Rival Fitness

Favorite health club ever. Smaller boutique gym with top notch equipment, excellent classes, and friendly staff. I moved out of the area, which is why I had to quit. Side note on that — it was easy to quit — no high pressure — no requirement to have an exit interview. It’s pricey but I’m happy to pay extra for the level of equipment and the high quality classes that a lot of clubs would charge for (TRX, kettlebell, yoga for example). It’s also not overly busy, which is really important to me. This is the kind of club I would like to own someday. Shoutout to Joshua who is an excellent trainer.

So far so good. Met a lot of people who understands how to run a great business. top notch equipments and size-​controlled classes

I can’t say enough about my experience st Rival. The quality of the trainers and equipment is unmatched. the staff is SUPER welcoming and the facilities are inviting and very clean. I love the variety of classes and all of the gym patrons are friendly. I’ve found working out here to be like having fun with an extended family. I highly recommend taking advantage of the free trial week. You will NOT be disappointed and will wonder how you ever survived without Rival in your life.

Reasons I love this gym:
I love the people that own the gym. They are smart, knowledgeable, and they even take classes with the members. I think that’s a huge vote of confidence in their own product.
I love the people that work here— Netanya is always sincere, timely, and on point with helping me figure out classes/​what to do next. The instructors are great and uplifting.
I love the people that attend this gym: we socialize outside of the gym. There is a very specific personality that attends this gym, and it’s an outgoing one. The people here consider the gym to be an extension of their personal lives: this is a social club, and I love that!
A few cons:
The classes get filled quickly, so if you’re not planning your next week you likely will be wait listed/​barred from getting in.
The classes are only 45 minutes; it may not seem like a big difference, but for someone such as myself that needs more time to get going, it’s a little short. I prefer 60-​minute classes.
While the gym itself is stocked with a nice weight room (you can purchase an all-​access pass to both the gym and classes if you wish), the classes themselves, which are my draw to this gym, do not include a ton of weight lifting. The Tabata and Triple Threat classes, which are the two «weight» classes, involve light weights that are done for time rather than reps.
Overall:
This is a great gym for ex-​athletes and people looking to get fit. There isn’t one type that fits here. It’s very much a small family so expect everyone to learn your name.

Rival has an exceptional staff, amazing customer service, and aesthetically pleasing gym, however the quality of classes is what truly sets this boutique gym apart from all the others. I have found the classes to be challenging, high intensity, and exceptional quality from what is usually expected at a gym. I also love how the staff take the time to learn everyone’s name and interact with you each time you visit. It’s those small things that really go the distance. The membership is not cheap, but you can rest assured that you’re getting quality in every dime you pay.

I regularly attend classes here on the side in addition to my regular gym. The classes are great, the gym is super clean, and the staff are excellent. I recommend it! It’s a nice addition to Capitol Hill. (I hope it stays!!)

Arguably the best gym in or near downtown. I do not take the classes (like a lot of the others here) — but the gym equipment is top of the line and well maintained. The equipment is definitely for those who are more interested in functional strength. There are not a lot of machines wasting space here. Other good things: Generally lots of space to work out (unless there is a class); very clean; they supply workout towels; Love the turf.
The gym is also really well laid out — as if someone who actually trains thought about the best places to put everything. I shouldn’t have to call this out — but I used to be a member of Mode of Fitness and their layout is nonsensical. As if it was designed by the same people who designed Seattle’s roads and traffic systems.
Although I gave 5 stars — there I have two call outs. 1) It is SO DARK in there. Especially in the evening, I feel like the place was designed for vampires. When I mention to others that this is where I work out, this often comes up. 2) If you show up when there is a class taking place, you can’t use the turf.
A lot of people stress the community aspect. Literally no one who works there has ever asked me my name and I definitely do not feel part of any community. Which I am totally fine with and actually appreciate. I wear my headphones all the time and really appreciate that the staff gives me my space. Which is to say — if you don’t want to join a community and just want an awesome place to work out, don’t get put off by the other comments.
In sum — this place is fantastic. As a former New Yorker, one issue I have with Seattle is that you often have to put up with mediocre standards. This is not the case at Rival.

A total yuppie gym. I’ve tried out a lot of different workout options, including fitness classes, bootcamps, and «regular» gyms, both in the Seattle area and in New York City. Rival Fitness has a fun, playful ambiance about it, like an adult-​sized playground (monkey bars included); they even have a class called recess! The staff are friendly, helpful and welcoming. I love that they have free towel service and the temperature set perfectly.
All the equipments are brand new, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are great. I like to do my own little series of intervals on the treadmill, which requires me to adjust the speed pretty frequently. Most gyms have treadmills with speed up/​down buttons near the handle (as well as on the main board), but the treadmills here don’t have that. I know that sounds really petty; I didn’t realize how convenient these buttons were until they’re not there. Most of the machines use weights that you need to load onto them, which is kind of b*tch when the person before you didn’t unload their weights.
Even though this is a smaller gym, it’s never crowded even during rush hours (after work). I think the higher membership fees (starting at $ 95/​month for the basic membership, which doesn’t include classes) is partially due to the convenient location (although finding parking in the area is a b*tch). I’ve only tried one class and it was great. The classes look pretty intense, but then again, I’m not sure that’s necessarily an edge they have over other gym. So far, I’m a fan, although I’m not crazy about paying $ 95 a month (before taxes) for a gym membership.

I’m here to affirm all of the great reviews below. I’m about three weeks into the Fit Squad program and it’s fantastic. Rival seems to have nailed the balance between making you feel welcome without overdoing it, and kicking your butt without making you puke. Worth every penny!

What a wonderful amazing staff! Every single one. I have been at Rival since it opened and have never had a negative experience there. I just wish they were open later on weekdays and weekends. Regardless however this is the best gym I have ever been a member of.

I’m a fitness fanatic, not easily impressed. This place is a breath of fresh air. Functional fitness with the right amount of sophistication, education, direction and motivation. I would recommend this place to everyone. 5 star does not do it justice, they are in a league of their own.

For years, I have worked out from my home because it was more convenient with my schedule. A few months ago, I ran into a co-​worker and she looked great. I asked her what she was doing, she responded that she joined Rival Fitness several months earlier and shared what her experience was like. My husband and I decided to try it and it’s become a regular part of our lives.
The trainers are terrific, knowledgeable and extremely committed to your success. The equipment is top of the line and the classes are challenging, yet fun.
We’re motivated each time we come and exhausted and proud afterwards.
Delena S.

First some background — I’ve been an athlete most of my life, but the last 3 – 5 years with work travel & the kids put fitness on the back-​burner, and it really started to wear on me. I finally decided to do something about it, started eating right, lost a bunch of weight, and then, prompted by my wife who’d started working out here, added exercise back into the mix.
I mention this because I’ve got a diverse set of fitness experience to draw from and I can honestly say Rival does just about the best job I’ve seen of having high quality, functional fitness-​focused trainers with up-​to-​date knowledge; coupled with a wide variety of small and large-​group fitness classes and excellent gym facilities.
Note — you won’t find a pool or basketball court or sauna or steam room here. But you will find plenty of kettle bells, free weights, TRX equipment, ropes, jumping platforms, medicine balls, etc. And there’s generally tons of room to move around to do things like walking lunges or stretch. Everything you need to get in the best shape of your life in a functional way. I like that Rival’s not focused on the traditional cardio/​weight stack type layout, although the have a few cardio machines and these awesome indoor rowers (IndoRow brand).
I’ve been sampling the different classes — including taking the 12 week «Fit Squad» — which I can say is kicking my ass. I’m also partial, thus far, to the IndoRow classes — good all-​body cardio workout, and easier on the joints than cycling, at least for me. I think at my advanced age (ha) the camaraderie of the small or large groups and variety provides more motivation than just trudging to the gym and trying to grind it out a few times a week.
Definitely not the least expensive gym, but there’s a mix of membership types depending on what you’re going to use (some offer just classes, others full access to the gym). Having been to at least half a dozen gyms in my 15+ years in Seattle Rival ranks up at the top and I’d highly recommend it.

Very friendly staff and killer workout class! Found this gem through other Unilocalers and was very impressed on how easy the check in process was for being a visitor! Definitely a plus that it was close to our hotel! Easy to miss but well worth the time to find

I hate going to the gym but Rival made me change my mind. Love the owners and their staff. Recess is so fun!

Rival Fitness is by far one of the best gyms in Seattle! Why you ask? 1.) Staff are always very nice and very responsive to whatever questions you may have. Jim, the owner, knows will respond to you directly if you email or call him. 2.) The facility is very clean and lots of fitness toys from kettlebells to sandbags to monkey bars to viPr to TRX… and many more! 3.) They offer a variety of classes! From yoga to high intensity workouts to field days! I strongly recommend taking their Indo-​Rowing classes and R&R (Ride and Row)– what a nice cardio workout! I’m a runner, however, I’ve been looking for a variety of cardio workouts and no other gym offers rowing classes. They offer a 1-​week FREE TRIAL, so I say JUST DO IT and try Rival Fitness!
Also, I’ve been doing Fit Squad the past 6 weeks and it has been a great experience for me since the workouts is meant to train your whole body within that 60 minutes. I’m not a novice in working out, however, it has been awhile (like 10+ years) that I’ve had proper fitness training and it’s such a good refresher and great to learn new workouts.

The owner and staff at Rival are second to none. The facility is among the cleanest I have ever seen, and the equipment is unbelievably nice and cutting edge. I’m also impressed by the variety of classes offered — all are challenging and worthwhile. All in all, this is a wonderful place to get fit with excellent and kind individuals all around (where else would the owner give you his parking space when you couldn’t find a spot? Where else would a staffer literally give you her socks and spin shoes because you forgot to pack them?). I highly recommend Rival!

Rival is outstanding. I’ve been a member for about ten weeks now, and I am hooked. Here’s why I love Rival:
Top notch staff — Jim Mahan has hand-​picked a staff of talented, passionate, and genuinely nice people to make up the Rival family. When I come in, everyone knows my name. This is how to run a small business!
Individual attention — Rival’s trainers have worked with me to create a program that is built to help me achieve my goals. I can tell it’s working, because I see results and I always feel like coming back.
Workouts that work — Rival has a great lineup of classes that really work for me. My favorites are Recess and Field Day, which take the best games from the playground and turn them into to fun and challenging workouts.
And you can’t beat the location — right on Pine in Capitol Hill.

What I was looking for was a gym close to my apartment, friendly, clean, classes I like (cycling and one I didn’t know I liked until I experienced it, indoor rowing is awesome!), option for personal training, good range of hours, reasonable rates.
I’ve done the franchise gyms as well as the posh clubs and clearly, you get what you pay for. This gym feels personal but doesn’t breathe down your neck. And it’s a neighborhood gym, you get that great cross-​section of Capitol Hill. The trainer I met with put it well, it’s a training gym. If you like rows and rows of cardio machines and tvs, this isn’t it. If you want to be a bit more serious about results and have the attention of experts instead of sales people, I’d say this place is perfect.

I checked out Rival Fitness a few times during free class week, and I quite liked it!
The entire gym-​goer experience is good: to sign up for classes, you use the usual mindbodyonline system, which is really smooth and easy; once you get to Rival, the staff members are extremely kind and welcoming. I went to a class on my birthday and everyone made note. The locker room /​showers are done well: there is decent shampoo /​conditioner /​body wash, the sink faucet delivers a steady, clear stream so that you can fill up your water bottle quickly without feeling like you’re drinking stale disturbingly opaque water afterwards, and the towels are reasonable.
Classes are good and creative. There are areas of astroturf to give the illusion of outdoors field exercises, and also spinning /​indoor rowing equipment. I mostly go for the dance-​like aerobics classes, which take place in a well-​lit, well-​mirrored room. It’s oblong, so most everyone can grab a piece of mirror (in front, at least) to check their form. Acoustics are fine: not too echoey.
Finally, the location location is unbeatable — super-​accessible by transit: close to the usual Cap Hill buses and the connector stop. It might not be the largest gym on these here lakes, but if it’s close to home and uniformly pleasant, you’ll use it more.