James Mills Fitness

Aurora, 2015 Dallas St, Aurora, CO 80010 | ★ 5 (37 Review)

📞 +1 720-460-9251

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Personal trainer

About the Club

James Mills, formerly the owner of Synapse Strength and Movement, is coaching out of Hustle Denver close to Stanley Marketplace.
I offer personal and small-group training.
Training should be simple, consistent, fun, and results based. If you want to build strength, flexibility, and physical resiliency let's get started.

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 James Mills Fitness
 James Mills Fitness
 James Mills Fitness
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Reviews

Sara Browne

★ 5

Source: Google

David Craig

★ 5

Synapse has been a game changer for me. I’ve never been a “gym guy” before. At 41 I was finding that my favorite hobbies like skiing and mountain biking were becoming more taxing and recovery was taking longer.

Since joining Synapse, I was welcomed by a warm community focused on improving movement and strength. Synapse has amazingly talented and knowledgeable coaches that are focused on helping every member build their fitness journey. Every day at the gym I am greeted with a new fitness routine that balances movement, and strength training. Every class is different and I learn something new everyday that I take to my next class to build on. The workouts are always fun and energizing, never monotonous or tedious.

I have more energy, I’m feeling stronger and I am learning how to move which is paying dividends in the hobbies I love,and is also making it easier to tackle the menial tasks in life like bringing in cat litter and shoveling snow. Secondary bonus, my clothes are fitting better and my wife is commenting that I am looking stronger too!

If you are ready to learn, grow and become stronger I highly recommend joining the Synapse family.

Source: Google

Emily Eelman

★ 5

Synapse has been an awesome experience. The focus on form and individualized modifications means that all ages and fitness ranges can and do participate in every class. Both the instructors and the other members are incredibly supportive and fun. It feels like joining a community. In the six months I've been a member, I've gotten noticeably stronger and more stable, and I look forward to going to classes each week.

Source: Google

Emma Whitehead

★ 5

Best gym ever

Source: Google

Katie Rhine

★ 5

Synapse is a wonderful gym with a strong sense of community.

Source: Google

Yazan Fattaleh

★ 5

Incredible gym with the best trainers! I've struggled my whole life with chronic tweaks and twangs, pain here and there. The workout programming at Synapse has built on years of physical therapy to leave me pain free and stronger than ever. The low pressure environment with impeccable focus on technique heals. I'm a rock climber, and this training has kept me strong on and of the cliffs, and it's not even a climbing gym!

Source: Google

Laura Zahn

★ 5

Synapse is a special place for a great workout with a wonderful and accepting community of people. Top notch coaching and all abilities welcome. Not to mention the space is beautiful. Highly recommend!

Source: Google

Maryn Johnston

★ 5

In my very first class at Synapse, I received a form correction that was more specific and helpful than most others I have received in my years of taking group fitness classes. This is a great gym for strong nerds: they teach the "why" alongside the "how," so you learn how the body moves while also learning how to move better and becoming stronger and better-conditioned. Plus, the environment is very relaxed and welcoming. I highly recommend!

Source: Google

Kyle Leggott

★ 5

Great gym. Small and individualized classes. Trainers are very knowledgeable.

Source: Google

Gaby Spartz

★ 5

I've been working out with James on and off since before the pandemic. I've tried out group classes and personal coaching as well. James pays great attention to form, which I really appreciate since I have hyper-mobility so I'm extra careful about that. I couldn't recommend his gym enough!

Source: Google

Ilene

★ 5

I’ve been working out at synapse for about 10 months. It has been life changing. I’ll never work out anywhere else. It’s the best, most edifying, challenging, and fun experience work out experience that I’ve ever had. I’ve long been an avid indoor aerobic (e.g. spin and HIIT classes) and outdoor aerobic exerciser (XC skiing, hiking, snowshoeing) and a very unenthusiastic, irregular, lazy strength trainer (going through the motions in sloppy fashion). After a doctor told me it was time (as a middle aged woman) to get serious about strength training to ensure bone strength, I started looking for a new approach. I began to research strength trainers near my NE Denver home. I found Synapse and its owner James just a few blocks from my home. I worked out privately with James for around 6 months and came away from that experience empowered, having learned more than I ever imagined, and deeply impressed with Jame’s patience and deep knowledge. I also had a sensitive knee and he helped me strengthen it. I went from someone who hated strength training to someone who loves it. I recently transitioned to the small group classes at Synapse (taught by coaches James, Alani and Ryan). They are great fun, always different, challenging, and I continue to learn new things. I consider those classes to be an important part of my self care and I always look forward to them. I’ve met great people through the classes as well. The classes amount to small group personal training of a sort I’ve never experiences in group fitness classes elsewhere. Added bonuses of being a synapser—my clothes fit better, I’ve lost weight w/o trying, and I find that my long distance hikes have gotten much easier.

Source: Google

Garry Horle

★ 5

James is the best. Knowledgeable, tough but fair, good mentor and leader.
Has really helped/improved my strength, balance, flexibility. A great track record for an 83 year old.

Source: Google

Dan Cruwys

★ 5

Source: Google

Ethney McMahon

★ 5

I love this gym, the instructors & the members. The space is intimate, the workouts are well conceived and communicated with humor & confidence. There is no BS. The instructors are passionate about what they do and know what they are doing! I look forward to each hour with each instructor. A small but mighty space with a community that supports your well being. Do it!

Source: Google

Laurel Klafehn

★ 5

All of the instructors at Synapse are incredibly talented. I move more effectively and efficiently because of their coaching. The group classes offer a fun atmosphere with other people, with the added benefit of highly personalized coaching in every movement. I’ve never been to a gym that blended these two things before. Private classes are thoughtfully-curated and helped me address specific issues that I’ve dealt with in my personal practice: fundamental things like squat form and deadlift precision. I am so grateful to have found Synapse!

Source: Google

Mick

★ 5

The best fitness coaching I’ve had 20+ years of being an athlete. Absolutely worth the time to try a group class and book private sessions with the instructors if you can.

Source: Google

Elise Sulser

★ 5

Source: Google

Mark P

★ 5

You won’t find anywhere better than this. Serious. From fitness pro to totally out of shape (like me), Synapse welcomes, challenges and educates everyone. The trainers are the most thorough, experienced and knowledgeable I have ever encountered. You learn so much about the body -your body- and I feel like I am getting equipped with a love and understanding of fitness for life.

Source: Google

Laura Fagundes

★ 5

I’m sold. My body no longer feels my age (40). I’m getting stronger, more agile, and rehabilitating my body all at the same time. This is it.

Source: Google

Bryce Jennings

★ 5

This is a great gym! I've been a member for 3 months after years of avoiding exercise and weightlifting. Here, I feel like I'm getting the proper guidance to work out correctly from the pre-workout stretches to my form when going through the workout. The staff strike a great balance of being welcoming and encouraging at the same time. After 3 months, my body feels healthier and stronger and I'm looking forward to continued improvement over time!

Source: Google

STACY MCDONALD

★ 5

Source: Google

Sara Horle

★ 5

I started working with James Mills 8 months post shoulder surgery and PT. I've now been working with him for 8 months, and I'm so much stronger and notice it in everyday activities. Holding a heavy sauté pan in one hand was something I couldn't do 8 months ago, and now it's second nature. His work has really changed how my body operates in everyday life, and I'm looking forward to continuing to grow in my strength and flexibility. James creates individual plans for his private clients, and it has really worked for me in ways that traditional gyms never have. Now I'm addicted to coming to Synapse and can't imagine not doing this kind of work.

Source: Google

Nathaniel Brown

★ 5

James is absolutely fantastic! His approach emphasizes organic movement, and the improvement of each person's flexibility, His focus on technique makes gaining strength healthier and less prone to injury. He gives lots of feedback during workouts tweaking technique and tailoring it to where each person is. In my case, his instructions about skillfully standing have decreased low back pain and fatigue at work, and he's helped me improve motion in my shoulders. Overall, I'm healthier and more aware of my body after attending regularly for only four months or so now. I look forward to more progress as the journey continues. This gym is like no other; try it out!

Source: Google

Naomi Levy

★ 5

James has a unique, wholistic approach to strength training that challenges your body as well as your mind.

Source: Google

Keith Dickinson

★ 5

After so many years of bad technique in the gym, 25 years of sitting at a computer and cycling call me Quasimodo.
This is not CrossFit or Orange Theory. James limits his class size, maintains a spotless workspace and gives attention to most importantly …YOU. Do something good for your body and engage you mind, no two days are the same.

Source: Google

Lisa Guthery

★ 5

I feel so lucky to have found this gym! I came to Synapse with a significant amount of pain I was coping with on a daily basis from years of living with misalignment issues and hyper-flexibility that was worsened by my last pregnancy. Since working with James, my pain has significantly decreased, and in some areas, disappeared all-together. I cannot say enough about James and his group classes - he is welcoming, knowledgable, and immediately helps you feel at ease - his personality creates a great gym culture in which you feel welcome by fellow classmates right away.

Source: Google

Lauren Bull

★ 5

I cannot recommend this gym enough. James is knowledgeable, friendly, and encouraging. He focuses on making classes fun and challenging and pushes you to go outside of the mold of what you've typically done for exercise. He has created a welcoming environment and encourages gym members to get to know one another and enjoy their time there. I was hesitant to join a gym as I'm typically intimidated by "gym culture" but this has been such a different, wonderful experience. Come check out Synapse and you won't regret it!

Source: Google

Daniel Male

★ 5

Synapse gym has inspired me to get strong and fit again. Their classes are innovate, fun and catered so that you can set your own pace. If you want to really push yourself and sweat a ton you can. If you need to take it a bit easier you can. You also can get a lot of personal attention to work on form if you’d like . Amazing staff, clean space, not too crowded and of course, great workouts!

Source: Google

Jennifer Coggins

★ 5

Fantastic experience! Welcoming and fun environment, phenomenal coaching and a great way to start the day! Very grateful to be a part of Synapse!

Source: Google

E Norton

★ 5

I have been working with James for a few years now and am so happy that he finally has a place of his own. Since working with him and going to Synapse I have a greater knowledge of how my body moves (or is supposed to) and tools and ideas of how to continue improving. James not only wants you to come workout and get fitter at Synapse, he wants you to learn to do it with better form and movement patterns. While challenging at first, once you give in and work to do what he asks improvements are bound to follow.

Source: Google

Jason Stone

★ 5

Amazing gym, from the moment you walk in you realize this place is different. Owner James Mills really cares about his clients and their health. Sessions are fantastic with the twist of being barefoot throughout the sessions. It’s also the cleanest gym I have ever been in. Nice work Synapse!

Source: Google

Matthew Nass

★ 5

James does a great job teaching the class, and classes are small enough that he can give personal attention. He's even edited workouts to fit my strengths/weaknesses better.

Source: Google

Jessica D

★ 5

I’m not going to lie, I was excited about this gym before knowing anything about it because it opened 5 blocks from my house just a few months ago and became the only real gym in the neighborhood. That said, while I was very excited to try it out, I was also nursing a shoulder injury. I called and spoke with James (the owner and trainer) and asked if it would still be worth it to come if I was injured. He assured me we could work around an injury and potentially do some rehab. He has been true to his word. He focuses on your quality of movement in a way I have never experienced before. I’ll admit, it was a little disheartening at first because I quickly learned that many things I thought I could do, push ups, pull ups, even squats :/, I had been doing incorrectly. James also challenges you by making you try creative exercises you have never heard of (look for a video of his lizard crawl) which can sometimes be humbling. As I’m a proud person, that might have been enough to discourage me from coming back EXCEPT the change in form James insisted on suddenly meant I could do all of these things with greater effort but WITHOUT PAIN and then the next day, tiny muscles I didn’t even know I had were sore. Suddenly my shoulder is becoming stronger, more stable, and more flexible. It doesn't feel like something I am working around but something I am working through. With the tweaks he suggested to my squatting from, I have been able to squat deeper and more comfortably (emphasis on comfortably, I’ve had knee surgery x2) than I ever have before. I’ve woken up to feel muscles in my butt that I’m pretty sure have been dormant for years. I’ve even noticed that it’s changed my form when going down stairs at work or descending on a hike which has meant I’m not getting knee pain after these things. And…not that it’s the goal or the most important thing…but I feel like as a result my butt seems to be fighting gravity a lot more than it was before which is a nice perk (pun intended). I’m sold.

Source: Google

Charles K

★ 5

James is a great instructor and coach. He provides clear instruction and is able to modify exercises for different levels of experience. He pushes you to become more comfortable with your body's strength and the way your body moves.

Source: Google

Nathan Vander Stoep

★ 5

As a retired ballet dancer, my body and mind face a lot of changed circumstances and goals. Synapse has been extremely instrumental in helping me develop a healthy mentality towards fitness, my body shape and capability, as well as the reality of an aging body. I love the blend of lifting heavy things, moving in strange ways, and learning how to cope, scale, and overcome obstacles ranging from injury to mobility to strength. I've been a member of a lot of different types of gyms, but I've never learned as much about how to use my body in real life as I have in the last 3 months at Synapse. I love finding how all the new skill and coordination transfers into riding my bike and playing tennis!

All of the above is enough for me to be happy with my membership, but the gym atmosphere is also very inviting and friendly. Everyone is supportive of each other, and we are always encouraged to make sure we know everyone that we are working out with.

Source: Google

Ryan Lewis

★ 5

James (owner/guy who runs the classes) always has the right exercise or activity to cure my ails. Whats great is that he mostly makes them fun and approachable. Highly recommend trying a class to see if its your jam.

Source: Google

Troy Curtis

★ 5

This is a new gym in the east colfax neighborhood. The space is really nice, but more importantly the owner is super cool and knowledgable. He teaches classes throughout the week that utilize body control to help build strength and stamina. It's almost like melding yoga, strength training and high intensity work outs into one. Definitely recommend checking it out!

Source: Google