| Mon | 05:30 am - 07:00 pm |
| Tue | 05:30 am - 07:00 pm |
| Wed | 05:30 am - 07:00 pm |
| Thu | 05:30 am - 07:00 pm |
| Fri | 05:30 am - 07:00 pm |
It feels weird getting sappy over a gym, but this place deserves it. I worked in downtown Birmingham for two summers, and I initially found Squad through Groupon. After the first workout (which I didn't even come close to finishing), I didn't know if I could consistently exercise at that intensity. However, Brock, one of the trainers, took me aside and encouraged me to keep at it. I'm so glad I did. The clients here are so friendly and welcoming: more than once I looked to them when I wasn't sure how to do a move. The trainers get to know each client's goals and they feel like old friends after a few sessions. Notably, after a year hiatus (of returning to Virginia for school), I saw many of the same faces still training at Squad. People stick around because the program works and the atmosphere is second to none.
Unfortunately, the business has to receive this review, but it's directed at one of the trainers. Christian Amerson was my trainer at Innate Fitness in Pittsburgh, PA in the summer of 2017. In September 2017, I severely broke my leg and obviously couldn't continue training. Christian charged my credit card for $350 (1 month) of training 2 days AFTER I broke my leg. I asked Innate for a refund, but Christian worked as an independent contractor so they would not compensate me. I asked Christian for the money back and he kept telling me he would scrape something together, but never did. I tried to compromise and asked for a workout/diet plan (an expensive one for $350), but I was never sent anything. He stopped replying to texts shortly after moving to Alabama. I know he fell on hard times so I was willing to wait until he got back on his feet, but now I feel like I had $350 stolen from me.
Just be wary of the character of that guy. I heard stories about him from other clients as well.
I love this place. I reached the first of my weight loss goals because of Squad Fitness. I'm super excited to have completed the Drop 20 challenge. It truly was a challenge. We so often make excuses for why we can't workout and what we don't have time for, but I could no longer make excuses and hope for my life to be better and healthier. The "challenge" forced me to look at the changes I needed to make for the sake of my health. If I wanted to succeed I had to work the workouts into my schedule, around full time work and full time life. Once I made it to class the trainers encouraged and pushed me to complete the exercises, even when I was sure I was going die if I did another rep. Was it easy, not by a long shot. But, at Squad they have a plan and it works.
I can't say enough good things about Squad Fitness! I couldn't have been more pleased with my experience during the Drop 20 challenge. It was exactly what I needed! I needed somewhere to coach me through workouts instead of making them up as I went. The gym offered numerous workout times throughout the day which is great for people with different schedules! The trainers were excellent, the meal plan was easy to follow and the workouts were great. I enjoyed it so much I have decided to continue with a membership! If you are on the fence about it, do it! You wont regret it! It was the best decision I have ever made for my health!
I can't say enough good things about Squad Fitness! I couldn't have been more pleased with my experience during the Drop 20 challenge. It was exactly what I needed! I needed somewhere to coach me through workouts instead of making them up as I went. The gym offered numerous workout times throughout the day which is great for people with different schedules! The trainers were excellent, the meal plan was easy to follow and the workouts were great. I enjoyed it so much I have decided to continue with a membership! If you are on the fence about it, do it! You wont regret it! It was the best decision I have ever made for my health!
I'm so thankful that my friend convinced me to do this challenge. I may not have lost all 20, but I've gained so much knowledge about the right way to diet and exercise. Also having the right people by your side definitely helps! The trainers and members at Squad are special people and I wouldn't want to go through this journey with anyone else!! This is only the start!
Here is my post challenge review.
The pros of the challenge: First I never thought I was "in good enough shape" to work out 4 days a week. Turns out I was wrong. Putting the deposit down was actually great because it made me force myself to go 4 days a week and follow the meal plan too. Honestly without the deposit I would have never had the results I had. I was truly amazed that I was able to go workout 4 days a week and do it to that level of intensity. The trainers Heather and Zack are truly amazing people. It was truly a pleasure to be around them. I also met a lot of amazing people and we worked out as team and became friends along the way. This experience went much much better than I ever thought it could have and that's all because of Zack and Heather and all the other amazing challengers giving it their all every week. I learned self control with my eating following the meal plan they give you and that I actually do have time to exercised 4-5 times per week. Also my stamina increased so fast. I went from a couch potato to running 3 - 3.5 miles in 3 weeks. I ran one day week and did the challenge 4 days a week just to make sure I made my goal and got my deposit back.
Cons of the Challenge: My only issue with the challenge is that you had better make sure you have more than 20-25 pounds to loose or you're not going to make it in 6 weeks. I had approx 40-45 pounds of weight to loose. I started at 220 pounds and lost 25 pound in 6 weeks, so I had no real problem. My wife, however, also did the challenge and honestly only had 20-25 pounds of total weight to loose. She lost 7 pounds in 6 weeks. Needless to say she did not get her deposit back, and honestly in retrospect probably should have never been accepted into the challenge because of her beginning wight. I will say she has lost 2 pant sizes and is much stronger and more toned than she was 6 weeks ago. So I say all that to say this...... be cautious joining this challenge unless you have a lot of weight to loose. If all you have is 20 pounds to loose you are not going to loose all of it in 6 weeks. That's an extreme amount of percentage of your body weight to loose in 6 weeks.
Awesome workouts and even better staff. They keep it fun and change it up every day. They helped me correct my diet and lose 15 pounds in 2 weeks! I highly recommend giving it a try.
