Fitness Together — Local services in Seattle

Fitness Together made a critical difference in my quest to improve my health. I selected Fitness Together after carefully evaluating my options for fitness training. I found that I was concerned about the education and credentials of big box gym “trainers” and the cost savings weren’t competitive, offering little or no value for a less qualified “professional trainer.” Fitness Together quickly addressed my concerns about the qualifications of their staff, and I was not disappointment in their extensive knowledge and diverse specialties. Initially I harbored reservations about working with a team of trainers as oppose to one specific trainer consistently. Very quickly I realized I actually prefer that system with a fresh set of eyes on me, different feedback on effective form and the like, and that approach meant I could emphasize my scheduling needs on any given day or week within their extensive hours instead of working around one trainers availability. I arrived in their studio with multiple needs: I was ending physical therapy for a knee injury but strengthening and stability needed to continue, on a medication that induced significant weight gain, and trying to prepare my body for pregnancy. Self-motivated and physically active for a couple of years preceding training, I knew I needed to work out better and more efficiently. They were specific to investigate the role of accountability in my decision to pursue training – to what extent was my showing up to exercise a struggle? The real difficulty for me was that I was spending 90-180 minutes working out 4-6 days a week without seeing sufficient returns. I’ll show up, but I needed to know what to do! Each session the trainer would ask how my knee and my body was doing and patiently listen to, respond, and adapt to my report. I have avoided a repeat knee injury and made such a fine recovery that surgery wasn’t considered necessary either. Additionally I prefaced my start with them explaining that the medication causing nearly 60 pounds in weight gain was for the time being non-negotiable so while weight loss would be a bonus I needed to focus my effort on other measures of success as I had more limited control over the scale results. They were extremely receptive and respectful of this need and helped me to measure and celebrate other indicators of improvement, the scale functioning as only one facet of how they measure achievement at Fitness Together. Ultimately, I was able to drop 21 pounds with their training, while actually reducing the amount of time I spent at the gym and increasing the efficiency of my exercise sessions. My weight loss plateaued for the best possible reason: I was blessed to embark on a healthy pregnancy. The staff at FT worked with me from Day 1 into my 2nd trimester and I quickly learned there was no better time to emphasize efficiency during exertion! I ran out of sessions for the time being, but I’m genuinely looking forward to further Fitness Together training...

After I retired, I tried for over a year to lose some of the weight gained in 30 years of a desk job. After putting on even more weight, I decided to try Fitness Together, based on the recommendations of my wife. After three months, I’m seeing the results I hoped for and I thoroughly enjoy interacting with their first rate staff. They do health assessments, help with learning proper nutrition, and, of course, guide my work-outs. I haven’t actually thrown up during a work-out yet, but I’ve felt like it a couple of times, if that counts. These guys are super good at what they do, and there is nothing to fear. If you want fitness success, you can find it here.

12/19/17 - It’s been a year since I joined fitness together, so I’m updating my review. I like my work-outs and the first rate trainers even more than in the honeymoon phase. I am still pushing forward with my general fitness and I simply feel better and better. Angie has been gently and persistently prodding me into improving my eating (and drinking) habits, and that too is showing me a better way to live. I absolutely love being able to enjoy my outdoor activities again without being completely thrashed by them. Life is fun again thanks to Fitness Together. My wife and I just signed up for another year and we are excited to see what it will bring. By the way, the work-outs don’t really get easier. They are intended to keep you progressing.

3/7/18 Fitness Together has helped me to do what I would never have done on my own. The trainers are highly skilled and always adjust my workouts to my needs. They also help me to improve my diet and motivate me to stay with it. I just had to decide what a better life is worth to me. Fitness Together is worth every penny, and more.

1/9/19 – My wife and I have been with FT for over two years. In that time, I‘ve had a chance to work out with just about every trainer. They are all great people with a deep knowledge of fitness and healthy diet. It has been a pleasure working with each of them. It really has taken two years to get my health turned around and headed in the right direction. My joint aches have pretty well disappeared and I have got to the point that my workouts don’t finish me off for the rest of the day. I’m in my mid 60’s and I really don’t feel that old now (knock on wood). More like when I was 40. We would recommend FT to anyone who can still make it up the four flights of stairs to get there. The gym is clean, private, and certainly well enough supplied with equipment. I doubt that I would have started or continued at one of the big commercial gyms. I really like the one-on-one...

The best thing I've ever done for myself!

I started my training at Fitness Together in May 2011, and the fact that this former couch potato is still coming twice a week speaks volumes for the quality of care, knowledge, and service that everyone at FT West Seattle provides.

Brenda, Carmen, Melissa and Louise have helped propel me to levels of fitness and abilities I never dreamed were possible. I've lost over 7% body fat in that time, and gained about 12 lbs of pure muscle; my resting heart rate has dropped from 65 to 56, and my blood pressure has dropped by almost 20 points. Oh, and I can beat my boyfriend at arm wrestling too. :)

Is it hard work? Absolutely. This isn't some "pretend" gym where people pat you on the head and tell you you've burned a hundred calories because you blinked at the Nautilus machine. I've tried getting personal training before at some local chains (I won't name names, but they sounded like "24 Glower Fitness", and "Fall-Star Gym") and I could tell I wasn't a valued customer. Here, I definitely feel valued. The care and support Brenda and all the other trainers have shown me has really helped my confidence and self-esteem, and they are always willing to work with me on payment plans, scheduling, nutrition, and anything they think will help me achieve my goals. It is expensive, but in terms of value - it's worth every penny!

Thank you everyone at Fitness Together (trainers and members too!) - I appreciate everything you've...