I was on my way to check out Cole Valley Fitness when I happened upon Midline. I never even made it to CVF. I signed up with Midline the same day. I'm a triathlete and just needed a good gym where I can go and get my workout done with none of that BS you find at the other gyms. It's quiet, intimate, and the owners are dedicated fitnessphiles that are happy to help you. I haven't taken any of the pilates classes or private training yet, so this review is just for the gym and equipment. Plus they are open to suggestions and continue to add to the selection of resources. If you're looking for saunas, steam rooms, eucalyptus scented massage rooms, digital cable ellipticals that do all the cardio for you while you preen in your face full of make-up then look elsewhere. But if you need a no nonsense gym then you've found it. read more

It has taken me a while to write this review - a year. I feel bad writing negative reviews, but I myself find negative reviews helpful when I'm researching something, so just contributing to the community. I did 3 sessions with Jason - Jason is a nice enough guy, but I was testing trainers out - I wasn't ready to commit to him or any trainer yet (I was post surgery/foot injury, and planning to go to a trainer for months, potentially years, so I wanted to do my diligence) - When Jason found out that he wasn't the only trainer I was working with, he got really mad at him. I felt like a child being scolded - I thought this was a terrible way to treat a client, I expected better customer service, especially considering I was paying $100 per session. I ultimately felt too uncomfortable to continue training with Jason after the incident... I mean he made me feel really shitty, as if I had done something awful - BUT when I spoke to other trainers, they thought the response was strange and that it's not uncommon for people to test out more than 1 trainer - Especially considering I had only had a total of 3 sessions with him. I'd likely score my experience here lower than a 3 (I wouldn't go here again - esp now that I've had more experience with trainers, and know what works and doesn't work for me), but I don't want to bring down the gym's average. I just wanted to share my experience in case it was helpful for anyone as they research - when I was first looking for a trainer I was so lost and confused, reviews helped me so much! The good news is - I did find a great trainer, someone who's style worked for me... Jason may be great for someone else, just didn't work for me. read more

I rode my bike past this place several times a week for a year wondering if it was even open before I decided to pop in one day. Am I ever glad I did! Midline is half gym / training center and half Pilates studio. I haven't tried the Pilates, so I can only write about the facility and the training. As is the case with many things, I don't think there is such a thing as the "perfect" personal trainer. It has a lot to do with your individual needs, personality, likes and dislikes. However, having a very qualified trainer greatly increases your chances of their working well for you. Jay Kajdasz (one of the owners) is NOT one of these spandex-clad, musclebound, self-help guru slash sunless tanning models that peddle trendy fitness DVDs on TV. For me, he's just the right mix of what I was looking for in a trainer: 50% nerd -- After all, training is a science. It might be the only thing in your life (unlike jobs or relationships) where what you put into it will yield a predictable result. With just a few minor changes in my diet and exercise routine, Jay helped me see more results in the first four weeks than in my previous year of training in classes or on my own. He also has obviously done his homework to figure out the best plan for my particular sport. 30% dumb jock -- Teaching fitness is also an art. Knowing the textbook techniques will only get you so far if you don't have an idea for what it FEELS like to do each exercise. Sometimes I need to be able to step away from my cerebral, analytical self and connect with the visceral experience. I guess the technical term for this is "kinesthetic intelligence." 20% therapist -- OK, so you're not shelling out the big bucks for a trainer if what you really need is just a gym buddy. And no one said your trainer has to be your best friend. However, many of the obstacles you will encounter when you begin your training program will not be purely physical, but psychological. "Can I run that extra mile?" "What if I look stupid doing this exercise?" "Nothing else worked before, why should this?" These are all things that go through our head and can keep us from reaching our full potential. Knowing that there is a qualified individual in charge of monitoring and shaping your progress helps put your mind at ease so you can focus on the activity at hand. It helps that Jay is just a really nice, likable guy who makes you look forward to your next session. Finally, in terms of the facility -- it is a little deceptive. For one, because of the tint in the windows, it appears to be empty / closed from the outside. But they are indeed open 9-7 during the week and until 2 on Saturdays. Depending on the time of day, you may be the only person working out, which means no lines for equipment, no one staring at your butt while you're on the Stairmaster. Of course, if you're looking for a gym to pick up dates, maybe this isn't the right place (the shower, by the way, is big enough for one). Also, you won't find any fancy machines at Midline. That 12 station Nautilus circuit that any 16 year old working for minimum wage can teach you to use in ten minutes? You won't find it. What you will find is a very thoughtfully arranged studio that contains the essential cardio machines, free weights, and benches, as well as an assortment of yoga mats and balls, resistance bands, sandbags, etc. all tucked neatly away at arm's reach. Everything about this place from the bath towels to the honor-system "lockers" makes you feel like you are at home, not in some cold, antiseptic (or more likely far from it) gymnasium. If you're looking for a place to do some serious training, or if you'd prefer to work out in a smaller, more private setting, I highly recommend Midline Studio. My only regret is that I didn't start sooner! read more

Another overdue review, but since I just ran into Jason on the street it reminded me to sing his praises. I have gone to a few personal trainers in my life and I sought out personal training at midline after I found myself stuck in an exercise rut. After a handful of sessions I found myself in excellent shape, improved my coordination for surfing and found another layer of abs I hadn't seen in a while. If you need a kickstart or are focusing on improving overall health with good technique go see Jay!! read more

I can only say amazing things about the fitness training my wife and I received from Jason at Midline. Caveat: Gyms annoy me - the smell, the vibe, the narcissism. Yet I also realize the need for a fitness regimen to keep the back and body healthy, and that sent my wife and me searching for a personal trainer who could teach us core and strength exercises that we could do at home. Jason made that happen. He is effective, professional, and incredibly knowledgeable about the human body and its fitness. He motivates you in positive and informative way that is the polar opposite of the more typical muscle-head trainers one often finds in more traditional gyms. In just three months, Jason implemented a plan based on our needs and guided us through the techniques. The core and stretching techniques even saved me hundreds of dollars in physical therapy, with methods that healed my left knee after I'd injured it running a marathon. Three months ago I was fearful my running days were over. Thanks to Jason, I'm running strong again. If you are searching for a superb personal trainer or are trying to develop a regimen you can do on your own, I highly highly highly recommend Jason at Midline. read more

Considering that I've been coming to Midline for nearly four years, this review is long overdue. In these past years, I have gotten back into shape after one baby, run a half-marathon, and had another baby, all with top-notch, super-pro support from Mien both in the gym and in the Pilates studio. I have worked with trainers at Pinnacle (way back in the day), The Bay Club, Equinox, and other personal training studios and can confidently say that Mien and her business partner Jay are among the very best. If you're within walking distance of Midline, call them and make an appointment to try it out. If you're not in the neighborhood, call anyway because they are close to several MUNI lines and across the street from the Kezar parking lot! Easy. Awesome. read more

I'm addicted to Pilates which I started 10 years ago with Mien before she moved her "practice" to Midline. I have taken classes from other coaches and never felt quite as though I was getting what I needed out of a session with them. Mien has two kids. Adorable little boys. When she went on maternity leave the first time I was confident from previous experiences that I couldn't just go somewhere else for three Pilates sessions a week, so I spent the few weeks doing fitness training with Jay, Mien's business partner. I found him to be engaging, caring, a good communicator and able to take into account all the little quirks my body has developed over the decades. I would leave my sessions with Jay satisfied that I'd spent a productive hour. Just before Mien's hiatus for her second child, Midline added another Pilates trainer to the team. They'd been looking for the right person for quite some time. Deborah and I found a time slot that worked for both of us and I gave up a session with Jay to work with Deborah. She is very professional, with a great sense of humor, well organized, communicates well, respects me as someone who has been doing Pilates for a long time but without making assumptions about what I can or cant do. We went through my overall body condition before starting so she could attune the session to my needs. Long story short, I've been working with Deborah one day a week since then and we've all agreed that I will see Mien two days a week and Deborah one day after Mien returns. They have slightly different approaches - some exercises I do with Deborah feel mostly familiar and others I'm still getting attuned to, but it's a good challenge and will provide variety to keep me focused. read more

Just a quick update to my previous review... I've been training with Jay for a while and found strength, conditioning and a more "balanced" body than ever before. Last year I got a stress fracture in a foot bone from tennis. Jay gave me lots of instruction and coaching and recommendations and I sort of listened to him. After delaying and delaying, with continued pain I finally went to one of the top sports medicine docs in the Bay Area and he diagnosed the fracture. After 6 weeks of non weight-bearing, I went to physical therapy (who happens to be this doc's top PT recommendation). The physical therapist evaluated me (both physically and where my mind is around healing and goals) and noticed that I kept mentioning all the things (mental and physical) Jay had been telling me and exercises he had been giving me while recovering. Finally he said, "With that trainer, why do you need to come to me?!" Fair enough, Jay is not a certified physical therapist. But his 15+ years of study and use of evidence-based research, inherent fascination and study of metabolism, nutrition, body mechanics, sports medicine and psychology, personal experience of participating in sports at demanding levels, experiencing injury and recovery, work with adolescents and elderly and his positive, hard-working, supportive nature, make him an outstanding go-to provider for strength, conditioning and recovery from injury! If you're trying to prevent injuries from sports or outdoor activities, or if you're trying to recover from an injury, start early with Jay for your best recovery nutrition recommendations, exercises, and overall mental perspective. Thanks, Jay! read more

I have been going to Midline for over two years now. Jason is super welcoming and the gym has everything you need. It's a true Cole Valley gem. I had surgery last fall, and being able to come down to Midline to ride the stationary bike and stretch made my rehab so much better. Also, Jason and his wife are super active in the community-- this is a great place to come and hear about upcoming events (like the Cole Valley Fair, which they helped sponsor and organize). Grateful to have found Midline! read more

My girlfriend and I decided 2013 was going to be the healthy year -- "Healthy 2013!" We made some progress over the first half of the year but weren't that much closer to our fitness goals, so she decided to use a lifeline and sign us up for training sessions at the friendly neighborhood gym. We started training at Midline a couple months ago, and I'm happy to report I've made a lot of progress since then and am closing in on my weight goal for the year. Jay is enthusiastic and perceptive, and is always keeping an eye open for ways to target your specific needs. In my case I wanted to lose a gut I'd developed after a 2 week long gastronomically-oriented vacation in Japan, and I also wanted to put on a few pounds of muscle. Beyond that, I wanted to develop agility and energy to maintain a "childhood" sense of freedom in moving around and higher energy levels during the workday. Jay started us out on a challenging regimen of core-strength exercises. I gathered that the core is the basis against which all other exercises are structured, and so we developed that into the routine first. In subsequent sessions we developed more targeted exercises, including "static" and "dynamic" variations. Jay also gave me some good pointers on avoiding injury while using certain machines, which I've had a tendency to do in the past. All in all, this has been a great learning experience, and I feel like the workout routine I've developed will be the one I sustain for many years to come. The gym itself is clean, and the equipment looks new and well-maintained. It is a bit on the smaller side but seems to have all the bare essentials in terms of equipment and accessories. The place is open every day so if you want to make a health transformation and are looking for the right catalyst, I'd definitely recommend checking this place out. read more

The owners--Jay and Mien--are two of the most talented, knowledgeable, and passionate physical trainers out there. They started working together 12 years ago as trainers at a local gym and had the determination and passion for their craft to start their own business by opening MidLine. It is an authentic, well-designed, inspiring atmosphere focused on really building the best training regimen for your physical/athletic ability. Mien is a specialist at Pliates, pre-and-post natal training, and strength training. I worked with her 11 years ago when I had my daughter at age 40. I gained 80 pounds during my pregnancy (yes, I looked like a house!). I worked with Mien immediately after and was back to my normal weight in six months! She is an artist at her craft. I now do strength training with Jay, who is an exceptionally knowledgeable and dedicated trainer. And, if you are looking for another great workout, go across the street to Lavation (Jay and Mien's other gym) and take a HIIT class. This class rocks my world and I thought I would hate it. Jay and Mien are masters at their craft without all the glitz and glamour of the disco-like atmosphere of the many gyms that are trying to one-up everyone to wooo members. Get out there and go join MidLine and Lavation. I did and am in better shape than ever! read more

I've been going to gyms for more years than most of you have been alive AND I don't make a habit of writing reviews, good bad or indifferent. So.... Of all the gyms over the years, going to Midline is the first time that I am willing to go enough to be called "a regular". It's small enough to make me feel welcome and professional enough to keep me focused on my workout. There's no question, Mien is the Pilates maven...she has abundant qualifications and certificates so she can help with any body mechanics problems. And she'll take you through a strength training session that your body will remember for days! Jay is also great. Not only does he do excellent training, any questions related to health, diet, body mechanics and he'll sort it out with you. Overall, I find the pair of them offer a great mix of skills and have the right positive attitude that works for me and for anyone that wants to have a truly respectful and focused workout plan. It doesn't hurt that the studio is across the street from Kesar. Jay has been spotted taking some of his clients over there for a little cardio...not me. But for the more vigorous souls! One last reason why I like Midline...It's owners are the ones working with you so they have every reason to care about your experience and want you actually enjoy your fitness program. That's a rare find these days. read more

I have just moved to San Francisco from France about 5 months ago and I wanted to make sure I was not loosing the habit of exercising twice a week. While I was more into cardio (and I have signed up with Lavation, Midline's partner company around the corner, where I do cycling once a week), I was keen to discover something new and I have been curious about Pilates for some time. After meeting with Mien and explaining my objectives, she recommended I do 3 to 4 individual sessions before I join one of the regular classes. She was amazingly patient and a great teacher with me; she really took the time to explain to me the different postures and how to get the most benefit out of them; I quickly moved on to the regular class and I still appreciate the special attention Mien pays to me to ensure I do understand her instructions (I am not a native English speaker) and she comes gently to correct me if needed. The group sessions have just the right size to be "large" enough to get some energy from the other participants and small enough to have a special attention and ensure you are doing the right movement. During Mien's maternity leave, Deborah took over and she has been great to work with; she actually happens to have French origins so we actually started to speak French which actually has helped me with some movements ;-). She has a great sense of humor and is really fun to work with and I feel that she does pushes me to go beyond the skills that I have just recently acquired. I do find their teaching style and approach very complementary and they are both just lovely people so it makes the whole experience really something special. Looking forward to continuing to pursue my new Pilates discovery and I already feel the effect on my body and more generally on my wellbeing Caroline read more

Jay's focus on fine body mechanics is a rare find. I began working with Jay as part of my rehab from debilitating back injury. While my previous PT focused only on 'gross' muscle recovery, Jay focused on 'finer' muscle strengthening with attention to detailed body mechanics and correcting long standing weakness and imbalances. With progress well underway, Jay then pushed (me) into heavier weight training, advancing well beyond mere rehab. And, he's just a great guy and easy to work with. read more