I've been a member of Urban Athlete for almost a year now. I love this gym and highly recommend it! I live in Mount Airy, and enjoy having a small local gym that I can jog to. The classes are more boot camp style than crossfit. Pamela, the owner, develops a daily workout that each of the Urban Athlete classes does the same that day. Each class includes a 10 minute warm up, 5 minutes of instruction, followed by 30-35 minutes of work. We use a lot of hand weights, kettle bells, and occasionally barbells. There are also plenty of body weight exercise like burpees, pushups, pull ups, and planks. The instructors are my favorite part. They show us how to do each exercise, cheer us on, and give pointers to help your form. Class sizes typically range from 5-12 people. The workouts are for most fitness levels and ages, but not all, as they are hard and meant to push you. The members feed off each other for motivation. If you have serious physical limitations, personal training sessions might be a better way to start. read more

The best work-out place in NW Philly! Small group classes, highly skilled and attentive instructors, a really friendly, supportive community vibe in each class, and a varied workout that changes each day and builds strength and endurance. They have the options for personal training, IsoPhit (which is intense and great), plus virtual participation in classes. Can't speak highly enough of this place. Definitely a hidden gem among all the other bigger outfits. Worth checking out if you're looking to improve conditioning and strength in a friendly environment. read more

The gym itself had a decent setup. It was not until I tried it out and realized how rude and stuck up the patrons were. It felt like I was missing out on an inside joke the entire time. It felt unwelcoming as my presence was almost a spectacle. I felt out of the loop, and shamed as someone who has had years of lifting experience. read more

I can't feel my arms. I can't feel my legs. No, this isn't a review for Saw IV...it's my take on Crossfit Philly, a gym in Mt. Airy that will kick your ass into shape faster than you can say "hopelessly out of shape Community Manager." Some have said Crossfit is a cult - others, a healthy way of life. My husband (see review below) is one of the folks who have guzzled the fitness Kool Aid (I prefer beer) and he's been trying to convince me to give it a try for months. Whenever he starts in on me I just start singing "My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard..." in my head and tune him out while I smile and nod politely (sorry, honey). So I'll admit I can be a stubborn asshole about fitness, but I can also admit that there is a slight chance that I might possibly have been wrong just this once. Maybe. Michael looks great and he's been doing the Crossfit program for months now. In the 18 years we've known each other he's never looked or felt better. Of course, like a fine wine, I am also aging well, but at the rate I'm going, I might not make it to our golden wedding anniversary (which one is that, anyway?). So after a few weeks of feeling like poop, I decided to suck it up and give Crossfit a try. I figured it couldn't be worse than the 20 or so other gyms, pilates and yoga studios I've been to throughout the ages, and since I've met the owners Pamela and Jason, and really liked them, I figured it was worth a try. So I arrived at the tiny gym this morning with high hopes but low expectations for what I would be able to do. After filling out a detailed questionnaire and talking to Pamela about my fitness goals (mine are: get skinny, be able to beat someone up and don't die anytime soon) she started me on the warm up, which was tougher than any workout I had ever done. Crap. Then she had me do a series of pushups, rows and squats. It wasn't pretty, but I did it. So hurrah for me. And hurrah for Pamela for putting up with me. As I lay dying on the floor (yes, I laid on the floor when I was done - my legs wouldn't support me at that point) I asked if it was normal to feel like I was going to puke. She told me that most of the guys who come in there actually do throw up, but they had never had a woman do it before. At that moment, Jason enthusiastically exclaimed "I smell fried chicken!" And lo and behold, the putrid odor of greasy bird filled the room (there's a restaurant right around the corner). So fellow fitness seekers, be warned: the foul hour (pun intended) seems to be around 11 AM, so plan your workout accordingly. You'll be pleased to know that I didn't lose my breakfast (thank god) but I don't think I heard the last 5 minutes of our conversation and I don't remember walking to my car because I felt so shitty. Isn't exercise supposed to make you feel good? Well, now that I'm back home and I'm freshly showered and hydrated, I feel surprisingly healthy. My lunchtime staple of Frosted Flakes doesn't sound so tasty to me at the moment. Instead, I want some protein and an apple. Crossfit Philly - what have you done to me? This is a world gone mad. Next thing you know, I'll be skipping happy hour to suck down a smoothie instead. Stay tuned to see if this whole healthy lifestyle thing works out for me... read more

Urban Athlete - Gyms Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Its not so much a gym, but a lifestyle. Ever want to work so hard you throw up? Want to train like a Army Ranger. Want to stop wasting time walking on a treadmill? Go see Jason and Pamela at Crossfit Philly. There is nothing that compares to this work out. Its hard to explain, so call them and they'll let you try a class for free. Afterward, you'll either be hooked or vomiting in the alley, or maybe both. read more

I'm giving them one star because they never answer their phone or return phone calls. I called three times, left two messages over a period of three days, nothing. I guess they want you to come in to find out more about them, but why have a phone number if you don't use it? Since they tout themselves as being a different kind of gym I wanted to know why they feel that way and how their rates work. With all the great reviews I read, I was intrigued. Oh well, I guess I'll never know unless I go over there. read more

This gym is the planet fitness of Crossfit/Barbell clubs. I went in to do some Oly lifting during open gym. First off, they dont have any jerk boxes, but whatever, that's not really a problem. They also dont have any women's oly bars, just men's...also, ok i suppose. I was told that my dropping the bar was too loud for one of the members (well actually i was asked to not drop it bceause they were afraid something would break).... Now i understand concern, however I am over here Korean snatching 95% of my max and im expected not to drop the bar? The women in there spent more time chatting and stretching than working out. I dont understand the point of advertising yourself as a crossfit-type gym (not an official affiliate) or barbell club or whatever if i cant go in and lift heavy. Since i was told they dont like the competitive nature of a crossfit box (they said they were more laid back) i suppose that I would not be welcome there. I am not wiling to pay 180 dollars per month to not be able to lift heavy and drop my barbell from overhead (No, not slam, drop. You would drop it too if it was 95% of your 1Rep Max). I also got hit with a "has it been a while since you worked out?" comment, which i assume is due to the fact that I was sweating buckets. Two things: 1. it was 90 degrees in there and i, unlike your members, was actually working hard. 2. Just because i take the time to stretch and roll and i look uncomfortable during my workout doesnt mean i havent worked out in a long time. The owner is very nice and welcoming. Spoke to him for a long time. Maybe it was the person working; it was definitely the members. Nothing taking away from the very nice owner and people who work very hard at the gym...the members, not so much. Thanks but no thanks i think. read more

I recently moved to Philadelphia from New Jersey. That move ended up separating me from my prior gym and I needed somewhere to work out. As I searched around on the Internet, Urban Athlete came up as one of the standout local choices. I figured I would give it a shot. I set up a trial workout that really ended up being more of a baseline physical administered by the boss. It was tough, sweaty, and straightforward. But I wasn't totally bowled over. I've been pushing myself for quite some time. I figured I would join up on Feb. 1st and see how things worked out. Let me offer a little background. In 2006, I weighed approximately 368 pounds (at 6'0" tall). I was essentially on death's door. In 2007 I drew a line in the sand and started working out and trying to eat right. Cut to 2010 and I'm tipping the scales at about 265. At this point I've lost 100 pounds, run a triathlon and several 5Ks, and vastly improved my health. But I was hovering around the same weight. It would go up a bit. I would drop a few. But going to the gym and lifting, taking spin class, and jogging were just helping me maintain the status quo. So here I am on March 4th. As of Monday of this week I weighed 253.4 pounds. My hamstrings are aching. My shoulders are all kinds of beat up. There are days when I dread the workout that I'm going to be doing. And I wouldn't have it any other way. This is probably the first time since I started this long fitness journey that I fully believe I can reach my goal weight. And that's saying a lot. It won't be easy. Oh Lord, it won't be easy. This gym will push you hard. You will grit your teeth and you will pool sweat. But you will also get fit. You'll get strong. You may even do something you didn't think was possible. read more

I moved away from Philly last month, and I'm having withdrawal symptoms (in the form of squashiness) from being away from Urban Athlete. It's really difficult to find a quality gym with knowledgeable trainers (much harder than it should be), so I think it's important to hype the ones that pull it off! Jason and Pam do that -- their kettlebell classes are second to none. read more

I love Pam and Jason! This place is great. A fun, unique work out environment. Friendly trainers...but get ready to be worked. Great routines that will get you in shape quickly. I recommend this gym to everyone I know. Give it a chance if you have the stamina and drive to really push yourself. read more

I have been working out here for years. Great local gym. I have recommended them for years. Phenomenal classes for all levels. I love doing kettlebell workouts, and also the barbell class. The owner Pamela is an awesome teacher and so are the coaches. The accountability and the other gym members make it worth every penny. read more

Recently moved to Mt. Airy and was very happy to find Urban Athlete. I was worried I would not be able to replace my old CrossFit gym, but Urban Athlete has exceeded my expectations and I'm pleased. It's well worth the money. I love the challenge that Urban Athlete gives me everytime I go in, and I feel less like a stranger already. Great trainers, good people, positive attitude, no whining. It doesn't get any better than this. read more

I love this place more than I ever thought I would love a gym! I'm generally lazy by nature and after years of thinking about working out I finally found Urban Athlete and I'm totally hooked. It indulges my laziness in that I don't have to think about what to do - they have the workout already made up for you for the day and will go over and demonstrate every move before you try it yourself. The staff are super knowledgeable, helpful, and motivating. I feel stronger, healthier, and happier since I started working out at UA and I will tell to anyone who will listen that they need to start coming here. read more