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October 2023 by Aaron R
Derek and the thrive team are great. Good space with trainers who are focused on results while making sure to prevent injuries. Recommended for any fitness level.
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May 2023 by Dena Hazzard
This gym is my happy place Derek and the coaches are fantastic. Its clean and fun place to get strong ?
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May 2023 by Zeke Merchant
This may sound cliché, but Derek and the other coaches at THRIVE have literally changed my life for the better. I am admittedly TERRIBLE at trying new things, especially in public. I went into this cautiously optimistic and was hooked within the first week.Each session includes a group warmup before proceeding to personalized workouts that are prepopulated in a very user-friendly phone app. Not someone who likes using apps? Lots of folks transcribe their workout plans onto whiteboards and it works great. The team at THRIVE is very good at meeting people where they are at and helping them achieve their growth goals SAFELY. The programming is wholistic and refreshing as you change exercises regularly, but come back to them later and feel progress. It ensures that each week, you've worked out your entire body that leaves you appropriately sore in a way that makes you think "Wow, I absolutely KILLED it. I can't wait for next week."As someone who had VERY little knowledge about working out and deeply prioritized safety, I was hesitant to lift a lot of weight. Within the first few weeks, I had a great understanding of my current capability. Before long, I started to see sustainable progress. Derek and the THRIVE team have helped me to understand my body and it's capability in a way I've honestly never experienced. I used to think that the gym wasn't for me. Now I know that I was just going to the wrong one.I've moved out of the Albany area and not being able to go to this gym three times a week has been one of the hardest parts about leaving. Give THRIVE a try. You won't regret it.
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May 2023 by Sean Kennedy
You can find weights anywhere. You can lift those weights pretty much anywhere. What is in short supply however is the type of positivity and coaching that comes with all of the staff at Thrive.People are what set the experience apart, whether it is your coach, your partner, your waiter, or your boss. Invest in yourself and your wellbeing, I'm happy I did.
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March 2023 by Don Dybas
Derek and the Thrive team are first rate. The gym is well equipped, clean, and well run. Thrive is a diverse community of folks at various fitness levels - and Derek tailors each workout program to each member’s unique capabilities and limitations. At age 57, with Derek’s guidance and motivation, I personally have rehabbed an injured shoulder and overcome poor hip mobility to achieve levels of strength I previously never thought achievable.
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March 2023 by Sarah Kennedy
Thrive is unlike any other gym I've joined!The basics: Each class is limited to 12 people. Warm up is done as a group, then each person moves on to their personalized plan. This is programmed into an app ahead of time so you can review the workout and individual exercise videos if you so desire. The coach is there to help show you any exercise, from demonstrating it to checking your form to just encouraging you.The coaches are knowledgeable and so supportive, gently pushing to strive for more than I thought possible. In addition to these amazing coaches is a growing, friendly community of fellow gym-goers of all ages, shapes, and sizes.I love Thrive. I think you will, too. Give it a try - your first class is free! Can't wait to see you there.
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October 2022 by Tara Manierre
I initially decided to join THRIVE when I was training for a half marathon. Turns out it was the best decision I could've made! Not only did it supplement my marathon training, but it has helped me achieve a day to day fitness and wellness that is truly invaluable. I have gotten stronger and more confident in my abilities, both as a runner and in general. I have never felt holistically better, and am forever grateful for Derek's guidance and to be a part of the THRIVE community. If you are looking for an individualized strength training program in a fun and friendly small group setting, THRIVE is definitely the place for you!
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June 2022 by Mary Bradley
I have been working with Derek since my 2016 diagnosis of osteoporosis. I needed strength training and overall fitness improvement. He developed a plan for me and " strength and fittnes homework "for my non gym days. With strength training, increased calcium and Prolia (a prescription medication), I am out of the osteoporosis range now. I have gone from 5 lb dumbbell routines to 12 lb dumbbell routines. As a 60+ person, the gym is friendly and really meets the needs of every member. The trainers watch your form and corrects it before it becomes a habit. The individual attention prevents injuries.
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April 2022 by Joe Kearney
Thrive is the best thing I’ve even done for my overall strength. I have never been stronger in my life than I am now.The trainers at Thrive will assess your physical condition and your needs/goals and then design a workout program just for you. They do that for every client, so it’s a very individualized setup. You can be a power lifter, athlete, or someone that is aging and is looking for better mobility, flexibility, and most importantly, less day to day pain.All the trainers are awesome people, and they’re very helpful and invested in helping you achieve your goals.A lot of other gyms that you join are filled with people with egos, and it may seem like they’re just there to get attention while they’re working out. Thrive isn’t like that. There’s zero judgement in the place. It’s like a family, and a very fun environment.One thing the pandemic has taught us is how important our physical health is. This should be a priority for ANYONE that wants to take good care of themself.Thrive is a fantastic and fun way to do just that.
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March 2022 by Michel Wenda
Mr. Ethan Payne is wonderful! He helped me get my first profit . He made the entire process smooth and I felt completely supported after investing the minimum of
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March 2022 by Kelly Briceno
Thrive is unlike any gym I have ever been to. Every trainer there truly cares about your goals both personal and physical goals. Thrive is different from other gyms as you have personal strength training tailored to your goals in a group setting. You have the option to do personal training 1 on 1 which is how I started going to Thrive but once my sessions for personal training were over I was hesitant to switch over to the group personal strength training as I thought “well I guess I am on my own now” like every other gym I’ve been to and quickly stopped going to. Absolutely not!The trainers design your workout program just for you in their nifty and easy to use app. It is still super personalized even though you are in a group. I will be honest I used to go to the regular best fitness gym and never really committed as I was going by myself and nothing felt personal to me nobody cared if I showed up or if I was hurting my back doing a squat, the attention to detail was just not there. This is why thrive is soooo different the energy is amazing. You show up to your group class with 6-8 other members and we all warm up with some stretches and a good ole question of the day to lift everyones moods and get started. Afterwards you go on your own to do your workouts but you have the personal trainers there to make sure you have proper form and to prevent injury and providing any feedback needed, it’s basically like having a personal trainer. I’ve never felt more motivated and encouraged to show up as the trainers ACTUALLY care about you. The vibe is super fun and supportive every other member there is supportive and there’s no feeling of competition or awkwardness. They have created an atmosphere where I feel sad if I can’t go one day cause they bring so much joy to my gym routine. I have definitely become a stronger and healthier individual thanks to Thrive.I wish everyone could experience this kind of gym experience as it is absolutely life changing I can never go back to a regular gym. Thank you to Derek for everything he’s done for us at Thrive. Overall I would recommend this gym to everyone I know.
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March 2022 by Jeff Burkhart
A little off the beaten path, but a great workout. If you're into strength or yoga, thrive has it all. Stop by and try it out. Prices are great. Ask for Derek Gelato. Tell him Jeff sent you.
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February 2022 by Anna Dechene
Thrive has changed my life, and it is impossible to fully explain how.First, for anyone who doesn’t understand how this gym is different, it gives you personal strength training at a much more affordable price. You have a personal trainer (yes, a real live coach who works at Thrive) who writes your workout programs just for you! So whether you sign up for 2, 3, or 4 sessions per week, your workouts are designed specifically for you. Second, you get to complete your workouts in a small group setting. This means that when you show up for your workout, there are at most 11 other Thrivers using the gym (I would say average class size is more like 6-8). There is one coach leading each class, and he or she is able to give you personal assistance and feedback because the class size is small. They help correct your form and motion, answer questions, spot you, and offer a ton of encouragement. You are not left to your own best guess as to how to perform the exercises that have been programmed for you. Third, the atmosphere is fun, supportive, and non-competitive! I love the other Thrivers, who all embody the supportive spirit.Okay, so about my experience. I joined Thrive in May 2021, and am writing this in January 2022. I had never worked with a personal trainer or followed a strength training program before. Needless to say, I was shy and nervous about joining. That vanished almost immediately after I joined. What I love most are the coaches- they are all well educated in the subject matter, so friendly and enthusiastic, and genuinely care about you! There is no judgment; only a desire to help you. They create the sort of atmosphere where, even if you didn’t feel like going to the gym that day, you are so glad to be there once class starts up. They are your biggest cheerleaders, but also encourage you to be your own cheerleader. They truly listen to your feedback and help you navigate the journey towards wellness. Also, even if your own trainer is not leading the class you attend, you are able to leave feedback and message each other, so you’re always in sync and your programming is 100% tailored to you. (Plus, the coaches share feedback with each other.) If something isn’t working for you, they work with you. For example, I battled knee tendinitis for several months, but with careful and specified programming, I am now pain free.My confidence has grown, and it feels good to prioritize my health. I am well on my way to changing my body shape, and have gained a lot of muscle. This gym is SO much more than a place to focus on physical health and strength- it has improved my mental well-being and has overall made me a happier person. I love seeing my growth and accomplishments, and I cannot thank the coaches, especially Derek, enough.You are worth this time and money investment. It’s your life. I wish everyone I care about had the opportunity to train at this gym, because I know it would bring them only wonderful things. Thank you Thrive!
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December 2021 by Eric Luper
I've been to numerous gyms around the Capital District and Thrive is tops. Although it is a small group format, everyone is doing their own thing, which is personally customized depending on your goals and your progress. The app is great because I can see what I've done in the past and see a video of each exercise. Plus, the trainers are super helpful and friendly. Whether you're a beginner or advanced, I suggest you give Thrive a try.
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November 2021 by Anita Kliment
This program is great for all levels. I see some members who never worked out before and others who have and want a personal trainer but not the cost. For me this is perfect next step after I spent a few months doing physical therapy to begin correcting posture and regaining stability and strength that I lost over the last decade. I get to spend my time focused on the workouts and exercises since all my workouts are already planned for me when I show up. And the best thing is having a coach there to help correct form and answer questions while doing the workout.
