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Balance Gym
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Kalorama
2200 California St NW
(between N 23rd St & N Phelps Pl)
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 797-0021
2200 California St NW
(between N 23rd St & N Phelps Pl)
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 797-0021
2 weeks Premium Membership
First time members only. Get 2 weeks of our Premium Membership free. Just visit the gym and mention this promotion.
- Hours:
Mon-Fri. 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- No
Sponsored Result
Upcoming Event Nearby
Mind-Body Fitness
- Category:
- Pilates
- Neighborhood:
- Shaw
Take time to relax with a 20 minute pilates mat class, then receive an aromatherapy hand treatment. Best of all, it's FREE !
8 reviews for Balance Gym
My husband and I spent the last couple of months working out at Balance Gym in order to get in shape for our January 2009 wedding. We go to strength classes with Jim Bathurst twice a week (He's amazing!!!) and we're starting boot camp soon (went to one session with Meghan, she's also great).
Additionally, we also took personal training classes with Jim. This was the BEST investment we've ever made. We both feel a lot stronger, healthier, and motivated to keep working out.
A note about personal training- it's expensive. Therefore, my hubby and I didn't just choose balance gym randomly, we definitely did our research. Before choosing personal training classes, I had gone to some of the more mainstream DC gyms to see what their trainers were like. I took one personal training class at one of those gyms and it was all cardio. The trainer told me what exercises to do on which cardio machine and he just watched me do it, which was pretty lame. I could have taught myself that and saved my $.
At Balance Gym, the personal trainers make sure you do a variety of different exercises and really stress the importance of strength training. Also, they don't just "watch you" do stuff you can teach yourself how to do. Jim, the trainer we're working with, taught me that girls can lift heavy weights and how doing this changes our body composition drastically. Ladies, if you want to lose cellulite, strength training is the only way to do it! Also, Jim keeps an amazing record of your progress and knows exactly how much he can push you. He also sends helpful recipes and makes us keep a food log online so we don't eat crap. My husband has changed his eating habits a lot since we started training with Jim.
Initially, my husband and I didn't think we'd keep working out so much after the wedding. After working with the trainers at Balance, we actually LOVE to work out and will continue going to the various classes they offer.
The only negative thing I'd have to say about Balance is that parking near the gym is hard to find. However, we live in Rockville and don't mind going to Balance because of the quality of the classes and trainers. It's totally worth it!
So new DISCLAIMER: I liked it so much, I got a job here.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/15/2008
DISCLAIMER: Yes, I'm dating one of the trainers here, but that doesn't mean I won't be honest. If I… Read more »
I don't know about you but when I get my hair cut, I like to check out the coif on my stylist. If said coif looks poodle-esque or exudes any other unsavory qualities, I try to make a mad dash out from under those scissors. So I suppose it goes without saying that hiring a personal trainer means checking out her/his overall fitness, right?
Even though my first meeting with the man that would become my trainer was over beers and nachos, one thing was clear - Jim was fit. Not like "I eat light lunches, that's how I keep my girlish figure" but rather "You REALLY could bench press me and five of my friends with one arm and not get sweaty, couldn't you?"
But if you're next thought was, "I don't just want to hire some meathead who's sportin' a six pack" then your mind likely operates similarly to mine. You will then be glad to know that Jim's not only living by the principles he espouses, he's also extremely well-read and knowledgeable about his craft. He's constantly furthering his education and knows a ton about nutrition (though isn't preachy), exercise, weight lifting and the human body generally. Moreover, he's passionate about his work, which is something I really appreciate.
I originally approached Jim about personal training to improve my performance for an upcoming surfing trip in Costa Rica. Surfing requires you to be conditioned and strong; Jim helped me get there. Every time I stood up on the board (and also when I swallowed gallons of sea water) I smiled to myself, glad I had worked with Jim prior to the trip sensing that what we'd done really had been great preparation.
If you're looking for a personal trainer who will listen to your goals and help you work toward them in a really effective manner, Jim's your guy! He provides thorough explanation and instruction for every exercise while at the same time being very motivating. Every single time I leave the gym after a workout with Jim, I feel accomplished and glad I went. I can't recommend him highly enough!
As for Balance Gym, I love the no nonsense feel of the place. Everyone's there to get it done, yet the atmosphere is still very friendly and jovial.
I'll preface this by stating that I'm currently a personal trainer at Balance Gym and have been working here for the past year and a half. I could talk all day about this place, but I'll break it down into sections for easy reading.
FACILITY: The facility is great - a full-sized basketball court which hosts basketball, volleyball, and soccer games. During the non-game times, the court is open for members to use for running, stretching, or whatever else they may want.
Where there use to be a large set of bleachers, there's now a raised and enclosed gym area with a large variety of training equipment. (see below).
The one downside might be the shortage of showers. Only one right now. The changing room is a bit small, but adequate. There are both men's and women's bathrooms as well.
EQUIPMENT: For the cardio there's treadmills, bikes, an elliptical, a rower, and even a versa climber (like a ladder to heaven).
For weight training, there are dumbbells up to 100 lbs, an olympic bench, squat rack, lifting platform with bumper plates, chin-up bar, and the usual selection of benches and bars.
There are also several things at Balance that you may not find at your local gym, including two climbing ropes, kettlebells (up to 88lbs), gymnastic rings, sandbags to lift, kegs to lift (filled with water), a variety of specialty bars (thick handled olympic bars, trap bars), and even a metal sled to drag about at the nearby dog park.
To round out this whole equipment list is a plethora of medicine balls, swiss balls, rubber cables, bands, weight vests. The list goes on.
What you won't find here are weight machines. None. I see that as a positive. If you're looking for the machines, you may not.
CLASSES: There are a variety of strength and conditioning classes in the mornings and evenings (check http://www.balancegym.com for current listing). There's a yoga class on Sunday and a flexibility class in the morning and noon throughout the week. There aren't nearly the number of classes you may find at other larger chains, but there's going to be something you'll like.
PERSONAL TRAINING: This is a personal training gym. If you come in the morning, the majority of members will be with one. Prices vary with each trainer, but are competitive.
MEMBERSHIP: A steal. Currently $60/month to use the facility. This does not include any classes or personal training though. Check the website for current rates.
VIBE: The gym is not a scene. It's very supportive, and you'll feel like part of a community. It's a place where trainers come to train, and people come to work hard. There's a reason I've been here for the past year and a half. I love it.
CONCLUSION: This place could be exactly what you're looking for. Great staff, great equipment. Again, the only drawbacks I see are the limited class times and the lack of showers. Other than that, Balance gives you the way, just bring the will.
CrossFit DC holds its classes at Balance 3 times a week. CrossFit does wonders for one's fitness and Balance provides all the equipment that we require such as pull-up racks, gymnastic rings, lots of kettle bells, barbells and dumbbells, jump ropes, ab mats, and a basketball court for when we do torturous floor workouts.
This place is great. Mark Crick trained my wife before our wedding and she was in the best shape of her life. He makes training fun by making the gym a non gym. If you hate going to the gym this place may change your mind. I highly recommend it.
I love this place. Sure, there aren't any machines and the workout room is a smaller than other nearby places. However, this gym has all the equipment I need. Just give me a bar and some weight, and I'll be a happy camper. (They also have a ton of other stuff.) Plus, the Saturday class is a great workout, and it's fun to exercise/suffer with other people.
The nice thing about this being a smaller gym is that I've actually gotten to know some of the other folks. Everyone has been pretty awesome. There aren't any people who come here who think that they are "too cool". Even the super-buff folks are cool, good people. Go figure.
And, although I haven't taken any personal training sessions, I've seen the trainers while working with clients. I know what to look for with trainers and these guys know their sh*t and really work with their clients. I'd have no problem recommending a Balance Gym trainer to one of my friends.
Another favorite gym- I do the Crossfit classes w/ Tom Brose here on Tues nights. Great workouts, non scene. I guess Im a big part of the non scene scene....whatever.....
