How do you go to sleep skinny and wake up fat?! Well, that's what happened to me...that's my story…read moreand I'm sticking to it. Almost 2 years ago I moved to Houston for work, where I work from home most times. Being in a new city not knowing anyone and working from home is the perfect storm to gain weight. I've tried working out on my own, diets, and other gyms but could never stick with it or saw any results. Finally I made up my mind this weight was not ok and I needed to make a change...I wanted a personal trainer. I did some research on Yelp and looked in to a few different trainers. But hit the jackpot when I found Above the Bar Fitness! I went in for my consulting and got the full run down on Above the Bar Fitness and took a short tour of the gym. They train out of The Core gym, the gym is clean with top of the line equipment. The gym is mostly a trainer/client environment so there aren't any classes offered. Above the Bar Fitness is a team of two trainers, Nicole and Jen. Both are very qualified and want to see you succeed. They listen to what your concerns are what your goals are and tweaking workouts to help you achieve those goals. They push you past what you think your limit is but in an encouraging way. With each workout you feel yourself getting stronger and leaner. If you're looking for a new training I definitely suggest you contact Above the Bar Fitness.

Awesome! Nicole and…read moreJennifer provide a great service: dedication and results while having fun! Key aspects to highlight: - They understand your starting point and where you wanna get - Set realistic goals - Monthly stats to track progress - Routine is personalized and changes periodically - They explain you why you do everything and more important, how to do it right! The gym is fully equipped and used only by personal trainers - no need to wait or fight to do the next set. I had to stop training for personal reasons but would definitely be back soon with them!

Excellent training program, I was very challenged and Bree was patient and followed up with me as…read moreim just a beginner. thanks !

My wife and I have been working with Bree for over a year, since well before COVID-19. She was…read morerecommended to us by our previous trainer after she retired. We've transitioned to virtual now and she made that process seamless. She's easy to work with and seems to have an endless library of exercises; she still comes up with ones I've never heard of each week. She's very good about modifying the work load or the form based on specific needs, injuries, etc. Her virtual rates are super reasonable and it feels like you get something very specific to your needs for the price.

Crystal is professional, knowledgeable, and loving all the qualities I need in a trainer. I started…read morethe reformer when I was pregnant and it was everything I needed. If you're seeking a space that is filled with love and good energy look no further Synergy is the space!

I absolutely love this place! Love, love, LOVE! Did I say love?…read more And this is coming from someone who has tried personal training with a few people and just never quite got into it. It always felt like a chore - to wake up extra early and basically pay someone to torture you and then spend the next couple of days so sore you didn't want to do much. (Ok, I'm exaggerating on the torture but you get the gist). Along comes Crystal and Pilates. I had decided that I needed to find some way to work out since I'm at a desk all day. I came across a groupon for Pilates reformer and I decided to take a chance, it looked easy enough - why not? Looks easy, but that was a full body workout that had me drenched in sweat 20 minutes in! Who would have thought? I worked arms, legs, core and everything in between and the next day....I wasn't so sore that I couldn't move. Hallelujah! It was right then that I realized this was for me! An all over workout that didn't leave me sore and was easy on my back. That was over a year ago, Crystal is still amazing. I have slowly added mat Pilates, Hatha yoga (Artemis is the best! She helps stretch you out and relax after a hard Pilates workout), Barre Pilates and small group training. Basically almost every class that is offered I have tried. One of the best things is that the classes are small and everyone is at different levels but you don't feel intimidated. Everyone is encouraging, the veterans offering help to the newbies, no one takes themselves too seriously and the classes are just plain fun to attend. There's so much more that I could say about Synergy, Crystal and Artemis but I doubt I have much more room left to write. Basically - affordable, fun, workouts with some great people. I'm definitely a lifer, as Crystal has helped me become a healthier person one class at a time.

I have been a client of Erik Borlasca for more than seven years. So have three members of my…read moreextended family ranging in age from 12-67. Erik is extremely knowledgeable, credentialed, humble and funny. He is an excellent training helping people of all ages with various personal goals. I highly, highly recommend him. His space is clean, he has every piece of equipment you could ever need. You should give him a try, he is efficient with your time and affordable. All of the above will help you make lasting changes and help you reach your goals.

Wow! I've worked with Erik on and off for the past 4 years. The times that I spend with him and…read moreremain focused have shown much better results than trying to do it on my own. I've worked with a dozen trainers over the years, but find Erik to be by far the best and most educated on how to get the best results while not hurting me....I highly recommend Erik for anyone that is serious about improving their physical health.

I was seriously conflicted writing this review since I absolutely adored the trainers:…read moreprofessional, dedicated and hard-working but appalled by the management; making the decision easier to do so. We (my sister, friend and I) bought this deal on Groupon - unlimited 30Xpress classes for $19. Whoa! Considering that it normally costs $280+ for the same classes, what a steal! Like the old saying "If it sounds too good to be true, it is." I agree. The management's communication (lack thereof) was jaw-dropping. We were able to work a deal with Renee, one of the awesome managers, so we can continue after the Groupon deal ended. First week into the newly paid verbal contract, which is considered valid in Texas, Dawn, one of the owners, called to inform that the deal was not valid and that they were not going to "eat the cost" since the deal was undervalued. A management staff member accepted the negotiated pricing and accepted payment for said service, yet she is calling us out implying that we were essentially "taking" sessions not paid for. After, the LOUD and heated conversation she had with my sister on the phone, which can be heard easily by anyone more than a few feet away, was very unprofessional. Why is she arguing and putting the blame on the client? Then, she informed us she would not give us a refund, SERVICES WERE NOT RENDERED, one week after the deal was made. We agreed that we would break the amount paid into weekly portions and pay that portion accordingly; she vehemently disagreed until she talked to her husband. She called a short time later after her husband agreed to offer the full refund and a week free of training. We contemplated going since the ordeal with the management made it uncomfortable but the trainers are awesome. Several days later, we went. Day 1, Boxing trainer, Vincent, was no longer an employee, so we can only work out with the other trainer, Terrence. Management did not inform that the trainer would be let go, so they agreed to bring him back so we can train with him for the week. We greatly appreciated that, especially when an employee called the evening before to ensure our schedule would remain the same as previously taken. Results: Trainers - awesome! Management - fail!

I cannot review on the actual class since I was not actually able to take the class…read more I purchase a 5 session deal from Living Social and today would have been my first class. However, I drive 15 miles only to have the instructor not show up. This class is only an hour long and was supposed to start at 8:30am and there were 5 of us waiting outside until around 9am. There was no note on the door or a response from either of the 2 phone numbers posted on the front of the door. I called the main phone number only to have an answering service take my name and number and tell me that some one will return my call. One of the gentleman waiting with us mentioned that the same thing happened to the Tuesday class and the instructor was a no show and they still have not heard back from the studio as to the reason for it. Their website requires a 24 hour advance notice for any cancelation. How about extending that courtesy to us too?

John West Physical Therapy is a top notch facility. As soon as you walk into the lobby you are…read moregreeted by a wonderful, fun, upbeat lady named Jessica. I honestly believe that Jessica's only goal in life is to make everyone as comfortable as possible & she is VERY good at that. She absolutely sets the tone for what your experience will be like. By the time you meet your physical therapist, your mind is clear... You are alert... And you are ready to get better. And I can promise you that they will make every effort to insure that you are feeling so much better when you leave, than when you arrived. It's what they do & they are VERY good at it. Amber, Rico & Blake offer the perfect combination of professionalism & compassion. And they each bring years of experience to the table. I could actually write 200 pages on how awesome they are. They are outstanding on so many levels. By the way, while you're visiting the facility, if you happen to see a wonderful, happy, energetic ball of sunshine running around, that would be Evelyn. She brings the much needed joy that this world needs. I've been to other physical therapy facilities. None of them can come close to what John West offers. Do yourself a favor and give them a try. They are the best and that's what everyone deserves.

Go due to the warm pool for back traction (weights on legs and hang in deep end). Grew back the…read moreinch I lost and makes chronic spine pain tolerable. In addition, I have learned ways to not aggravate my issues. Strong as a bull all 5'1" and 102 lbs. Stretch minimum 3 to 4 times a day. To get better one MUST put in the work, eat very healthy. Diavetes & being overweinght exacerbate bone and spine conditions. And force joint replacements. Also, most of people that do hands on work with patient are kind, considerate. There are negatives but place keeps me going + social +understand chronic pain. The have a wellness plan which I partake in. Do the work & you will get better. Watch everything including otc, prescriptions drugs, food fats and any other things like sodium, potassium, sugar preservatives and fake sugars. Do ingredients the work and I will be a lifer at John West. My mantra stand tall and tight, never cane, walker or wheelchair. Remember, YOU CAN DO IT!! If I can after 4 spine surgeries plus several birth defects in my spine so can YOU. GO FOR IT at John West.

They will fix you. Every time I go, I hear that Coldplay song in my head "I Will Fix You"…read more There are times that I've gone in there and my upper back, neck, and shoulders were all screwed up. They fixed it all!

Staff is amazing and helped with my muscle soreness from running. Both Sam and Mike work miracles!read more

Extremely knowledgeable and has the ability to work around physical issues to change lives for the…read morebetter.

I started training with Ron about 6 months ago and I have to say he has to be the best fitness…read moretrainer in Houston! When I first walked in, my goal was to have killer abs by the time I met this girl who I wanted to, well, impress at a wedding. However, the wedding got moved up so those plans went out the window. However, I stayed thanks to his amazing knowledge in the world of fitness and his training pushed me to not only improve my work ethic in the gym but also in other areas of my life. i went from about 17% body fat to 10% body fat while increasing my muscle mass by 10 pounds. It was literally insane and people noticed the progress. I've come to a point where I look for places in houston to show off what Ron has done for me. Not to mention, as far as gyms and trainers go, his personal gym is perfect with all the best equipment that you will need. Hands down, Ron knows his stuff. From nutrition to random business advice, he is the trainer to see! Highly recommended. P.S I was about 173 Lbs before I went to his gym with a little gut and now I'm 165 Lbs of almost complete muscle. He works miracles.