The Study

ABSOLUTE PINNACLE OF A PERSONAL TRAINING EXPERIENCE.
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Some notes about myself, so you understand my perspective:
I’m a 33 yr old man who, before training at The Study was scrawny and didn’t know how to care for my body. I decided I needed to make a change.
7 months ago, I wasn’t sure who to talk to or where to go to achieve my own personal fitness goals. So I used Unilocal and incidentally, found The Study there.
What followed were the most significant improvements to my health that I had ever experienced in my life, and it’s all because of Alexander, the founder of this gym and personal training practice. His studio and his methods embody all the positive qualities you look for in a personal trainer:
— Consummate professional, holds you accountable for your work without the need to be a «beefcake yeller» like what happens at Barry’s Bootcamp or some such. His calm but firm ability to teach is exactly how I like to be spoken to and respected. He will watch your form like a hawk and make sure you are doing everything exactly in the way it should be done.
— Maintains an incredibly clean space, makes sure all students wipe their feet before coming in, and has the cleanest facility you will ever work out in. He always has his filtered water station filled for your water bottle, and a clean bathroom and towels that smell great. All of the gym equipment is wiped down after every student goes through.
— He customizes the workouts based on your current level of fitness, and even provides custom meal plans and home workouts based on what your goals and personal abilities are.
— He is fully trained, his website explains all of his certifications and experience, and it SHOWS when you are in workout mode. I am fortunate in that I haven’t had to overcome any kind of major injury, but he is trained in how to work with you if you are overcoming one. This makes me feel extremely safe and confident that the workouts won’t do damage and I am at minimal risk, with maximum reward. He is constantly making sure and checking in so that you are aware of what your body is capable of.
— His breadth of knowledge for what movements are appropriate for your fitness level is amazing. You will learn an incredible amount of exercises you can do without complicated equipment, and you will learn how to use common gym equipment in the correct way.
— At regular intervals he will track your progress with various measurements and can explain, with science, how the body reacts to your eating and workout habits.
— He also explains the importance of stretching, rolling, water consumption, etc. and how the right balance of all of those things contribute to your goals, not just the time spent with him.
As you can see with all the bullet points above, there is one thread in common, and possibly the most important part of this review:
* Alexander is incredibly passionate about his practice and his contribution to you, the student.
This is not just a business for him — he truly and sincerely cares about your well being and making a difference to every single one of his students.
As the semester began, he encouraged me to come in early to warm up, and I slowly started coming in earlier and earlier, just to make sure I could get the warm up done before we got down to business. What was always enlightening about coming in early is that you could see the way he would train with the student before me. His style and the exercises chosen for each student is different, and it was clear evidence that literally everyone is getting custom, individualized attention — and you could see that he cares just as much about everyone else as he did for me.
I loved the semester so much, I had to sign up for a 2^nd round. I am sure that I will continue working with him in the future, but for now, I am happy to look fondly on 7 months of muscle gain and just feeling like a better human being. Seriously, that’s how you feel after you’re done. You can’t put a price on that.

I have about a week left of my training at the Study and I have to say that I have really been enjoying it so far! I used to be an athlete, but after I stopped competing, I never got back into a routinized active lifestyle. And after seeing all the reviews on Unilocal,I decided to try the Study.
I have to say that everything said on these Unilocal reviews is true! Zac started me off with more basic exercises and although my progress seemed slow at first, I can now really see the differences! It really shows that every little exercise that I do at the Study counts because Zac designed them to lay a good foundation for more complex ones. Now, I can see so much improvement in every session at the Study and I have never seen myself improve this much within such a short amount of time.
Zac is very attentive and professional. He knows his stuff and knows exactly what we are doing each session. The studio is also kept very clean and organized. There are never too many people in there because all the training is one-​on-​one and both Zac and Alexander know how to manage the space so that we don’t get in the way of each other. Both Zac and Alexander are very nice and friendly, I high recommend the Study for everyone!

I had a great experience training for two months at the study. My starting goals
were achieved in a relatively short period of time in a sustainable way. As many of the other reviews highlight, Alexander is very professional, gave me a method of training I can
take anywhere and put together a nutrition plan.
Initially I thought three days a week commitment would be overwhelming but I
ended up looking forward to training rather than dreading it. I have definitely
reached a new level mentally and physically. These results are above and beyond
my numerous experiences with trainers and coaches
The key for me was working with someone who would know when to push and when
to back off, be intuitive and dynamic and I think that’s exactly what I got out of the study. I actually had a bit of anxiety around certain elements of exercise, and Alexander ended up being the best possible trainer to work on that because he has modifications for all of the exercises, and is encouraging and non judgmental.
Really glad I stumbled upon this studio, would highly recommend the study to anyone. Just a shame I can’t continue as I no longer live in LA!

This review is definitely overdue, but couldn’t go without saying! This past year I decided to try and pick back up running (after a 6 year hiatus). Unfortunately, I couldn’t get my mileage up without getting slowed down by injuries. Luckily, I met Zac through one of my workout groups and he invited me in for a session.
Zac was very thorough! We started off by reviewing some of my goals as well as level setting before we began. Seeing how a lot of my injuries stemmed from leg imbalances, we spent most of the session working out my core and legs (front squats, lunges, etc.).
I really liked the one on one training without the crowd of a LA Fitness or 24 Hour and a huge plus, it felt much cleaner and organized than any big name chain gym! If you’re ever in the Santa Monica area, stop by and ask for Zac!

Training with Alexander at The Study is by far, the best training experience I’ve had. He’s attentive, dedicated, and patient. In the 6 months that I was training with him, I always felt like I was advancing to a new level of strength.
We took measurements often so we could always spot if something wasn’t working for my body and change it. Pretty early on, we noticed my thighs were bulking up fast so we gave it another few weeks to see if my body just needed to adjust and then ultimately, ended up switching my leg routines.
I’ve stopped training at The Study but will probably start up again at some point. If you’re motivated and willing to fully commit to an active lifestyle, The Study is for you!
Bonus: he’ll play whatever music you want (80’s new wave for me, thanks).

I met Alexander through a mutual friend and saw his very hip and functional studio gym. I recently asked him to teach me how to properly dead lift. He got back to me right away and slotted a time for me within the same week.
I expected him to simply demonstrate correct form, but he graciously dedicated an entire hour for me. While leading me through a warm up, I casually mentioned that I have been having trouble with double-​under jump-​roping. Without missing a beat, he trained me up to being comfortable with that exercise. He then in a step wise fashion demonstrated how to do a dead lift. He helped me maintain correct form, and I now feel confident that I can safely do this exercise.
Alexander keeps his gym in immaculate shape. He is an outstanding personal trainer. Highly recommended.

The Study is a beautiful space. It’s evident that Alexander is very thoughtful about ensuring that his clients had plenty of space and a wide variety of equipment. It’s unlike any other studio and makes working out fun and dynamic.
Alexander is an exceptional trainer. He is very knowledgeable and creates a custom curriculum that addresses your goals while optimizing the time you have with him. He is meticulous about form and changes things up regularly so the time flies by. The results are evident — I’ve never been in better shape than when I work out regularly with Alexander. If you’re looking for a professional trainer who will push you to exceed your goals Alexander is right for you.

Zach is one of the best personal trainers that I’ve worked out with. He doesn’t use a turnkey approach and tailors our workouts to my goals and body type. He also has a true understanding of the body and fitness. I highly recommend him.
–Eddie

I’ve trained with Alexander for two semesters and will continue to train moving forward. He is incredibly professional, dedicated, and most importantly, an extremely knowledgeable trainer who takes pride and passion in what he does. I am consistently impressed by his excitement to challenge my fitness in new ways!
His studio is kept immaculately clean, and has pretty much anything you could need– free weights, kettle bells, ropes, Bosu, Indo boards, boxing equipment, rings, boxes, tires, bars, even an outdoor run area with turf. In addition, a kitchen and spaciously appealing shower for those who need to head to work after training.
Most importantly… Alexander helped me focus in on exactly what I wanted/​needed and tailored my workouts to my specific needs. As an ex-​collegiate athlete, I’m no stranger to working with personal trainers, but firmly believe Alexander is the best (and most fun) I’ve ever had! I think you’d be hard pressed to find a trainer who is as devoted to creating a customized and challenging routine.
If you are willing to put in the work and time on your end (i.e. good nutrition, recovery stretching, and follow his plan), you will see the results you’ve always wanted! I’ve recommended him to my friends and will continue to do so. Bottom line, I highly recommend him to those who are serious about reaching their goals. Send him a note, go in for a trial session and see exactly what we’re all talking about here on Unilocal– you’ll find its all true, and then some!

While I haven’t been a full time student at the Study for over 2 years, I recently had a workout with their newest trainer, Zach, and walked away very impressed.
Zach trained me and my fiancé in a really fun and challenging circuit. Similar to Alexander, Zach pays close attention to form and has a focus on core and balance to go along with strength and flexibility. These were the pillars in my previous experience at the Study and is what sets them apart from a lot of other trainers.
As I remember, the workspace is extremely clean, functional, and inviting. They have brought in some new toys since the last time I was here and we were able to use them.
I will continue to recommend the Study as well as Zach. He and Alexander are the two best trainers in Santa Monica.

I trained with Zach @ Equinox for few months & I have to say, it was the best investment of my life! He is just amazing!
When I started training with him, I was recovering from an ankle injury. I also have a history with lower back pain. He put a plan together to strengthen the core, fix my form, activating all those muscles that had not been activated in a long time, & he did all that in a very methodical way. I really enjoyed his approach (no back pain since) & I saw tremendous improvements after first month. & I have to say his personality makes the work-​out even more fun! I always say we clicked the first time & I always looked forward to my twice a week torture sessions w/​him, because they were THAT good!

Zach is awesome. He was 100 percent focused on me while in session. He kept correcting my form continuously till I was perfect. He kept pushing me just the right amount to get my best workout performance every time. His dedication to his clients is commendable. Will love to work with him again.

Zac is the best, most professional, knowledgeable personal trainer, full of positive enthusiasm that’s contagious and addicting!
In his training with me he uses free weights, ropes, kettle bells, rings and a long list of equipment that are fun & challenging, which have given me amazing results!
Zac help me shred 30 + pounds in 3 months! That’ s astonishing results!
I have become leaner, stronger, his workouts are comprehensive with a combination of joint mobility, core, metabolic conditioning and pure strength. His cardio workouts are also fun, energetic, and appropriately challenging.
Zac is a special kind of trainer, he sees the potential you have and brings out the best in you, and helps you to achieve a new level of fitness.
It’s a whole body and mind thing with Zac! Once you have a session no other trainer will compare!
You will become a Zac training method addict!
Sophia

In April of 2009, I walked into a studio gym in San Francisco to meet a man named Alexander Bruce. He was going to help me lose 180 lbs. Yup, 180.
Having been overweight my entire life, I didn’t believe Alexander when he told me that 130 lbs., a reasonable goal weight for my 5’4″ frame, was attainable. I met with Alexander 3 times a week for two years. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It took about three months of training with Alexander, before I could feel comfortable pushing myself in front of him.
We worked with the Bosu, balance ball, and, my favorite, kettle bells! Alexander is a perfectionist and will be tough on you. In fact, it took me a while to realize that what I thought was abrasiveness was Alexander’s demand for me to give my best in every single workout.
The workouts were uncomfortable and pushed me beyond what I believed I could do, but he constantly reassured me that just because I’ve never seen it doesn’t mean that it’s not attainable.
With Alexander’s help, in just under two years I reached my goal weight, could hold a 4-​minute plank, and could balance on a stability ball while Alexander threw things at me! I am indebted to him for his professional help, warmth, and constant support throughout the entire process.

I’ve been going to The Study for 2 semesters now. My first semester I did by myself and the second I had a friend join me. Both semesters I saw measurable results and had a ton of fun with Alex. He makes every work out and even when I am frustrated at my total lack of coordination he pushes me further.
I am about to start my third semester and cannot wait to see the results!
Oh and the gym is fantastic. Clean. Nice bathroom and the other clients are all very nice.

STOP HERE! You have found your new trainer. I’ve had several trainers in my time and I’ve even worked as a trainer myself. When I was looking for a new challenge, I was lucky to come across this Unilocal page and I’m so glad I trusted these reviews.
Alexander is simply the best, most professional, most knowledgeable, dedicated, friendly and results-​driven trainer I have ever had the pleasure to train with. I let myself go for a while (it happens…) and after just 2 «semesters» with Alexander I am now wearing a jean size that I have not worn in 15 years. 15 YEARS!
The facility gets an A++. Alexander’s studio has everything you could ever need: indoor/​outdoor space, functional equipment, free weights, a giant tire, a rubber sledgehammer, medicine balls, TRX, battle ropes, monkey bars, rings, even towels and water! It really feels more like a playground than a gym. There is also a super clean private shower and changing room so you can workout any time and get ready to go in comfort.
Wipe your feet before you come in and then get ready for the best workout of your life. He’ll keep it fun, he’ll keep it new and he will motivate you!
On top of all of that, he’s a great guy. He’s easy to talk to and he genuinely cares about what he does. There is no ego to deal with, no false bravado and no judgement. His business is changing lives for the better and business is good.
Now close this and call him!

I worked alongside Alexander as a personal trainer at the study.
The studio is amazing very spacious with all functional equipment. An athletes dream facilities! There is also changing rooms and showers that are available for a post workout clean. Really good for if you have to go straight to work after your session. There is an outside space where the dreaded sled lives and where other fun outdoor exercises can be performed. The facilities are also kept so clean you could eat your dinner off it. Alexander has done a great job and I hope to one day own a studio like the study.
Alexander is an amazing trainer and a great mentor for me. He has a lot of knowledge on exercises and How to progress/​regress them. He has a great energy that makes you want to keep coming back. As a trainer myself I can honestly say he is one of the best trainers I have met. I learnt a lot from Alexander and I wish him all the best in the future!

I trained with Alexander summer of 2013 for about a semester. There’s no doubt about his background in fitness, ability to listen/​watch/​train as a perfectionist. He is incredibly intuitive and knowledgeable to design personal workouts to show progress.
His studio is very well equipped. It’s always extremely clean and neat. (Take a look inside of his fridge you’ll know for sure!) Quality towels actually have good absorbance and smell amazing. A spacious bathroom with perfect lighting and a cool shower!
People tend to be more fitness — conscious in LA compare with any other cities in the U.S. There are countless trainers in such competitive market. I also trained with other excellent coaches in SF, Manhattan and Philly for cross-​fits, boot camps and regular gyms… etc. What makes «The Study» stands out among the rest is that Alexander truly cares about each client as the two of you are teammates! His workouts are definitely challenging yet fun!
Together you learn how to build a foundation of fitness. Alexander takes pride and passion to help you become healthier, stronger and happier. He’ll write you nutrition & workout plans to follow. It is a commitment with the program, more importantly it’s a commitment you made with yourself. Now I have a good momentum going. I don’t feel helpless not knowing what to do after a semester is done. I gained more confidence to workout on my own at any given time and place.
I’m delighted to see his business is expanding. Welcome the new addition to «The Study» — Lashawn whom I had a session with last week. It was awesome!
I once read a quote from somewhere, «She knew this transition was not about becoming someone better, but about finally allowing herself to become who she’d always been.» This was one of the best investments I’ve ever made.

While I will tell you a few of the things that I really like about coming here, I’m going to try not to repeat what others have already said (and it’s all true) and instead give you the reasons why I chose to go with Alexander Bruce at The Study over a DVD.
Alexander (and he prefers Alexander over Alex) keeps an immaculate place that is spotless and odor free. In fact, the first exercise you will learn is the two-​footed shuffle (which is what he will ask you to do on the Astroturf outside and/​or the door mat before entering his establishment). I assure you that you will not want the embarrassment of seeing your waffle iron shoe footprints cascading across his nice clean floor if you forget (like I did on my second visit). But Alexander is always very nice about gently encouraging you to help him keep his place clean and germ-​free. He cleans the areas where you worked out right after your session and makes plenty of filtered water available for you as well. And he maintains his own filtration system by regularly changing the filter (nice!)
Now if you’re like me, you may be trying to decide between using the services of an experienced personal trainer, or using one of the many available DVD programs for your exercise regimen. I don’t think I would’ve realized how many advantages there are to using a personal trainer had I not gone in for the initial free evaluation workout that Alexander provides for new clients (and it’s a very good idea to take him up on this offer, whether you think you need his services or not). You may think you will be able to work out effectively with a DVD, but here is what you would miss:
1. Alexander watches your movements from every possible angle to see if there are any problems with your execution. And when I say every angle, I mean he literally walks a 360° circle around you watching you from every possible angle. A DVD doesn’t watch you at all.
2. Alexander notices your breathing pattern and reminds you to «breathe out» on the work, a DVD doesn’t.
3. Alexander notices when you scrunch up your face when exerting yourself and reminds you to relax, a DVD doesn’t.
4. Alexander notices your form and offers you ways to modify it to make it easier for you to do an exercise properly, A DVD doesn’t care if you do the exercise properly or not.
5. Alexander tailors your workout to the goals you discuss with him as well as your current level of fitness and continues to increase the complexity of it as you progress, a DVD doesn’t.
6. Alexander makes you want to come to The Study for your regular workout and he will call you if you are a minute late for your session, a DVD won’t care if you miss your workout or not.
7. Alexander takes regular measurements of your body mass and progress through weight loss and muscle gain every two weeks, a DVD doesn’t.
8. Alexander has a sixth sense about what to follow up with you about so that he knows that you are addressing the issues that he brings up with respect to your progress. After giving you a new assignment, like a food plan or stretching out or using a roller to work out the kinks in your muscles, he will follow-​up in the coming weeks to make sure you are addressing it, a DVD won’t.
9. Alexander can tell if you’re not doing an exercise properly and he will immediately correct any mistakes that you are making, all while providing extremely motivating encouragement aimed at making you want to do things correctly so that you will obtain the maximum benefit from the time spent developing each skill, a DVD won’t.
10. And finally, Alexander will make sure that whether you choose to continue with him or not, by starting with a personal trainer, at least if you later move on to working out on your own (with a personalized workout that he will design for you) or using a DVD, you will at least have developed a very good skill set with good habits on how to continue your training.
A DVD will never be able to provide that!
So all in all, when I first went in for my evaluation workout with Alexander, I really didn’t know whether I would be using his services or not. But the time and attention to detail and expert skill level and advice that Alexander provides is something that you really cannot put a price on. And though I will acknowledge that a personal trainer is a bit more expensive than a DVD, I have to say that I think the investment I have made in myself is very much worth it. And I’m pretty confident that once you try one workout with him, you will agree that an investment like this — an investment in yourself — is one of the most important and worthwhile investments you will ever make!

UPDATE:
(session: January 6 — March 3)
Still giving this place a 5 star rating. I completed another semester with Alexander (and my two workout partners) and it was another successful 2 months.
Now: 130lbs, 20.5% body fat. Over the course of 8 weeks I:
— Lost 2 pounds body fat
— Gained 4 pounds muscle
On top of these numbers, I’ve increased my endurance, stability, flexibility and of course strength.
The numbers tell the story folks, great trainer, has a fantastic attitude and clearly knows how to help you make a difference! :) Thanks Zanman!