Foundation Fitness of Annandale

Apr 2024

I. LOVE. THIS. GYM. If you're thinking about starting (or re-starting) an exercise program, Foundation Fitness is *life-changing*. There is a reason why their reviews are extraordinary; no matter where you are in your fitness journey, no gym has more heart or cares more. I've struggled with diet and exercise my whole life; my weight has fluctuated an embarrassing amount. When I first joined, I got winded climbing a flight of stairs. I was so deeply unhappy, and so ashamed of my fitness level that the whole prospect of setting foot in a gym was intimidating. I hated the thought of joining one of those large chain-gyms; I knew I needed more accountability. But Foundation Fitness is a small, community-oriented fitness center with a SPECTACULAR, non-judgmental team that will push and inspire you. Each of their trainers offers their own arena of expertise - Collin is exceptional in mobility and functional fitness, Amber will give you the best HIIT workout of your life, Angelo builds award-winning power-lifters, and Steven is a *phenomenal* weight-lifting/body sculpting coach. Whenever I show up, I feel welcomed, seen, and encouraged. (It's sort of like my inner high school nerd is hanging out with all the jocks, and they're being really nice to me??) The environment is always fun, even during the most grueling workouts. Some days we'll listen to 70s rock music, other times it might be DJ mixes or top hits. I've never met another gym-goer I didn't like; everyone is great. The aspect I love the very most about this gym is that I see clients of every age, body type, race, ethnicity, and ability; Foundation Fitness doesn't just preach community - they live it. Each of the trainers is friendly and fun, but also a consummate professional. The level of engagement and attentiveness I receive during my workouts is unsurpassed by any trainer I've ever had before, and I can see and feel the results. The trainers help build the foundation and give you the tools to continue your fitness outside of the gym. Nutrition coaching is included, as is an app you can link to MyFitnessPal, Apple Watch, Garmin, etc. I'll add that I did some price shopping in the area before I joined Foundation Fitness, and I found their rates to be extremely competitive, if not better than most. In terms of the facility itself, it's small - a couple of treadmills and other cardio machines, four separate rack stations, and all the standard training equipment (free weights, kettlebells, etc.). You're expected to arrive early and do at least 30 minutes of warm-up and stretching before your session. There isn't a locker room here (although there are bathrooms in the building), so this works best if you're able to shower/change at home. Also, the gym is intended for group or one-on-one training sessions; while you can technically show up and do cardio on your own, this isn't like standard gyms where you can just come and do weights whenever. If you're even considering joining a gym or working with a trainer, you won't find a better fit - I promise you. In about 3 months (with some hard work in and outside of the gym), I lost approx. 25 lbs and 10% of my body fat while building muscle. The compliments are nice, having clothes fit *so* much better is great, but nothing beats how I feel - happier, stronger, and hopeful. Joining Foundation First is one of the best things I've ever done for myself - ever.

Sep 2023

I have been training at Foundation Fitness with Collin as my trainer for four months now and have improved a lot already! I understand how to manage my nutrition and my strength has nearly doubled! The onboarding process was smooth and the other personnel are great as well. I am sad to say Ill be leaving the gym for a few months because of my work but would love to work with Collin in the future!

Aug 2023

As a former college athlete, I’ve never felt satisfied with my experience at typical gym chains around here. I wanted a community feel with qualified coaches that could personalize my workouts and push me. I also have a connective tissue disorder and old injuries that can be difficult to accommodate. Angelo and Steven immediately made me feel like this was the place for me. You can choose 1:1 or small group sessions and your frequency. They paired me up with a small group of likeminded women 2x a week. Steven has done a great job of tailoring our workouts to our unique abilities and goals, and even though I’d rather rag on him than compliment him, he makes each session...read full review