Upper Arlington Fitness — Local services in Columbus

Okay, folks, let's talk Upper Arlington Fitness, or as I like to call it, "My Happy Place Where I Occasionally Grunt Loudly and flop in the ground in a pool of sweat and make sounds like macaroni in a pot."

First off, this gym is so clean, you could probably eat off the floor. And honestly, after some of my workouts, consuming something off the floor wouldn't be the weirdest thing I've considered.

The equipment is top-notch. I'm pretty sure they have machines here that haven't even been invented yet. I once saw a guy using something that looked like it belonged on the Starship Enterprise. I'm not sure what it did, but he looked very intense.

The staff? Super friendly. They're always there with a smile and a "Hey, you look like you're about to pass out! Need a spot?" It's that kind of caring that really makes you feel at home... you know, if your home had a bunch of sweaty people and the faint smell of victory (and maybe a little bit of old gym socks).

The classes are fantastic. If you're looking to dip a toe or jump in with both feet Upper Arlington Fitness is the place to do it. Hell - you could probably even do some zumba... Let's just say my hips don't lie, they mostly just tell the truth about my lack of coordination. But the instructors are super encouraging, knowledgable, and approachable. I almost didn't feel completely ridiculous attempting a squat. Almost.

And the members! Oh, the members. Such a diverse group. You've got the super-fit people who look like they were sculpted by Michelangelo, the "I'm just here to not die" crowd (that's me!), and everything in between. It's a judgment-free zone, unless you're wearing socks with sandals. Then, you might get a few looks.

The only downside? Sometimes when it's really cold one of the gym doors is really hard to open. But hey, think of it as a warm-up! By the time you get trough the front door, you've already burned, like, three calories.

So, if you're looking for a gym where you can get in shape, feel good, and maybe witness some truly bizarre exercise contraptions, Upper Arlington Fitness is the place for you. Just don't forget your water bottle... and maybe a towel. You'll need it.

It also never hurts that sometimes people bring their dogs in... so you can lift heavy stuff, hang out with cool people, AND pet dogs...as if you needed...

I have both been going for 5 years now and love the people and the community that I’ve grown to know. Everyone from the coaches to the members are great to workout with. There is no judgment when you go, just encouragement to work on your personal goals. The gym definitely recognizes personal goals and that people come from all different levels of experience. One of the biggest reasons I hear people say they don’t want to come is because they don’t feel they can do the all the movements in a workout. But that is where the coaches come in. They will take 1 on 1 attention with a member to find a movement they are comfortable with. Whether that the person feels they can’t functionally perform it, or they have an injury preventing them, the coach will walk them through different movement until the person feels comfortable with the exercise. It’s nice also to not have to plan a workout on your own and to do it with others. It’s a bit of mini trauma bonding on some workouts lol. I much prefer that over going to a gym where I know no one and I have to fight for a machine, bench or weight, only to work out all alone. And finally I know cost is sometimes an issue, but I see it as an accountability. If I’m paying $10-$40/month I would take “rest days”. But here, I rarely don’t go just because I don’t feel like it. It, in itself, is a motivator to get the most use out of my membership. There are classes at times at different times of the day, and so that allows them to be small enough so you get to know the people you work out with and actually get to know them...

I was a member of this gym before moving out of Columbus. The people are amazing, the atmosphere is friendly, and the ramp-up sessions are genius.

I was someone who hadn't been inside of a gym for a while. The idea of starting CrossFit from a less than ideal starting point was daunting. However, the team puts you through three ramp-up sessions that expose you to the type of movements you will do, the gym set-up, and then conclude with a brief workout. These sessions helped me immensely and set me up for success.

After that, I cannot speak more highly of the people and the atmosphere that the owners have created. This gym truly is a hidden gem right in the heart...