Ampersand Fitness — Local services in Seattle

Update 11/19 - I'd be remiss if I didn't say how impressed I've been with the changes to the gym over the past year. John the manager has pulled together an amazing team of trainers and instructors, invested in great new equipment, and created a supportive atmosphere. A few personal training sessions with Rasun (trainer and massage therapist) helped me bump up my core strength and functional movement in previously injured joints. Jessica (John's wife) is a phenomenal yoga instructor who incorporates her on-going learning and training in the field. Sessions with her are not just about the physical movements. When I went to the gym after I learned my dog had cancer, John coaxed me into her class despite my determination to do cardio. No one judged when I cried in Shavasana. It wasn't what I wanted that day, but it was what I needed.

Keep up the good work!

Mid-2018 I've had a membership this gym for 2+ years now. I really enjoy it's proximity to Harborview. It's almost never crowded when I go, and the management is polite. The on-demand video workouts in a separate room are fantastic! However, 3 out of the last 5 times I have gone to attend a scheduled yoga class in the last 2-3 months, there has been no class. I'd cancel my membership if there was another alternative, or if the winter weather was more conducive to lunch time walks. This review is being written in part to encourage the facility to hire more reliable instructors, or not schedule classes it can't offer. If you have no intention of taking the classes, this place will work...

This gym is a joke. I've been a customer since 2019. When I signed up, it was a very different time. The gym community was smaller, the facilities were less packed, the sauna didn't exist; but it was home and continued to be home for 2 years. I ended up leaving for a couple months in 2020 during the pandemic, I wanted to support this small business, but I lost my job and was forced to leave. Once I stabilized myself I came back, happy to be there yet again. I signed up for the 1 year membership and made the most of it, coming 4-5 days a week religiously. Then, the year ended, I moved, I could not describe the melancholy I felt as I left the gym for what would be the last time.

This was all soured by the call I got from a debt collector last week. Apparently prepaid does not mean paid in advance, because for some reason I magically owed them more money for 2023, which I did not sign for. I tried to explain this to the staff, but they are apathetic at best and completely uncaring at first. I realized in that moment that every friendly "hello" or "good afternoon" was just them being professional. They never cared about anything but my membership dues. When you bring up payment it's all smiles, when you give them pushback they turn feral. Despite this experience, it's still a great gym and it makes me mad to see what it has devolved into...

It's no longer a community, it's capitalistic kiss-up...

Selecting a gym that suits your needs is a decision that is influenced by your particular personal goals. For my goals, this is the best gym in Seattle.

Reason 1: Accessibility. It's open 24 hours with a key swipe entry. I usually work out at 8PM-1AM and never feel that anxious feeling that I'm gonna be too late to get my workout in. Consequently I haven't missed a workout since the day I signed up here, and I come 5 times a week.

Reason 2: The weight equipment is plentiful. I pretty much exclusively lift barbells and free weights, so I can't comment on machines and cardio stuff. That said -- 4 (count 'em!) racks means that for the lifter that I am, I never ever have to wait for what I want. I'm in and out.

Reason 3: It's clean and the members are respectful. Pretty important during these times. People wear masks and whatnot and are generally courteous.

Reason 4: Transparent and reasonable pricing. It's all up front, you got options, no secret charges, no hassle. That's how it ought to be, but sadly it isn't always the case at other gyms I've been to.

Bonus reason: I pretty much never see the staff since I come in after hours. But my few interactions with them have been quick and positive. I think this goes hand in hand with the good members. Things just seem to run well here.

If these reasons resonate with you, you're probably gonna...