Ape Co Movement School

Boulder, 4745 Walnut St unit 200, Boulder, CO 80301 | ★ 5 (69 Review)

📞 +1 720-441-4808

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Fitness center Gym Physical fitness program

About the Club

At Ape Co, we believe in movement that allows you to live your most fulfilled, mobile life. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner, recovering from an injury or want to be able to move with more ease in your life, we can help you get there.

We offer group classes in Boulder & Denver including strength training, handstands, mobility and our signature movement practice. Push your limits, explore new skills, and have fun along the way.

Our practice is inspired by gymnastics, dance, martial arts, weight lifting, capoeira, circus arts and more. With the help of our expert teachers and a supportive community, you’ll gain the tools you need to achieve your goals — from improving flexibility or refining coordination to conquering your handstand.

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 Ape Co Movement School
 Ape Co Movement School
 Ape Co Movement School
 Ape Co Movement School
 Ape Co Movement School

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Reviews

Benjamin Timm

★ 5

Matt is an amazing teacher and I'm so happy he brought this unique form of movement to Boulder. He makes it look easy.

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Kayelynn nieto

★ 5

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Hannah Montovani

★ 5

I dropped in to Ape Co when I was visiting Boulder and I was so impressed! Robert and Shaughn were great, I had a great time and they helped me fine-tune my handstand practice after just one class. Highly recommended!

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Susan Katz

★ 5

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Nithin Ravi

★ 5

Ape co has taught me to move in ways that I never thought possible and helped me reduce & mitigate injury across all activities! The instructors are also wonderful people. If you’re on the fence, I highly suggest giving it a go.

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Wilson Bunton

★ 5

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Harrison Goldwyn

★ 5

As many others have said, this is a very special place. I moved across the country to learn from Matt and the many other wise teachers here who have learned to become athletes as adults. Ape Co teachers understand how to guide others through the process with both loving kindness and strict discipline. Come move with us and you'll come away with physical capacities you'd thought impossible and a community of growth-oriented people absolutely psyched to practice strength, agility, acrobatics, dance, and whatever else humans do.

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Ebonie Lee

★ 5

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Kristin Kremers

★ 5

The community and teachers at Apeco were a big part of why I moved to Boulder. 🙏🏻 I will always be grateful for this gym.

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TNL Creative

★ 5

Really love the Contact Improv class that Maya teaches every Thursday at the Boulder location. She is a fantastic teacher!
It makes me super excited to be diving into something that is opening me up to new ways of moving my body and listening to my inner voice when I dance with others.

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Thomas Maxfield Huntington

★ 5

Great for newcomers! Very welcoming. My body moved in ways I didn’t know I could in such a short amount of time.

Matt lives what he teaches!

Would, and have, recommended to several friends

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Aaron Gabriel Neyer

★ 5

Amazing gym, amazing community.

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Nate

★ 5

Cuelayst place ive ever been beside Uranus.

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Glenn Woods

★ 5

Excellent Instructors, great subject matter, reasonable prices.
I strongly encourage anyone curious to get involved for a few classes to see if you like the practice. It has been excellent for me personally thus far.

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Alex Carlone

★ 5

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James Seelbach

★ 5

This is a great gym with a loving community! I'd recommend just signing up and coming to a few fundamentals classes and see what you think. I find a lot of what the gym does to be very therapeutic and compliments outside sports/activities very well since there is a lot of functional strength and mobility etc. That's focused on. I come here to take care of my body so I can play outside but I really think there's something for everyone here.

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Freedom USA

★ 3

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Anthony Sosa

★ 5

My experience at Apeco Movement school has been phenomenal and transformative on many dimensions. I have never encountered a community of such grounded people that are dedicated to their craft of embodied physical exploration while at the same time being playful and silly! There is serious play here. Not only have I learned something new from ever class I’ve attended, not only have I built strength, flexibility, mobility, and skills I never thought possible, I’ve also feel connected to my body in a profound new way through movement and to an incredible community of human beings I feel proud to be apart of. I recommend to everyone.

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Jeff Sievers

★ 5

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Sriram Ravichandran

★ 5

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Alex Willen

★ 5

Amazing movement gym, culture, and staff. I've been told and would agree, from my limited experience at gyms in NYC, DC, and CO, this is the best movement gym in the US. If you're into movement, combining gymnastics, acrobatics, dance, coordination, balance, vestibular function, and strength that benefits both physical and mental abilities, look no further. The teachers and members are encouraging and supportive of all abilities.

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Sam Shay

★ 5

I love this place! Classes are always different, fun, engaging, friendly, and I’ve gotten so much more mobile, stronger, and can do fun dance moves, a hand stand, and feel so much better in my body. This is one movement practice I feel I can do for decades and enjoy it and continue to benefit from it.

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Mitch Lindsey

★ 5

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Stephanie Small

★ 5

I have so much to say about this place that I don’t even know where to start. I think I will keep it simple and express that it’s incredibly empowering, weird, frustrating, healing, challenging like nothing else I’ve ever experienced, and constantly stimulating. If you are seeking a bizarre and fantastic movement voyage, check this place out. Even if you have elementary school gym class trauma like me 😆 actually….especially if you have elementary school gym class trauma. You know those people who seem to have such natural flow in their bodies? Who can spin and twist around so acrobatically? I’ve always looked at them and thought “my body just doesn’t do that. I can’t do that.” Well, guess what…in less than two months, it’s starting to.

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Travis Ahlstrom

★ 5

It's hard to overstate how awesome this practice and community are. The skills and attributes that I've developed over the last few years have shown up in positive ways across all areas of my life. It's a practice for all levels that has true capacity for longevity and lifelong exploration. And the teachers and the community generally are a truly fantastic group of people. Would recommend to...everyone.

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Kai

★ 5

I trust the coaches at Ape Co more than any group gym I’ve even been to. There is true community here if you want it, and even if you’re just here to work out, you’ll walk away feeling more energized and centered every day.

I have made great progress in my handstand and added a lot to my movement vocabulary since coming here. Ape Co’s focus on spinal awareness and shoulder stabilization are game changers when you are stiff from long hours sitting or injured from other activities. Don’t miss this!

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Brandon Kaufer

★ 5

My girlfriend and I moved to Boulder about a month ago without really knowing anyone in town or anything about the city. We stumbled on Ape Co our first week in town and signed up for the free week trial. The movement practice is amazing, but more than that was the community. I've never felt more welcomed in a new space and everyone there is truly there for each other. Needless to say, we didn't think twice about signing up for the full membership and some of our closest friends have come from this group.

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Miranda Viorst

★ 5

If you're a person who cares about your body and wants to be able to move creatively, the classes at ApeCo will make your dreams come true. The teachers are incredibly skillful and friendly, and there to support you every step of the way. I couldn't recommend this place more highly!

Source: Google

Ian Basinger

★ 5

The Apeco teachers and students have created an amazing community of movers of all skill levels and disciplines. Whether you've had a strong dedicated movement practice for years or you've never felt comfortable in sports/gyms/etc. The classes are designed to meet you where you're at and help you grow.

This practice and this community has made my life better in more meaningful ways than just feeling stronger and more capable in my body. And i truly can't recommend it enough. Check it out, I can guarantee that you'll find something valuable here. And they offer a free first week!

Source: Google

Max Schultz

★ 5

I've been studying here since before the rebranding from Boulder Movement Collective to Ape Co. This place has shaped my life in countless ways. I once turned down a promotion at work solely because it would have prevented me from being able to attend classes here. I'm stronger, more mobile and coordinated, a better dancer and lover, and have made several lifelong friends and tons of community here.

I've watched folks in their 70's and 80's come to class and learn to move their spines again for the first time since childhood. I've seen countless men and women achieve their first ever chin up and handstand, and many others achieve muscle ups, one armed chin ups, and even one armed handstands! I've watched international folks who barely speak English fly around the planet to learn here. I know at least a dozen people who have moved to Boulder solely to practice with these teachers. It's such a blessing to have this inclusive "come as you are" type of space in my life. If you're reading this, wondering if there's anything for you here, I encourage you to come in for a free week and see what's possible.

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Dylan Ochala

★ 5

a comprehensive approach to optimizing our movement, mind, body and soul.

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Shazia Kikia

★ 5

Amazing! So happy I found this place. Can't wait to go back tomorrow:)

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Adam Wile

★ 5

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Kell Delaney

★ 5

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Michael Stanger

★ 5

Brilliant technology for movement and revitalization!

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Z C

★ 5

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Sabrina K

★ 5

It took me way too long to start my Boulder Movement Journey.
I am writing this review hoping that if you are on the fence or unsure of joining, you do not miss out on any more days of this phenomenal practice.
I was so apprehensive and self-conscious that I would just embarrass myself and be terrible at everything as I never played any sports or did yoga. When I finally made the smart decision to join a class, my previous thoughts subsided, and I realized I wasted so much time.
Boulder Movement changed me both physically and mentally. The teachers and the students are all so incredible; everyone makes you feel welcomed and capable. No matter what your skill level or prior experience is, Boulder Movement is for you. Challenge your body, mind, and communication/partner skills.
Thank you, Boulder Movement, for showing me I can achieve things I never thought possible but more so for providing a space and pushing me to break out of my comfort zone and open up.

Source: Google

Mike DeCourcey

★ 5

This gym and community is so welcoming and meets you exactly where you are at! I found myself leaving classes with a smile on face many times due to the learnings of fundamental movements and connections with awesome people this gym attracts. The teachers are some of the best and most wonderful people a student could ask for!

Do yourself a favor and go and learn and have while doing so!!!

Thank You Ape Co(Boulder Movement Collective)

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Lindsay Chrisler

★ 5

This place has world class teachers and a community of dedicated participants helping people get in shape, heal injuries, gain strength, and all the while making local friends. There is nothing I would change about this place. It's the best experience I've ever had with exercise classes and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Go check it out! One more thing I will add is that everyone is super friendly to beginners. You don't need to be an athlete or professional movement person to have a good time.

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Brendan

★ 5

Honestly, all the reviews before this one speak to the quality of this place. It is more than a gym, it is a community. If you want to revolutionize your relationship with not only your body, but with the people around you, come here.

You will not only learn to connect with and move your body in ways you never have before, but you will do it all while being connected with others who are engaging with the same process just as joyfully & enthusiastically.

It is worth it. Full stop.

Seriously, what are you waiting for?

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Atma Ivancevic

★ 5

This place is just wonderful. Matt, Zack and Liav have created a community that is so fun, welcoming, and eager to learn & support each other, adjusting whenever needed (e.g. offering outdoor park sessions or zoom lessons during a global bloody pandemic) and constantly checking in on both our physical and mental health. I always leave class sore and laughing. Love you guys!

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Megan Grunewald

★ 5

I have learned so much through the Movement Collective and the wonderful teachers there. The classes challenge you both physically and mentally and allow you to access parts of the body and brain that you won’t get through any other kind of fitness, movement, or training program. The method gives adults a chance to experience the playfulness of movement that many people lose after childhood. The community creates space for any level of student to feel welcome.

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Kyle Paulson

★ 5

Incredibly positive staff and overall quality. Cant reccomend enough, if you're looking for a great workout this is the spot.

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Craig Tyler

★ 5

It's hard to encapsulate the experience I had when I attended Boulder Movement Collective, but I'll try. I was first introduced to the place via their Instagram account, probably from following their main muse, Ido Portal. From halfway across the U.S.A. (Pittsburgh, PA), I felt I had to attend some classes at this facility. I was not disappointed.

This is not your typical gym, and not your average workout. In fact, it's so hard to pin down, I may accidentally misrepresent it. The philosophy of the place is to develop a comprehensive movement practice through a variety of modalities and tools: spinal work, locomotion (moving on your hands and feet), hanging, object manipulation, strength work, etc., etc. The idea is to be a generalist (competent in many areas) rather than a specialist (weightlifter, runner, boxer, etc.), preventing you from developing overuse syndrome while also helping you to correct previously formed imbalances.

These exercises and drills are done by yourself, and some are done with a partner (or two, or three). The group drills contribute to the sense of community you feel when you're there, something Matt, Zack, and Liav have obviously worked hard to foster. Aside from themselves, they mentor their students to become competent teachers in their own right. In addition to the aforementioned, I had the honor of learning from Titus, Yianni, Grant, and Daniel. The fellow students welcomed me like I had been there for years, being both friendly and educational.

I've said a lot, yet not enough. There aren't enough words to do this place justice. Do yourself a favor and go check it out; you'll be glad you did!

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Antonio Monserrat

★ 5

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Max Schultz

★ 5

I turned down a promotion at work solely so I wouldn’t miss classes at BMC.

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Robert Voloshin

★ 5

This place is Fantastic. It's such a welcoming community. The detail of instruction is first class. The incremental improvements I made while exploring movement here were impressive. I was surprised how beginner friendly the environment was. The instructors do a great job scaling the work. If you are interested in exploring the potential of your body this is a good place to spend time.

Source: Google

Max Legrand

★ 5

This place truly is heaven on Earth. I've been working out since I was 13... mostly doing meathead type workouts focused solely on being as huge as possible. When I discovered Boulder Movement Collective I feel as though I've walked out of Plato's cave... I saw very clearly that it's not so cool to lift a ton of weights if you're constantly in pain and can't move fluidly. The teachers here all move like silky leopards and will drop your jaw with their combination of skill and strength. Not only that but they are all incredibly sweet, generous, and hilarious. Even when I feel totally inept at a basic task they are super attentive and kind... you can tell they truly want the best for everyone's wellbeing. When I think about my body I'm reminded of the quote "any man whose errors take ten years to correct is quite a man" and while I still feel like I'm on year 1 of that journey, I couldn't be happier and more grateful to come in here every week.

Source: Google

Jonny Woods

★ 5

One of the best gyms I’ve ever been to. The owner Matt Bernstein is a great teacher as well as a great all around human being. The lessons I’ve learned and the friends that I’ve made through the BMC community has had a great impact on my life and will be with me forever. Cheers and happy moving!

Source: Google

Dallas Thornton

★ 5

I came in to heal a back injury that had been giving me chronic pain for a year. I had tried physical therapy and chiropractic work and nothing seemed to help in the long term. Within a month at the Boulder Movement Collective, my relationship with my body changed. I no longer consider myself a person with a back injury. The key was working on my body as a system instead of trying to fix isolated issues one at a time like a game of whack-a-mole. Guided by the patient, knowledgeable and delightful teachers at the gym, I found interesting places of weakness and tightness in my body that I didn’t know that I had - the things that had been quietly de-railing my recovery process. Now I feel empowered to be a stronger and healthier human being, learning more and more valuable tools that I can take with me into the rest of my life to fix my own injuries and also make my body less likely to sustain injuries in the first place. For me, this practice has been the key to many mental and physical blockages.

The style of learning and training at BMC has also bled into my daily life. As a music teacher, I’ve taken a lot from the method that we use to develop intelligence of movement, and have begun integrating some of this method into my own lessons. My students love it and it has helped them get over some plateaus.

As I see myself making progress toward my goals, I see now that anyone can learn to be in control of their body. If you follow the steps that the teachers lay out for you, you will continue to make progress and know yourself better in the process.

I have nothing but gratitude for Matt, Zach and Liav, as well as the rest of the BMC community, who I’ve come to adore. The gym feels like home and I’m always happy to be there.

Source: Google

Gretchen Spiro

★ 5

I appreciate the inspired and positive way that Boulder Movement Collective teachers offer appropriate options for all levels; I ALWAYS feel happy at the end of the session. At 54, I sometimes enter thinking, "what the heck am I doing here?", but every class I feel so freaking grateful for the material and the spirit that all of the teachers (and friendly community of students) bring to the practice. I have never gotten injured in class, and always find what is presented to be intelligently sequenced, and well-explained and demonstrated. The pacing allows for subtlety and precision of technique, which helping me to rehabilitate some shoulder and knee issues. There is such a good variety of movement (definitely never boring), and the strengthening and mobility is effective and progressive. Their commitment to being exceptional teachers, and also mentoring others to teach, is really commendable. While I have a background in various types of movement (dance, gyrotonic, yoga) I have never before done gymnastics, weight lifting, cross fit, parkour...and the practice at Boulder Movement Collective helps me to recognize what new possibilities for moving my (aging) body are available to me! I find the atmosphere empowering, challenging, and really...fun. I encourage others (at any age or fitness level) to experience the wisdom that the teachers bring so enthusiastically to this studio!

Source: Google

Joshua Horsley

★ 5

You just stumbled onto the best movement training in the USA. Go here and have a blast learning from Matt, Zack and Liav! I can't say enough good things about this place... It will transform your body into what you always wanted it to be. You will have the kind of body that let's you do whatever your heart desires. That's true freedom!!

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Tiffany Huey

★ 5

Great training and awesome people.

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brAnt

★ 5

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George Mihaly

★ 5

Superb instruction, clean & super functional space, and great community of students. Couldn't ask for more! Looking forward to the next visit!

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Fiona Bartell

★ 5

I have been training here for the past two months 4-5 days per week, and I am seeing very noticeable progress and increased confidence in my body's capabilities. A few days ago, a friend took me up Boulder Canyon to scramble up along a waterfall and river. I found myself in all sorts of moments where it seemed unlikely for me to get from one spot to the next, and then I remembered my training at Boulder Movement Collective. It's all about getting creative and finding the right positioning of my body to discover that it is possible to get from this rock to that rock. It was such a cool way to see how my training at BMC applied to my everyday adventures.

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Matt Spaeth

★ 5

Just took my first fundamentals class here. Been sore for days but already feel so much stronger. Very simple movements that teach core concepts for strength and stabilization. Looking forward to getting deeper into this method.

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Kevin

★ 5

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Blackjack

★ 5

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YinnHaur Ooi

★ 5

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Wendy K

★ 5

Fantastic community of movers. Great place to train. Excellent teachers. Feels like home.

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Mike Kushner

★ 5

If I lived in boulder I would be there every day.

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Cyrus Khan

★ 5

A home for anyone with a passion for movement. The BoMoCo is composed of a wise set of teachers that expertly guide you through your movement journey, making you stronger, more mobile, playful and happy along the way.
If you're an athlete in any discipline looking for more well roundedness, a lay person looking for fitness or just want to add more movement to your life, this is the place.
And an excellent and supportive community of students awaits you as well.

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Taylor

★ 5

Its welcoming and effective

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B V

★ 5

Great educators and facility.

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Brandon Harris

★ 5

What a awesome facility. We took our whole team from premier fitness systems in for a class and loved it. The methodology is designed around quality and not quantity. So you really learn how to control and move your body. Great class and coaches.

Source: Google

Eleanor Medina

★ 5

I walked into Boulder Movement Collective and I instantly felt like a part of their contagiously empowering community. I attend workout programs all over the Denver/Boulder area, and I have never felt more instantly welcomed.

The way I am coached to move in these classes are different than any other way I have ever moved by body before. Physically, and mentally my edge is tested, yet through the support of the community, I'm not intimidated to literally fall down and try again. I still have no conception of how to do the moves "right," as a beginner to this art form, but I am walked through each step by Matt. Also I laugh so much- and who doesn't love to laugh?

You guys have hit a home run in my book! 5 stars all the way.

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kristen gruca

★ 5

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Nate Floyd

★ 5

Top notch teaching, the most holistic movement practice I've ever encountered and I've been through a bunch (played collegiate rugby, was a crossfit junkie for a long time, and do loads of other movement practices). Matt teaches with his whole heart and his expertise comes from his years of studying and building on his own movement practice. Matt is one of Ido Portal's dedicated students and he carries the torch of his simple, proven, process-oriented approach to high quality movement fantastically. The community in this gym is also very special. Inclusive, ego-less, playful. I really love this place.

Source: Google