Variant Fit

I started working out with Mike at Variant Fit a little over a year ago, shortly after I moved to NYC. I tried dozens (if not hundreds.) of classes, gyms and trainers during this time — so believe me when I say Variant Fit is one of the best. My favorite things about it are:
1. Small classes — it’s like you’re getting a personal training session, every time.
2. Variety — every class is slightly different so it never gets boring.
3. Supportive — Mike is great at pushing you to perform at your best, but also offers modifications for injuries, or if you need to go slower/​lighter for any reason.
4. Form — Mike is big on proper form, which a lot of other trainers (especially in classes) tend to ignore. I really appreciate that and always feel like I’m learning something new!
These classes are great for anyone looking for a challenging and effective workout. FIVE STARS ALL DAY!

I wish I could give more than 5 stars. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am to Mike as my personal trainer and 4×4 class instructor. As an actress, I am determined to live a balanced lifestyle and not get suckered into the «saltine and seltzer» diet. After receiving some negative criticism about my body, instead of quitting, I used it as fuel– and my search for a trainer began. As luck would have it I found Variant Fit, put in a call, and received my free consultation with Mike. WOW!
First and foremost he approaches fitness holistically. Not only do you have tailored workouts designed for your exact needs, but the nutrition to go with it. Secondly, Mike is so personable and answers any questions you may have regarding workouts, form, and nutrition. He also logs into your food journal with you and is able to help tweak things. Thirdly, the workouts are phenomenal. The one on ones are so specific to what you want to achieve and Mike never lets your form falter. He pushes you, but never in an intimidating way. The great thing too is that if you opt for a class, it is almost like having a one on one. With a small class size and the 4×4 structure, Mike is constantly watching form and will help make adjustments either to reps or form, just for you, so you always leave feeling your best and energized for the day.

What makes Variant Fitness so special is that as soon as you begin the workout, it’s on. For those 30 – 60 minutes, you will be moving, sweating, moving some more, sweating some more, you get the picture.
Mike is one of the most strategic technical trainers that I have ever met! In high school psychology, I learned about gestalt or something that is more than the sum of its parts. Gestalt totally describes Mike’s workout strategy.
Depending on the workout that you are doing i.e. 4×4 beginning, 4×4 intermediate, the gauntlet, you will do 4 – 5 rounds. In each round, you will do 2 sets of each exercise and within each set, you will do anywhere from 5 to 30+ reps. In the beginning of each round when Mike first explains each exercise, nothing looks or sounds too crazy, but put together, oh baby, you feel the burn and that round somehow becomes more challenging than you thought it would be.
Despite that challenge and the fatigue that you will definitely encounter, Mike makes the whole experience positive and always is watching your form.
The most challenging part of the workout is remembering the exercises and number of reps for each exercise for each round and then keeping track of how many reps you have done. Only recommendation I would add is perhaps getting dry erase markers and writing out the exercises on the mirror and the number of reps for that round.
Major bonus points to Mike for always remembering clients’ names!

Variant Fit is by far my favorite class on classpass and if I could take more than 3 a month, I completely would. The classes are challenging but fun and you feel accomplished and great after the class is over. Its never the same workout which makes it fun and challenging week to week. Mike knows everyone’s name and really takes the time to get to know each student and their strengths/​weaknesses. He is constantly pushing you to new heights and ensuring you are pushing yourself. I would 100% recommend this to everyone, no matter your skill level!

Mike is a great trainer, he specializes in smaller classes that are highly structured and supportive. He creates a welcome environment where his challenging classes will push you to do your best. Mike has classes suitable for all levels and his attentive style brings the best out of his clients.
The Guantlet and Plyo Burn are very competitive classes to will bring workouts to the next level and allow anyone to reach their potential.

I found this class through ClassPass and really love it. The studio is bare bones with no water or towels, so don’t come expecting anything more than that. The class itself, however, is hard to beat. They’re extremely challenging and I always leave dripping in sweat but so happy I came. Mike is really positive, helpful, and motivating, and wastes no time during the class. I absolutely recommend the class if you’re an athlete looking for a challenge or even someone who is looking to gain strength or endurance.

I love Mike and I love his classes. Not much else I can say that hasn’t already been said…
Mike even modified the class for me a few times when I was in a boot (A BOOT!!!) with a sprained ankle!!! Very impressive.
Awesome instructor and awesome class. You should go. That is all.

Holy hell. Mike’s class, «The Gauntlet,» is flat-​out incredible. I love any good challenge, but this was just on another level. A few Sundays ago, there were only two of us in the class, which meant that my partner-​in-​sweat/​new friend and I each had Mike’s full attention, all the way through (as I’m sure is always the case, as he intentionally keeps classes small).
Mike is genuinely encouraging, knows exactly when to push harder, and exactly when to let you dig deep and grind it out on your own. This perfect balance made an hour fly by of some of the (seriously and surprisingly) hardest work I’ve put in in a long time.

I have taken the 4×4 and Gauntlet classes and both are probably the best group classes I have ever taken.
It starts with Mike, who is an awesome trainer. He’s not the type of trainer who is a lunatic meathead, nor is he the kind who is bored during your workout. He is really supportive, engaged, and encourages you to go at your own pace while challenging you to push yourself. He is also really quick to answer to emails and maintains a great level of communication if you have any questions before or after a class.
Also, I like that the classes are small (4 people in the 4×4 and no more than 6 in the Gauntlet). For this reason, Mike is really hands on with everyone in the class — it almost feels like a personal training session.
Last but not least, the classes are challenging. I exercise 4−5x a week and think I’m in good shape, but I always feel like my workout here is my best one of the week.
Check it out — you won’t regret it!

I don’t leave Unilocal reviews unless something is absolutely terrible or absolutely amazing… this one is the latter.
Today was my second 4×4 class I attended through Classpass and it was AWESOME. Very high intensity, moving nonstop for just about the full hour. Some body weight movements, some dumbbell moves, kettlebell moves, and TRX. From the first circuit on, my heart rate was up and the sweat was dripping.
Post-​workout, I was gasping for air, my heart was racing, and I had a huge smile on my face. I haven’t worked that hard/​felt this good post-​workout in a while.
As far as classes available through Classpass, I’m not sure you can do better than this.

Mike is awesome. His classes are high intensity, super positive, and always small. I’ve tried a few circuit classes via ClassPass and this one is definitely the best.

Mike is a great instructor! His workouts are personal and he focuses on form and intensity. His 4×4 and Gauntlet classes are sure to make you sweat and burn a ton of calories… I HIGHLY recommend these classes!

I am your typical New York gym junkie & have been to probably 40 gyms in The city. This is one of the best! Mike comes up with a well balanced workout that truly challenges you for a full hour. High recommend checking it out

Mike has great classes. They are challenging, enjoyable, and unique. The small class sizes allow him to give moves not possible in larger studios. He is also able to give individual attention and cater exercises to your strengths, fitness level, and goals. I leave every class feeling great. Overall, its definitely one of the best values on classPass

Mike at Variant is a great trainer. If you want a small group class setting with an instructor who gives instruction on par with individual personal training sessions, look no further. Unless you are already rather well trained, start with Mike’s 4×4 and work your way up to his Gauntlet class.

Mike is an absolutely amazing trainer. As a ClassPass-​er who frequents many different boutique studios, I can confidently say that his high intensity workouts are among the best in the city. Not to mention, the fact that his classes are pretty small (usually 3 or 4 people max) means that you’re basically getting a personal trainer, one that’s able to expertly modify the workout to your fitness level, push you to your max, and ensure your entire body is completely burned out by the end of the workout. The variety in each of his workouts means each class flies by, as you’ll be doing a bunch of moves that you’ve never done at other HIIT studios (ie. utilizing ropes for sled pulls, a bunch of crazy TRX moves, etc). Best of all, Mike’s an awesome guy with a great attitude and infectious energy, which always pushes you to give it your best. You really can’t find a better trainer than him.

Awesome circuit workout for those that love hitting total body and pushing to the limit.
There are a lot of bootcamp fitness classes, but Mike did a great job designing his 4×4 and Gauntlet workouts. Most classes make you do basic movements for time or rep count to get you sweating over 45−60min.
Mike’s progressions are balanced so you’re doing quality work with each exercise while still getting your heart rate jacked. You’re toast 70% through the class and pushing to the end is totally worth it. Felt a real thorough workout.

My fiancée has been working with Mike for many years and always sung his praises and tried to get me to join… But I’m pretty stubborn sometimes.
Now, though, that the wedding is in sight and I don’t really want to have to wear the largest available suit size — I decided it was time to listen to her and join them for a session.
I have to say that Mike met and exceeded all expectations. I have had trainers before with mixed results (see above) — but I know I’ll be working with Mike up to the wedding and beyond.
After only a couple sessions he quickly learned how to read me and get the most out of me. He seems to know when to stay quiet and let me fight through it or when to really encourage me to keep going.
My strength and range of motion has increased dramatically and am already down a belt hole or two…
As a guy — Mike makes it very comfortable vs other way too macho guys I’ve had as trainers. He can talk football one minute and the next best restaurant the next …
So yeah — sign up now!

Mike is an excellent trainer. He mixes a variety of exercises into every workout — focusing on cardio, strength, flexibility — and escalates reps and intensity as your capabilities increase. So sessions always remain challenging! He’s also really good about ensuring that you maintain proper form in order to maximize effectiveness and avoid injury.
On top of that, Mike’s also a really great guy and incredibly dedicated to his work. I’m thrilled that he continues to help me become less of a lazy fat-​ass. Thanks, man!

Mike came recommended through a friend who had been training with him through her 2 pregnancies. I was new to personal training and looking for a solution to working out without triggering pregnancy related back pain I was having.
Mike was exactly what I needed, he gave me the ability to continue working out through my pregnancy right up until the week I delivered. And doing it in a way that I trusted and knew would not aggravate my back pain. I had tried another personal training gym in park slope prior to starting with Mike and after one session I was in so much pain I was unable to walk the next day as the trainer didn’t really listen to the issue or understand how to have me exercise avoiding it.
I never suffered any more back pain after working out with Mike.
Not only did he enable me to build up my fitness level again through my pregnancy, he also was able to focus my exercise towards areas that would help me prepare for labor. Having recently been a new Dad himself and having trained other clients through pregnancies he is very knowledgeable in this type of training and I have no doubt the preparation helped prepare me for my labor. And I’m sure helped in being able to get back into my pre pregnancy jeans after 2 weeks!!!
Ok a personal note Mike is great to train with, he had a great aptitude, energy and outlook is fun to work out with and pushes you hard enough to feel a difference.
I’m looking forward to continuing training post pregnancy.

MIke’s been my trainer for over four years now, and will be for many more, because:
1. Somehow, our workouts don’t get ANY easier.
2. I never get to slack and lose form. HE always sees it and immediately fixes. Actually, people at my gym have commented on how he never spaces out…
3. I don’t get bored, even after what is probably HUNDREDS of sessions.
4. I can recall Mike taking a call during our session maybe two or three times EVER, in every case it was emergency stuff. (I’ve got friends who had to break up with trainers over excessive phone/​emails during sessions!)
5. Mike is an awesome guy, and I’ve gotten to know him over time. Still, we can chat, or not chat, either way, it’s a workout, not a conversation.
6. I couldn’t do a single pushup before I met Mike. Now I stopped trying to count how many he sneaks into a session.
The best part is I feel like everything he makes me do is easily translated into other activity. I notice a difference everywhere, from yoga classes, to running, to being able to hop on a paddle board and feel perfectly comfortable from the first try. I worked out on my own for years before, but I never felt quite as confident in my fitness level as I do now.

I found Mike 6 years ago the old fashioned way.. an ad online for a trainer. After sorting through a half dozen folks who were training as a side line (and not sure exactly what they were doing), thankfully I found Mike. We’ve had different training rhythms over the years, from 2x a week to once a month… I travel a ton, and can have wildly unpredictable schedules, and as long as I planned in advance, Mike has always tried to accommodate the changing schedule. Over the years, I quit smoking (he made it too hard to keep puffing!), needed to build up flexibility, and keep in shape. An incredible coach, and an all around great guy!

Mike has transformed my body! In a short time, I lost most of my pregnancy weight (over 15lbs!), gained muscle in places I never imagined possible, and can now run at a much faster pace. My friends and husband are impressed with the results. He is a highly qualified trainer and will create a personalized routine that will help achieve your goals. In addition to fitness, he has extensive knowledge in diet.