Avatar Private Training Studio

On a vacation to Yellowstone last year I realized how out of shape I had become. I was winded after climbing for 10 minutes and at the end of the day my knees, feet and back were killing me. With a supportive spouse in mind, I contact avatar. I have been working out there since and, while the progress is slower the I would hope, then results are fantastic. I have a very active family (camping, hiking, etc) and now look forward to this season to enjoy being outside once again with them knowing that my body is much better and stronger. Thanks you to Eric and his staff! Pros: Great Investment more

Facts on me: Professional female 30-35 was active 10+ years ago, but put on weight during grad school and long hours at the office post school Hired another trainer after extensive research over 1 year ago Wish I had come to Avatar sooner Facts on Avatar: Professional environment Attentive, focused and highly knowledgeable staff and owner Staffed by people who truly care about you, and helping you achieve long term health and wellness My experience: Being discouraged by a poor experience elsewhere, but not wanting to give up on my goals, I contact Avatar. I initially met with the owner, Eric, for over 2 hours talking about my goals, health and body. I wanted to make certain Avatar was a wise investment. During the meeting we devised a plan of attack that was, to use his word, holistic. He was concerned not just for the aesthetic goals I had for my body, but making certain it worked properly. From the first session, I knew this was a different place. The sessions, not only educate me how to train myself, but also work on the functionality of my body as a whole: Posture, alignment, flexibility, everything! The amount of knowledge the staff has on the body and motion is impressive and should be the standard, not the exception for trainers. I am now 3 months into my program, seeing and feeling results and delighted to write this to inspire others to action. Pros: Knowledgeable Owner and Staff Cons: A little quite at times more

I have been working with Eric at Avatar for the past 6 weeks and Wow! What a difference I feel in my body. I am stronger, more coordinated and flexible and I am going to start 2010 being a better me. Thanks so much! Pros: Best training in city more

I live on west bank and this place close for me. The training is a bit different then I am used to, we work the entire body and focusing not only on strength but also balance and flexibility. All I can say is its fun and the method works as I feel great and am noticing changes. I will keep going here. Pros: location Cons: cost more

I work with Eric and his staff a few times a month. All the comments are accurate. You have to try this place out! Pros: Fun and intelligent more

I live here and NYC. When I am in town I always work with Eric. He is simply the best in either city. The workouts are fun, educational and he is passionate about his work and your body. The right trainer makes all the difference in the world! Pros: Education and passion more

I only went to Avatar for 6 sessions and worked with Eric the owner. Other studios I went to actually told me that if I couldn't buy a large package that I was wasting my money and their time. Eric actually listened to me needs and financial constraint and designed a program that met my goals and needs within the 6 session. Eric spaced my sessions out to last over 5 weeks so I was able to get the most from my investment. The service was wonderful and the training was top notch. Best of all he helped me with plans of things to do outside of his studio. I would recommend Avatar to everyone! Pros: Knowledge, skill and they actually listen to you! more

Went to Avatar for 3 months and worked with Andrea and Eric. Great workouts and guidance on how to change my life around. I wish I could still go 3 times a week, but even at once a week they keep me motivated and going! Best of it that they make certain that I know how to workout and be active without them. Had to write a review as these were the reason I called in the first place. Definitively the best decision for health I have made in years was to call Avatar. Pros: quatlity trainers, great atmosphere Cons: a little quite more

I had a great initial consultation with Eric but felt like my subsequent sessions really lacked substance. The workouts were just okay - not great, and I didn't come away with any useful tools/techniques as I had hoped and had specifically asked for. I think this is the type of place where a VERY significant financial (and studio time) commitment is required. If you are looking for basic instruction and guidance to help in your independent fitness efforts, this is not the place for you. I wish I had known this before I committed to multiple sessions because, overall, I felt like it was a waste of money for my personal goals for the training. I also feel like gyrotonic is pushed over other disciplines (again, with a significant financial commitment). Pros: Nice facility, smart staff Cons: big financial commitment required, very specific focus more

Training at Avatar is different, The staff here is extremely knowledgeable and cares so much about each client. I have never felt like a number or 'just a client' but Eric and the staff have been dedicated to helping me archive my goals and regain control of my diet and body. The process has not been easy, nor smooth, but throughout each obstacles they were there to help my succeed. I am still a client and will be for life, not because I need them anymore, but because I choose to and they earned it!! Pros: Service and Skill Cons: DT Location, but worth it! more

As a US Masters Swimmer, age 50, I set a goal this past year of winning the State Masters Swimming Championships, then going onto the USMS National Championships. Avatar's kettlebell and indian club training this Winter and Spring along with flexibility and core training, made me an animal. Lost 8 lbs of flab, got down to 10% body fat, my swim sprinting became explosive, and it worked. In May, 2009, I took 5th, 6th, and 7th at the national level in three US Masters Swimming events. I was in the final heats with Rowdy Gaines, former Olympian and multiple gold medalist! Eric and Spencer -- friggin' awesome. Way to go, and thank you! Pros: Personal trainer made the difference for me Cons: No cons; great place more

I have been working out here for the past 4 months, typically new years resolution stuff. I started at 3 times a week and now I go 1-2 times per week. Eric and Andrea have me doing things that I did not think a women my age could do. Swinging ketlebels, intense ab stuff, balancing: They keep me moving, energized and are a large part of me achieving my goals so far. Although they have a dietician, I chose to go with weight watchers, but having done the WW program without the exercise before and not had much success, I can tell you that exercise and proper guidance is the key! Pros: Non intimidating environment Cons: bit of a drive for me more

Based on the reviews on here, I decided to give Avatar a try. I have to say that I was disappointed. I generally found the personal trainers at Avatar to be good, but not great. The workouts were challenging, but I didn't feel like they were tailored to help me meet my personal goals. The gym looks nice and neat, but in my 20+ sessions, I never once saw anyone wipe down a single piece of equipment after it had been used -- including exercise mats, which were just rolled back up and stored for the next person to use. You'll get a good workout here, but I'm not sure if it's worth the expense. more

This facility is two companies in one. Avatar is for personal training and gyrotonic Minneapolis is for gyrotonic. I work with both personal trainers and gyrotonic teachers here. I had my first session 5 months ago and am very pleased with the progress my body has made. The workouts are fun but intense. I am more flexible and stronger now then I have been in years and I attribute this solely to this studio?s teaching. more

Everything I can write has already been written, but here it goes. I never thought that I could get my physical health under control, most times I didn't care. I had hired a trainer in the 90's but had a very negative experience. When I was diagnosed with type II diabetes I knew something had to change. After researching quite a bit, I contacted Avatar. From the start I knew that the experience would be radically different. Eric took the time to listen to me and educate me about health, posture and nutrition. The initial consultation took close to two hours! At no time was I being rushed in and rushed out. I was amazed. From there they created a plan was realistic for me. It gradually let activity become a part of my life. It made the process enjoyable and something that I wanted to do, not something that my trainer mandated. This place is amazing. They truly care about your health and wellness, not only while you?re a client, but for the rest of your life! Pros: Flexible Schedule, Studio is warm and welcoming, knowledge of trainers Cons: Parking is on street more

I have been at Avatar for the past 3 months. I called due to the reviews and a personal need for change, but I stayed due to the service and care of the entire staff! My first month my weight did not change, but by working with Lori (their dietician) and increasing my activity level outside of the sessions, this has turned around. As of today I feel stronger, more confident and have lost 10 lbs!!!!! more

From the first consultation with Eric, it was clear that that this was a different kind of training experience and a different kind of gym than those I was familiar with. To begin with, it's a great space -- a lot of time, care, and consideration has gone into designing a gym in which you feel comfortable, safe, and motivated to train. The trainers are amazing. Their knowledge, range of experience, expertise, friendliness, and non-judgmental approach (particularly important for those of us whose experience in gyms isn't always so positive) impressed me every time I came in. I worked mainly with Eric and Stephen, both of whom were great. I really like the experience of working with more than one trainer -- they push you in different ways but the communication among all the members of the Avatar team means that they're always aware of what you've been doing with the other trainer. Maybe the most impressive thing about Avatar is that everyone there is committed to helping you move forward. Rather than reproaching you for less-than-ideal choices in the past, the question is always, "Where do you want to go? and "How can we help you get there?" This is not a one-size-fits-all training experience -- this is individualized attention. The trainers at Avatar listen to you, focus on you, and help you push yourself forward to meet your goals. A number of people have mentioned that it's expensive. That's true. But you're getting an unparalleled level of expertise, individual attention, and commitment and that's worth a lot. Beyond that, if you can only afford x sessions, I still recommend working with the trainers to learn good form and to develop a routine that can work for you at home/in the gym. Lastly, while we're talking workouts that had me dripping sweat from every pore and feeling muscles I didn't know existed, we're also talking about a whole lot of fun. Pros: Amazing trainers, great facilities. Cons: None more

Motivated by the great reviews here, I called avatar. All I can say is have been a client for the past 14 weeks now and all the reviews are true. The staff there is wonderful, supportive and truly cares about my health and goals. I have worked with Andrea, Spencer and Eric and they all provide unique and fun workouts. They also provide clear direction as to how I can adapt the sessions into my life and what activity I need to do to attain my goals. I could not be happier with my decision to call avatar. Pros: Staff?s commitment to health, relaxed atmosphere Cons: A little hard to get downtown during rush hour more

I was in town for 2 weeks and work out with a trainer at home. While in Minneapolis I contact Avatar and a few other places to see if I could train a few times while there. I have done this before when I am in a city for a while and it has helped keep in me active and motivated. Within an hour after emailing Avatar, I received a response. Some places I am still wait to here from after 4 weeks. Eric went out of his way to make his schedule meet mine. Despite only being a client for a few sessions, we went through a full evaluation. He made certain that my time in Minneapolis was productive and that I went home in better shape then when I arrived. This is not normally the case when you travel. He even offered to talk to my trainer at home to discuss what we worked on to ensure that the progress continued. I will definitely call Eric when I return to Minneapolis and would highly recommend Avatar to everyone. Pros: Great Customer Service! Owner take personal interest in health of every client! Cons: Sreet Parking, but I always found a spot more

Like most women my age (mid 40?s) I have been battle the extra pounds for the past decade or more. Determined to make a change, I started to exercise. I knew I needed help but didn?t know where to start or particularly feel comfortable with working with a trainer. With encouragement and support from friends I began my search. From the reviews on Citysearch I contacted Avatar. Eric (owner) immediately contacted me and put my fears at ease (he spent over 30 minutes on the phone with me!). We met, and formed a sensible plan to help me achieve my goals. Working with nutrition, exercise and commen sense, the staff has helped me lose over 15lbs! I look better, I eat better and I live better. I have worked with Andrea, Stephen and Eric and I can not imagine anyplace being more understanding, supportive or caring then the team here. Pros: understanding, Knowledgeable and caring staff Cons: a bit of a commute if you live in the suburbs, but well worth it more