Ok, let's start with the gym...I am not a work-out junkie by any mean. Actually, I need to talk myself into going each and every single time. But then I get there, and I ask myself why I make it so difficult. This place is actually great! It's super clean, organized, well-equipped and with a state of the art steam-room/sauna section. You get the spa atmosphere even in the gym side. The front-desk staff in always very friendly. For personal training sessions, you need to be lucky...I was not impressed with my trainer. They offer different types of memberships, and some of them include a facial or massage in their monthly fee. They also feature a supervised playroom for busy moms...It's truly a place designed with women in mind....
The spa is awesome...There is one aesthetician, Laura, who is FANTASTIC. Incredibly professional, super nice and overall pleasant. A great listener too! I have had both good and less than good massage therapists, but I think that would pretty much happen everywhere and it's up to the person's preference, so I am not holding it against them much...
Overall, for not being a gym lover, I sure love going to Total Woman, and that says a lot!

-Sabrina G.
04/12/2011

Ok, let's start with the gym...I am not a work-out junkie by any mean. Actually, I need to talk myself into going each and every single time. But then I get there, and I ask myself why I make it so difficult. This place is actually great! It's super clean, organized, well-equipped and with a state of the art steam-room/sauna section. You get the spa atmosphere even in the gym side. The front-desk staff in always very friendly. For personal training sessions, you need to be lucky...I was not impressed with my trainer. They offer different types of memberships, and some of them include a facial or massage in their monthly fee. They also feature a supervised playroom for busy moms...It's truly a place designed with women in mind....
The spa is awesome...There is one aesthetician, Laura, who is FANTASTIC. Incredibly professional, super nice and overall pleasant. A great listener too! I have had both good and less than good massage therapists, but I think that would pretty much happen everywhere and it's up to the person's preference, so I am not holding it against them much...
Overall, for not being a gym lover, I sure love going to Total Woman, and that says a lot!

-Sabrina G.
04/12/2011

I just visited the spa for the 3rd time yesterday and had a WONDERFUL massage from Missy. I went in with a lot of pain in my neck and apparently my sciatica and I feel so amazing this morning. She asked more questions than any masseuse I've had and gave me wonderful tips for after.
Last time I went the jacuzzi was lukewarm and I was a little disappointed, but yesterday it was perfect. The steam room was closed for maintenance so that was a bit of a bummer, but I didn't really have time for a steam anyway.
I am really looking forward to my next visit!

-Stacy P.
07/20/2011

As a birdwatcher, not a gym girl, I have steered clear of exercising indoors. Why should I go inside to do the same things I can do hiking or even walking my neighborhood at a rapid pace?
Last time I belonged to a gym it was a 10,000 member mixed crowd, and always full of people. I enjoyed getting into shape but when I got the flu, I blamed it either on the gym or the Washington DC Metro crowds as I commuted after my workouts.
Now that I have joined Total Woman I am so impressed with the atmosphere of community here. One day I wanted to give up my membership (only a week in, mind you) because of my old outdoor preferences. Gina talked me down off the ledge of apprehension and even got me to reschedule my personal training days so that I could enjoy the quieter times. She talked me through the best possible scheduling for me and showed genuine support on my subsequent visits.
My personal trainer is Sherri Johnson. What an amazing person! Sherri could make a pile of bricks who is 50 lbs overweight (basically describes me yeah) feel like a jock at the end of a training session.
Sherri taught me about food journaling which really helps me be conscious of what I eat.
I cook my meals ahead of time on Sunday for the week. After the gym, although I could eat everything I see, I know what is in my fridge and I head straight for the controlled plan.
After yesterday's workout I feel great and will be balancing my outdoor hikes/walks with weights and training measures that I have been taught.
The facility is clean and beautiful and you will be amazed at all the great mid-senior age women who obviously enjoy the gym and its classes.
Since moving to LA I had not established a good workout routine and I think now I might be able to show up at that high school reunion I am arranging in September looking less like Jesse Ventura with 3 muffin tops on my muffin top and more like a Superb 61 year old Me!
See you there!!

-Ellen O.
9/01/2011

I've been to several fitness centers in the area but what I like about Total Woman is the fact that there no men there. Hence, no men-sweat stench. It's also more quiet, you dont hear those grunting and groaning you usually hear from men lifting iron twice or thrice their weight. Love the locker rooms and the steam room/sauna for the same reason. And if you're a Mom, the kids club is cleaner and again, quieter. The classes are so so. I loved their Zumba and Pilates fusion.

The only downside is their rates. They're not the most expensive, sure. But they cost a lot more than 24hr Fitness. But if you are willing to spend more $$ the initiation and monthly fees, by all means, go for it.

- Shelly Long
10/20/2011