I have been an SOSer for 5 years now. Which makes it shocking that I'm just now getting around to writing review, especially since I'm such a mega-fan! I first heard about SOS from a few folks when I worked at L Brands. They had a few loyal customers with whom I worked. To be honest, I was a little intimidated when I'd see these folks post about their workouts on social media. I had thought about trying it circa 2017, but was too intimidated (my loss!). But in 2019, I ended up with a stress fracture while marathon training. I was able to barely finish my training for the NYC Marathon, which I did successfully complete in November 2019. But at that point, it was evident that I couldn't just keep running marathons without incorporating strength training into my routine. So in Christmas Week 2019, I started with the 7 class starter pack just to try it out. My first class was The Course with Kelsey. I felt comfortable because I knew Kelsey from work and luckily a few other co-workers happened to be in the class as well. I still remember during the warm up, I was thinking "dang this is tough!" And Kelsey even said "Much different than running a marathon, right Chelsea?!" She couldn't have been more spot on! I ended up feeling like the class was super tough but I was paired up with a coworker who was so supportive and kind (thank you, Shideh, if you're reading this!). By the time my 7 class pass was up, I was hooked and became a monthly member. I even joined Team Tread (their half & full marathon training program) in January to start training for the Nashville Half in April 2020. Unfortunately for me, my SOS morning routines were abruptly halted in March 2020. But luckily, my team tread registration got me into the "digital studio" which I had no idea what it was at the time. I very quickly uncovered that it's all the same studio instructors and they have recorded classes with new uploads almost daily as well as a huge library of online classes (which as you can imagine has only grown in the past 5 years). I did what everyone else was doing and immediately ordered as many dumbbells, resistance bands, and other equipment to build up a "home SOS studio" and my equipment has been growing ever since. I moved to Arizona in summer 2021, and have continued to be a dedicated Digital Studio user and advocate. Whenever I come home to Ohio (whether Cbus or Cincy), I get giddy at the thought of going to classes in person and it's a treat to choose which classes I'll take and with which instructors. I got married in June 2024 and I purchased the "Badass Bride" classes on the Digital Studio. As I was taking them and leaving comments the owner, Gretchen, messaged me and said she wanted to send me an SOS wedding gift. You'd never believe how touched I was to see a SOS tank, hoodie, sweat towel and t-shirt show up the week of my wedding. I'm still so honored by these thoughtful gifts. Someone I've never even met in person (which is hard to believe given how obsessed I am with SOS lol!) went out of their way to make my wedding week all the more special. I can honestly say SOS Digital Studio has helped me get in the best shape of my life. I feel like I personally know all of the trainers (I don't have social media anymore, but when I did, I followed all of them, so again, felt like I kew them personally). When I was in Hawaii for my wedding, SO many people were asking me about my arms and complimenting me. I kept trying to tell them about the DS and how special SOS is. I will always be a dedicated and loyal fan. It's become such a part of my routine that I'm on Christas Break now with my husband in Kansas (where he's from) and I've brought my ankle weights, light weights and loop bands just so I can get some classes in. Thank you, Gretchen and team for helping me be the best version of myself every day! Can't imagine what I'd do without the DS and my SOS training crew! (Only word of advice to newbies- the System DOES work! Don't skip out on any classes. As you can imagine, being a marathon runner, I favored all of the cardio classes. But it wasn't until I really started incorporating High & Tight as I prepared for my wedding that I noticed the chiseled arms that I'd always wanted. It's a well-rounded program that works wonders as long as you incorporate ALL of the classes). read more

As with Jamie who also posted a three star, I felt this atmosphere in the Clintonville SOS was conducive to competent, enthusiastic instruction and surprisingly unpretentious clientele. It simply is not gauged to my fitness goals and metabolic profile. I am interested in maintaining muscle and bone mass and keeping my weight on an even keel. This system does neither. It is all about tone and high-rep, intense cardio and light weights. Classes are often so overbooked I was not even able to schedule the "Ebb and Flow" to check it out on an introductory package. It seems designed almost purely for late 20's 30's and early 40's professionals. The intensity increased my hunger and had me gaining significant weight in a fairly short time. SOS needs to do a profile on people's fitness goals and be real about it. There is almost no help on that as in a regular gym. Summarized, I would call it well-run but too narrow for a wide swathe of people. It's expensive too. I only pay 30 dollars for the locally owned Columbus Sports Connection a mile away and they have yoga, fitness, and indoor bike classes that don't fill up. I am glad I tried SOS but it has proven itself incompatible with my fitness goals. read more

I feel like I can give my full recap now that I've finished my two week trail. A coworker and I decided to do the 2 week new member special. I really enjoyed all the different workouts. My favorite was heated Eb & Flo (hot yoga) and control (Weight focus). The workouts were all very challenging and worked different muscle groups than what I am used to working! There are no treadmills so all cardio is interval based at your mat. I gave it a 4 star because the parking situation is not ideal (small lot then street parking down and around the side streets) also I feel the studio isn't the cleanest. At least the borrower equipment (mats, weights etc) however, this studio definitely gives you a good workout!! read more

System of Strength - Cluster of a lot - Interval Training Gyms Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

System of Strength is fitness studio specializing primarily in strength training. They also have HIIT, yoga, and recovery classes. I took Control - a class of heavy weights and compound movements. My mistake was attending this class the first week of the new year. They have numbers marked on the ground for people to put their yoga mats (and to maximize the amount of people per class). It went up to 43. Let me paint you a picture: 43 people sweating it out over hip hop music and an over enthusiastic trainer I could barely see among the sea of people flapping in front of me. What was worse was the smell. When you pack 43 people in a class together WITHOUT ventilation or fans or any airflow at all, it doesn't smell nice. At all. Halfway through the class I noticed that the windows fogged up from... the sweat and vapors released from everybody's bodies. Now every time I contemplate whether or not to attend a SOS fitness class, I think of those foggy windows and that urge disappears. Some other things of note: - The trainer provides modifications for each move, which I appreciated. There's a Goldilocks level for beginners and regulars alike. - I saw plenty of people performing the moves with heavy weights and poor form. The trainer made no attempt to correct them. This will definitely lead to a high chance of injury for newcomers. - The Control class I took didn't isolate and focus on a specific body part, but had a combination of upper and lower body moves. We did 4 sets of moves, each set varying from 45 seconds to 60 seconds. The moves consisted of squats, lunges, shoulder presses, bicep curls, push ups, etc. No abdominal work, though. I'm sure all the other classes SOS provides are similarly structured. All in all, System of Strength is undoubtedly a popular fitness boutique. If they can fix the cleanliness and instructor issues, I'm sure SOS can become even more successful. read more

So you want a great workout? Ready for an ass kicking? SOS is where you need to go! I haven't been so sore in years. I started going with the 7 class trial for $40, which I would recommend to get a feel for it. The Clintonville location has a large front studio and a smaller back hot studio. The app is very informative about class types, but my personal favorite is the high and tight. It's a bit like hot Pilates with props. Another great class is In the mix- cardio and weights. Pro tip- HYDRATE and take some type of electrolyte if you don't want to get light headed. I am going to contribute going here a couple of times a week. Keep in mind the cancellation policy is strict, no exceptions with 12 hours in advance. The system works! read more

System of Strength - Interval Training Gyms Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

New location, same challenging AF classes. My "favorite" classes at SOS are heated high & tight, control, and in the mix. I don't think favorite is the right word because these classes are so challenging I don't necessarily enjoy them at the time... but afterwards I always feel so accomplished and leave having had a good work out and am definitely sore! The instructors are motivating and will push you to your limits! Parking isn't the best, even when there's just one class going on, I've had to park in a nearby neighborhood. The AM classes seem to book faster and are fuller than evening classes. I have yet to try heated high & tight here at this location - the heated classes take place in the back room. I will continue to come to the yoga classes here, but the one that I did attend a few weeks ago I was in the back corner of the room near the back exit and it never really got warm. Notably, it was December and freezing outside. Honestly, the key is to get to classes EARLY so you can get a spot and get set up with weights/blocks/etc. depending on what class you're taking. Bring a mat (or borrow one there), and more importantly bring a towel and bring water because you're going to need it!!!! read more

Honestly I was afraid to try SOS but finally a friend convinced me to go. No need to be intimidated--these workouts are hard but they offer modifications for all levels. I did the two week trial and was hooked. If you want results, give it a try. The heated high and tight is my favorite! read more

A year later, and I still love this place! The classes keep you on your toes and push you to your limits! I always look forward to my workout classes here! read more

Hands down one of, if not the, best fitness studio in Columbus. All of the classes are super challenging, but can be modified for your fitness level. Instructors are all very motivating. Music selection fab. read more

Went today for my first class. A real great experience. Gabe. What a babe. Hubba hubba. Awoooooooga. Nice workout. My butt will be sore. read more