The Human Form

This business is very evolved with the community, and always reaching out. Unilocal partnered with this local gym to throw a free gathering so people could come and see what all the talk’s about.
Scoping this gym out, I’m totally impressed! I am a big fan of new/​refreshed training. Basically, a regiment of free weights and the treadmill will never keep me motivated. This gym is all about YOU, and showing off is not in their DNA. The gym is simple setup. Open floor, plenty of room for whatever. They do have a few recumbent bikes and treadmills, but they’re off to the sides, not the main focus.
Talking with the husband and wife owners, they concentrate on what members can do to reach a more healthy, good-​feeling, lifestyle. More stretching, rehabilitating a nagging chronic injury, even teaching you how to relieve stress, it’s all offered here.

«The Human Form Fitness Team has been instrumental in vastly improving the quality of my life. Over the past year I have dropped 19 pounds of body fat, added lean muscle and strength, improved all of my blood panel numbers, and have more energy and overall vitality than I’ve experienced in 20 years. This is NOT your typical gym. Their expertise and precision with assessments, designing workouts and nutrition & lifestyle coaching is truly holistic and the best approach I’ve ever seen. The culture there is supportive and welcoming to everyone. It feels like one big family that is pulling for you to live your best life possible. It’s a no-​brainer; everyone should experience this place!»
Brad Koffel
Upper Arlington, OH

Small group personal training sessions that really work. Fun environment. serious healthy mind and body results.
I’ve known Stephen and Michelle (HFF owners) since they were trainers at Grant medical hospital gym– over 10 years ago. I had a 6 month old at the time. I was out of shape and exhausted. Stephen wrote me programs that helped define my health from the inside out. He taught me that a healthy mind and a healthy body go hand in hand. Michelle helped me work out nutritional barriers that got in the way of having a healthy mind and body.
10 years later I am still loyal. I have recommended dozens of people to them over the years. No one has ever been disappointed.
James is the best addition to this team ever! He, like Stephen and Michelle, cares for his clients. Personalized stretches and routines, meal plans, etc. they know every thing about you from your head to toe and they believe in the value of a whole body health experience.
Just last week, Michelle sent me an email with suggested probiotics for my daughter after over hearing she was taking antibiotics for something. They are that caring.
No pick up lines.
No puking from stupid weightlifting.
No dirty locker rooms.
Only caring and intelligent partners to help transform your mind and body for good.
Oh and it’s fun! You make friends and feel motivated by seeing familiar faces. They start every small group training session out by reintroducing everyone! It’s worth the money. Give it a try for at least one month. You’ll never go to a big box gym again. Promise.

**This review is long and personal, but don’t worry – you can skip to the TL;DR at the bottom if you want.**
[The Backstory]
Right around when I turned 27, my world (and my body) started to fall apart. I started having loads of health problems and was eventually diagnosed with a crazy rare condition that was finally starting to take its toll on me. I had a really painful surgery that kept me down for several months. Then about a year later, I started having a different pain in my right shoulder, making it immovable. Fast forward 6 years, a dozen doctors, a few rounds of PT, and another surgery, and we think we finally got it.
But what I was left with was a body that was chronically in pain and had barely any movement or range of motion.
I don’t tell you all that for the heck of it or for anyone to feel bad for me. Quite the opposite, in fact. I normally don’t tell people all this, but I think it’s necessary to fully understand my journey with The Human Form.
[How I got started at The Human Form]
I searched and researched long and hard to find a place that could help get my body back on track. I didn’t want a traditional gym, or a place that marketed «a bikini body by summer,» or some perky 21 year-​old who had no clue about the struggles I was having.
That’s when I found The Human Form. I stayed up for hours reading their website, watching their videos, and going through their FAQs. It’s hard to explain, but I felt this connection – like they knew me and understood what I was going through.
I was super nervous, but I made an appointment! Within moments of arriving, the owner, Stephen, made me feel incredibly comfortable and at ease. He spent about an hour with me, doing some easy assessments and observations and chatting about their philosophy and how they could help me. What he *didn’t* do was talk about weight, or inches, or having a beach body. He got me.
[About The Human Form]
The Human Form is a training studio; all they do is small group training and personal training. Their groups are five or fewer people, and I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about them. But I was there for the one-​on-​one attention.
The team is very small, led by husband and wife owners, Michelle and Stephen, and a handful of trainers. Every single person here has qualifications and certifications out the wahzoo. They’re insanely smart, and they view health in a holistic, big-​picture way. Oh, and they’re all ridiculously kind. NO DOUCHEBAGS HERE.
[My journey at The Human Form]
My trainer is Jimmy, and IMO, he is a saint. First, he has one of the most physically challenging clients he’s ever had. And then he has to put up with my whining about the music – and how there isn’t enough Britney or Swifty. And then he has to put up with my emails that say things like, «WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO RUIN MY LIFE?» I mean, how dare he try to tell me that maybe I should only have ONE gf twinkie at Bake Me Happy. The nerve.
So I’ve been seeing Jimmy faithfully for a little over three months, and I can confidently say this is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It often feels like I’m on a fight for my life… well… because I am. I’ve spent many nights crying on my floor trying to do my homework.
Slowly but surely, I started to feel better. My chronic pain eased a bit. I could do my exercises a little easier. I could move a bit quicker. I even gained strength that I lost many years ago.
Then yesterday I reached into my refrigerator and grabbed a half a watermelon single-​handedly without even thinking about it. I know that doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it’s a HUGE deal for me; I haven’t done anything like that in years. I knew right then it was time to write a review.
I have a very, very long way to go, but The Human Form has saved me. I feel better than I have in years. I feel like I’m actually starting to see a version of myself I thought I wouldn’t see again.
And it’s not just the workouts. They also help me with my diet. To say I’m not an easy client is the understatement of 2015. Going out to eat is part of my job, but they gently encourage me and give me great feedback on how to make better choices. (Except the stevia in my coffee… that was just crazy talk.)
I guess the pink elephant in the room is price. It’s not cheap. The small group training is hopefully where I’ll end up after a little while – and then my bank account can stop bleeding. But seriously, the personal training is expensive as effff – BUT – they’re the best in the city. I honestly couldn’t afford NOT to spend the money to get better.
[In the end]
I love The Human Form. I absolutely cannot wait to see more progress in the coming months, and I am confident they’re going to help get me there!
TL;DR The Human Form is a personal training and small group training studio that specializes in helping people like me – the athletically challenged. It’s expensive as heck, but totally worth it. They are the best in the business!