JDI Barbell Harlem — Local services in New York

Three stars are solely for the trainers that work here as they make this gym worthwhile.

I’ve been working out at this gym for a little while now, solely because it's in the only gym that's close by, and while there’s a lot to like, there are a few areas that could really use some attention.

First, the coaches are fantastic. They are intelligent, knowledgeable, and truly top of their game. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced lifter, they provide excellent guidance and programming. Their expertise alone makes this gym worth considering.

That said, the cleanliness could be drastically improved. The floors and equipment often feel dusty or sticky or sweaty. Equipment clearly isn't wiped down between use or as part of a daily cleaning regimen. The disinfectant wipes are frequently dry, which makes it tough to wipe things down properly, which is a little alarming in our post pandemic world. More attention to tidiness and a consistent cleaning schedule would go a long way in making workouts more pleasant.

Another surprising aspect is that dogs are allowed to roam freely in the gym. While I love pets, having them underfoot during workouts, especially when people are lifting heavy, can feel unsafe. Dogs can get underfoot or even just serve as a distraction while people are lifting heavy weights, creating a serious tripping hazard or even just shifting your focus enough that you seriously injure yourself when you are in your meditative gym mindset. A gym should be a controlled environment, not a pet playground. A designated pet area would be more appropriate.

The equipment is solid, covering all the basics and then some. There’s enough variety for a great workout, and everything is generally in good working order. Yeah, the equipment is all mismatched and kind of looks like they all came from buy nothing groups or if other gyms were closing and giving away all their equipment, but hey, it gets the job done.

Overall, this gym has potential, due to the amazing coaches. With more focus on cleanliness and safety, it could be...

I'm grateful Joe introduced me to this place. I like it for several reasons: Jesse, who owns the place, is: A. A pro when it comes to coaching people about lifting weights (he's competed and coached before AND achieved success) B. Listens to your goals and tailors a workout program based on these goals if you sign up for training. C. A great teacher. He helps you learn a skill without talking down to you. D. Answers any question you have - including those that seem silly. E. Generates a spreadsheet so you may track your progress over the course of the next 8 weeks. The place is great because: A. The people who go are super chill. B. If you join the weightlifters or powerlifters, you gain a bunch of supporters who cheer you on your lifting journey. C. Has calibrated and fractional weights you may use. Helpful because strength gains come in increments D. Multiple bars and lifting platforms available to use. At worse you work in with someone. But hey, at least you met someone new in the process. Note: Though i think everyone can benefit from weightlifting, this may not be the place for you if: You want to exercise on an infrequent basis (Though if you lift regularly, you could pay $15 to 'drop in' and lift to use the equipment.) You prefer to do cardio for most of your workouts Don't come in with an open mind about the workout you're assigned to do. (My idea of what it means to be fit has changed after coming here - in a good way) In summary, JDI is a good investment in your health if you're willing to challenge yourself and remain committed to your goals. If you 'embrace the suck' you may just surprise yourself a couple weeks into your...

After getting hurt in the Iraq war - I had been a triathlete and middle distance runner before, and a perfect PFTer in the Marines - I found myself unable to workout due to my injuries. I tried so many things, but was just unable to keep going. Running, gyms, swimming, nothing stuck. I always felt so tired. I wasn't seeing results. And my working out was so inconsistent. But then I came across JDI. Consultation with Jesse, the owner. He listened to my history, my story, built custom programs that work around my injuries and issues. The programs always push me, but are never so hard that I'm too fatigued for the next workout. As a guy who has always pushed himself to the limit and beyond, their ability to hold me back has been a blessing. So I find that I'm able to work out for the first time since the war - that's 15 years. And that's after trying high-end gyms, personal trainers, reading books, articles, and trying to do it myself. And it makes working out easy. I just show up, do what's on my list and go home. An added bonus: there are always coaches around in the gym making sure people are doing exercises safely and correctly. Even though it doesn't look like it, this is a very high touch gym. Frankly, I've tried gyms that cost 3 times as much, and you don't get as much attention. The community also rocks. The cons: class times and coaching times can be a little loose. And they need a copywriter for their emails to make them a little clearer. But overall, it's the best fitness experience I've ever had. Highly...