Excel Fitness

As a young lady with zero fitness experience save for a brief stint playing softball as a child and some outdoor running in nice weather, you can imagine how daunting the gym experience could be. Kettle bells? Hip abduction machines? RESISTANCE BANDS!!! It was like trying to teach complex differential equations to a toddler. But then, when my prospects were bleak and I thought I would never find a gym I liked, I found Excel.
This place is intimate, and never uncomfortably crowded even during «peak» hours. It does however have everything you could ever possibly need as far as work out equipment goes and then some. The owner Jeff is friendly and welcoming and seems to know pretty much everyone who walks in. This is very nice change from most other gyms where the snobby, barely-​post-​pubescent staff look at you like you have three heads when you ask a question. Excel also has an awesome staff, who are super knowledgeable and and very motivating.
When I explained my extreme lack of gym knowledge to Jeff, and expressed my interest in a trainer so I could learn a thing or two (you know, so I wouldn’t be one of those girls who paid for a gym membership only to ever use the treadmill with silent disdain) he set me up with Lauren. I cannot say enough about her! She is so nice and there is absolutely no BS with her. She definitely knows what she’s doing, and she will push you to your limit while always making sure you’re safe in the process. I was thrilled when I began to see results in a few weeks of working with her, and it’s only getting better. Even though I haven’t personally worked with any other trainers they all seem just as amazing as Lauren, and it’s easy to see they all have dedicated clients who like what they’re doing since they keep coming back!
The only possible con to Excel I can say is I wish they had longer weekend hours, but for the price, the environment and what it has to offer you, this is hands down the best option you will find anywhere near our cozy WeHa area. No lunk alarms here :)

Great gym, clean, plenty of equipment and I can always get the machine I want. My trainer Lauren has changed my fitness life. I have been going for training for more than a month now at Excel, met some great people and have seen the change!!!

I am perplexed as to if I really want to write a review on this company. It’s like Central CT’s best kept secret for gyms!
I had no idea the saga of finding a gym in CT was going to be as long as mine was. I checked out a few, but between the crazy start-​up fees, very expensive monthly membership and the feeling of being a rat in a hamster wheel based on many gyms’ size and how their equipment is arranged in the room, I was unimpressed and intimidated.
I tried this place because I was living here for a temporary time, and I was able to combine the Unilocal deal they had at the time WITH their 2 week trial membership… so 6 weeks for $ 25? Sure! I ended up staying longer than 6 weeks, and they let you do month-​to-​month without gouging you for not signing a yearly contract and no heinous «start-​up fees» I see so many gyms require. (srsly, what’s up with that) ($ 45/​mo no contract, $ 35/​mo with)
This place feels like someone’s basement gym (in the best possible way) No annoying gym rats narcissistically watching themselves flex in the mirrors, no «motivational» messages plastered throughout just to give you the worst self-​body image projections. In fact, pretty sure there is a picture of Marilyn Monroe lifting, which is fantastic. Also, all of their equipment is super new and clean!
I never took advantage of their personal trainers, but tons of people do… people of all sizes and ages and ability levels, from the person with a new resolution to begin working out, to the fit athlete, to adorable couples in their 80’s that make it their Saturday morning routine. Everyone is super friendly and it really feels like a gym for everyone and I absolutely love that.
Social Responsibility: As a bonus, I LOVE their random fundraisers they support. They always have a collection bin for old sneakers for Africa, and in the winter they had a hat and coat drive for a local organization. Most recently, there was a pledge fundraiser for one of the members at the gym heading over to Kenya to do volunteer work. In no way do you feel obligated to partake… it’s just posters set up in the lobby and you can take the initiative to donate if you’d like. Great to see company’s involved in their communities; local and global!
Con: Their hours aren’t the best for the busy working professional, but if you’re a morning exerciser, it won’t be a problem as they open super early. For me and my flexible work-​from-​home schedule, it also was no problem. BUT, they close pretty early and have pretty scarce weekend hrs which could be a turn-​off for some.
Overall, I’m sad I’m leaving and will have to begin the gym hunt again! I’m not sure I will ever be quite as satisfied as I was here!

Moves to this area in 2012. took awhile to fin a place that suited me. Convenient, clean, good equipment, nice people, excellent trainers. Nice neighborhood feeling… Jeff and Ilicia do a great job

This place is excellent! For a reasonable price, they provide excellent customized training programs that’s suits your individual needs. Zac goes the distant in trying to understand your requirements and making sure you are challenged and motivated

Sick of big box gyms with meat heads who put things up and put them down? Excel Fitness is your solution!
We have been members now for over a year and the team at Excel delivers on every level — the facility is always clean, the staff is welcoming, and the personal trainers are extremely knowledgeable and motivating.
It is more of a «club» type atmosphere and in my opinion the most bang for the buck in the Hartford area!