Best investment I've made in myself all year. I joined before my wedding in order to tone up my arms and back for my strapless dress. What I found was so much more than I could ask for. These guys motivate me to keep coming back and sweating it out! My previous gym was one of those spa-like places with fancy beverages in the cooler but no real culture. The team here brings the edge to your workouts: motivation, fun, and tough as nails! To all the brides out there: if you want to be a knockout in your gown go visit these guys. They'll let you be a girl and whine/complain and then make you push even harder! You'll leave feeling addicted to the way these workouts make you feel, and coming back for more even after the honeymoon is over. read more

I was never an active person - never participated in organized sports, lacked hand/eye coordination and hate every form of exercise - even hated gym class in high school. So it's not hard to believe that I really hate working out. I belonged to a big gym in Herndon for years and very seldom went - It is not that I did not have the time - it is just that I was not motivated to go. Even with my waist size keeping up with my age (40) I was not motivated to go. After my latest physical - the DR told me I did not have a choice and that I had to start exercising. So I started back at the gym I had been paying for for years but never going to. I was going every day for 1 hour a day doing cardio on the elliptical or tread mills. After a month of going, I was board to death and made very little progress on loosing weight, everybody knows you loose the most weight in the first month right. Yeah, not me..... I also became discouraged because my gym decided to raise my membership fees another $10.00 per month (remember I have been paying for years and barely going) so I got discouraged again. So I started doing research - looking at different gyms, trying to find different exercises, looking into hiring a trainer, going to classes at the gym etc. I came across a posting for Underground Athlete saying it was not your typical gym (yea I know - I did not believe it at first either). I scheduled an appointment to check out the place, it was one of many I was checking out. I guess when I went I was still expecting to see something resembling the typical big box gym, what I saw was anything but. There were no rows and rows of weight machines, treadmills, etc, what was there is not what you would expect. Sure it had the dumbbells, weight plates and barbells, but there was also rings hanging from the ceiling, a huge Tractor Tire, sleds (something I hate to this day), kettlebells, ropes, turf and bikes. Justin, the owner, explained the process to me. I will not try to do it here as I will not be able to do it justice. Needless to say I signed up, I figured with no yearly contract what would it hurt to try it for a month. After the initial meeting and consultation, Justin created a twice a week workout program for me, and even assigned homework (Yea I know - we are not in high school anymore - who does homework). Needless to say after the first workout I was sore. Beware he has a motto painted on the wall something to the effect of "Pain is weakness leaving the body", at my next appointment I told him that if that saying were true then I should be a world class body builder at this point because there could not be any weakness left in my body. His exercise routines may seem a bit strange, but they are effective. After two months of continuing to change my diet and working out at UA, I have lost 30 lbs and off several medications. After the 3rd month I lost a total of 40 lbs. Every four weeks he has a new exercise routine for you, and every time week one is the worst.... So if you are looking for a great group of people to work out with, who are not going to make you feel bad about yourself when you are just starting out, and looking to meet your goals - then UA is exactly what you are looking for. -Jeff M. read more

first, I don't do reviews, second, I don't give 5 stars for anything unless it is really above and beyond - I was a teacher / professor - nobody gets a free pass! I've been with Underground Athlete for about a month now, a little less and I can honestly say its addicting. I interviewed three other similar gyms (with small group personal training / crossfit style programs) and I decided on UA for a number of reasons. the variety of equipment was my initial impression / comparison to the others I interviewed. Lots more to do, to play with = not getting bored or stagnate. I also did my research on the owner and he's got the certifications that others don't. Justin has dedicated his time, money, life to this where others have gone for the weekend certification. Justin has his degrees and is CSCS certified among other education and certifications. Joining UA starts w/ an assessment, questions about diet & exercise history. Then Justin creates a personalized program for each person. Then you start going twice a week. The program will change periodically, each month and / or as you improve. So I've been on my program for 3 weeks now and I noticed the difference within the first two weeks. I need to step it up now and do more intense workouts. The coaches are all really fabulous. I've met Seth, Mason, & Matt - and Justin says that's all of them. All four are so encouraging, they watch you, watch your movements, coach you on how to improve form. there isn't a time when there isn't something I don't want to do or don't think I can go anymore and they are right there, literally next to you saying, "c'mon you can do it. just one more. don't stop now" But not only are the coaches encouraging, so are the other members. I have yet to meet somebody that isn't welcoming or encouraging. And we're doing some pretty crazy stuff that I never thought I could be doing and so I know I'm looking like a fool doing it and having the best time BUT everyone has said, "you'll get it. it takes some time.' Each workout starts with a warm-up that everyone does, then each person goes into their own exercises, and everyone comes together for the finisher. I love the small group personalized training. I haven't been in a group that was more than 4 people yet which is nice. I go to the Sterling location so I don't know if the groups are bigger at Fairfax. I really can't say enough good things about UA and the coaches and the members. Every time I come home I'm exhausted but energized and feel like I did good. I know that whatever I need fitness wise, can get it at UA - from tips on rowing, modified workouts for an injury, to nutrition. read more

I've been training at Underground Athlete since about April 2012. I've had serious back issues for ten years. I'm talking can't walk for a week when my back goes out. My physical therapist recommended UA, which is also where he works out. Having tried literally everything else (chiropractor, acupuncture, cupping, dry needling (ouch)), I gave UA a try. It literally changed my life. It wasn't easy at first and it took a lot of hard work. But Justin (the owner) and the other trainers are excellent. When I started at UA, my back was so bad I couldn't even do all of the warm-up exercises. But Justin designed a program specifically for my situation. Today, my back is better than it has been in at least a decade, and it never goes out on me. My wife now trains at UA as well. I wish I could give it 6 stars, but 5's the limit! read more

Underground Athlete (UA) is an awesome place for you if you want to have a real solid workout program specially designed for you based on your physique and goals. The coaches are very attentive to how you work and always there to point/fix your mistakes right away. My wife started going here first and then I followed here. We are extremely happy that we found UA and how strong it makes us feel day by day. Thanks UA, you guys rock! read more

It's been almost a year since I started training at Underground Athlete and it has been a great time and produced great results. I signed up with the intention of doing a few months to get back into working out after an injury and decided to stay on because it was going so well. You sign up for a block of time so you know there will be room for you and you also feel accountable to not skip out on a session. Workouts start with a group warm-up and then move on to individualized programs. There are tablets all over the gym for you to see your workout and track progress on. In the last 5 minutes of the time slot, everyone gets together for a 'finisher' where the coaches come up with a creative way to remove any energy you have left in your body. I've done a couple of the classes and those are really fun too, and just as exhausting. The coaches are attentive and knowledgeable. I've had Matt, German, and Rachel for semi-private training and Justin for speed class and I have yet to have a bad experience. They push you to be better without being over the top intense. The environment is very positive and the other members are all nice and supportive. It's a nice balance between having an individualized training regimen and having a group to push you. I fully plan on continuing my membership. read more

I have been a member for almost a year now and I plan to stay a member for longer even. I like how they treat their members, the kind of support I feel I get, and just how good their facility is. read more

This is the first review I've ever written on Yelp, but UA deserves it. I tried out UA after a year and a half of frustration over constant setbacks from a herniated disk in my lower back. Tried physical therapy and two cortisone shots with little to no results. I took up swimming which helped a bit but not a ton. A surgeon recommended a procedure right around the time I started at UA because I "had tried all conservative approaches without success." At UA I got a personalized workout program that I could feel was strengthening and stabilizing my back. If something didn't feel right, I would just tell Justin, and he'd think for a second and then replace the exercise with something else. For the first time in a long time I could get a real workout in, break a hard sweat, without aggravating my back. And not only not aggravate my injury, but feel it getting better. Every month Justin gives you a new workout routine based on your progress, which are always harder and more fun than the previous ones. I ended up delaying the surgery because I was having too much fun at UA and didn't want to take the month of rest and taking it easy after the surgery. After a few months at UA I felt so good I realized I probably wouldn't end up getting the surgery at all. Now I've been going for probably 6-8 months, I feel great, never got the surgery and assume I never will, and even though I don't feel really "injured" anymore I know I'll still be UA a long time. I played two sports in high school and always felt like I knew what I was doing in a gym, but UA has shown me how much I really was missing going to the gym on my own. Can't recommend them highly enough. Max read more

I have been a member now for a year and few months. I love it here. The coaches keep me motivated and intrigued. They push you in the right direction always focused on correct form. Depending on the type of class you sign up for, you can specialize in certain areas of fitness for which the coaches will help you plan to achieve. In the time here I have done: * Semi-personal training: which gets you amazing results. Programs are customized to you based on physical assessment and goals. * Strength & Conditioning: work out plan done in teams. This is not like chest, back, or leg day. It's your entire body work out in 1 hour * Mental Toughness: This will help you get ready for Mudder, Spartan, and Warrior Dashes. Team friendly competitions that push your fitness boundaries. FUN This is by no means a gym that you join and come in anytime you want. There is not a juice bar, there are no tanning beds, no televisions, no fad training classes of the week. The staff are certified training and movement specialists with lots of certification I cannot pronounce. This is semi private and private training with focus on personal attention to meet your training needs. They mean business and business is booming. You come to train, not hang. Underground athlete is not for everyone. Just saying. Yes, they do not always answer the phone. Why? Because they are ALWAYS training!! There is not a receptionist. They will get back to you. If this is the place for you, you have found a home. Underground Athlete is like a fitness family. You'll never know unless you try. Almost forgot. They just opened a 2nd location in sterling. So now we are there and Fairfax! read more

i trained here for a few months a while back because i needed significant improvement in my overall fitness. i wound up learning a lot, sweating a lot, grunting a whole lot, and at the end gaining the improvement i wanted. a few months of training here did more for me than a whole year of training on my own. oh how i miss the kettlebells and ropes and pull-up bars..... with this being a small business, there do come a few downsides such as scheduling, particularly around the holidays and vacation days. you also can't show up whenever you want or be a no show because you're not in the mood to work out that day. i have recommended this place to friends. if you are serious enough about training, this can end up being a great investment. not only are the trainers knowledgeable, they are as fit as one can get which at least to me is a good sign. matt is a great trainer and seems like a genuinely good guy. read more

All the coaches are awesome there. The program is tailored for your personal goal. This place is a treasure!

I am finishing up my first month at UA, and I honestly could not be any happier with it. I've always been decently "in shape" and have been able to workout on my own to maintain and get by, but that extra challenge/push was usually missing from my workouts. I would usually say to myself "Well I COULD push myself a little more, but mehr, this is fine enough" or "Great SET! Now let me go rest on my phone for 3 minutes in between..." woops. To satisfy that missing piece, I've tried a variety of different gym programs...Boxing...cycling...MMA...big box gym group classes, you name it. I always had 'fun' and yes I did learn things, but after a couple classes my initial excitement always began to fade. I've taken two classes (one semi-private & one team) for the past month and have not only ENJOYED the sessions, but I feel better! When I first came in for my meeting/assessment with Justin, I was just going to 'check it out'...an hour later and I had signed up - pumped to start! Justin took his time meeting with me, completing the initial assessment, and really focused on understanding what MY goals were. Everyone's program is tailored to their personal goals, and that's what is really different from these other popular workout programs. This is a partnership to define what "success/progress" means to YOU personally. Semi-private personal training concept is fantastic, you get all the positives from a personalized program, an expert to help and guide you, but is more financially accommodating and efficient - I don't necessarily need one on one attention for every rep of every exercise (and paying out the wazoo for it $$!). Another thing that is great about UA is the schedule flexibility. My schedule fluctuates frequently, but UA offers sessions from 6 am - 8 pm! You are not committed to a certain time slot week after week...YOU have complete ownership of your schedule, and their online scheduling tool makes it soooo easy/accessible to reserve or modify a reservation. This brings me to my last but certainly not least reason why UA is unmatched - the PEOPLE. The culture and 'type' of person you find here I truly believe is a reflection of the Owner, Justin, and a testament to what he has created. UA is not pretentious, it is not judgmental, it is not frilly. You come to UA to work hard and get your shit done with the camaraderie of everyone else in the group doing the same. The trainers are AWESOME!! The perfect balance of expertise, professionalism, and personality! If you have a question about an exercise, they're more than happy to stop and explain WHAT muscles, WHY, and HOW to correctly perform. This sounds very simple and a no-brainer for a trainer, but believe me, I've experienced/witnessed many times at other establishments pushing people to perform things completely wrong all for the sake of them being able to say they did it or put up a certain amount of weight. The people I've met in my workout sessions have been so welcoming. They, just like the trainers, make sure you're doing OK and are always encouraging. Everyone is working hard which inspires you to keep working hard, too. As I mentioned initially, I'm now starting my second month with UA, meaning I just received my 'new' workout program. When I first looked my eyes bulged because it looks challenging! But, that's what you come here for, what I came here for, and why I will get it done and continue: the challenge, the accountability, the encouragement. read more

Training with Justin Case, Owner of Underground Athlete, is one of the best decisions I ever made. I started kettlebell training with him a few years ago and loved it. I now focus more on Strength and Conditioning classes that push me beyond anything I ever thought I could do! Justin knows how to eliminate the physical (and mental) barriers we sometimes create for ourselves, and he encourages everyone to raise their own fitness bar in a safe and effective way. After every class, I leave with a sense of accomplishment knowing that I have done my best possible workout with the most highly skilled trainer in the DC area. It does not get better than that, if you are serious about a healthy lifestyle. If you want to feel great and see REAL RESULTS from working out the RIGHT way, you should check out Underground Athlete. read more

Most awesome gym! Moved here from the Midwest a year ago and I love this place...the coaches/trainers are great and they helped me achieve a national powerlifting record! Can't say enough good things about UA! read more

Best gym in town. Training is tailored to your specific goals. The owner and his tribe of trainers are cut from a different cloth than most gyms. Client is always first. They are extremely committed to helping you accomplish your goals and spend countless hours outside training sessions to build programs specifically for you. Thanks to them, I'm stronger than I've ever been; physically and mentally. If you want to make a change in your life that will pay dividends for the long haul, this is the place. read more

The Underground Athlete has changed my life. When I was younger I participated in many team sports. As I grew older and worked primarily at a desk, in high stress jobs, my health and fitness had deteriorated significantly. I was never able to maintain any regular workout schedule, until I found Justin and the Underground Athlete. He and his team of passionate coaches have keep me involved for several reasons: 1) My program is based on my goals and desires 2) The programs are geared around athletic movement 3) The semi-private training maintains the social aspects I like about playing a team sport. We encourage each other and celebrate each other's successes. 5) The gym produces results. I dropped 50 pounds in the first year, and maintained that weight since. 4) The biggest factor is the Underground Athlete is a community, not a bunch of individual clients working out. We know each other's first names. what their passions are, and many other details. I could not recommend this gym and the staff with any more enthusiasm. read more

The people there are very nice and helpful, and the atmosphere is attentive and personalized. They don't impose one-size-fits-all training regimens. This is a good gym for learning how to train. read more

To sum up my experience at UA in one word it would have to be, amazing. The concept of semi-private training has so many benefits, the one that I have found the most beneficial would be the support and motivation from others that you train with. With the built in support group and Justin's philosophy of custom programs (which includes rehabilitation if you have any injuries), tracking results to show progression and changing the routine can only have one outcome a fitter and healthier ME! Not only have I gotten the results from training at UA but I have also accomplished goals I didn't even know I had. Last October I completed my first Tough Mudder, a year ago I would have never been able to or thought I would complete one. Besides the awesome trainers and amazing group of people that train at UA it always surprised how Justin goes above and beyond. He is constantly either sending newsletters with helpful tips, sharing great health articles, answering all of our bazillion emails, constantly adding new "toys" to the gym and continually researching to better himself as a coach. I have now been training with UA for one year and originally started with a 2 day a week program and because I love training so much I now have a 3 day a week program and also come in for the Saturday Mental Toughness class. I may call Justin a few choices names throughout the workout but that is what makes a great coach! read more