★ 5

mel is the absolute best and i'm so blessed to get to work with her. she's extremely knowledgeable, she motivates me without ever making me feel judged, and i've gotten soooo much stronger in just 1.5 months it's insane. i'd recommend mel to anyone looking for a personal trainer, truly 10/10 across the board

Source: Google

★ 5

My experience has been great! Melanie is very attentive to the way my body moves, she asks you to communicate with her, and she takes into account what you have to say. She is very knowledgeable and not judgy at all! I was scared I was going to feel out of place, but I feel welcomed in the gym. Overall, her knowledge and expertise, her welcoming attitude, and her awesome communication style is what I needed to start my health and fitness journey.

Source: Google

★ 5

Fitness journeys can feel so daunting & overwhelming. Not with Melanie! She wants to help push everyone to be their best and to reach their goals. I'm row with a team and I wanted to be stronger and faster; and I wanted to ensure that whatever I was signing for helped me when I was already rowing 3 days a week and erging another day. Melanie has helped shape a one-on-one program that targets muscle strength and mobility - all while targeting all muscles (the ones that I use for rowing, the ones that I don't normally use, & focusing the biggest muscle, the brain) so I can be all around healthy and fit. She's worth it; and so enthusiastic about working WITH me -- not just plugging me into cookie cutter program. I've gotten so many compliments on how I look fitter and leaner; all while I see my rowing power amp up.

Source: Google

★ 5

Working with Melanie Levy on my fitness journey has been wonderful and challenging. She pushes me to do more and brings out the best in me on my fitness journey. She really helped focus on building my core and help get back on track in being injury free. I appreciate her patience and goals in maintain a fitness community of like-minded woman that help support each other.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Mel is truly invested in her EmpowHER clients, what training means for them, and what their goals are.

I have been training with Mel for almost a year and there are countless reasons I’d recommend her.

First and foremost, Mel is an expert at what she does. She ensures proper form and modification if needed. She constantly educates her clients on the benefits of movement for longevity including what works and what doesn’t. She is innovative and brings new and exciting ways to explore movement and strength to her classes.

Importantly, not only is Mel a confidence booster, she is a community builder! The women in her classes truly support and motivate one another.

Thanks to Mel and the EmpowHER Method, I am stronger and more confident in my body than ever!

Source: Google

★ 5

Highly recommend reaching out to Mel if you’re looking to get back into a fitness routine in a sustainable way! I initially joined her 6-month small group training program and continued on for a few months longer because it provided such a positive impact on my life. These sessions are so much more than just a workout—they’re a comprehensive approach to fitness and well-being.

One of the things I appreciated most was the accountability that she fostered. Her commitment to keeping everyone on track was a huge motivator for me and what truly sets Mel apart is her personalized care and attention to form and individual needs. She ensures every movement is done safely while tailoring workouts to accommodate different abilities. I also loved having input into the workout content, which made the sessions feel even more relevant and engaging.

Melanie’s approach to health is holistic, addressing both mental and physical well-being. She’s not just focused on the immediate workout but also on how fitness fits into your overall life. Her ability to offer solutions in an honest and kind way is truly special, helping everyone overcome challenges without judgment.

If you’re looking for a trainer who genuinely cares about your progress and well-being, I encourage you to reach out to Melanie!

Source: Google

★ 5

I started one on one training with Mel in October of this year after a year of hiatus. I got injured to my right shoulder the year prior, so working out can be quite challenging due to limited mobility and pain. Mel did an assessment on all of my movements prior to creating her program to figure out what my limitations are. I really appreciate that because it lets me know that my program will be designed specifically for me. Once we started the workouts, let me tell you it will not be easy but that is the fun part of it. You will get challenged but Mel is also very knowledgeable about how to modify a workout if you are having a hard time with it. I cannot wait to see what Mel and I will accomplished but I'm already getting stronger and my shoulder has been improving as well. I totally recommend Melanie as a trainer.

Source: Google

★ 5

Melanie is an incredible coach! I came in to classes feeling incredibly self-conscious and nervous about getting back into the gym after such a long time away, but Coach Melanie took the time to make sure I understood the exercises, and which weights to start with and made coming back to the gym feel possible again. The small group dynamic was perfect for building that connection and community of women that truly supports one another. It was exactly what I needed to get started on my fitness journey and get back on track!

Source: Google

★ 5

Melanie has single-handedly helped me reconnect with and re-learn my body after a very extensive surgery. As a former athlete and lifelong active person, having to re-train full body mechanics felt daunting. But Melanie has made it fun, exciting, and infinitely easy.

Source: Google

★ 5

I started training with Mel over five months ago in a small group training setting, and I can honestly say working with her is the best investment I’ve made in myself in a long time!

After several years of relying on online fitness options at home without seeing much progress toward my fitness goals, I reached out to Mel looking to establish a more consistent exercise routine, develop my strength, and build my confidence in and out of the gym. And I’m so thankful I reached out to her because working with her – and our small group training crew – has been more rewarding and empowering than I ever could have expected.

Mel’s a master of her craft, and her passion for her work comes across in every session. Not only have I learned so much more about movement, technique and general wellness from Mel, but working with her has greatly improved my strength and mobility, and I leave each session motivated and eager for the next! During the last five months, I’ve genuinely been excited to head to the gym for every one of our sessions.

Beyond the physical benefits of working out with Mel, she has made me and the others in our training group feel supported and encouraged from the outset. Her workouts aim to challenge, but she’s always our biggest champion, cheering us on and offering useful tips and corrections during each workout to help address our unique needs and develop our skills. Mel has fostered such an uplifting environment in small group training as well – one of the greatest aspects of which is the community of amazing women Mel has drawn to the program, all of whom help build the others up and whom I now consider great friends.

If you’re looking for a positive, passionate and capable coach on your fitness journey, give Mel a call. You won’t regret it!

Source: Google

★ 3

On May 22nd, I had a 40min consult with Melanie after responding to her personal training ad on FB. To gauge compatibility, Melanie asked about my fitness goals & background, showing her intention to find clients who align well with her program.

I shared I am focused on improving my mind, body, & spirit, with the physical being the final piece of the puzzle. I have a surgery at the end of summer & hoped to build a strong, healthy body to aid in recovery. I mentioned my frequent walking & yoga practice but have a right foot injury from a car accident, which requires modifications to avoid pressure on the foot or toes. I specified movements like lunges, push-ups, or down dog as problematic due to the foot’s required position. My goal was to find a strength-focused program that wouldn’t cause injury. I dislike gym culture, one size fits all programs, & a lack of diversity in fitness spaces. Melanie was enthusiastic about my background & assured me that I would be a perfect fit. She had just completed a course on exercise modifications, valued promoting a healthy body image, hosted small/intimate classes with no more than 4-5 women, and emphasized sustainable fitness over quick fixes like 30-day challenges. I was excited too.

The monthly fee was $440 with a 6MO commitment and no refunds. Melanie suggested starting at the end of June after her trip. I expressed that due to my upcoming surgery, a 6MO commitment might not be feasible. She proposed pausing the program during my recovery. Excited to start, Melanie offered a discount for the first two weeks of June. I paid $150 for 4 sessions scheduled for M/W, with the monthly program to begin end of June.

My first session on June 3rd was disappointing. The training was at The Academy on 12th & F Street, a large, loud, non-air-conditioned open gym, which was not the personalized setting I anticipated. Overwhelmed by the environment, I decided to stay & make the best of the $150 I paid.

Side note, I have ADHD & C-PTSD, making me prone to delayed responses in stressful or overwhelming situations. I prefer predictable, well-prepared environments & can disassociate when faced with stress & unpredictability.

During the session, I met Melanie & two of her more experienced clients. Melanie quickly briefed them on the exercises to focus on me, but I had to remind her several times about my foot injury. Although I appreciated her effort, I was concerned that she hadn’t focused on modifications for my injury beforehand.

One warm-up exercise involved bending at the hips, walking out on hands, stretching, & walking back, which put significant pressure on my foot. Despite modifying the stretch, the walking part/stepping back was difficult, & Melanie’s comment on my stepping back overlooked the extra modification needed. I informed her that the movement was challenging due to my injury. She suggested doing three reps & moving on.

Another exercise involved picking up a kettlebell, tossing it slightly, & catching it before returning it to the floor. This seemed unsafe & counterproductive, putting strain on the joints. Despite expressing my discomfort, Melanie encouraged me to proceed. Overwhelmed, I didn’t fully explain my discomfort. The main workout lasted about 30 minutes, followed by a group reflection, which was a nice touch.

The next morning, my foot was swollen & painful. After contacting my podiatrist, I contacted Melanie to explain my injury & safety concerns/discomfort with returning to her program. Melanie apologized for not delving deeper into my injury history, which felt odd given our 40-minute initial conversation. She didn’t offer further modifications or refunds for the remaining sessions after I healed. While I didn’t expect a refund, I hoped for a more empathetic response.

Overall, the approach was not safe, sustainable, modifiable, personalized, or intimate enough for me. Although Melanie has great energy, her program wasn’t the right fit. I am grateful for the opportunity to have met her, despite the disappointing experience.

Source: Google

★ 5

Melanie and her small group fitness class have been instrumental in providing another support system for my fitness and health. A group of like-minded individuals led by a fitness rockstar (Melanie)! Melanie is able to actively plan small-group classes for her students and make changes on the fly when students need a modification or out-perform their goals. I have enjoyed getting to know Mel and the other women in the class so much that we keep in touch outside of class. Also, as a very busy person I am able to make this class because it's at a reasonable time and schedule.
I highly recommend this small group class with Melanie Levy. You won't regret it!

Source: Google

★ 5

Mel's small group training class is maybe the best thing to happened to me in the last year, only second to getting married. All of us in the group she's created are friends (we met here) and we cheer for one another. We're all a little silly, differently built, at different skill levels, and everyone is so chill! There's only friendly, built-in competition, that motivates us to embody our wellness goals. And (I'm gonna sound so corny, I already hate it) we all win in the end. Seriously tho, I've looked forward to going to the gym for the last 5 months. This is my first personal training experience, and I think I hit the jackpot. Mel takes my wellness seriously and I know that because she will tell me to back off if I'm going too hard, and she'll check on me during the week if I said my shoulder was sore during class. I don't have to push through anything, unless I want to challenge myself. And I'm not reliant on her either; I know I can do it myself! But it's better with some friends for sure. I only feel expansive about what my future wellness looks like. Thanks Mel!

Source: Google

★ 5

Working with Melanie has been SO rewarding. I joined her Small Group Training class a few months ago after not having a gym membership for the last 5 years. I was getting by on fitness apps and walking, but knew I wanted to build some real strength and mobility, but had never pursued any fitness like that. She builds her workouts according to your level and encourages you to challenge yourself. The sessions are intentional and empowering, which makes you feel so good you showed up :)

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

I trained with Melanie for almost 1 yr. Working with Melanie I become stronger, gained more mobility, and my outlook on life changed in the process. The small group classes are incredible. Super supportive and great motivation to be around likeminded people. I would highly recommend working with her you will not regret it!

Source: Google

★ 5

I came to Mel after realizing that if I tripped, I fell HARD. I wanted to get better body control. A few months into small group training with her, I went to sit in a chair that wasn’t there — but instead of plopping onto the floor, I was able to control the fall. Not only that, but her coaching has taught me how to release what I didn’t realize was chronic tightness from my desk job. I hadn’t been able to sleep on my side for years after a shoulder injury, and now I can. My knee doesn’t tweak when I’m going downstairs because my legs and butt are stronger.

I’m 43. I have never been stronger or more in control of my body. This is fun. This is satisfying. And this is health care.

Source: Google