I've taken cardio-kickboxing and yoga classes with Minorsan. More recently, my daughters (age 12 &…read more17) took the Teen Self Defense Workshop. They learned valuable information and skills to practice in order to keep safe, have situational awareness and protect themselves. Ms. Clara helps the girls feel more self-confidence, how to prepare & respond to physical attacks and even bullies at school. I love the positivity and support Ms Clara contributes to her students as well as the Santa Cruz community. She has been an inspiration in my health and fitness journey, as well as Fempowerment!

I started with Minorsan last June with my teen kid and we've been going twice a week except for…read morewhen we've been sick or out of town. (and we are both bummed about it!) With the New Year, we will be adding on the self defense class that we are very excited for. Clara and Team are amazingly supportive for me - early 50s and overweight still from the pandemic lifestyle - and my teen. And then there is the amazing community of everyone else in the class!

Let's face it, my favorite hobby is eating. My sweetheart fell in love with me a little more…read morebecause his best girl is a good eater. As I have gotten older, my gluttony started to catch up with me. I have had to incorporate more exercise (along with a little more restraint) into my life. Enter Energetix Fitness. Energetix Fitness is an outdoor circuit training class (but in my head I like to think it's like boot camp). Kathy (instructor/cheerleader) meets her students in pre-determined beautiful outdoor locations in and around Santa Cruz. You run your keister off for 3+ miles stopping periodically to work your abs, arms, and legs. While we don't run super fast, it's faster than my normal ho-hum 1/2-hour jog while listening to a podcast of "This American Life". I am personally bound to run a little faster a) so I don't get left behind (not really going to happen) and b) because there are people behind me and I occasionally feel like I am being chased (what's a better motivator than that?). On a cheesy and real note: It is frigging empowering to be out there working out and workin' it with a group of (mostly) women. Having been bit by a dog and intimidated by creepy folks out on the trails, the feeling of safety makes this so worth it.

Kathy's class is amazing. Great all around fitness. Kathy knows how to add variety to keep the…read moreworkouts interesting, and is always focused on form. Fun group!

I was at Paradigm this morning, as I have been every Monday…read moremorning for the last 13+ months, and I found myself reading a flyer on the wall. I couldn't help but notice the tagline under the logo: "Train like it matters." Maybe I've seen it before, maybe I haven't. But today, I did more than notice it. I felt it. Over the past year, I've been training on the sidelines of the 6am group classes and the 7am small group classes, and I've watched an entire ecosystem unfold. One full of camaraderie, support, friendship, encouragement -- and most importantly -- community. I do not take reviewing gyms, fitness centers, or instructors lightly. Fitness is a lifestyle that requires consistency, dedication, and follow through. Not because you have to. But because you want to. What does that really mean? It means you need to show up. Not once. Not twice. Regularly. And that's it. That's the recipe for success. Just show up. On a regular basis. And the rest will naturally unfold. But do you know what's even better? Is that Paradigm has created the exact community that allows you to not only show up. But to thrive. What Joey Wolfe has built at Paradigm is unparalleled. The workouts are carefully crafted, challenging, and engaging. Each one supports working within your own personal limits, yet they're also facilitated with energy, encouragement, connection, and often times, team work. The clients range from newbies to regulars to pros, and everyone is greeted, welcomed, encouraged, and supported. And my favorite part? You can show up as you are, who you are, at the fitness level that you are, and the energy in the room makes you want to be better, want to try harder, want to push for more, and want to show up tomorrow. And the next day. And the day after that. And once you feel that push, once you feel that drive, once you cross over to want more, you'll not only understand the tagline "train like it matters;" you'll become it. So, why have I been on the sidelines? Because I work one-on-one with the Training Manager, Jeff Siragusa, who I hired to help me achieve my own personal aesthetic and fitness goals. For the last 1+ year, he has trained me in person 2x a week, plus writes me a separate training program to lift an three additional days a week on my own, and the growth I've seen in my personal and professional development from his coaching is unsurpassed. I could author an entire book about my coaching experience with Jeff and the confidence it has given me in every facet of my life, but alas, I will focus back on the community at Paradigm. So even though I've been on the sidelines lifting really heavy $h!t with Jeff, I've also incorporated my way into the community within Paradigm classes; meeting new people, creating new connections, and cheering people on -- especially women who nailed their first pull up, then their second, then their third -- and knowing that's just the start. Because if you're among the right people, in the right, supportive place, then the sky's the limit. And Paradigm is exactly where that sky begins.

If you want personal attention, caring and skilled coaches, this is your place. I've been going…read morehere for over four years and I'm now in better shape than I've been in many years ... more energy, fewer aches and pains, and as strong as I was in high school (and I'm now 73). The staff is friendly and well-informed and the clientele ranges from pro athletes to absolute beginners, everybody is accepted, no snotty gym rats here!

Everyone is so friendly and thoughtful. They keep the gym clean and care about the members. I…read moreespecially love the lifting room they added. The trainers are amazing and the classes are awesome!! Parking can be difficult. But if you come a few minutes early you will find a spot, no problem.

I'm so glad I joined this gym. The staff are all super kind and helpful. The classes offer a…read morevariety of times and types of workouts. The trainers are motivating and friendly. The environment is very chill and I feel like the price I pay is a huge deal considering I can go to an instructed class, private sauna, or use the hot worx box on my own time. I previously went to a local gym that was more expensive and I think Toadal has more to offer and is cleaner. Thanks Toadal crew I appreciate you all !

OTF is the absolute best in every way possible !!!!…read more From the knowledgeable and high quality coaches... To the friendly and welcoming staff ...to the close knit community amongst all members... And! Not to mention the most efficient and FUN 60 minute total body workout is the cherry on top! ...happiest part of my every day ! :)) OTF is a boutique high intensity interval training dream! Come and join the OTF fam ! Five stars easy !

Best strength and conditioning program with the most elite coaches around. The front desk staff is…read moreso friendly and fun.

Rocky is my spouse's trainer and it has been amazing to see how far she has come with her fitness…read moreand overall health. I'm an avid cyclist and runner, and recently scheduled a session with Rocky to help me craft a strength and flexibility program at the gym to augment my cycling and running. Rocky excels at listening to your health and fitness goals, and working with you to structure workouts to make you more fit and healthy. Like any good trainer, Rocky encourages you to do more than you would on your own. Worth every penny!

Rocky is an amazing trainer and coach! Her workouts are carefully customized and thorough. She…read moreprovides detailed feedback on your workouts and nutrition and gives encouragement and motivation between sessions. Working with Rocky really helped me get back into exercise and lose weight. Her workouts are fun and challenging but keep your back and joints safe.

This is my first "bootcamp" workout experience and am very impressed with Optimal Health and…read moreFitness. I dislike the gym atmosphere and love to be outdoors, so this seemed perfect for me. It has exceeded my expectations and I can't imagine not having these classes be a part of my daily routine. The locations they use are inspiring and diverse. They change each week Seabright, Natural Bridges, Westcliff, Pogonip, Wilder, Fredrick Park, DeLa Vega, Capitola, etc. There is a variety of natural elements that are incorporated into the workouts which keeps things interesting. The workouts become more challenging each week and include cardio, core, strength, and stretch. It's a total body workout and the trainers are focused and creative and they always bring a little something new and different to their sessions. They always provide modifications if necessary and the atmosphere is fun and non-competitive and more about exceeding your own previous limitations. OHF also does a very good job communicating via email and providing opportunities to make up a session if you have a conflict. The prices are very reasonable and the value is outstanding.

I started training with OHF late this spring. I couldn't be happier with the classes. You simply…read morecannot get as good a workout on your own as you can with this boot camp style program. The teachers push you that extra bit harder than you could on your own and the exercises work your entire body - such a good feeling!! Plus, seeing the sunrise at seabright, running hills in soquel, or starting your weekend at Frederick street park...it's like a mini tour of our area combined with a great workout and fun people. highly recommended.

This place is great! I have been waitlisted for a physical…read moretherapist for two years now, but my boyfriend found this place so I went. It was great, I got the work I needed and was given more exercises to do on my own. This past month, I walked ten thousand steps four times! I haven't been able to do that since I was 14.

Becoming a part of RFC has proven to be the best choice for both my well-being and fitness journey…read more It transformed my approach from sporadic gym visits and uncertainty about workouts to establishing a health-focused lifestyle, pushing me to achieve new milestones every month. The supportive trainers and motivating community make every morning workout something I really look forward to. Thanks RFC!