Brooklyn Athletic Club — Local services in New York

I have been going to Brooklyn Athletic Club for 3 weeks now and really love it. I had been working out in my small apartment's gym and wanted a full-service gym with more barbells and equipment to do more compound lifts.

I met with Paul (the head trainer) and asked about personal training. After hearing my goals, Paul suggested I do semi-private training as it was much less expensive and he thought I would get more out of it. I greatly appreciate the fact that Paul consciously thought about how he could save me money while achieving all my goals.

I have been going BAC and doing the semi-private training for 3 weeks now and I can only say positive things. I feel very confident in all my heavy lifts, and feel the training I have received is top notch.

Particularly, Paul and Bravo are amazing trainers, very encouraging, and make me excited to wake up at 5:30 for a 6am training session.

The gym has a very close-knit community feel. All the other clients in the semi-private training are very nice and everyone encourages you.

It is also great to see Larry, the owner, there at all times. He will always throw in his own encouragement even if he isn't personally training.

Anyone who is serious about getting fit should...

I've had the good fortune to be in Brooklyn for the month for work. Casting around for gyms, I found BAC, which has a great 1 month intro package. I thought that it would be dishonest to pay this rate, since I'm gone tomorrow, but after a chat with an employee (who encouraged me to join), I signed up. So here are my reviews:

1. There's something for everyone. I do a mix of yoga and fighting stuff, and I was really impressed with the options.
2. More specifically, I signed up for semi-private bodyweight training (BWT), Pilates, and muay thai. All were excellent.
3. BWT was the big draw for me. The class was awesome, and the coach created great classes. Every class was different, but each one hit on the same basic (but important) muscle groups. If I were a long-term resident, this would be the hook that kept me coming.
4. Muay thai here is perfection. However, it is demanding. Between working, yoga, BWT, and the marathon drinking that a business trip requires, I ended up having to opt out. If you're looking for a serious muay thai studio, Big Bear (which is at...

Hands down best equipped, professional gym I have ever joined. Personal training is truly unsurpassed. I've joined all the big chains for decades. Equinox, NYHRC, Crunch, World Gym etc. Best kept secret for pro training in NYC. Pro athletes left and right, celebrities, actors, models, all working out discreetly and professionally, side by side. No invasion of privacy ever. I came here because of old training/work injuries and they worked carefully around all my issues. Fast, but precise improvements, and constant, careful attention. My heart rate is continuously monitored and I feel safe and never out of breath, over worked, or strained, yet 900-1000 calories burned every single workout! Truly...