Evolve

Evolve owner John Cook and each of his trainers make it a personal mission to practice what the gym preaches: honing the fundamentals of physical prowess. Each coach is either a current or former elite athlete in addition to an exercise professional, a fact that enhances their ability to inspire clients. In John's case, a competitive history in wrestling, powerlifting, and mixed martial arts combines with positive mantras to motivate his students.

Since its 1996 founding, Evolve has embraced functional workouts rather than monotonous jogs aboard the treadmill or races with a slinky down the same flight of stairs. Strength and conditioning classes include drills for agility, core work, stability, and endurance, and MMA and wrestling programs showcase tried-and-true grappling techniques. Though sports-performance sessions might focus on specific athletic skills, most other classes remain accessible to anyone hoping to amp up their training. Routines mix up their maneuvers daily to keep muscles on their toes, and a charged atmosphere of support eliminates the need for kettlebells that say "I wuv you!" when squeezed.