The L.A.B. Gym — Attraction in St. Louis

I have been a member of The L.A.B. Gym for a little over a year, and it has very positively changed my life. I was a little bit apprehensive before I came in for the initial consultation, but I'm glad I took that small leap.

During my first personal training session, I was so out of shape that I was only able to finish about half of the scheduled one hour workout. I kept coming back, working with my coaches (shout out to Kelsey and Drew!), and doing the best I could each day. Over time I got stronger and healthier, and my coaches encouraged me to try competing in a powerlifting meet. When I started at The L.A.B., I had no idea that entering a powerlifting competition was something that I could even do. I took another small leap, found that I really enjoy it, and recently competed in my second meet -- it is so much fun!

What Chris and his team have created with The L.A.B. is truly special.

The gym is clean, the equipment is plentiful and well-maintained, and they offer personal training, cardio classes, cross-training, powerlifting, and olympic weightlifting.

The coaches are fantastic. They are friendly; experts with advanced degrees in kinesiology, exercise science, and related fields; and they want you to succeed in your fitness goals. They keep a close watch to make sure you are performing your exercises correctly, including adjusting to any injuries or limitations you might have, and to help you stay on track with your goals. I could not have made the progress I've made in the last year without them.

The gym members are a diverse group of people in every decade of life, from mid-teens through mid-70's, including people brand new to exercising as well as some of the top competitive powerlifters in the state of Missouri -- state, national, and world record holders. And they are some of the nicest people I've ever met. Everybody works together, helps each other, and encourages each other. It's a really nice "gym family", and I look forward to seeing everybody each day when I come to the gym.

Whether you've never been to a gym before and want to take the first step on your fitness journey, or you're an experienced, competitive powerlifter or olympic weightlifter, I can't think of a better...

Last August, I did something I never thought I’d do—I started working out consistently. And not just anywhere, but at The L.A.B. Gym. As someone who never really felt comfortable in typical gym spaces, I can honestly say The L.A.B. changed that for me.

What I love most is that it’s straightforward. No fluff, no chaos—just a clean, focused space where people show up to put in the work. The gym is smaller than the big-name places, but that’s part of the charm. It feels intentional, not overwhelming.

But what really makes The L.A.B. stand out is the staff. They’re not just friendly—they’re deeply knowledgeable. Every trainer has a master’s degree in sports physiology or something similar, and you can tell. They’re not just shouting reps at you—they actually know how bodies work and care about helping you move better and feel stronger.

And for me, something that matters just as much is the environment. I’m a gay man, and walking into a gym can sometimes come with a sense of caution. That’s never been the case here. The L.A.B. is one of the most inclusive, welcoming places I’ve ever trained. People of all races, body types, backgrounds, and identities are not just accepted—they’re supported.

It’s rare to find a gym that makes you feel seen and challenged. I’ve gotten stronger here, yes—but I’ve also found a place where I feel like I belong. And that’s worth...

If you're looking for Personal Training, DO NOT GO HERE! There slogan is false advertisement. Most of the trainers had little to NO training experience prior to starting at The Lab, do your research before putting your health in someones life. Degrees mean nothing when you don't have proper certifications or experience training people. Drop in at 5pm during peak hours and what you will see are a staff of "trainers", all regurgitating the same useless cues, with it written all over their faces that they'd rather be a million other places than training you! Also, several of them are in terrible shape and if someone can't take care of themselves physically, do you really trust them to guide your fitness/health journey?? I also know many clients who were injured using the terrible lifting form they teach here, and there's nothing you can do after you sign the waiver. The staff showed no empathy either. Do yourself a favor, your spine/shoulder health are far too valuable, STAY AWAY! Also, the trainers here train between 50-70 sessions a week, that's 10-12 per day and are payed very little per session. Do you really think someone can/wants to give you their best service after being on their feet all day or all week? This is not at all...