you see him - is about sustainable weight loss. He's not about the 20lbs in 20-days garbage. If you're looking to make positive change, this is the guy you want to contact.

After years in school and not making my body a priority in my life, I decided to change. Looking…read morefor a personal trainer in Ottawa wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. There are many and most fitness centers have mixed reviews. I met with Burke and was quickly impressed by him... His approach was thoughtful, calm and collected. Looking back, I think it was how fast I felt comfortable around him that gave me that extra push to do this. It was a combination of weights, cardio and, most importantly, learning new ways to eat. I trained with Burke a few times per week. Once I started improving we reduced that to twice. It's been 2 years and I'm still feeling healthier than I can remember! My results speak for themselves: lost 40 pounds in 6 months. And yes, those were my old pants in the pic I added in my gallery! If you're considering Burke and have any questions, feel free to PM me. I'm giving 4 stars for the sole reason that I don't want anyone to think there's a perfect solution. The change that I went through was extremely difficult. It's important that people know that a lot of it comes down to you.

I have been a member here for a few months now. Started as a rookie and a girl who had decent…read morecardio ability. After working out for a few months the progress is amazing. The coaches have a good eye and have slowly made sure I have great form before putting weights on the bar. It is a somewhat newer gym, opening mid 2013, and already has many classes with more being added. In addition they have mobility classes, OLY (Olympic Lifting), and then basics classes for newbies like me. Highly recommend this "box" if you are an experienced crossfitter looking for a good workout or someone looking to get into the sport without being judged.