Coco Fitness

I’ve been a client of Coco’s for 3 years. She has helped me maintain a 30+ pound weight loss. I take both her Zumba classes and attend her small-​group personal training classes. I had been working with another trainer prior and he didn’t «get» what I needed out of his services. He wasn’t able to understand what motivates me to work out and what my fitness goals were. He was more focused on what I found to be the «superficial» aspects of fitness (like «looking good naked»). What I actually needed was a trainer like Coco who has a fun and supportive approach. She offers carrots (and not sticks!). Coco is very responsive (and understanding) of her clients’ needs. If you want a fun and challenging workout and want to support a great local, small business, check out Coco Fitness!
The location of her studio is great, too, since it’s right across the street from the W&L track.
With Coco Fitness, I’ve found a great way to keep-​in-​shape, try out the latest dance and exercise routines, and cope with the stress of everyday life. As I mentioned in my first paragraph, Coco’s services are MUCH different than other gyms and personal trainers I’ve used in the past. She is super encouraging and I love the «boutique» environment of her studio. I can’t recommend it enough.

Great teacher. But… the class was held on a concrete floor. I gave the teacher a low rating because of how she responded when I tried to discuss with her the importance of proper flooring for any kind of impact-​exercise. Bad flooring is bound to result in injuries. A lack of absorption from the floor and through the biomechanics of how you move, repeated over and over as we do when dancing will put excessive strain on particular muscles, ligaments and bones and lead to chronic pain and injuries such as Stress Fractures. It’s a great way to get early onset osteoarthritis in the long run. The damage it causes is permanent — there is no going back. The class was held in a church basement. I asked if it was wood, and said ti felt and looked like concrete. Her reply was to say it was not concrete, it was linoleum. I said that it’s not good to dance on concrete and covering it with linoleum does not change the fact it’s concrete underneath. At that point class started. I approached her after class and complimented her on the great class. I told her I would love to come back but only if it was in a location with a wooden floor. She said it was a profit company and she was trying to build her business and couldn’t afford a place with a wooden floor. She is trained as a trainer, so she must be aware it’s not good to dance on concrete. She was very sweet and all smiles, but it was very clear to me she was not going to listen or acknowledge what I was saying. In other words — she knows it’s not good for her clients/​customers, but does it anyway. I know lots of classes are held in church basements, and that many people either don’t know, or discount, the danger of dancing on concrete. But that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a known, recognized danger. For a teacher who knows full well it’s a problem and essentially denies it — that’s an ethical problem. It doesn’t work for me for someone to dismiss it by saying she’s trying to «grow her business.» This is the same thing as saying her profit margin trumps the health and well-​being of her clients/​customers. Plenty of struggling new fitness teachers find ways to «grow their business» without saving money by holding classes in rooms with concrete floors. They make this choice for a reason: they know it’s the right and ethically correct decision. (Either that — or they are taking care of themselves — it affects them also!). It would be helpful if you have a way of showing on websites if impact-​classes are held on concrete or wood floors. Seatbelts were nonexistent in cars up through the 1960s. Then they became standard, by the 1970s, and finally — using them became legally required. Cigarettes are now not permitted in many establishments, and outlawed in every state for minors, once as a society we realized they were unhealthy for us. Unless you think that osteoarthritis, stress fractures, and ligament damage are no big deal, then becoming aware of whether the surface we dance on is concrete or wooden should follow the same trajectory towards awareness of the dangers and risks of concrete floor use. Someone will get injured — it’s only a matter of time. Just because they might not know enough to associate with the surface they are dancing on does not mean that’s not the cause. It is the cause. This teacher knows this, and yet continues to schedule class in a room with a concrete floor. Some teacher…

I’ve been coming to Zumba with Coco and Melissa for four years and can’t say enough great things. Metro accessible (Ballston), a wonderful group of supportive women, competitive pricing without needing to pay for a gym membership, a fun variety of music and most importantly, a great workout every time!
The first time I came to class, I was 70 pounds heavier and could barely make it though the warm-​up without breaking a sweat. But I was welcomed, encouraged and included just like everybody else. I can’t tell you how much that no-​pressure environment helped keep me coming back.
Zumba is the first exercise I have ever stuck with in my life and I have Cocofitness to thank!

COCO Fitness — Sunny’s Cooking Classes
Sunny’s cooking classes are so good. It is a small setting in his big kitchen — max around 9, 10 depending. Classes are topical or theme — everybody get a copy of the menu, choose what which dishes you want to help with, then all jump in with the prep, cook the meal and Bön Apetit — we munched down on the food we just prepared. Leave with new tricks, new menus and new ways of preparing foods and having fun too. This is hands on and Sunny helps us walk through as WE do the cooking. He watches over our shoulders and guides — we sure need someone watching
I took 3 different classes from Sunny, so something must have worked out for me take 2 more after the first. I don’t go back when it’s not good. (1) — Knife skills with a bunch a friends, so much fun, learned a lot we thought we knew (but didn’t; wonder we still had all 10 fingers — Nothing to do with his class, but all the things we were doing) — Glad to learn. (2). Wok cooking was easy and great fun — I thought i knew how to cook with a Wok. Now I do and its so easy to cook with a wok. (3) Cooking with small time (I forgot the exact name of the class).
To me the first two were excellent and I want to go back and take the Thai cooking. The third one was helpful and good; Knife Skills and Wok were the fav of the 3 so far. I highly recommend and I’m going back in the fall or Spring. Last thing I’ll say is this: if you want to learn new or basic cooking skills and foods, then head on over to Sunny’s

I’ve been going to Coco’s Zumba classes off and on for about two years now, and I love it. I wish that travel and life didn’t sometimes keep me from going, because the Saturday morning class always makes my weekend better. The class atmosphere is fun, supportive, and nonjudgmental, which is important to me as a heavier, uncoordinated woman. My sense of rhythm is terrible and I’m very shy, but it doesn’t matter that I look ridiculous most of the time when I’m dancing – it’s just a good time. And I’d like to think that my dancing has improved somewhat thanks to regular Zumba.
Coco is always adding new songs or bringing back oldies (relatively speaking), which keeps the class from being repetitive. And, of course, it’s a fantastic workout. Since I’ve started this class, I’ve lost about 20 pounds – and I think that finding a workout that is fun and challenging, where I’m not self-​conscious, has been a huge part of that.
The only possible negative is that the class location moves around a bit (in the summer, the regular church in which it’s held just gets too hot), so make sure you check the website so you don’t end up in the wrong place.

Can I say how much I love Coco? I’ve just finished my 10 class Zumba pass last week, and immediately bought myself a new one. I love how easy Coco makes everything look like, but once you stop moving for a second during class you realize how many muscles you were using at the time. I love how she keeps motivating everyone to keep on going, and I also love how convenient the location of the classes are to me.
Yesterday, I got back from my second small-​group-​personal-​training with Coco, and I can’t wait for what’s to come. I have the feeling this time I’ll actually be sticking to my workout schedule.
PS. I can still feel some sore muscles and I LOVE THE FEELING!

I have had the pleasure of cooking twice now with Sunny and every time I do I come away with wonderful dishes and recipes along great tips for working in the kitchen. If you love trying new things in a fun environment I highly recommend taking a class.

I think I’m a zumba junkie and it’s all Coco’s fault!
I wasn’t always a junkie though. And I can still recall my first basics zumba class. I had been reluctant to go, but was convinced by a family member that I should give it a try. During that time in my life, I was feeling very unhealthy and unmotivated. The basics class turned out to easier than I thought. And afterwards, Coco invited us to watch a portion of the regular zumba class. I thought to myself, ‘okay, maybe I can do this.’ Still, I wasn’t sure if it was for me.
When I got engaged a few months later, I decided that I needed to do something about my situation. I wanted to get in shape, not just for the wedding, but for me. I thought about it and looked up Coco.
I signed up for Coco’s small group training. We discussed my goals, set up a meeting and determined my fitness level. At first, because of money constraints, I decided to only meet once a week, and supplement with zumba classes twice a week. But after I got started, it was clear that I needed to really up the ante to get the results I wanted. So for 6 months, I worked my butt off, literally.
During that time, I saw Coco up to four times a week, more than some of my friends! Coco pushed me harder than I ever could have on my own. She was encouraging. She was funny. She was, and is, just a really nice person. I even got to meet some new friends on the way. The whole experience was incredibly positive.
Now that the wedding’s over, I still go to Coco’s zumba class as often as I can, about twice a week. It is a little therapeutic. I chat with other zumba junkies. I dance my stress away. I stop thinking about work, and responsibilities. And of course, Coco is the most high-​energy, fun loving zumba instructor ever. Her moves are easy to follow, and she is not intimidating. People in her class are friendly.
Coco holds classes at two locations in Arlington. On Tuesdays, the class is held at Ballston Mall at the Sport & Heath. This class is often so crowded that you need to RSVP. And the front desk can be quite annoying. But in the end it is aways worth it. My funky mood is always lifted, and I get a «high» from all the adrenaline.
Saturday’s class is held at the Kirkwood Sport & Health. The classroom at this location is more roomy and there are usually less people. The front desk here is much more inviting and the facility has free parking.
Coco, and her zumba classes and personal training, has made a really big difference in my life. I would recommend Coco to anyone, old & young, experienced or uncoordinated. I hope her business continues to grow, as she is a true gem in the fitness world.

Pretty much everyone I know (relatives and friends) have tried or are currently taking Zumba, and I had to find out what the craze was about. When I found a studio walking distance from me (well what I consider walking distance), I was excited. I don’t go to Ballston too often and wasn’t familiar with the area from its address. But then I found out it was in a gym in the Ballston Mall, and I, not being a fan of gyms or malls, got nervous.
So tonight was my first Zumba class. I go to check in at the front desk, and I had to walk past a row of people on treadmills to get to the back where the Zumba classes were held. Just seeing the treadmills made me feel like I was on one and that I was going to fall off it any minute…
When I got to the door of the studio where the class would be held at, I took notice of the others who were waiting for this class. They were mostly squeaky-​voiced (as in women whose voices haven’t matured past junior high age), airheaded, loud-​speaking preppy chicks who were dressed more to impress (in expensive Lululemon workout gear or short-​shorts and a ton of makeup) than for an intense workout. (I don’t know who they were trying to impress because the token guy in the class seemed to go with the flow the other way, if you know what I mean.)
Then Coco and one of her assistants (who also took the class) came and took attendance and collected passes/​fees from those who hadn’t paid yet. Coco was all smiles, and I was hoping she’d stay that way.
So we go into the studio, and I am usually very shy in new situations (such as this) and this environment definitely upped my shy factor. Instead of hiding in the corner sending text updates to Facebook like I normally would while waiting for something to start (okay, so I did send some, but still), I opted instead to go in the center of the studio and start doing stretches I normally do before my martial arts workouts (fake it ’til you make it, right?). I wanted to give the impression that I was a star and belonged there. (Man, can I be cocky.)
The class finally starts and Coco’s all smiles. Not once did her energy level drop or did she frown. All those worries about being in a gym in a mall around snobby girls disappeared because I got too caught up in the moment with the dancing. The music played was loud and a combination of hip-​hop tunes and Latin music, so we were really moving in there.
I am not a dancer (try as I might in the past) and I cannot pick up choreographed moves worth a damn. Not once did Coco come over to reprimand me or anyone else who sucks at dancing. All she did was keep encouraging the group to keep moving, and boy, did we.
I’m a new black belt in a martial art, so I’ve been conditioned to not need to run for water as much. The only time there were breaks was when Coco changed the music. I saw those ladies running for their water bottles like Lord knows what! Coco considered slowly down the tunes and moves, but she noted that «Wow! No one’s bending over! We can keep on moving!» (I’m sure those who were worn out gave a silent moan.)
In the end, Coco’s workout was tons more intense than anything I’ve done in martial arts. That hour passed by as if it were five minutes. Not once did Coco’s energy wane, and her friendly personality is so contagious.
So I left there truly feeling the burn (and also a hot sweaty mess dying to go home and take a shower), and I want to go back for more. I can get over my aversion to gyms, malls and snooty chicks for a fun workout with a great instructor.

Sunny’s cooking classes are wonderful, informative, and fun. Because he hosts the classes in his home kitchen, the class size is limited to 6, which creates an intimate, hands-​on environment. Sunny is knowledgeable and charismatic, and he somehow manages to remember each student’s name. He also develops menus that are low-​fat and healthier, yet authentic-​tasting. I highly recommend Sunny’s cooking classes for foodies and novices alike who are looking for an enjoyable (and tasty) Saturday afternoon.

Great cooking classes! Small classes in an intimate environment. Very hands on. You get to enjoy all of the food from the class after you’re done eating.

Hands down Coco is the best fitness instructor in the DC metro area. Her positive energy, encouragement and expertise in fitness gave me the body I’ve been wanting for so long. I’ve also tried her Zumba class too which was high energy, fun, and great Latin music. She is worth every penny!