The Training Room is by far the best non-gym, gym that exists! I don’t like to gush, but this place is definitely gush-worthy. The Training Room is located in Somerville, MA, just a few-minutes walk from Porter Square T-station, and owned by two great women with a small army of fabulous trainers and instructors.
The brilliance of ‘TR’, as I like to call it, is that it’s not your typical gym, but something even better. It’s a personal training facility combined with workout classes such as spinning, core training, and more. Think of it as a training studio. You’re not pressured into signing up for a 2 year contract. Instead, you’re welcome to come in and take a class or a training session at your leisure with literally no obligations. You pay-as-you-go. Each class and training session is individually priced, but for those who become total TR junkies, as many do, you can buy packs of classes or training that don’t expire for up to a year.
I know what you’re thinking, ‘Oh man, this sounds like some exclusive, fancy place where people are hard-core, crazy fitness fanatics.’ Well, you’d be wrong if you thought this! Yeah, I’ve always been a fairly active person who loved working out, but I certainly am not
50/50 Class at The Training Room
always on the wagon and definitely came sauntering into TR for the first time a year ago, nowhere near my fittest. I can honestly say though, that I’ve never worked so hard, nor wanted to work so hard, as I have here. The beauty is when you walk into TR, you’re surrounded by friendly people who all feel like your personal coaches cheering you on, no matter you’re background and experience w/ fitness, and it makes you want to put in that effort and have fun doing it.
If you train, you’re assigned to one trainer, and they work with you one-on-one to meet your personal fitness goals. If you just take classes, you’re not lost in a sea of faces- there’s only room for up to 15 or so in a class, and the instructors make a point to learn your name and get to know you. There’s no hiding in the back here! Cause the ‘back’ is just 3 rows from the front! So, even in classes you still get personal attention.
That is what makes this place so amazing. You go in and forget the world of worries- literally leaving them at the door. You’re greeted with smiles, and ‘hello’s’ and you’re encouraged to push your hardest but not to forced to exceed your limits. And just when you think you’ve reached those limits, the trainers/instructors here guide you to the realization that you’ve just pushed past them and you can do more than you ever thought.
You can see the variety of classes and training options they provide, see photos of the space, and get to know the staff all on their website. For instance, you can sign up 50/50 class on Thursday nights. This is an hour of cycling on stationary bikes and body weight resistance. You spend about 50% of the time on the bike and the other 50% doing push-ups, or sit-ups, squats and more. Or you can sign up for their Cycling Intensive program starting December 5th. It’s a 90-minute, 5-week progressive cycling program designed to improve athletic performance on the bike.
TR Cycling. Photo Courtesy of Essdras M Suarez/EMS Photography 2010
In addition you can sign up for their 3 month commitment package to kick off 2011! They offer this year around, but what better time to sign up then to fulfill those New Years Resolutions! This pack includes (2) 60-minute personal training sessions per week; (2) yoga, cycling or boot camp classes per week; weekly food diary tracking; and a Training Room t-shirt. It has defined start and end dates based on when you want to begin. ( *package expires 3 months from purchase date).
Also, keep in mind, with Christmas and New Years coming around the corner they are now offering gift certificates if you have a special someone you know will love this! Now, if this post doesn’t have you quite convinced, no worries, I’ll be highlighting special events for this place from time to time and maybe eventually you’ll take the leap and see what you’ve been missing!
Check the site out regularly as classes are regularly added, and they have outdoor boot camp sessions in the summer that blows other local-area boot camps away! Plus, they continue to offer an indoor version in the colder months. Don’t let not living in the Somerville/Cambridge area stop you from coming and seeing what this place is all about! Like I said, they’re steps away from Porter Square (5 min max) so no excuses! Show some love and come check out The Training Room!
Here’s to getting fitter, stronger, healthier, and happier!
 |
