Thrive Strength & Wellness

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.