DiamondHeart is one of the most comprehensive martial arts & fitness gyms that I've ever attended…read more Not only do they have competition-level Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu programs, they also offer an entire range of physical culture classes (e.g. yoga, HIIT, kettlebells) and an extensive strength training room to round out your development as an athlete. Their coaches are truly world-class and have a wealth of knowledge and experience to impart; whether you're looking to fight or just get fit, the team at DiamondHeart will get you there!

If you're looking for a gym that practices diversity & inclusion, this is your spot. I've been to…read moreother gyms in lower Manhattan and Williamsburg/Bushwick, and what stands out here is that this place feels like a community as soon as you walk in. All the coaches are knowledgeable, talented, and respectful - but I need to shout out a few wonderful humans in particular (the ones I've taken the most consistent classes with). Hannah - kettlebell MASTER. Makes classes fun, functional, approachable, and just the right amount of hard. I've seen my upper body strength improve greatly and learned a ton of cool moves with kettlebells I wouldn't ever have expected. Xtina - remarkably kind and encouraging. Creates a fun and challenging HIIT class that's never boring and is always a full body workout (plus fun playlists). Plus, the coaches for all athletic/strength training coordinate classes to rotate the focus each month so 1. You can see progress and 2. You have something new to look forward to each month. Bri - creates such a warm atmosphere with a focus on wellness and athleticism in creative ways. Has an eye for detail that makes the most basic of moves more challenging in the best way possible. Nhi - a Muay Thai powerhouse who coaches both coed and women/nonbinary classes. I appreciate Nhi's encouraging approach and ability to point out small improvements in technique that make a big difference. This gym and its people are awesome, and if you needed more reason: some of the coaches and more longtime members bring their pups to the gym. So yeah, it's great.

Rancid vibes. Dirt and roaches everywhere. owner could really do something with the place but…read moreinstead loves to lecture and scream at the members mid workout. It's impressive there are any left at all.

I had my initial training session with Hans on Wednesday night and I woke up this morning barely…read moreable to sit up in bed. I had a huge smile on my face though because FOR ONCE, it wasn't from back pain!! My abs were on fire from AN AMAZING WORKOUT!!!! I found Global Strongman Gym on my hunt to find that "thing" that re-ignites my passion for working out. In the first few minutes of being there, I honestly wasn't sure that it was the place for me. As comfortable as I am in weight rooms, they are still usually weight rooms in swanky Manhattan gyms. This is not that. There was definitely equipment there that I had never seen before and I was definitely intimidated. Within 30 seconds of working with Hans, my opinion totally changed. This guy is incredible. He had me stretched and snapped and cracked to painful perfection and my (historically horrible) back hasn't felt that good in years! He showed me how one of my legs was two inches shorter than the other one due to tightness, and then did this crazy psoas release to correct it. WHAT?! I was so impressed and 100% confident that I was in skilled, capable hands. Hans was super direct and extremely supportive during the workout. He immediately corrected my form every time I slacked, and ran me through how I should approach my diet going forward. I lifted heavy things (for me anyway) and.... my absolute favorite.... I got to flip that huge tire all the way up and down the gym. I could do that all day and be perfectly happy. If you are a novice to the strongman world, like me, you will definitely want to start with a solid pack of individual training sessions so Hans can help you build the skills and confidence to navigate the gym solo. I hope to be back soon to start my strongman journey!

Rich is the best! I was working out loads on my own for my upcoming wedding but wasn't seeing…read moreresults. I went to him 3 months before my wedding and lost 10 pounds as well getting a whole lot more toned! He also tracks your eating habits and the accountability factor really helped me to change how I ate. Knowing I had training on Saturday mornings also motivated me to eat foods that would help me get through those jump squats! He keeps the workouts varied and I never felt bored. He's also great to chat with & very knowledgeable!

I can't say enough good things about RJ. I came to him two years postpartum and having never done…read moreany real strength training before. After several months of working out with him, I'm stronger than I've ever been in my adult life, and back to my pre-baby size. I always look forward to our workouts. They are varied and challenging and he is so encouraging and easy to talk to. He can also provide nutritional guidance if you need any. He is a super intelligent, kind, talented person, and you would be lucky to workout with him.

What makes Variant Fitness so special is that as soon as you begin the workout, it's on. For those…read more30-60 minutes, you will be moving, sweating, moving some more, sweating some more, you get the picture. Mike is one of the most strategic technical trainers that I have ever met! In high school psychology, I learned about gestalt or something that is more than the sum of its parts. Gestalt totally describes Mike's workout strategy. Depending on the workout that you are doing i.e. 4x4 beginning, 4x4 intermediate, the gauntlet, you will do 4-5 rounds. In each round, you will do 2 sets of each exercise and within each set, you will do anywhere from 5 to 30+ reps. In the beginning of each round when Mike first explains each exercise, nothing looks or sounds too crazy, but put together, oh baby, you feel the burn and that round somehow becomes more challenging than you thought it would be. Despite that challenge and the fatigue that you will definitely encounter, Mike makes the whole experience positive and always is watching your form. The most challenging part of the workout is remembering the exercises and number of reps for each exercise for each round and then keeping track of how many reps you have done. Only recommendation I would add is perhaps getting dry erase markers and writing out the exercises on the mirror and the number of reps for that round. Major bonus points to Mike for always remembering clients' names!

My fiancée has been working with Mike for many years and always sung his praises and tried to get…read moreme to join.... But I'm pretty stubborn sometimes. Now, though, that the wedding is in sight and I don't really want to have to wear the largest available suit size - I decided it was time to listen to her and join them for a session. I have to say that Mike met and exceeded all expectations. I have had trainers before with mixed results (see above) - but I know I'll be working with Mike up to the wedding and beyond. After only a couple sessions he quickly learned how to read me and get the most out of me. He seems to know when to stay quiet and let me fight through it or when to really encourage me to keep going. My strength and range of motion has increased dramatically and am already down a belt hole or two.... As a guy - Mike makes it very comfortable vs other way too macho guys I've had as trainers. He can talk football one minute and the next best restaurant the next ... So yeah - sign up now!

I dropped in for Murph, my one annual CrossFit workout (after many years of being a devoted…read moreCrossFit athlete). Super impressed by the facilities and staff. CrossFit Virtuosity is hands down the cleanest and most amenity-rich box I've ever experienced. As far as the workout, instructions were detailed and clear but not exhausting and redundant. The gym is also conveniently located adjacent to McCarren park, so we ran our two miles around the track, which was awesome. I enjoyed my experience so much that I may actually consider starting CrossFit again. Thanks again CrossFit Virtuosity for a wonderful Murph workout.

Stopped by to inquire about personal training only to stand around waiting to speak to someone…read more When I finally spoke to a staff member, I experienced ageism (he suggested that I work with trainer who works with older women) and was informed that he was too busy working with a client to provide further details (asked me to follow up with an email). This place is clearly not as inclusive as they purport to be. Got the message that they don't want my money and are not interested in working with anyone over 30, regardless of fitness level. They seem short staffed and not much interested in expanding their existing clientele. If you don't mind waiting and being judged without even discussing your actual fitness level, then check them out. Otherwise, caveat emptor/buyer beware.

My fiancée and I participated in the Movement 101 class and had an absolute amazing time: as a…read morecouple who have sustained sports injuries and are constantly hunched over a keyboard for work, it felt great to challenge ourselves with functional movements that go beyond the traditional yoga or CrossFit class. In lieu of the standard "fitness class", Movement Brooklyn focuses on incorporating movements from a variety of disciplines to help folks more efficiently and without pain. We can't wait to incorporate more movement classes into our workout routine! Kyle and Alexa have systemized their approach to teaching proper movement; the cross functional aspect of the curriculum makes every class unique yet applicable to one another. The best part about the classes is that anyone can join and you don't have to be a fitness guru to have an awesome time. If you're looking to feel better physically and mentally, I highly recommend trying Movement Brooklyn!

By far the most talented movement people in NYC. Kyle, the owner/teacher is an incredible guy…read more Highly recommended for those looking for a challenge beyond crossfit and all the other structured workout systems available today. They are on it!

BBB is a great workout! Perfect level of intensity. Coach Jorge brings great energy and pushes…read moreeveryone to work harder and challenge themselves. Would recommend!

Popped into this place a few times while in town for work. The workouts were good, although not as…read moreintense as I'm used to. The instructors I was able to take from were knowledgeable, but I wish they had some additional advance movements for lifters that aren't beginner. The front desk staff was also nice and the facility and equipment was clean.

J.R. commands a fatherly presence for the teens of the neighborhood. He's a native Brooklynite…read morewho's traveled the world as a professional fighter, winning all kinds of awards over the years. Definitely ask him about his travels if you get the chance, he has such a storied life. He opened this sleek, clean, efficient studio in his home neighborhood welcoming families, teens, and anyone who wants to learn to box and fight like a pro. I learned about this place via ClassPass, and little did I know this was not going to be the typical boutique fitness studio class. At first J.R. has a militant style of leading a workout class, reprimanding those who show up late and leading repetitive drills like many sets of sit ups and squats. Once you get to the last portion of class and you box 1:1 with him, it's really evident how much he cares about each individual's growth. He patiently guides newbies and veterans alike on how to execute cross and jab combinations, and applauds you when you get them right. Teens dropped by all throughout the session to hang out. J.R. later explained to me the gym acts as a community center for young people in the neighborhood to go after school or throughout the day if they're out of school. Teens get a discounted membership. It's truly a gym that is welcome to all. J.R. has a very big heart and told me I had great potential to be a serious fighter which is enough to make me a cheerleader of his. He also has these two enormous German shepherds he walks all around the neighborhood with which just makes him such a character and that much more likeable.

Clean family business welcoming all ages. Through boxing, strength and conditioning, founder J.R…read more and his son Buck help anyone willing to work hard get leaner, faster, and/or stronger. Classes are small, so it is more like personal training than group exercise. Bathrooms are clean with nice showers. Their motto is: You Sweat, You Get. Hard work pays off, regardless of the age or shape you are in when you join. They have clients from kindergarten through retirement age and treat members like family, creating a respectful culture through two simple rules: 1. Work hard. 2. Don't be a dick.