GLF Personal Training Studios

Six months ago I was a total couch potato, and now I get super excited to go train until I get a stitch in my side, sweat so hard I can hardly see, and occasionally to get smacked in the head. Who knew? Boxing – no one ever told me it would be so fun.
Mostly I do individual sessions with Gina, who is fun, supportive, and totally kicks my ass (or, really, drives me to kick my own ass). She teaches boxing along with strength exercises using kettlebells, TRX, and punching bags.
Also, the studio recently acquired a real boxing ring. Gina has a way of talking people into things. I told her I would come «watch» on the first sparring day. She insisted that I bring a mouthguard «just in case». So I did, and somehow found myself in the ring for the very first time sparring with one of the other trainers. I totally got whacked in the head at least three times and didn’t cry or anything.
I haven’t been that proud of myself for a very long time.
There is also a Thursday night boxing group class which I haven’t done but sounds very fun and much more cost effective (though the cost of personal training has been totally worth it – I would never push myself this hard alone!).

This is a review of Edward at GLF as well as the facilities at GLF Personal Training Studios. It’s long overdue!
First off, this is a great spot just a block from where I work in SOMA, so it was wonderfully convenient to come here after work. The space is clean and fully stocked with everything you could need to tackle your fitness goals as well as all of the bottled water you could desire (and I drink a LOT of water!)
Okay, now on to Edward. He is the best! He is extremely knowledgeable in his field and is a fun, encouraging and, most-​importantly, butt-​kicking trainer. I loved coming to him, and our routines made me feel healthier, more energetic and stronger as our workouts continued. I have had trainers that were too easy on me which was always frustrating, and I really liked that he didn’t let me slack off. He wants to push you, but he’ll distract you from the pain with his great sense of humor and wicked wit!
One thing I was really impressed by was how tuned in he was to my specific needs, my body and its strengths and weaknesses. He noticed things without even asking me and took measures in our sessions to help me tackle these issues while I was also breaking a sweat. He also answered my nutrition and fitness questions honestly and helpfully so that I could really make sure I was taking care of my body outside of our sessions.
If you work or live near Caltrain and are looking for an awesome workout, I would recommend Edward in a heartbeat. He is fabulous. He will get you in shape. He’ll make you laugh. What else could you want from a trainer?!

Gina’s re-​branded her studio to GLF Personal Training Studios. Makes sense since her business has changed so much since I first started training with her in 2010 (see my old reviews under Gina Lovoi Fitness).
Some things are still the same. Lots of unorthodox exercises using equipment like Bosu, TRX suspension trainers, TRX rip trainers, medicine balls, a balance beam, weighted bars, kettlebells, wobble boards, stretchy bands and dumbbells. And she still manages to challenge me as I take up new activities and set different goals.
Lately I’ve had a few nagging injuries; a sore shoulder and Achilles tendinitis. Gina’s knowledge of physiology and personal training experience has allowed me to train around my injuries so I don’t have to be a complete couch potato while I go to physiotherapy. I can’t say she can do the same for you, but it’s worked great for me.
So what’s new? There are now two other trainers at the studio. One trainer is a guy I haven’t worked with before. The other is Rachel, who I’ve trained with once. I enjoyed my session with her. If I increase my personal training sessions this winter and Gina is booked, I wouldn’t hesitate to train with Rachel again.

Gina’s new place is beautiful, smells clean and lovely, and is full of great equipment. And it’s a peaceful space to spend time, without the usual gym ruckus, making it the perfect combination of relaxing and energizing all at once.

Gina Lovoi Fitness has a new studio, and it’s awesome! Gina is just the best… she trained me in boxing for a few years, and I can honestly say, what an awesome experience!
She’s patient and so knowledgable and has such a great attitude. She’s not arrogant, has refreshing passion and takes a practical and personalized approach to fitness, I think that’s why she’s so successful at it…
Love GLF and love Gina… highly recommended ya’ll…

I feel like the luckiest girl in the world that this place opened near me.
First of all, Gina is an awesome trainer (see my review on Gina Lovoi Fitness) and she trains out of this space.
BUT she also has amazing trainers that train here.
Get yourself an appointment with Ed. You will love him and hate him in all the right ways (as in I love that I get a fun, interesting and challenging cardio workout, but I hate him when I walk up stairs the next day. Like today. Which is actually 2 days later). Like Gina, Ed’s great in an encouraging kinda way. He’s no drill-​sergeant yet for some reason, I always manage to do however many push ups or skull crushers or whatever else I can’t remember the name of that he asks me too. And I know I’m doing them with the right form and that he’ll make sure I don’t hurt myself (which can happen if I have a competitive do this right now type of instructor). Oh! and he’s just a lot of fun to talk to.
The space is great. Very private — there are two separate training areas and it’s usually just you and your trainer in one — and very relaxed. Fun. Comfortable.
Highly recommend GLF. And certainly the 2 trainers I’ve used there.

This is the new studio of Gina Lovoi Fitness, and it’s a really pleasant place to work out. Gina herself is an amazing personal trainer that I’ve had the pleasure to work with for the past 4 years. Gina’s done a great job of furnishing her studio with a nice variety of new, high quality fitness equipment, including training gear for boxing, if that’s your thing. The studio space is large enough for 2 or 3 personal trainers to work with clients at the same time with some level of privacy.
In addition to Gina, I have had the pleasure of working out with Rachel, a new trainer at GLF Personal Training Studio, and she’s been great to work with as well — she listens to you but isn’t afraid to challenge you. Rachel is also very knowledgeable about proper technique for the exercises, and good about demonstrating proper form and paying attention to make sure you are doing the exercises properly and not risking injury to your body. I really value Gina and Rachel’s personal training philosophy because they really want to work with you as a person, as you are today. Regardless of shape, size, health conditions, injuries, age, or disability, Gina and Rachel can work with you to help you become stronger and more energized. The rates of the trainers at the studio are very reasonable — better than the rates of most San Francisco trainers — and the quality of the services offered and the qualifications of the trainers are excellent. Reasonable rates, high quality — it doesn’t get any better than that!

GLF Personal Training Studios is a great new workout space on Bryant Street. It has three studios for trainers to work in that are completely stocked with equipment. The space is clean, well-​lit (without being harsh), and actually smells good. It’s the nicest looking space I’ve ever worked out in, combining top of the line gear with a cool aesthetic so it’s actually a pleasant space to pend time. It’s a particularly great place to train if standard gyms don’t appeal to you or if you/​your clients want to have some privacy while they’re working out. The owner has a real commitment to training people of all shapes, sizes, and abilities and is building a real center around that ethos. A great workout space for a wide range of people.