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Urban Fitness
Category: Active Life Fitness & Instruction Trainers Trainers [Edit]
121 2nd St(between Madison St & Oak St)
Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 834-0000
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 6 am - 10 pm
Fri 6 am - 8 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
$40 for $100 Certificate
Kristine F. said: "I attended Alavie off and on for a few years and loved it! Since we recently relocated out of the Bay Area, I sadly can't go anymore but it was an…" read more »
34 reviews for Urban Fitness
34 reviews in English
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Review from Eve O.
Oakland, CA
2/2/2012
This place is fantastic. Boot camp is a class of 10-15 people of all different shapes and sizes. People are quick to be friendly and getting into groups is never a pain. You do a quick warm up, some circuit training, maybe one or two more exercises for good measure, stretch and go home.
Easy, right? RIGHT?!?!! Don't think for a second these cats won't work you over until you're begging for mercy. That 45 minute class is an intense 45 minutes... they'll spend a lot of time helping you work on form and train you to perform each exercise correctly... and then lucky you! Now that you're doing it properly it hurts even more.
Unfortunately, they're not open on weekends. But feel free to get your ass handed to you every at 6:15 every morning or at 6:30 at night, Mon-Fri.Listed in: Sporty +
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Review from Seamus M.
San Francisco, CA
6/3/2011
Do you want to get in shape? If so Urban Fitness is the place for you. This is not a gym where you go and spend 30 minutes on the elliptical and call it a day. This is a fitness program where you work and are pushed to expand you abilities.
Every physical aspect of your life will improve by coming here. Your pants will fit better, walking up stairs will be easier, you'll be able to chase down your kids, out run your dog, your partner will find you hotter and you'll feel better.
I cannot recommend Urban Fitness highly enough. -
Review from Miki S.
Berkeley, CA
5/3/2011
Who knew I'd enjoy getting my butt beat into the ground this much?
Everyone I know who goes to UF for either Personal Training or Bootcamp has a love/hate relationship with them. You love what they do for your body, you hate them while they're doing it. But you still like them because they're so damn *cheerful* about pushing you to the limit.
I was a member of a big chain gym for a long time and went through a series of trainers and classes that did absolutely nothing to inspire me. Then i gave up and went though a period of pure lazy. Urban Fitness's bootcamp was highly recommended to me so I tried it out. I was very happy after only a few weeks when I could run around the block without completely dying! Now, after two years (yes, two years!) of working out with them I can't give them enough credit for how awesome I feel every day. :) -
Review from Adria W.
Oakland, CA
2/14/2011
Being un-athletic, chubby, and middle-aged, I was frankly verrrryy nervous the first time I took a bootcamp class at Urban Fitness. Alas, my anxieties were unfounded. The instructors are both kind and motivating, and always ensure an awesome workout. Though I am usually the slowest and most-quickly exhausted of my class, I am never made to feel embarrassed, but rather, always encouraged.
Urban Fitness has an awesome play space, plenty of street parking, and is reasonably priced. 45 minutes fly by in a whoosh of cardio and strength training sweat-laced fat burn. -
Review from Alo A.
Oakland, CA
8/3/2011 19 Check-ins Here
Frank & Noah are some badass muthafuckas!
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Review from Pierre D.
Oakland, CA
12/29/2010
I went to Urban Fitness a couple of years ago to work on core strength. Years of playing hockey and sporadic running had left me with chronic back pain, and I figured that weak core muscles were to blame.
Noah and Colleen managed to whip me into shape, and my back pain has almost completely disappeared. As a bonus, I am now a much faster runner.
This gym isn't for whiners. They'll work you until you're ready to cry... but sometimes that's just what you need. -
Review from Shiqi Y.
Oakland, CA
7/18/2011
great place to find some partners to have fun with while work out together. It's great for them to set up afternoon bootcamp for folks like me who just can't get up early enough for any morning sessions, lost 20lbs after 2 months since joined them. :)
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Review from Jacki S.
Los Angeles, CA
2/3/2011
In a word, UF boot camp is AMAZING.
I first joined in July 2009, about 9 months before my wedding. Although looking good in my wedding dress was my main motivation for joining, I quickly became addicted to the fast-paced 45 minute workouts led by Noah and Colleen and knew that I would want to continue going to boot camp classes after the wedding was over. I had researched several different boot camps in Oakland and SF, and decided to try UF because of the glowing yelp! reviews, the competitive pricing, and the option to do either a morning or evening class. I didn't want to go to an all-female boot camp filled with brides-to-be, and UF boot camp was definitely not like that. After e-mailing Noah and telling him I would like to try boot camp but was nervous because I'm not a very athletic person, he said that they can accommodate all fitness levels and I should just try a class since the first one is free anyway.
My first class was at 6:15 a.m. and I tried my best to keep up, so as to not embarrass myself, but the truth is I had never done most of these exercises and had no idea what a kettle bell was. Noah showed me how to properly do each exercise and kept me motivated the entire time. I was so sore after that workout that I could barely raise my arms to shampoo my hair in the shower! But I couldn't wait for the next class. I started going 2-3 times per week, alternating between the morning and evening classes.
Although it is a group class, Noah and Colleen make sure to observe each person in the class to make sure you are using proper form and to give you some individual motivation. The trainers also play their own selection of music to keep the workouts fun and upbeat, and incorporate a variety of exercises so you never get bored. Best of all, the other people in the class are all nice and motivate each other throughout the exercises, and it's a diverse crowd consisting of both men and women of different fitness levels. I didn't lose much weight, but definitely gained muscle and definition that I didn't have before. Overall, I felt healthier and stronger, and my clothes fit better.
I've since moved to L.A. and I really really miss UF. I haven't found a suitable replacement. I recently tried the Bar Method which is a different type of class altogether, and I've signed up for the 30 day trial, but I'm 3 classes in and I don't enjoy it nearly as much as boot camp. -
Review from Liz V.
Oakland, CA
4/28/2009
Review is for Boot Camp, not personal training
I tried Urban Fitness (which really equals: Noah the one and only friendly and tough trainer) for 1 month before my wedding and the results were phenomenal. I worked out 4-5 times p/week before, but this class actually created results b/c of the INTENSITY. It is 45 mins long, but that is all you need to build more muscle and slim down. I could actually do a real and good looking push up after 2 weeks and saw muscles in the same time period. By the end of the month I had lost weight, but more so my clothes fit and looked WAY better. You gain muscle mass, lose weight = lookin' good in my clothes (and down a size).
I was looking for a class that would make me do all of the exercises I knew but did not have the discipline to do and a group atmosphere. UF surpassed that by doing exercises I had NEVER dreamed of (think full out sprints while someone holds a bungee cord around your waist and pulls back like a mule and cart...omg) or imagined I could do.
The routine: there are 2 classes each day (6:15am, 6:30pm), start with stretches and some kind of warm-up (think anything from dodge ball to box jumps), then every variety of exercises and cardio you can think of, then abs and stretching. Lots of partner exercises and circuits (just when you think you are done, there is one more circuit....). You can do as many or as few classes as you want, so there are some regular people, and some you see once a week. This is nice if you like to see familiar faces.
It is pretty amazing that while your legs are literally shaking and burning or you are soooo out of breath that you think your heart is going to beat out of your chest you actually don't want to kill Noah b/c he is just a good guy. Being funny and motivating at 6:15 in the morning is pretty hard to do so I really appreciated that. His genuine enthusiasm for what he does for a living is clear.
It is $100+ each month, but breaks down to around $10 p/class and is worth 45 mins to a better and healthier body. He offers the first month unlimited classes so you can figure out how many times you really come. This is a GREAT deal. I have trouble paying for someone to do things I think I can do myself, but that is the bottom line; Urban Fitness gives you an all over, cardio/weights workout that you really cannot do on your own or get elsewhere. Thank you Noah...sorry this is so long! -
Review from Krisanne C.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 5/26/2011
Still loving me some Urban Fitness. After doing 1:1 training for quite a while, last October I switched to Boot Camp, and two weeks later, promptly trashed my legs in an unrelated injury (bad ankle sprain on the left and torn MCL on the right). After just a few weeks of convalescence, Noah convinced me to come back to 1:1s and I'm so glad I did.
He and the rest of the team were phenomenal at tailoring workouts to where I was in my recovery process, and helped to (as Noah put it) get me back to bad-assery. The UF trainers were a really great complement to my physical therapy and kept me energized and engaged even though I couldn't do quite as much as I'd been doing.
Happy to say that I'm 100% back to bad ass and back to Boot Camp classes as of the beginning of May and having a blast.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/13/2009
So there I was, about six months after starting 1:1 personal training with Noah. 3x/week, losing… Read more »
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Review from K H.
San Francisco, CA
7/14/2011
Just getting to my two month mark of one-on-one sessions with Frank and Noah at UF. The place is awesome and the workouts are amazing. This is one of those great times when yelp has it right, EVERYONE gives this place 5 stars because they kick-ass and deserve it!!
WARNING: Working out with these guys is like CRACK! It will be impossible to stop once you start :-) -
Review from D to the R.
Oakland, CA
6/18/2010
I second all of the great things that other people have said.
The trainers do such an awesome job creating the workouts in a way to maximize it for everyone (newbie or super-fit). I was SO impressed by that. I don't think that it's a place that you can "outgrow." You can come into bootcamp in less than great shape and still be challenged when you're in awesome shape. Love that!
Secondly, Urban Fitness Bootcamp is really competitively priced. I shopped around and honestly, I feel like this is the best value for a "bootcamp style" program in Oakland. I also feel like the amount of attention that the trainers are able to provide is perfect (this is for morning BC, haven't ever tried evening?).
Plus it's super cool that you can try out the 1st class for free and they never put the sell on you; their program speaks for itself. -
Review from Elizabeth J.
San Francisco, CA
3/10/2009
Oh Noah. I curse you all the time. When I go to climb the stairs at work, or when I try to sit down in a low chair I really do not like you. But, you have shaved a minute off my mile time and made my shoulder work like a normal persons. My jeans look better, I sleep better, that weird armpit fat is disappearing. Truly good stuff. I will never like the weird roller across the floor thing. '
He is worth the money and the time. Trust me. He changes the routine every time so you do not get bored, and for folks that travel often he will continue to yell at you over email to make sure you are not slacking off.
Go to him. -
Review from Fatemeh K.
Oakland, CA
5/1/2008
I haven't worked out consistently in something like 12 years. As a result, my body took the opportunity to flip me the proverbial bird, and I put on 15 or so pounds in the course of a year.
Enter Noah at Urban Fitness. I walk by the studio every day and see him working his classes through drills that seem far more interesting than your typical gym class or boot camp. Nice.
I go in for a consultation, after realizing my favorite suit doesn't fit. We set a game plan and I go in for my session.
Holy mother of God on earth. My quads didn't know what hit them. But strangely, I couldn't wait for my next session. He worked me through a bunch of stretches, used some weird foam roller on my muscles to break up the lactic acid, etc. and so on. I love this guy.
Bonus points for him wanting to check in with my chiropractor to ensure none of what we're doing is counter to what the DC has prescribed. -
Review from P J.
Daly City, CA
Updated - 6/29/2010
I'm going to add another 5 stars for Colleen. I have been training with Noah for some time. On his suggestion that I train with Colleen (one of the other trainers) because of my affinity for boxing and hitting things, I did just as he said and damn she is tough.
She has a background in MMA fighting, taekwon-do, jiu-jitsu, boxing and a bunch of other kick your ass sports. Don't let her cute, petite exterior fool you . . . she WILL WORK YOU!!
This is a wonderful gym with not only great bootcamps, but great trainers!! You can't go wrong with Colleen or Noah . .. in fact, I suggest you switch things up and train with both on different days.
Word of caution: Colleen has selective hearing. If you tell her "I hate you" she somehow hears "I love you, gimme more." I learned the hard way.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/7/2010
I've been meaning to write a review for Noah and his awesome training, but I kept forgetting, until… Read more »
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Review from erin g.
Oakland, CA
4/21/2009
He's good stuff!
Very professional, enthusiastic and DIFFERENT...you really do want to go back even though it hurts the next day...I think I am hooked.
Thank you Noah for making working out.....fun....I think :)
UPDATE: GO HERE! I've been working out with Noah for several months now and EVERYONE has noticed the change. I am STRONGER, LEANER and HEALTHIER!
Thank you NOAH! -
Review from Robin R.
Richmond, CA
12/23/2010
This review is long overdue. I went to Urban fitness for a few months about a year ago and loved it. I was so out of shape before I started. I couldn't even run around the block without feeling like I was going to die. I did get better and was able to run without feeling like I needed to stop. I like the fact that we used kettle bells and everyday there was some different type of workout. I did lose weight and my body fat percentage decrease. Thanks Noah for everything.
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Review from Adam C.
San Francisco, CA
3/11/2009
By far the most engaging, efficient use of 30 minutes that I have ever experienced. I come from the "old school" of weight training and have never seen results as fast I have with the training sessions at Urban Fitness.
It was an amazing kick-start to getting back in shape after 5 years on the shelf. I would recommend this to anyone that is looking to feel good and improve their health. -
Review from Melissa B.
Oakland, CA
1/3/2010
Review is for PERSONAL TRAINING & Noah & Colleen.
I am a 42 year old woman who hadn't worked out in AGES & was in poor shape (overweight, back pain, easily winded). I was very intimidated to make the 1st appointment with Noah. Not only do I hate working out & gyms in particular, I live in the same building that houses Urban Fitness so I see what goes on at the bootcamps & personal training sessions. It looked scary to me. As did Noah. Bottom line: it was the BEST decision I'd made all in a LONG time. I signed up for 30 minute personal training sessions 3x per week. As others have said before, I get my ass kicked. But it ROCKS. I just tell myself "it's only 30 minutes, I can DO this" & I DO. Noah works me every second of those 30 minutes, but he pushes me in an empowering way, not in an intimidating way. (Plus he's quite silly, just ask him for some corny jokes & then groan... :) The results after just a few months: I feel old muscles in a new, encouraging way; I don't feel like an old lady when walking the dog or climbing the stairs; my posture & balance have improved; my self-esteem has improved; & YES, I've lost weight & toned muscles. If you're feeling "too old" or out of shape to try this kind of training, DON'T. Go for it. You'll be glad you did. I haven't tried a bootcamp session yet, but often I see the sessions in action & everyone seems stoked & having fun. Do yourself a favor. Seriously. You don't need Gold's or whatever, you need Urban Fitness. -
Review from blak k.
Oakland, CA
2/11/2010
So...you THINK you need to get in shape?? Noah and crew will let you KNOW you need to get in shape!! But...you will have fun doing it! Now, let's not get it twisted...they kick ASS...BAD! But it feels so damn good (kinda). Relay races, burpees, crab crawls, jumping jacks, ketle bells(WTF) and a bunch of other shiznit that makes you want to cry...until a few weeks into the game and you realize that you look better, feel better, can workout and leave with a smile instead of an attitude cuz you actually made it through the WHOLE workout without stopping or crying, and your jeans look good on your ass! I heart Noah!!
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Review from Athena B.
Alameda, CA
3/31/2010
I knew I wanted to be in shape. I'd never been "in shape" having been a sedentary couch-potato since childhood, it was hard to imagine how to begin. I'd tried many different fitness plans and gym memberships, but never stuck to anything. I wanted something different, something that would challenge me, keep me interested, and give me measurable results..
I'd come across Urban Fitness on Yelp; the reviews are stellar, UF has a solid and informative website, and is convenient to me in location. Based on reviews, UF seemed to fit the bill and on the last day of my latest unused annual gym membership, I took a deep breath and emailed UF. Within an hour I had a response and an appointment to meet was made.
In our initial meeting, I was impressed with Noah's breadth of knowledge in physical fitness, his no-nonsense philosophy on training, and his relaxed confidence in his ability to motivate me. There was absolutely no pressure, no contracts, no hard sells - nada. All I had to do was show up for the (free) first session and we'd take it from there.
I worked with Urban Fitness for 4 months in one on one personal training sessions 3x per week. Every session was different, I never knew what I'd be asked to do, and I loved it. I just showed up and did as I was instructed, gave as much as I had - no matter how difficult or impossible it seemed. And most importantly, I laughed - a lot. This has definitely been the very hardest physical thing I've ever done, and yet I crave more! Urban Fitness brings the perfect combination of fun, challenge and encouragement to keep me enthused and engaged.
I've since 'graduated' to bootcamp for 1 month now, 3-4x per week and I continue to be pushed to my limit and the intensity is off the charts! Ever played tug-o-war on the street in JLS with 30+ screaming adults? Carried an adult piggy-back style down the road? Spider crawled with 20lb dumbbells in each hand down to the stop sign? You will!
Having my ass kicked regularly at Urban Fitness is the best thing I've done for myself in ages. They have helped transform me in ways I never dreamed possible. My arms are absolutely rockin, a cute little waist is emerging, my legs are unbelievably solid, and I've dropped 2 jeans sizes.
That's what I define as measurable results! -
Review from Joe P.
Oakland, CA
6/23/2010
Noach & Colleen SUCK! For pushing me to do BURPEES, and mountain climbers, and the fireman carry, and flipping a friggin tire down the block, and kettlebells. Well actually I kinda like the tire & 'bells. And really they don't SUCK. In May 2009 I used YELP to find Urban Fitness, and I'm thankful for all things YELP. And I'm even more thankful for the great training, motivation, diet consultation and the general holistic approach to wellnessthat Noah has provided to me. I can't wait to get to the gym, can't wait to workout, and look forward to the UF blog. Urban Fitness has made life pretty darn GREAT! Check them out - just don't take my time slot!
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Review from Reynaldo P.
Oakland, CA
8/24/2008
I was first introduced to Urban Fitness last November and I didnt know what to expect. I was used to the old methodology of weights: Mon/Thurs = chest/triceps/legs and Tue/Fri = shoulders/biceps/back. Noah, the owner, introduced my muscles to a new form of strength building. He likes to work on core exercises that focuses on many different muscle groups at one time rather than focusing on an individual set. I actually like this much better; I feel sore the next day -- which means it was a good workout for me. I totally recommend Noah and his methods. He takes his time and will adjust the exercises and pace according to your current progress. Check him out, you wont be sorry... well, maybe just a little. :)
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Review from Pamela K.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 5/19/2010
Just a quick update. Contrary to my own belief I have lost weight and inches and continue to feel more empowered with each work out. Healthier eating habits together with UF Boot Camp has given me the shift I was looking for...I am fitting into clothes I have not been able to wear since before my youngest was born and I am excited to try clothes on, seeing and feeling the difference. I still have more work to do and am happy to have UF in my corner!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/18/2010
I am a month and a half into this and yes the first weeks were excruciating but nothing a good Epsom… Read more »
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Review from Jason O.
Alameda, CA
5/28/2010
First session today. Good times
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Review from Dennis M.
Darien, CT
9/3/2009
Noah's boot camp is a fantastic way to start your day right. Or in pain - same thing. He has a great approach and a good group working out together. He was especially accomodating to me by setting up a program that allows me to drop in when I am in Oakland in business (I live in CT).
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Review from Steve S.
Oakland, CA
6/3/2008
Let me start by saying that I work in an office sitting down at least eight hours per day and, at the time of my search for a trainer, my son was six months old. After he reached 18 pounds, I decided that I needed to get fit in order to lift him without getting back problems.
I saw an ad in our local Jack London newsletter and contacted Noah to set up an informational meeting. After the meeting I signed up for three training sessions per week in order to meet my goal of feeling fit and more energetic.
I'm now in month six of training and Noah has definitely helped me reach my goals and I'm really happy with the results. Noah is always aware of my progress and can change workouts on the fly to keep the sessions extremely productive. The exercises change with my fitness level and I've noticed that I can walk longer distances and carry my son without losing my breath. Overall, I'm more toned and energetic.
I highly recommend Urban Fitness as a great training facility and Noah as an awesome trainer that personalizes workouts (and music) to achieve the best results. -
Review from ward m.
Oakland, CA
8/31/2009
I was an athlete in college and I spent a few years getting pretty out of shape. I wasn't too happy about it, but sick of gyms and not really looking forward to trying to start my own lonely running routine for the 15th time. So, my friends said, "Check out Urban Fitness..."
I thought, "I don't want to be told what to do!! Especially by some macho, super peppy instructor!!" But... the first lesson was free so I thought I had nothing to lose?
What I found was this:
- Cool people of all types going to the boot camps...
- Different workouts every day...
- Cool Instructors that know how to encourage BUT... when to shut up!
- A class that starts and ends exactly on time... so I am never late...
When I'm out of town my trainer gives me workouts I can do without any equipment. I am in the best shape I have been in since college rowing. I have been going for 4 months and I have no plans to stop! -
Review from Dominique C.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 5/11/2009
One year later, still getting my butt kicked by Noah, keep getting stronger and stronger and yet he STILL finds ways to challenge me!! It's just addictive...that's all I can say.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/24/2008
You love him and you hate him. He puts you through hell, but when it's over, somehow you've become… Read more »
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Review from Melissa K.
Oakland, CA
12/10/2009
This review is for personal training, not boot camp. Whether you outright love him or love to hate him for pushing you hard, there will be some kind of love for Noah as a trainer. Me . . . I both love him AND love to hate him. His energetic New York smartass attitude makes me want to show up every session for the pure entertainment value (okay, so the fact that he's hot doesn't hurt either), and then once I'm there he always dishes out a great workout. Each session is different so there's no burnout from doing the same old thing. Noah knows his stuff, teaches impeccable technique, and is quite a badass himself. I've also worked out with Colleen quite a few times and she's just as much of a Martial Arts stud, and just as good at kicking your butt, as Noah. Don't come for hand-holding or rah-rah cheering, though -- these are real trainers with a wide knowledge base and great use of equipment to engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously. There is always free street parking and the facility is well stocked and has a great high-ceiling to keep it from being stuffy. I'm hooked on Urban Fitness and highly recommend their personal training.
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Review from Anna C.
Oakland, CA
11/29/2009
There is a reason why Urban Fitness gets nothing but five stars. Stop thinking about it and just go. You won't be disappointed.
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Review from Neelam P.
Oakland, CA
6/15/2008
Up until three months ago, when it came to exercise I was completely unmotivated. Then one day two of my friends who had been to Noah's bootcamp class convinced me to try it out just once. They had recently started going and were hooked. I wondered what Noah was offerring them to refer their friends and the truth was he wasn't offerring anything...they just enjoyed it so much that they wanted me to start going too. They were far from gym buffs so I figured if they can do it, why can't I?
Fast forward three months...I feel stronger, leaner, and healthier than I have ever felt before. I have so much energy after I attend bootcamp and as tough as the class is (it kicks my butt every time), I always look forward to the next session. I have never stuck with an exercise routine ever before and the reason this class motivated me was because I was able to see results very soon after my first session and because Noah works hard to mix it up and create a different workout every time so I don't get bored.
Noah's great and anyone who can consistently motivate me to get my ass out of bed at 5:45 three times a week for his 6:15 class is a true winner! Try Urban Fitness! You won't be disappointed. -
Review from Trish C.
Oakland, CA
4/29/2009
Absolutely worth every last dime. I have been in good shape my entire life, but Noah took me to a whole new level. Unfortunately right now I am out of the country for several months, and have really missed training with Noah. I still do many of the routines that I learned with him, and though they are effective, nothing compares to actually training with him. Yes, it is painful, and yes there will be times when you absolutely hate him, but as others have said, somehow you will become addicted and you might even look forward to getting up at 5:45am to work out with him!
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Review from Luis D.
Oakland, CA
7/13/2008
great results... no nonsense workouts: ball tosses, sprints, kettle bells, etc.
