I made a commitment to myself for my birthday this year to get in shape. When I considered my…read moreoptions, I decided that having a personal trainer would be the best way to keep me challenged and on track. I had tried a trainer previously when I had a 24 hour fitness gym membership, but honestly I didn't feel comfortable with a guy in his early 20's who was more interested in checking out the bodies of young ladies in the gym than focusing on my fitness. Ugh! I paid for the program and didn't complete it. I then quit my membership all together. Dot has been a completely different experience. She came highly recommended and I knew from the beginning that we'd be a good fit. She's very knowledgeable about fitness, nutrition, flexibility and overall health. She tailors the workouts to the individual and is just the right balance of kicking butt and encouragement that I need. Recently, just as I was starting to feel really fit, I injured myself on the ski slopes. What a bummer! I contacted Dot and she had me come in and work on a modified fitness program so I could stay on track and not feel like I had to put my fitness on hold while I recovered. If you have a goal of getting fit, you should treat yourself to an expert like Dot. I have every confidence that she'll help you get where you want to be. Dot rocks!

I have been attending Dot's Pilates class at the recreation center in Terra Linda for about five…read moreyears. Now, during COVID, I have been participating through Zoom. Dot provides options and levels for each exercise, allowing each person to participate at whatever level works best for them. She has an amazing ability to spot when a student has muscle tightness or back pain and instructs which movements or positions would be most helpful. I notice in myself an improvement in both strength and flexibility. It is exciting to consistently see my abilities improve on familiar movements. Dot is very encouraging and interactive. During the pandemic, attending this familiar class online has been very comforting. Dot has reached out to new students, as well as her devoted "regulars", and made available online multiple types of classes. She has been extremely supportive during this difficult time. I highly recommend checking out her website and her classes.

Sara is excellent at knowing what to do to keep my bones strong. I have neck and back issues and…read moreshe knows how to keep me strong.

I have been training with Sara at Ellis Fitness Studio for a year now, and I truly look forward to…read moreour sessions! I have definitely seen results, including increased muscle tone and feeling stronger in my other activities. And being 61, I feel good that I am taking care of my bones, especially important for women as we get older. Sara makes weight training fun, and we always share a good laugh. She keeps me engaged with a wide variety of exercises and makes adjustments as needed. I'm really glad to have found her!

I did a trial class and it felt way too extreme than I thought I could handle. Then I won a free…read moreunlimited month, so I came back. It was hard and sooo confusing but I started to get into it. I love the burn, pushing myself to do better each week, each class. The entire community is amazing and I love the coaches.

Best gym ever! Classes are 45min and workouts are different…read moreeach day; you can choose to do cardio only, weights only, or hybrid. The coaches are wonderful and really push you to be your best; theyre always there to assist during the workout. The community F45 has is special and something you cant find anywhere else, im so glad f45 came to novato!

I'm rating both The Studio and Tamar, my instructor. The Studio is beautiful and designed so nicely…read morebecause there are several different areas where you can work out, so even at a popular time, it is easy to do your routine and hear your instructor, whether in person or virtually. There are an abundance of reformers (top notch) a couple Cadillacs, chairs, ladders, many rings, rollers, balls, and so much more. If you can't find what you want to use for your workout, you're not trying. Tamar is fantastic! She's innovative, fun, focused, a great communicator, intuitive, has an excellent personality and memory, and while I keep thinking about how her talents are not being used on me because of my age and physical limitations, she never seems like she is thinking that way. She finds new ways to open up tight places and create flexibility that I thought I lost years ago. Her energy and enthusiasm is wonderful because I am excited to keep trying to do more at home even with small movements. I look forward to working there each week. The parking is easy and ingress and egress is a breeze, which is not always true for places in Marin. Everyone is friendly and seems delighted to be there. There is a small shop area with some fun things. I didn't check the prices, but the clothes were casual and nicely organized for quick viewing.

If you're looking to build strength, reduce stress, relieve pain, rehabilitate, and/or feel amazing…read moreafter each pilates session, then book your session with The Studio Marin. I've been a client for years now, and I love my private sessions with Sarah and Bronwen. My daughter has also become a client and loves her sessions as much as I do. There are a talented bunch of pilates instructors at The Studio Marin. They have a reformer room that is spacious, bright, and peaceful; as well as a cadillac room, and a large airy, sunshiny space with several towers and ladder barrels. Not to mention weights, bands, rollers, etc. Parking is also easy and free. I LOVE pilates here and know you will too!

Robin is fantastic! Bottom line: 1. I feel better, healthier…read moreand stronger 2. She works with my schedule and location 3. It's always fresh and different Working out with Robin has been better than I could imagine. It's a full body workout that hits all the right parts. But the best part is how easy it is to integrate into busy lives and schedules. We are working parents with two very young kids and I have to be in the office a majority of the time. Robin works with my schedule and comes to us to workout. She is flexible if it's just me or both of us. No need to block 2 plus hours to travel to and from the gym and workout, it's just pop into the backyard, driveway or whatever. She also creates bespoke workouts based on our level and speed each time. It's been great!

Robin's style is warm and personable. She challenges you to achieve your fitness goals with a…read morebalanced approach, both pushing you to succeed, yet patient with the process. She listens well to your needs and is both educational and supportive. Since starting her program, my muscles have taken shape, my self-esteem is higher and I've never felt better physically than I do now. I believe that Robin's training programs have changed my life completely for the best!

Amie Osborn has changed my life…read more First of all, this woman has the most positive attitude ever... and it is infectious. You cant help but feel that anything is possible, even when you sit in front of her and agree that you will stop eating sugar. I mean seriously, who can stop eating sugar? Well, after being on her program, not only did I learn to eat right for my body type, but I have able to kick the sugar habit. I never thought that it would be so easy to eat totally clean...Amie has helped me find the discipline that I thought I lacked within myself. Amie is knowledgeable, professional, motivational, sweet and just an amazing coach. I have recommended her to my own clients and friends.

Amie is an amazing trainer. I've been working with her for over a year now and really appreciate…read moreher incredibly positive attitude and tenacity. She pushes me hard during workouts and then follows up with me between sessions to ensure I'm making healthy choices. She sends encouraging emails, healthy recipes and is always available for questions and support. I have worked with Amie on my diet and nutrition and found her to be incredibly knowledgeable. She's helped me enormously in refining my diet and empowering me to make better choices. I also really look forward to workouts with her. I'm not someone who naturally loves to exercise, but after a training session with Amie, I feel more energized and inspired to stay active all week. My overall fitness level has definitely improved since I started working with Amie. Amie is the best! I can't recommend her enough.

I can not say enough good things about my experience with Marin Adventure Boot Camp for women and…read morethe trainer/coach Raquel Barrios. Working outside is a great way to start your day. The group of 10- 15 women in the class are very encouraging and supportive. Everyone works at their own pace so you stay challenged and no one is left behind. Not only am I about to sign up for my fourth session but I have lost over 25 lbs and several inches. Most importantly, I feel stronger and have more endurance and energy to get me through my every day life. I have been going to the 5 day a week program but she also offers 3 and 4 day a week packages. There are also 3 different sessions during the day, so you can sign up for one and go to others if your schedule changes. The workout itself varies every single day. Some days are mostly strength and some are mostly cardio, but every day is a mix of both. She has different tools and routes and circuits every single day. you never get bored! Every day includes core training and stretching. We also do an assessment the first and last week of boot camp that illustrates how much stronger and faster we have gotten. When I first started I could barely complete a push up and it took me almost 18 minutes to complete a mile, now I am under 15 and working towards a 10 minute mile!

If you're looking for a program that is going to deliver results then you need to sign up for this…read morebootcamp. Since having a baby in late 2007 I haven't been very active so I really needed something that was going to kick my butt and this was definitely it! The class focuses on cardio, developing strength, endurance and much more. I attended the 3 day a week program and in 4 weeks lost 11% of my body fat. But I have to say that while I was doing this program I also cut out all junk food so it was definitely a combination of working out and eating healthy. I'm signing up again for the next session.

Yelp is asking me what went well?Honestly~Everything at the studio goes well! I have an amazing…read morePilates trainer, usually I get to visit twice a week, 4 to 5 Group classes that work perfectly with my schedule. It's been with me through many sizes, many strengths, and a sliding scale of ability - the birth of a child. This studio has been able to go up and down with me. The pain in my body has dissipated - one session at a time. When this studio first opened, it gave me my life back, at my pace, my ability, my schedule. Cue the Core continues to give me and feed me what is welcomed and what is needed. I fear to share my personal trainers as I really don't wanna share her. But I am willing if you ask me directly. Needless to say, the women at Cue The Core are inclusive, loving and kind. There is someone for everyone. The studio is so amazing. We even have some men. Including my amazing husband. Who joined the studio a year after he saw the gift I was receiving. Thank you, Cue The Core, I love all of you. Thank you for being inclusive.

I have now been practicing pilates for oof 20 years with varying levels of investment and…read moremotivation. I think it's saying a lot that these teachers have kept me engaged and consistently attending for around 5 years. Firstly, I love the community of loyal followers they have amassed and I have best time seeing new faces in the studio as well. It's not like other studios where new people are made to feel like they are walking into a private sorority event. To this point, Cue the Core offers classes that vary in levels of difficult and experience. There are classes For beginners, advanced and everything in between. Importantly, I find I can jump into nearly any class as Karen and Wendy call out modifications for those who need/ want them ( mods that allow people to up the level of most moves). I find this flexibility opens up the availability of classes I can join. It's a welcoming place for people who are curious and want to try it out as well. Admittedly, I'm picky now since I've tried many different styles, different studios, and different teachers. I know what I like. Also My body has changed as I've aged, so my goals around exercise have changed. Karen , Wendy and the teachers they have brought on (shot out to Deborah, Gen and Susan) offer more than 50 minutes of awkwardly messing around on equipment. They each have deep knowledge and extensive training. A little of my journey with Karen and Wendy... When my goal was to work out without losing my pelvic floor, I felt safe with Wendy and Karen...they had my back. When I craved a more toned version of mom bod for summertime, despite back pain from spending 95% of my life picking crap up my kids left on the floor... guess who got me confident in a swimsuit? (Karen and Wendy in case you aren't following). Now, I am maybe the strongest I've been in years and feel good about how I look. My fitness focus is on continuing to grow lean muscle without risking injury. It's nearly full circle - I find myself prioritizing form and breath while maintaining strength and flexibility. Wendy is a master teacher with classical background knowledge and training. I trust her to push me without injuring me. Karen brings athleticism to my practice and even weights (which I would normally balk at). She is also a trained wellness coach who is clearly dedicated to bringing her deep knowledge base in that world to the studio. The studio itself has come a long way and reflects the breadth and depth of Karen and Wendy's interests. I mean, come on... they've got a Cadillac (if you know you know) , can pull out a ladder barrel for privates and have outfitted each reformer with towers!! Don't see that everyday ... and for those who are familiar, these added apparatuses add such diversity of content and muscle/ tendon target to a class. I had never even heard of Fit Springs (think Pilates using springs suspended from ceiling- ish) before they installed a whole room of them. Did I mention their main reformer room set up includes CHAIRS for each reformer?!?? My favorite class is currently a classical class where we move between the reformer, mat and chair. It's advanced and challenging and feels soo good to see not only my own progress but the progress of the women who get the pilates shakes through these classes with me... I mean, bring on Jackknife... Big Twist Teaser?!?? Pshhh been nailing that one for months. Any thing Inversions? Child's play. Ok... I'm mostly joking about feeling like I've mastered these moves... each milestone we reach, master teacher Wendy reminds us there are always ways of advancing most moves and she encourages us from a place of safety and confidence to step out of complacency -as ugly as it looks the first couple times through (we laugh A LOT). It's kind of magical... we shall see if I can pull off the Boomerang with even a modicum of grace by the end of fall. lol. Outside of classes, they've got a spectrum of offerings from speciality, pop up and themed class events ( Bubbles and Bounce- pilates with jump board and sparkling wine?... amazing combo!), to non- class but mind and community building offerings (Book club anyone?? So good!) and inspirational goodies ( the past few weeks have been fun with playful and healthful takes on a summertime favorite ... lemonade). I don't even like lemonade but on my way out of class yesterday, you can bet I happily sipped on the "bright and connected" combo I created from the menu and spread of add-ons (basil, rosemary, juicy strawberries, to name just 3 of about 10 offerings) Karen put out for people to try out.