I've been to a lot of gyms (honest, about 6 other places) and this is my favorite by far. Mike is…read moremethodical in his practice and while it is CrossFit, it's not at all competitive in nature. I walked into Great State with three years of PT under my belt trying to rehab a herniated disc, with leg weakness, numbness, and constant pain. Mike was so careful with me, analyzing my every move and teaching me mobility alongside the strength, I'm fully out of pain today and can feel my leg. This is a space to empower one another, build confidence and friendships, recover safely from an injury, and set your positive intentions for the day.

My fiancée and I are in town for the Crossfit Games. Decided to get our fitness on before the…read moreevents, so we hit up the 6 am class. They were handing out free t-shirts, stickers, have a Thera-Gun to play with...AND...they had a stand outside providing free ice coffee. Great scaling options, too. I was hesitant to go because I hurt my back last week (got crushed under a barbell and couldn't ditch) and I didn't want to look weak (Ego is dumb, I know), but they made me feel right at home and gave me great ideas to incorporate into my WoD. I finished feeling like I did "work". These cats know how to get it done. Had a class of around 40 people, and the workout was awesome. Talk about "group management". Great affiliate. Awesome sauce.

This is the real deal. A brilliant riff on an old school style gym mixing no-nonsense timeless core…read more"core" excercises with directed and smart "personal" training and coaching. F.I.T's emphaisis on strength training was a revelation to me as is the class model: six or so clients work out in a session and are encouraged/ coached/inspired/congratulated/trained and under the watchful eye of several of the terrific staff: Max, Sarah, Analise and Luke. Can't say enough about the deep accessible professionalism of everyone there. Seriously: this place is life changing.

I joined FIT in June and love it. I keep coming back, which says a lot!…read more On numerous occasions my PT has mentioned what a great job they do with exercise substitutions. She also recently said, "Those are great exercises." and "They really know what they are doing". My chiropractor has told me I'm in the best shape he has ever seen me. The coaches are great and the atmosphere is welcoming. I really am enjoying getting stronger with my new "gym friends"!

I've been with Core well over a decade now, 13-14yrs? It's one of the BEST decisions I've ever…read moremade. Aside from the great people I've met & become close friends with, Core has kept me strong & even improved my strength, & I'm no spring chicken! Last summer I broke my ankle in 3 places. I did a good job. I improved at a rate well past my & my doctor's expectations. I sincerely owe that to Core. My physical therapists often commented on my rapid progress. At 70 + I was progressing better than many at 3 decades my junior, according to my PT's. I'm not competing, but I KNOW that without my time at Core, I would have been in for a very, very long recuperation. Eric, my trainer at Core consulted with my PT's & I was back at Core before I knew it. He's helped me through many issues of the "ageing" body.- rotator cuff, the broken ankle, various muscle issues. I'm very active, have horses, I need to stack hay, & I want to keep riding. Core has kept me as strong as I can be, and mobile. That's all I can ask for as I age (gracefully I hope, instead of "Calamity Pat") I have all the clothes & "things" I need - what better way to spend my money on my strength, balance, and mobility? None. That's the answer. Thought I knew a lot about exercise - Pilates, yoga, ran 10 & 5K's, riding etc. I didn't know as much as I thought I did. I'm still learning, thanks to Core. Obviously, I cannot recommend them highly enough. Take their trial offer. For the record I do not own any stock in Core Health & Fitness.

Well I wrote a pretty WINDY review 7 years ago , but my enthusiasm knew no bounds. I'm still with…read moreCORE, and again one of the best things I've ever done for myself. The best individualized workout programs, great atmosphere, & wonderful CORE members. My goal is to stay as strong and mobile for as long as I can, & CORE is making it happen. I did this balance move on a Bosu ball for a challenge at CORE 7 yrs ago (that's not CORE in the background, it's my studio). I'm going to try to do it ONCE more, this year before I turn 71. I'll try to get an updated photo, if I can't do it, I'll retire this photo. Can't rest on my laurels, such as they be. They're stuck with me, I can't imagine not being a member of CORE. Do yourself a favor & try their introductory offer, as I did 10 years ago! Be GOOD to YOURSELF!

Highlights/Lowlights…read more 1) tough workouts 2) some really friendly staff 3) deals available on groupon occasionally We did the groupon for two which was an incredible deal! We thought the groupon was for a six week membership to the gym, however upon arriving for our consultation we found out that it was actually just for the boot camp classes. Th boot camp classes are offered 4-ish times per week. The staff person who helped us out at our consultation (required) was just ok. Not overly friendly and seemed annoyed by the questions I was asking. However, the trainer who led our classes during our short membership at Monkey Bar was great! She really pushed all of us to do our best while maintaining great form. The classes themselves are really challenging but a great work out! The workouts change so you only do the same workout 2X per 4-6 week period. I know that sans groupon Monkey Bar is pricy. Unfortunately we found that the gym equipment wasn't super nice and the space itself could use a refresh. Good workout by quite pricy compared to what you would get from other gyms in the area for the same price. Overall, definitely worth a try but maybe try and find a deal to see if you like it first!

I bought the groupon for Monkey Bar Gym and I was extremely nervous (as I am not a particularly fit…read moreperson), and now I am definitely going to get a membership. When you first sign up they require you to come in for an initial consultation. They will show you around and give you information about how the classes work and what to expect etc. This is a great time to ask any questions you may have and learn how the facility runs so you don't feel so lost on the first day. The trainers recommend a plant-strong diet and encourage all participants to log their workouts. I had my initial consultation with Raquel. She was amazingly helpful, and encouraging. It was nice to know one of the instructors before I had even taken a class! They post the daily workout on a whiteboard so you can check it out before class starts. They also have a binder that has all the workouts for the month, if you like to look further ahead. The workouts change all the time so you're never bored. Monkey Bar does a wonderful job of explaining/modeling how to do each exercise. They make it a point to go over every exercise you will be doing before participants begin the workout. The whiteboard also has a section that is divided into "stability" "strength" and "power". Here they have suggestions for modifications/challenges for participants who want to tailor their workout. The trainers are always helpful when it comes to finding an alternate exercise. The trainers and members at Monkey Bar are very friendly. They ask you to get with a partner for some exercises and I have had no trouble finding a partner and striking up a friendly conversation with them. Members often say encouraging things to one-another during the workouts as well. One day after the workout I was getting a drink and a man (who I believe is an owner, or at least another trainer I hadn't met) asked me if I had recently joined. I told him yes and he enthusiastically welcomed me. Overall, Monkey Bar is great. The workouts can be very intense but I always feel invigorated afterward. Great experience! :)

If you're interested in getting fit, losing weight, feeling better, and joining a community of…read morelike-minded individuals, then you need not go any further than TFW Madison. Although not "CrossFit", the TFW gym might be considered CrossFit-ish and their approach to training shares a lot of the same elements. Functional fitness. Nobody cares how much weight you can bench press through a very circumscribed 24" range of motion. Increased flexibility. Building strength through exercises designed to strengthen your core, supporting muscles, etc. No machines. Ropes, resistance bands, medicine balls, body-weight, kettle bells, dumb bells, and free weights. An open area used for stretching, interval training, and so on. There are at least 6 mentored workouts a day, 5 days a week (plus one Saturday morning). If you're the kind of person whose idea of a workout is jamming out to your iPod while you walk or jog on the treadmill for 30 minutes, followed by 30-40 minutes of weights, this is not your gym. But the truth is that I used to be one of those -- I liked going to the YMCA and sweating it out. The big weight room always seemed like a plus. But I didn't see nearly the results that I've seen in just a few weeks with TFW. As an added bonus, the owners, Jonathan and Jenny, are friendly and will help you stay accountable. Sometimes life can intrude and despite my best intentions I just didn't make it to my workout. Within 24 hours I've heard from Jonathan wanting to make sure I wasn't injured, or know whether everything was OK, and when was I coming back. At least a couple of times that's just what I needed to get me back on track and back on schedule. And it's hard to argue with the results. Down 13lbs in my first 3 weeks. Able to touch my toes without straining for the first time in probably years. Sleeping better. Excited for my next workout, instead of dreading it, even when I'm sore. Training designed to make you stronger, and more importantly, healthier.

I joined TFW in September 2017 after several years at some other local gyms. TFW has been a…read morefantastic experience for me physically, mentally, and spiritually. Prior to TFW, my experience with the whole gym scene in Madison was not positive. I went to the "gym" because I knew I needed to but frequently skipped days (I always gave myself excuses because I didn't really want to go). Even though I was going to the gym somewhat regularly, I continued to gain weight and my fitness level was not improving. When I started at TFW, I was very skeptical. All sorts of promises but...In the last year, I have dropped my fat (I am now roughly 20% bodyfat - I started close to 30%) and I have gotten a lot stronger. For example, I recently was able to do 305 pounds on the back squat - a year ago I was only able to squat 230 pounds and that wasn't even a full squat). More importantly, my mental attitude to life has changed. I have a deeper belief that I can fight through adversity and it shows in my training and in how I deal with challenges in life outside the gym. I enjoy going to TFW and really feel off when I miss a session. The coaches work with you to help you get better. They offer alternative movements that fit your individual needs (bad shoulder, bad knees, etc.) so you can grow and get better despite physical limitations. One big difference that I have experienced is that students also encourage and help each other in the gym and help with accountability. I recently missed a session because I was ill. I had 3 fellow students send me a note to make sure I was ok. It is a great community for personal growth. Check it out!

After trying a ton of fitness options (i.e., hot yoga, barre, pilates, open gyms) I felt really…read morelost about what worked best for my body and also what my actual fitness goals were. I contacted Luis and we were able to setup a meeting that same week at my gym. My first impressions of Luis were that he was extremely friendly, professional and truly cared about all of his clients. At our first meeting he wasted no time in taking an evaluation of my current fitness level and abilities, we discussed any prior injuries I had, what my diet looked like, and what my short- and long-term fitness goals were. Luis was always very attentive to my form and limits, but consistently pushed me to go harder or farther than I did the week before. If I ever had poor form or was struggling, Luis would instantly catch it and show me a modified exercise that would allow me to maximize my workout without compromising my form. His knowledge of fitness exercises is seemingly limitless. It doesn't really matter what your fitness goals are because Luis will work hard to tailor a regimen that fits YOUR needs and goals. Highly, highly recommend Luis!

I have been training with Luis for almost 4 years! He is the best! He customizes a program to…read moreyour needs, and looks at your strengths, weaknesses, as well as creating therapy programs for any injuries you might have! He pushes you to places you have never been physically and mentally! Luis has over 30 years of fitness and strength training experiences, and he also walks the talk as he is in incredible shape! Very strong! Highly recommended!

The gym is gorgeous and Rob is the perfect workout cheerleader. I was never able to stick to an…read moreexercise routine at a gym before because I get easily bored, but Rob keeps my workout varied and fun. You get personalized attention and you have the entire gym to yourself during each workout session. I have a very demanding work schedule too, but Rob always works with me to make sure I get the exercise I need to stay healthy and reduce stress. I should also say that I've always struggled with high cholesterol and my levels went down 15% after 6 months of working out at Body Mechanix. Highly recommend it!

I came here with ClassPass before. The classes are smaller size but the fitness instructor is super…read moreattentive to you and your form, while also pushing you to dig deeper into your strength. I really appreciated all the pointers! The vibe is friendly, yet everyone is there to get down to business which is great!

While at Studio 11, I took the Reggaeton HIIT and Hip-Hop HIIT classes - both were so good and fun!…read moreEach class is only 30 minutes, which appealed to me as someone who is constantly darting from place to place. They are both circuit training kind of classes, and the class sizes range depending on which class you go to. I appreciated that the instructors helped to correct my form and give pointers so I both maximize my workout and prevent injury. I also liked that the classes I went to all had less than 6 people, which may sound scary at first, but it certainly fosters a sense of community among the attendees to cheer each other on and get through the workout together. Whether you're new to working out or a seasoned veteran, I think there's something for everyone here and it is worth your time to take a class and decide that for yourself, but I know that I'll most certainly be back!