If you donât look close enough, you will probably miss this gem in midtown Manhattan. Trooper Fitness (TF) on 54th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues is only marked by their sidewalk advertisement board in front of the building they occupy space in. A gym that specializes in small group (12 max) classes in strength (chest, squats, deadlift, hip thrust themed), HIIT (metcon and cardiocon), mobility and recovery guidance, and personal training sits on the 6th floor. They have a diverse set of certified coaches to guide you through training better, making you stronger and fitter. Most importantly is the mental aspect of their coaching, empowering all to not only be their physical best but their mental best.
Classes are mostly early AM and late afternoon into the evening 7 days a week. The scheduling of the different types lets you tailor your programme to your needs. If you are not sure of what your programming should be, the coaches are more then willing to help. TF also offers nutrition guidance to coincide with your training programme.
Training is structured and challenging. They follow monthly cycles in their strength training (endurance, hypertrophy, max). You are pushed but the coaches acknowledge and respect when youâve reached your limit, as long as you are giving 100%. No one is forced into anything they are uncomfortable with. But they will push you if they know you are just doubting yourself to overcome that mental hurdle. My partner and I, with clearly two different levels of experience and separate paths and goals, have benefitted from being here.
Clientele is diverse from all walks of life, and fitness levels. There are no egos or meatheads to deal with. TF prides itself on bringing together and building the community of fitness and well-being amongst those that choose to join them.
Rates are reasonable and what is expected for a midtown Manhattan gym for what the services they provide.
Iâve only excluded one star for a perfect score only because the space is a bit small but 2023 will bring an expansion into a new space which Iâm confident will only benefit their services.
TF offers a complimentary 3 class trial, so...
   Read moreTrooper Fitness is more than just a gymâit's a transformative experience! My journey from nervous beginner to confident and strong is incredible, and it's a testament to the supportive and empowering environment that Trooper provides.My first class with Prince set the tone for my experience, with his attentive support and willingness to modify exercises to suit your needs. This level of personalized attention is invaluable, especially for newcomers who may feel unsure or intimidated.The dedication of the coaches to your progress is remarkable, pushing you to challenge yourself. With each session, as I became stronger, the coaches pushed me further, constantly challenging me to push past my perceived limits. Their investment in my progress is obvious, with words of encouragement like "you can do more, I believe in you" and always being there to help me get to more. My favorite classes are Bench with Prince, pull-ups with Kai, and deadlifts with Erica. Trooper has an incredible range of diverse workout classes to meet everyone's goals. The coaches' unwavering support and motivation are matched only by the intensity of the workouts themselves. Despite the group setting, it feels as though each session is tailored to my individual needs, with the coaches keeping a watchful eye on everyone's form. Trooper has also had an impact on my relationship with food. Before trooper I had guilt and fear surrounding food. Just after a few months at trooper I've had a mindset shift. Now, I see food as fuel, nourishing my body to become stronger and more capable with each workout and to be able to keep up with my amazing and very strong peers at trooper. The true magic of trooper really lies in the community that the trooper team has built. From fellow class goers to the entire team, everyone here is invested in each other's growth and success. As a beginner, I've never felt judged or inadequateâon the contrary, I've been met with nothing but encouragement and support from my peers. Trooper isn't just about physical exercise, it's about personal growth, empowerment, and camaradie. A special shoutout to Kai, Prince, Erica, Jen, and Chris for helping me with my...
   Read moreI've been going to Trooper for over 1.5 years now. I've gone to over 230 sessions -- which in and of itself is a HUGE testament to the power and support of the Trooper fitness staff and community. Prior to coming to Trooper I had never been successful in having a long-term engagement with any gym or fitness program. I'd dabbled in running here and there, but never really saw the results and never felt like I was much of a "fitness person". For the most part, I felt like my body was just something that I used to carry my brain around.
Coming to Trooper radically changed that.
When I first joined, I was shocked by the intensity of the programs. Literally, the warm-ups alone got me feeling exhausted. But because of the support and motivation of the coaches, I stuck with it. Gradually I started to see my endurance pick-up and my strength along with it. Within a few months, I was clearly seeing the changes in my physical strength, energy, and self-perception. Now having come for over a year, Trooper is very much part of my regular daily routine and my wife says: "I work out too much." (Which would be crazy for me to imagine anyone telling me two years ago.)
I can't say enough positive things about Trooper.
If you're a first-timer who might be intimidated by weight training or who has had bad experiences in other gyms (I for one have tried cross-fit and other boutique gyms in the city and often been burned) -- you'll find the Trooper coaches and community to be super supportive. Every class feels like a small one and you truly get personalized attention.
If you're an experienced lifter or someone who is looking for a challenge, the coaches will find ways to push you. I've never once seen or heard anyone come out of a Trooper class and shrug it off. Every class pushes you to get to the next level.
Seriously. Give it a try! You...
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