F45 Training Arts District — Local services in Los Angeles

Edit to owner's response:

I really don't appreciate you responding STILL as though I've done something wrong here as a customer. I actually didn't leave details out, I said I'd done four days before this. However, there was nowhere that indicated that the two week thing I had signed up for was a 'trial', only that it was ideal for new people which as I said previously, sounded like it was good for me considering I'd only done a few classes and been very obviously treated as the new person! And while its really pretty normal to use different personal email addresses to find deals online, I had no idea this was unavailable to my previous email address. Not to mention the reason your colleague told me that the issue was because I should have signed up on Saturday, not Monday, even though your website was still offering this deal on the Monday. (Again, like I said before, this was already two days into the deal I had paid for and apparently was no longer allowed to do, which I should have been made aware of BEFORE I started, considering your staff recognised me and welcomed me back.) Your colleague did not clearly explain that I would now need to pay for another week, hence I was shocked and surprised to realise that they were trying to charge me more, when it was clearly your mistake. You've changed the facts of what happened and it's very unfair.

Went to F45 in the Arts District while in LA a few weeks ago. While I enjoyed the content of the workouts, I found the staff very intrusive and unfortunately my experience as a customer was really disappointing. I had been to 4 classes in the first week and as I was in the area for another couple of weeks, I found a 2-week deal online that I could afford and meant I could continue working out while I was there. It was meant for new people to get into the workouts at F45 so it seemed perfect for me. After having been there for 2 classes, one of the trainers came up and said that that deal had expired so I wasn't able to continue it. I was quite confused as it obviously was available online, and mentioned this to them that it shouldn't have been available to book if it wasn't available. They said they were aware of this and they were sorry that it shouldn't have been online. I thought it was strange they'd mentioned it to me, and surely would have just rectified the error online for future customers, but they then proceeded to tell me they would "refund me", or what I thought was a refund, and terminate my deal. I thought this was quite unfair as it was their mistake, but to make the situation worse, it turned out they were actually trying to refund me then charge me more to sign up for just another 4 days (rather than the 2 weeks I'd already booked and paid for), using the reasoning that their rent and bills at that location were very high (?!). I said I wouldn't have booked it had I known the deal wasn't available, or that it would be so expensive for just a few more days as I was not in a position to spend so much at the time. They were very patronising and confusing with their explanations, and was appalled to find out when I left that they had in fact charged me for a standard week that I had not chosen to sign up for. Definitely not a good experience, and one that I won't be repeating as I was left feeling...

If you would have told me even just three months ago that I would not only be pulling myself out of bed to get to 5:30am workout classes - but actually looking forward to it - I would have told you that you had mistaken me for someone else. I was a big hit the snooze button kind of girl.

Since I finally decided to make my health and fitness my top priority, F45 (and specifically the Arts District location) has been an integral part of this journey. While getting out of bed when it's still dark out is still a bit painful, I can honestly say that I look forward to my morning classes, the coaches and seeing the other 5:30am regulars!

I've always worked out off and on over many years, but I've never really felt connected to a specific workout until now... here's what makes F45 Arts District stand out:

The variety of the workouts: They are always changing, so you don't get bored and are always challenged. The classes are intense/hard - but they go by quickly!

The coaches: I realize this can be subjective - as everyone has their preferences. The coaches at F45 Arts District are substance over style (they have style too!). What I mean by this - is they are not just yelling to pump you up without any specific direction. They are high energy and motivating, but also authentic - and take the time to check your form, offer suggestions as well as encouragement. Some places pump the music so loud you can't even hear the coaches. The music is loud enough to get you hyped - but the coaches don't rely on that to solely do the work. They are tuned in and engaged.

The community: If you keep a regular schedule, you start to see the same faces - and there is a mutual camaraderie that develops. There are definitely people in my classes who are incredibly fit - and those who are just starting out that - but it's a safe/judgement free space for everyone.

Group Fitness: I have made the excuse in the past that I didn't like group fitness gyms - that I wanted more flexibility in my schedule and more variety in my classes. But what I've found is that I'm better able to keep my commitment to work out with a group fitness program. I plan ahead better - and that community I mentioned in #3 knows if you're showing up or not! Plus - I push myself harder in group fitness classes - and the consistency let's you see where you're improving (aside from the numbers on the scale).

The challenges: I'm participating in my first one now, so I don't know what the objective results are quite yet. But I find it fun and engaging to take part in goal setting - and it's nice to have the support and interest from the coaches outside of class.

I just hit my 100 class mark (lots of starts and stops), but have been consistently hitting the early morning classes 4-6 days a week for about a month now - and I can say that it changes the way I feel about myself as a whole, how I see myself. I guess that is not specific to F45 - but I'm grateful that I have a place and a program that I enjoy and helps me...

I finally became a monthly member in April 2023 and it's the best decision I've ever made for my personal mental/physical health and fitness. The push for me to become a monthly member was the pandemic weight I had gained over the last few years. Also, I tried other F45 studios but the vibes at this studio is incomparable.

In May 2023 I signed up for my first 45-day Challenge with the goal of losing weight. I did this by taking classes almost daily and counting macros. The biggest lesson I learned from this Challenge was how important nutrition is, especially getting enough protein to build muscle. I learned so much about food and how my body changed in response to my eating habits (carbs made me feel bloated!) Paul is great at providing guidance to help you reach your goals. By the end of the Challenge I lost 6.6 lbs. in body weight, had 15% fat loss and lowered my body fat % by 2.7%. I was really happy with the results and I even won the Coach's award, which was a surprising bonus!

To continue the momentum, in September 2023 I signed up for my next 45-day Challenge. This time I didn't count macros since the healthy eating habits that I established from the previous Challenge carried over. I found that I craved healthier foods, which satisfied my appetite so I didn't need to eat as much or overeat. I continued to work out daily at the gym and that helped me get stronger. Back in May I could barely do one unassisted pull-up. Now I am up to 7 unassisted pull-ups. I found that consistency is key to get to this point. By the end of the second Challenge I lost 11.7 lbs. in body weight, had 20% fat loss and lowered by body fat % by 2.8%. I ended up being the female winner for the Challenge!

In the last 4 months I have lost over 20 lbs. in body weight (lost an additional 2.2 lbs between the challenges). I feel the strongest I have ever felt in my life. The journey for this transformation could not have happened without the amazing trainers, members and community at F45 Arts District - and for that I am eternally grateful. It was only after I became a monthly member that I was able to form and foster incredible friendships. It's so motivating and fun to work out with friends. I know members who drive out of their way to come specifically to this studio because it’s worth it. The trainers and members are so supportive and they always elevate and push me. They really made me believe that anything is possible. My transformation has been life-changing and for all the hard work I put in, I have been rewarded tenfold - and that...