The Foothills Gym — Local services in La Cañada Flintridge

Ara has really changed my life! I started at the gym a year ago and have seen great results. It's been the most consistent I've ever been in my workout routine and he's helped me steadily progress without ever getting injured. I'm on the 3/week semi-private training plan and it's worked great for my schedule. As you build a relationship with Ara he's really good at customizing a plan that's right for your goals. I've realized I'm not a super self-motivated person when it comes to fitness, and for me it's been amazing to trust another person to build my program. I just show up and do the plan. Also that little bit of accountability that comes from someone checking up on you has really helped me stay consistent.

This gym is also very clean and has a very welcoming, judgement free atmosphere. I've always been more self-conscious in gyms, but here nobody cares. It's chill. And it works for all different people -- there are elderly people and young people, people who've been working out a long time or people who are just getting started. I've done plenty of the group classes too and they're progressive so if you're a beginner or you're advanced, you'll still get a lot out of them. Ara isn't like any trainer I've worked with in the past -- he's like, a real person you can actually have a conversation with. That's a nice thing to have when you see someone every morning :).

This gym is great for people who's primary goal is to not get injured, maintain steady progress, and work out in a chill...

In 2018 I started to do some research to see if there was a workout regimen that was focused on kettlebells.

Mainly because I wanted more functional strength as a golfer. I learned that the ‘Father of the Kettlebells’ is a guy named Pavel. Naturally Pavel developed a training certification called Strong First. Lucky for me, there was a Strong First certified gym 3 miles from my house- Strong DNA.

I started to visit Ara right before Covid and then of course the shut down prevented me from going more than 6 months. In a short period of time, I noticed my strength went up dramatically and more importantly, my functional strength/stability improved as well.

Post COVID I not only wanted to regain my functional strength, but also wanted to lose some weight so I went back to Strong DNA.

In five months, I’ve lost 25 pounds exceeded any strength thresholds I had in the past and my golf game has improved dramatically because of my functional and rotational strength improvements.

Ara’s programs are great, especially as you age he creates programs that maintain your strength which is critical as you grow older. I strongly endorse Ara and look forward to continuing my routine with him as I approach 50...

I've been working out with Ara from The Strong DNA for 4 years now. I have a few physical limitations and Ara works with me to provide modifications. These modifications are no less than what the rest of the class is doing, it's just giving me the ability to perform the exercise without further injuring myself. One of my physical limitations is my back. I have very little "cushion" so to speak, between my L4 and L5. During my time with Ara, I have strengthened my core which has had a direct impact on strengthening my back resulting in less back pain. I have had numerous feet surgeries which prevent me from doing certain exercises, but again, I never feel like I am missing out or doing less of a workout. And lastly, I have a torn rotator cuff. And yes, I still can rock the weights, just in a different manner than the rest of the class. I am much stronger today, as a woman in my mid-50s, than I ever have been and I have learned that strength is important as we age. If you come to The Strong DNA, you will find a community of all age ranges and a group of strong, supportive and funny individuals. It's a feel-good kind of place. Hope to...