LAB5 Fitness

The instructors are amazing and genuine, I love how comfortable I feel in every class, the camaraderie with other patrons is unlike any other gym/​fitness class. Thank you lab 5!

My first «real» visit was back in early 2012. It had been a few months since I broke up with my then-​boyfriend, and I figured I would make a commitment to myself. Plus, I didn’t have anyone to hang out with afterwork. Why not work out your feelings with a sweat?
The results were phenomenal. But that was then, this is now.
I had stopped going to LAB5 sometime in 2013. Fast forward 3 years & a new boyfriend to ¹¹⁄₁₅. The gods were not kind to me and that once dashing metabolism took its well deserved break; in combination with poor eating and no exercise, I gained 40lbs. Oops.
I’ve been to a few run-​of-​the-​mill gyms, but they don’t do it for me. Sure, the price tag can be a little hefty, but I haven’t loved working out anywhere but here. The owner, manager, & instructors are all great. Good mix to help you tone up and get your heart pumping. The members are great, too – you will make a lot of workout friends!
I have been going (give or take) 4 – 5 days a week since ¹¹⁄₁₅. I’ve lost 15lbs and 3% body fat and I’m very happy with where I’m at and where I am going. LAB5, though, isn’t all about «getting that bod». They emphasize well rounded health, and I’ve developed a «self betterment» attitude vs. «let me be as skinny possible». Returning back was one of the greatest health choices I’ve made to date!
Recommendations? If you are looking to get your butt kicked, check out Marian’s classes: Power Reformer, Cardio Jumpboard, HiiT. David does awesome HiiT & TRX Classes. Olivia’s Barre classes will sculpt your dream behind. If you need a challenge but at a more moderate pace, Janna’s classes are just the right fit.
I haven’t been to this class since I’ve returned, but you can never go wrong with Jessie’s reformer, TRX, & kickboxing classes. And she’s got killer music and the best sense of humor.
Give it a try!

I started attending Lab5 after a skiing injury. I was looking for a lesser impact workout than the HIIT routine I had been doing for over a year. I had no idea Reformer Pilates existed, as I’d only ever done mat. It’s a game changer and is a challenging workout and great for rehabbing muscles too.
I’ve attended most of the classes, but I LOVE the jump board. It’s not offered much, but it’s so much fun. The first time you try, it feels like you’re flying, and it makes your butt hurt in the best ways thanks to Marian’s coaching :)
Janna is another great teacher, she has the best playlists. Robyn came on in the last class, and it was the only reason I got thru the bungee torture device! She’s very good at challenging me and having me adjust moves to be more advanced. I love the variety of classes too. Shana’s a.m. yoga class is divine, and Jessie and Marian’s TRX really brings the pain.
There’s a very talented group of instructors, each with a unique style and extensive knowledge, so it’s been fun trying everything out and learning this art form. I’m always excited to come to class and learn something new.
My only qualm is the cancellation fee policy. I strongly feel this should only be enforced if a class is full or there is a waitlist. Otherwise, it just seems to be a ridiculous fee on top of an already pricy monthly fee. Also, requiring cancellation 12 hours in advance is insane. Life happens, and you can’t always predict 12 hours in the future what your scenario will be.

Leslie’s YOGA class really deserves a mention here. I love the Saturday 8am class, as I find it a perfect way to ease into the weekend. I have recently retired from a career in traveling, and now that I am going to be home more, I intend to make Saturday morning yoga my regular activity. Leslie adapts the class to all levels, helping those who need alternative movements and guiding each attendee with CLEAR and CONCISE instruction. I find myself getting stronger in each of the postures, and I’m encouraged that my body is reacting so positively to some of the more difficult movements. If you are looking to START yoga or to CONTINUE with your regular yoga practice, do think about Leslie’s class. I hope Lab5 adds a few more yoga classes per week, although I thoroughly enjoy every class I’ve ever taken there! I’m hooked!!! I joined Lab5 when it opened, and haven’t looked back.

David Lyman at LAB5 is exceptional! He really knows how to maximize a workout, yet with careful attention to what each person needs. I’ve never been in a workout with an instructor that is so HAPPY and sincere about what he is doing. Fantastic energy, knowledgable and definitely an asset to LAB5!

What better day to express my gratitude than Thanksgiving?!
Lab5 is my gym for the past 3.5 years now. I try to attend at least three times a week and my favorite classes are Power Reformer and TRX. The top things I look for at a gym is (1) to get a kick-​ass workout that challenges me on my first few weeks and still more so after several years. (2) I am looking for structured workouts that are designed with purpose and that cover all the muscle groups in the right order (no unplanned back and forth). Finally, (3) I look for instructors who pay attention to individual needs, well trained and have awesome personal skills.
With all that in mind, I wanted to call out both *Ron Moodey* and *Marian Hom* as some of the best trainers I’ve had the pleasure to train with. They are great professionals in their filed, their workouts are consistently challenging and fun, and they have great interpersonal skills. If what you’re looking for is a great workout to push you to your limits and strengthen you, all while having a blast under the supervision of an expert, I highly recommend you give one of these, or both, a try.
Ron has been my instructor from the beginning and Marian captured my heart (–muscle) from the very beginning of her tenure at Lab5, which is more recent from this summer.
Thank you Lab5 for being such a great and consistent gym, with great instructors like Ron and Marian.

I like Lab5 but I’m not liking some of the new instructors. There is one female instructor named Marian who made me almost walk out in the middle of class. She laughs incessantly into the mic and make the most annoying noises. As much as I like Lab5 and think that most of their instructors are amazing, I am planning to avoid any classes with this new instructor. Please stop making those whooting noises every second and giggling into your mic for no reason. Not motivating and very distracting.
And you have to cancel at least 24 hrs before class to not get hit with a $ 10 late cancel fee. I think this is a bit ridiculous. Other gyms in the area requires 2 hours notice or, at the most, 12 hours. What makes this gym so special?

The variety of classes is great. I really like that there is a 7:30pm class on weekdays because I work a bit later. Every teacher I’ve ever taken a class from has been wonderful!

It is a really good workout, it is fun, and I always feel good when I leave!

I have been going to Lab5 for about two weeks now and I absolutely love this place! My first class was «reformer tone and stretch». The staff recommended this class for me since I have never done anything on a reformer machine before. Our instructor Cassandra was amazing — she checks on everyone to make sure we have the correct forms (which was extremely helpful for beginners like me. :)), and she also explains what muscles we should be feeling being used when we were doing some more complicated moves. I actually felt different after only taking one class.
Then I tried many other classes Lab5 offers with different instructors, and they are all amazing! Cardio dance is so much fun and Cardio kickboxing with Jessie is a must! Reformer fit with David was wonderful and I love take reformer pilates with Susie! I even tried the Aerial conditioning class for the first time. :D
I was not a big fun of going to fitness classes and working out with people I don’t know before. but lab5 made me always looking forward to going to my next class!

I just took my first LAB5 class and it was awesome! They have a ton of options on their schedule, but I tried TRX and was super happy about my choice. It was a good combo of glute and arm work, not to mention core in every single exercise.
I took Ron’s class and definitely recommend him! However, I’ve also heard from friends that the other instructors are good too so I guess you can’t go wrong. Will definitely be back. (I think for the Cardio Reformer next time though!)

**Confessions of an ex-​crossfitter**
I was a dedicated Crossfitter for over 4 years. That is, until I broke my foot on November 2014. That all came to a screeching halt. I ended up having a Lisfeanc fracture (mid-​foot break) where I broke all 5 metatarsals. After surgery and about 8 weeks of non weight bearing, I was finally able to start rehabbing my foot through physical therapy.
My PT specialist recommended for me to try Pilates and here I am about 4 months later– the newest Pilates advocate!
What do I love about Pilates?
It is a full body workout! With Crossfit, I used to be sore for days, but only the part of the body we worked that day. With Pilates? I am sore ALL OVER! It is a total core workout and my abs have never looked better. On top of that, the workout is low impact and my foot has slowly gained back its strength.
What do I love about Lab5?
I was a newbie Pilates person. Nervous to take the plunge into a workout that seemed daunting. But the instructors were incredibly welcoming and showed me how to use the machine. It is simple and intuitive. The other students are just as friendly. Additionally, they have a free app for my phone that makes signing up for classes a snap.
I am thrilled I made the switch to Pilates and I can say that I am officially a convert. Pilates has made me stronger and toned! Lab5 fitness is full of wonderful instructors who are so encouraging and positive, while still managing to kick my butt.
So — what are you waiting for? Sign up and I promise you won’t regret it!

I absolutely love LAB5 Fitness! Best Gym I have ever gone to! I jumped right in and signed up for the Power Reformer class with Ron Moodey which I was told was ambitious for a novice. They weren’t lying! But Ron is exceptional — he talked me through each exercise and modified some exercises for me until I got stronger. While the class can hold up to 10 people, Ron constantly walks through the room and talks to each person to make sure they are on track for getting their pest personal results. It really makes it feel like a personalized session.
I have taken other classes as well and really like the Barre and Cardio dance classes.
I have been going for a little over a month and in one month I fit into the wedding gown I decided on a lot better and the wedding boutique owner asked what I had done to make me drop weight and tone up. I answered LAB5 fitness!

This is the best (incredible results) workout I’ve ever tried, and the only one I’ve ever stuck with. This list is a good start in terms of what to expect. LAB5 Fitness has «power reformer» classes that will make even the most dedicated gym fan sweat & shake (especially rock star instructor Ron Moodey’s classes) Seriously. They offer a free first class… come try it! Dare ya… :-)

Lab 5 is awesome! I’m from Phoenix and make a point to stop in for a Pilates class every time I’m up here. The style is similar to SPX Pilates which is just awesome — took Jessie’s class and love her!

This is from someone who has had back surgery. So if that’s you, or you have injuries to consider — that’s my perspective…
This place rocks. Better than physical therapy hands-​down. I’ve been depressed since surgery because. well. things are compromised back there now, and I need to be very careful with what I have left to avoid future surgery. Sure, I can minimize impact with cardio, however, as a person who has always been very strong, it’s been bitterly frustrating to feel myself losing strength, but I’ve been afraid of strength training because it’s sooo easy to overdo it, and not realize it til too late. I never want to go through that pain again. I also have permanent nerve damage down one of my legs.
Thank god for the reformer. Sincerely — thank you. You can’t explain the reformer, you can only experience it, but I practically went home and wept in gratitude after my first workout (yay Cassie!). The instructors are very mindful about working with limitations and suggesting alternatives, and the reformer allows you to completely isolate and work various muscle groups to exhaustion without ever worrying that you’ll stress the parts you don’t want pulled into the exercise. I can’t describe what it means to be able to truly give it my all in a workout without fear. It’s also really improved my balance, something I thought would always be compromised due to my damaged nerves, but turns out my body can be trained to compensate for the lack of feeling.
Since then, in addition to the awesome Cassie, I’ve also taken classes from Ron, Jessie and Jana who are all excellent instructors and know the machine inside and out (and how to work muscles you never knew you had).
I will also note, that my husband — the distance-​runner/​tough mudder type, has been taking classes with me, and is just as impressed with what it has done for him. He was a little skeptical at first, thinking he wouldn’t find this challenging, but now wouldn’t miss it, and says it’s a serious performance enhancer.

I have been going here since January and love it. I love the diversity of the classes offered and I love the ease it takes to sign up for and cancel classes (using an app). I think the teachers are knowledgeable and great (especially Ron and Jessie), and I think the price and packages are quite reasonable. Quick tip — weekend classes fill up fast, so reserve in advance. I don’t have any complaints as to the timing of the classes but I have a very flexible schedule that allows me to take those mid-​morning/​mid-​day classes that I love so much.

I have been going to Lab5 for about a month and a half so far and I because of that am probably in the best shape of my adult life. I have always been relatively thin, but I have started to actually get some solid definition, which I really haven’t had before. Also I have scoliosis and the style of workout has significantly helped with my lower back pain and flexibility. I love the variety of classes and how effective of a workout you can get in just 50 minutes. I know it is an expensive membership, but I would suggest trying out one of their trials to see how you like it, it might just change your life.
Note, since each class is taught by a different instructor your experience can vary a ton depending on who you get. I would strongly suggest trying out a class with Ron or David, they are both amazing.

This place is AMAZING! Been here two times but can tell you they’ve already got me as a loyal customer!
I was actually really scared to try Pilates on this huge machine they called the reformer, but my sister finally convinced me to go. Janna our instructor was wonderful, she took her time and showed me how everything worked and then was great showing me modifications I could do (as let’s face it I hadn’t worked out in months and needed it.) Midway through the class I though my legs were going to collapse but she was positive and motivating and I was able to finish!
By the time I got home I was already sore, in muscles I didn’t even knew I had! It was then, and the next two days as I was hobbling around, that I knew this was the workout I’d been looking for! It’s slow and controlled and simply amazing for your body!
Thanks Lab5 and Janna for helping me find something to improve my quality of life! I live in west Seattle but it’s worth the drive. I’ve been telling all my friends and more about it and would recommend this place to anyone, everyone is extremely friendly and motivating so go check them out!

Lab 5 fitness is a small gym exclusively for taking classes in Pilates using a machine called «The Reformer». There are a couple of other classes offered in a small back room (like aerobic kickboxing and barre) but the main classes are the reformer classes which are offered in three levels– TLC, power, and purist (most difficult). There are around 10 reformer machines I believe.
I began going to Lab 5 last summer in an attempt to gain motivation to work out. Personally, I find classes the best way to stay engaged and I have indeed found that the classes offered at lab 5 do keep me coming back for more. The instructors are versatile and generally pretty great. I recommend Jessie and Cassandra in particular.
The downfalls of this gym are the price, expiration dates on packages (good for only one month), and the limited class times. There aren’t a lot of weekend classes and there are no mid-​day classes. But regardless, Lab 5 deserves 4 stars because it’s a great place to work out :).