A Tighter U

A Tighter U saved my life. I know. Hard to believe. But let me explain:
I’ve know Steve Zim and worked out at his gym (s) for years as we have worked together in the fitness industry for quite some time.
A couple of years ago my son was having problems on the Culver City HS baseball team. Steve put him on a program that stressed core and back, as most HS baseball programs lack the proper equipment or otherwise fail to address this typical back inadequacy. Within weeks my kid’s shoulder problems went away, and his game improved considerably.
Seeing the boy’s improvement, and knowing you should always be changing your fitness regimen, I started the same program accentuating core and back, with lots of floor work using body weight and/​or dumbbells instead of most machines.
For cardio I spent about 10 or 12 hours/​week on a bike. That plus the core/​back workout was getting me in the best shape of my 54 years on this Earth.
Last December 15^th, I was on a regular group ride when I was rear-​ended by an errant driver on Westchester Parkway. The impact broke my rear rim into six pieces. I broke my neck and my back. The next thing I remember is waking up at home, five days later.
So you’re wondering how did ATU figure in any of this? Well, I’m about to tell you.
I had several orthopedic professionals at UCLA/​Ronald Reagan Medical Center tell me that had I not maintained the physical condition that I was in at the time of the crash, I most likely would not have survived.
In other words, all that core/​back work had strengthened my upper back and neck enough that the supporting tissues had held my spinal column together enough despite the breaks, that my spinal cord was not severed. Another 3/​8″ or so, and I would likely not be here. And if I was, I would not be walking under my own power, and probably not breathing under my own power.
Long story short: Never underestimate the value of working out your core and back. When Steve tells you that’s the way you should go, listen to him.
Thanks for everything, Steve. I’m probably here and walking because of you, and I want you to know I appreciate it. And I appreciate all your help in getting me back to where I was before the crash.
If you live in the Culver City area, you should check out ATU. I can’t recommend them any more highly.

This is the best gym with caring professionals! I first approached this gym after my brother’s motorcycle accident in 2013 that left him in a medically induced coma for 2 months and in physical and cognitive rehab for a year. Little did I know, almost 2 years later, the owner Steve and trainer Bryan would be training my brother in the fight of his life! He is a Culver City Police officer, and to get his job back after this accident, he had to, at 40 years old, complete the identical physical agility test he took as a 21 year old rookie out of the academy. Steve worked with him for months in the gym and at the site of the test — fine tuning his workouts specifically to his needs, and showing moral support the entire time. Steve even visited the site of the test on his own on several occasions just to survey the equipment and make even more specific adjustments to my brother’s training. Today it all paid off! With his Culver City Police brothers looking on, his trainers pushing him forward — he was able to pass that test today. It could not have been done without the commitment of Steve and his team. So congratulations to my brother and a huge thank you to all of you at A Tighter U.
Here is an article about A Tighter U’s work with my brother in the LA Times:

Best gym in the world! Steve, the owner, is extremely friendly as well as professional. I have been a member for nearly 3 years now and have seen drastic improvements in my athletic abilities. I currently train with Bryan who is extremely muscular and has a large mustache and is also friendly! (What a combination) Then there’s James, very easy-​going but also a militant trainer who will make sure you push yourself to reach your goals. There’s also Josh, he’s all smiles at first, but once you start your workout he gets straight to the tough stuff. Can’t forget about Rachel and Rachell either-​two other trainers at the gym that will be sure to give you the workout of your life! A Tighter U is more than a gym, it is a community!

I have never in my life worked out at a gym, but I needed to get moving — I do too much sitting in my car commuting, for one thing, and it’s been years since I exercised regularly. I wanted to try working with a trainer. I’ve been working out at A Tighter U three times a week for about five months and it’s been fantastic. Josh is an excellent trainer, positive, encouraging, sets hard but attainable goals, varies the workout and explains why we are doing things, and is always smiling. I’m starting to see results and I feel great, I have more energy, and I look forward to going, even at 6 AM. I never thought I’d be able to do some of the things I can now. The semi-​private personal training is also more affordable than several other gyms I looked into. The other people who work out here — from high school athletes to retirees, with a range of fitness levels — are very friendly and some members have been coming here for years. Steve, the owner, is genuine and welcoming. He sets a great tone. If you are thinking about working out with a trainer but have felt intimidated: don’t! Try this gym. I’m so glad I did.

this is a great gym. the personal trainer is very attentive and tailors the workout to my specific needs.

This is a lifestyle! Really awesome, down to earth place whether you train with Steve or his other trainers, the place just motivates you. no gimmicks, just normal people working there and working out there, all tryng to be healthy. Do not get intimidated by training with a persoanl trainer, it’s really the best and only way to do it, you learn tools to use on your own but you get addicted to having the trainers near your side. Equipment is ridiculouosly up to-​the-​minute, fun and different than anywhere else!
Steve rocks and so does his place

Great place to get in shape! Steve is great! When looking for a gym in Culver City or West L A. Check it out! Very clean and homey feel.
Earl Trusty
Ferrufino Interiors
Budget Blinds of Culver City

Having NEVER set foot in a gym in my life, it is quite a life-​changing experience to sign up with a trainer to develop a training régime. I «interviewed» other small niche gyms but they just didn’t quite appeal to me on a personal level to sign up, didn’t fit my «personality» I guess. Based on Unilocal reviews, Googling and the gym’s Website I stopped by to check it out. It’s perfect for the Newbie that I am. I have a trainer that has designed a personalized program for me, the staff and fellow gymsters are all welcoming, unpretentious and personable, no posers here. I feel like I «fit in» even though I’ve only just begun my gym training and my tennis shoes are so new they scream «Newbie». Highly recommend!

Fabulous gym with recently expanded quarters. Steve is terrific — knowledgeable, reliable, professional and very personable. He hires people like himself — serious trainers who don’t take themselves too seriously. Gym culture is warm and cooperative and new space is great. Have been commuting over half an hour for years to work out here. Worth every minute!

Steve and crew are great. The gym is about as perfect a serious small gym as you can get. Everyone is friendly and the vibe is definitely laid back. I’ve been going for several years and it’s almost like family.

I started working out here a few weeks ago and love it! Haven’t been in a gym for a long time. I used to belong to Bally’s but I hated working out there. Tried yoga for a while but it wasn’t building muscle like I wanted to do. A Tighter U is small, personal, friendly, uncrowded and I can ask questions of the trainers and know that I’m getting good advice. Steve (the owner) even helped create a work out for me to get me on track to workout on my own. I love that he takes enough of a personal interest in his gym to come in pretty much every day.
If you’re looking for a lot of fancy equipment, this isn’t the place. It’s all very basic which is all your really need to get in shape. I used to walk into Bally’s and be overwhelmed by all the computerized workout equipment. Everything here is straight-​forward and accessible.
This gym is also right around the corner from my house which makes it super easy to go after work. But even if I didn’t live close by, parking is easy. I almost don’t want to write this great review because I don’t want it to get too crowded! Oh well! Here goes anyway!

My regular gym. Steve, the owner, is a super nice and fun guy and my regular trainer, Rachel, is just awesome. I go throughout the week and so does the rest of my nuclear family.
Highly recommended!

I used to be a trainer at A Tighter U. As a matter of fact it was my first job as a trainer. I was a part of the training staff that moved into the current location.
Steve is a nice enough guy with a passion for both fitness and business. While we went our separate ways many years ago, I give the guy and his philosophy two thumbs up.
The only thing that surprises me is that he hasn’t franchised the place yet. The gym fits a great little niche in the field of fitness.

*this is written on behalf of my roommate, Tara O., on account of her not yet joining the ranks of Unilocalhood*
The owner and all the trainers I know are super friendly and make a point to chat every time. And there’s free fruit at the front. And your own flat screen at every elliptical. And they have NFL network.
downside: a lil pricey and small

I’m writing this based on seeing my sister’s results… My sister goes here and she loves Steve, the owner and her trainer. She also loves the other trainers and the small friendly environment. She has lost a ton of weight and looks GREAT! She started going to him when she had foot surgery and could not walk. She was afraid she was going to put on weight. She not only did not gain, she LOST and looks amazing! He was great with sports rehab and she ditched her lame physical therapists! She looks better than EVER and is eating right. Now if only I could get my OWN @#s moving!

I’ve been a member of A Tighter U for going on 5 years. I also belong to Bally’s but I haven’t used my Bally’s membership for awhile now. What I enjoy about Steve’s gym is that it’s not pretentious and everyone who goes to this gym is friendly, courteous and people are actually there to workout. A few of us at the gym have commented that it’s the CHEERS of gyms, because everyone is so nice and like the theme song says «you wanna be where you can see, troubles are all the same, you wanna be where everybody knows your name.» I can’t say I know everybody’s name but we all have the same troubles. We all struggle to eat right, we want to feel better about ourselves and we want to feel and look good. And the people of «A Tighter U» are committed to helping you achieve your goals.
Here is the theme song for your listening and viewing pleasure…
CHEERS

I have to agree with Andrew about Steve, he is one of the most personable people you will ever meet! On top of that I think it’s refreshing to see owners have a «hands on» approach to their business as well as taking the time to really get to know their members.
You definitely won’t find any meatheads at this gym grunting away while lifting and sweating all over the equipment, this gym is really well kept and CLEAN. Another thing I noticed is that you will find is that the people who work out here are really courteous and RE-​RACK their weights! I don’t know how some of you feel but as a girl I get REALLY ANGRY when I go to use a machine and some meat head left weights on that are far too heavy for me to lift myself. I have actually seen one of the girls who works there politely ask someone to re-​rack their weights and let them know that is how they do things at ATU.
As for the trainers, I only have experience with Rachel, who I like to call «The hardest working trainer in Los Angeles» and it’s for good reason! She is ALWAYS at the gym working hard! You know when you train with Rach that she has taken the time to prepare a workout plan for you in advance, She never just shows up and gives you a lot of «uhhhh how about we do this today…» «did we do legs last time?» No way! She has it all planned out in advance and the bonus is that she is thoughtful enough to make sure you have use of your arms and fingertips when she sends you home with sore glutes and legs from her kick ass lunges!
Rach is ALWAYS in a good mood too. Almost a disgustingly good mood, I don’t think I have ever encountered her when she isn’t laughing, smiling, or making someone’s day. When you train with her, one thing is certain — SHE WILL LAUGH AT ALL OF YOUR HORRIBLE JOKES! And she ACTUALLY finds them funny! When training with Rach, she makes me feel like I am quite possibly the most funny and entertaining person she has ever met and her laughter is contagious. Even when I’m complaining about the fact that I can’t reach something because my «beer belly is getting in the way» she will come up with something else I can do to REDUCE the beer belly and never make me feel like an a**hole for making a run to the border for that coveted «4^th meal» — she’ll just make me work harder and honestly, seeing her in her little workout outfits is inspiring, one day I will have famous legs and abs of steel!
Lastly, If it ain’t tight — IT AIN’T RIGHT! By looking at the trainers who train there you just KNOW that this is their motto.
I would recommend this gym to anyone who really wants to work out and have the personalized service you would get in a 5 star boutique hotel.

this gym is so cool. i have been a member for 2 months and i dont regret it. boo to ballys. i love it that i can go straight from work and not worry about it being crowded. the staff welcomes you and lets you be. I havent had a trainer yet but the trainers always look like they are having fun with thier clients. Like Renee said its very comfortable for a girl to work out, i don’t feel self conscious at all like other gyms.

Yeah, what Andrew said.
Seriously, I LOVE this place. It’s a comfortable place for a girl to work out, and there are just as many serious people here as there are people zoning out on the treadmill reading the gossip rags. Something for everyone. I’ve worked out with Rachel, Chris, Todd (gone now), and Josh (also gone). They were all able to suitably kick my ass or zone out in a chatty-​workout. Whatever the mood was, they rose to the occasion. The trainers all really love what they do — they’re creative, knowledgeable, and have a great sense of humor. This is a fun, comfortable place to be. Plus the back wall opens up to a sand-​pit and lets the breeze & sunshine come in — ahhhhh!