Uptown Movement — Local services in New York

Uptown Movement is honestly one of a kind. From the second you walk in, you can just feel how much care and intention is behind everything they do. The instructors aren’t just here to run classes, they’re truly invested in each person’s growth. You start off with Foundations classes that teach you how to move well, not just for workouts, but in everyday life too. It’s smart, supportive, and makes you feel set up for success from day one.

I’ve been training on and off since I was 11 (shout out to the early 2000s Weight Watchers era 🙃), and I’ve tried just about everything — CrossFit, Zumba, Pole, Boxing. But nothing has kept me as consistent or motivated as the coaches and community at Uptown. I’ve been here four months now and have seen a real difference in my form, mobility, energy, and even my mindset.

The programming is super thoughtful and progressive, it’s clear that every workout is designed with purpose. I never feel like I’m just going through the motions. It’s been helping me not only physically but mentally too. I’m rebuilding trust in my body after a scary back injury, reconnecting to how I move, and actually enjoying it.

What really makes Uptown special is the kindness. You can feel the care, not just from the coaches, but from the other members too. It’s welcoming, inclusive, and empowering. As someone in a bigger body, I’ve never once felt judged or out of place. The coaches meet you with respect and encouragement, no matter your size, ability, or experience level.

The space itself is clean, inviting, and really well-equipped without being intimidating. No rows of mirrors or people flexing in the corner. Just folks showing up, working hard, and cheering each other on.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to grow from where you are, this is such a good place to land. Honestly, my only regret is not joining sooner. I spent way too long investing in programs that looked similar but never came close to what...

I decided to join Uptown Movement a little bit more than a year ago because I was feeling really down and defeated after a series of personal problems (my therapist suggested it) and at age 57, this has been indeed a life changing experience for me.

Before I started, Eoghan set up an personal appointment with me to better understand my needs and was so welcoming, understanding and gentle. I was emotionally exhausted and I immediately felt that Uptown Movement would be a place where I would be able to heal mentally and physically and it has been the case in so many ways.

Classes are the least pretentious that you could imagine. The instructors are super nice, super attentive to each individual (classes are rarely more than 10 or 12 participants), and super encouraging as well. The mood is focused but there are many fun moments. There are no mirrors in the room, which encourages you to turn your attention inward, to that particular sensation when you activate this specific muscle, to your balance, etc.

Classes often integrate an element of play, which has forced me to reactivate some neural pathways that had been dormant since I was 7, and this has been exhilarating. There is also a lot of focus on flexibility, movement, fluidity, coordination and the ability to execute series of different movements, often inspired from the animal realm, which again is profoundly rejuvenating.

I love the "Foundations" level that has allowed me to basically reconnect with my body while also slowly but surely push my limits. It's all about body awareness and after a few weeks I could already feel that I was standing or sitting differently, and that I was already stronger. (I usually go to 3 classes a week).

I feel so much more "grounded" now and honestly, my plan is to continue with Uptown Movement for as long as I live in the neighborhood. You can't reverse age, but these classes make me feel so young and confident...

I joined this gym in August 2021 for the classes. I was (and still am) trying to lose pandemic weight, and it was close by. I wasn't ready for the price tag, but ultimately prayed over it and joined because it's an investment on my health. And cheaper than a personal trainer. And running just wasn't making the weight budge.

Anyways, I didn't lose any weight. For a bit there I gained some. Which is fine because I ultimately LEARNED so much about weight lifting and moving with my whole body. I'm channeling Michelle Obama, because my arms actually have a little more definition?

Back to the learning.

There are three levels, Explore (for potatoes like me), Evolve (for people who've graduated Explore or are just more fit), and Expand. I don't know any one in Expand, but thats for the really strong folks?

But yeah, I've been in the Explore classes since August, and I learned every from hinging properly and the whole "make light weights heavy and heavy weight light" to kettle ball flows, and kettlevball swings, and the instructors are AMAZING!!

Every single one of them really know what they're doing and they do it WELL. It also doesn't hurt that they all bring a bit of their personalities to the class, and it's not super clinical/contrived script. They also listen to how people are feeling and help modify certain movements if things aren't working.

Lastly, I love the friends I've made around the neighborhood from joining this gym. Everyone is supportive and sometimes we'll do a few more exercises after class, depending on how tired folks are. This is truly a judgement free zone and I feel super comfortable here, and I'm glad I took a chance on it. One of my better investments in the the past year.

Oh! We also don't have to wear shoes/ fancy work out stuff. Some people even show up in pj's. Good...