Monkey Bar Gym Milwaukee

I started with a groupon also. When I started I was using the smallest weight and could barely do some of the exercises, and that’s when I thought, I need to sign up for this gym. I need to build muscle. I didn’t feel stupid for having to use such a light weight because the instructors and others in the classes accept you at whatever level you are at. Although, I was a little self conscious when starting because I was not in shape at all but that’s why I was there, so I could get stronger. I have been going there for 6 months now and can tell a huge difference. I can lift things I couldn’t lift before.
This is kind of a weird thing to use as an example but this is when I knew Monkey Bar rocked. I have a cat and of course need cat litter. I buy the 35 pound containers so I don’t have to go to the pet store as often. I used to struggle at carrying these things. I could barely get them in the trunk of my car. Then one day I was putting a 35 pound container in my trunk with one arm, without even thinking about it! I couldn’t believe I was lifting this thing. I felt/​feel really good about myself and so happy I joined Monkey Bar Gym.

I first heard of Monkey Bar Gym through a Group on deal — $ 35 for unlimited 6 weeks of boot camp.
This is a great deal, especially since boot camps usually run anywhere from $ 150 – 350 depending on where you go.
Before you can start, you go to a consultation to arrange a schedule, and help figure out which classes to sign up for to help reach your goal.
The consultation was a bit more like a sales pitch, as I was immediately asked if I wanted to sign up for a year membership at a discounted rate, even though I hadn’t had any chance to try a class yet.
Once I had moved past that though, and set up a schedule with Jeff (the owner), the pressure dropped, and the rest of the experience was very pleasant!
I was a little apprehensive about going 4 times a week, but he was reassuring, letting me know that we can always drop a day if needed, but it’s important to start out strong, and find where your limit is, instead of aiming low.
True enough, after the first week, and getting used to waking up earlier, 4 days isn’t really that much of a problem, and I feel much better at work after these sessions. If I didn’t have a busy schedule, I’d probably put a 5^th in there!
The parking is hit or miss. I’ve heard some people in the more mid day sessions complain about parking, however, going at 7 am and 730 pm, I’ve never had to go more than a block for free street parking (knock on wood).
The class sizes are small enough where you can get individual help, yet still large enough where you don’t feel like the instructor is watching your every move.
The other people you work out with have been incredibly welcoming and friendly, and there is a wide range of people in different shapes, so there’s guaranteed to be someone on the same level as you that you can partner up with at your speed.
The Gym itself is a large open area, featuring a padded floor and focuses on using your own weight to gain strength.
The instructors can sometimes be hard to hear, but are very willing to help make sure you’re doing things correctly, and motivate you positively.
There are showers in the bathrooms, and the facilities are pretty clean, however I am baffled by the lack of a water fountain. There is a sink that you can use, as well as a filtered water dispenser, however for people like me that forget their water bottle EVERY DAMN TIME, it’s a bit of a pain and inconvenience.
Although the price is a bit high for entry, I’d definitely recommend giving it a shot if you can find a deal, and seeing if this is something that’ll fit in your schedule/​life.

I bought a groupon for 6 weeks with every intention of switching when it was over. After 3 weeks I felt stronger and excited about getting/​staying in shape. The group classes are great because you get the individual attention you need to safely do the workouts and motivation to push yourself from the people around you working hard. I would recommend this place to anyone. As a recent transplant to Wisconsin the leadership there welcomed me with open arms. It’s been an all around great experience!

I took advantage of a great Groupon discount for the Monkey Bar Gym, as part of my effort to «get in shape» in the new year (wow… what a novel and new concept huh?) I believe that the offer was $ 35 for a six week period, where you could take as many classes as you liked. This was a hell of a deal, considering that the monthly membership fee ranges from $ 100 to $ 150 (depending upon the length of the membership that you commit to.)
The Gym breaks the classes down into three major divisions: Yoga, Body Building/​Strength Classes, and Boot Camp. The classes are an hour long. I took one of each of the classes per week.
I was a big fan of the Yoga class. The instructor was very sweet and knowledgeable, and did a great job of explaining the poses. I never felt awkward in the class, and it was a fantastic way to somehow exercise and relax at the same time. I would give the Yoga class alone five stars.
The strength class was a bit more difficult. When class began, the instructor would quickly explain the focus of the class, and would go over the exercises. After the explanation, there was a ten minute warm up, followed by the daily routine. The explanations sometimes seemed a bit hurried, and I oftentimes was confused by the program (sets? reps? peak?) I did ask for clarification a few times, and it seemed as though it was annoying to the instructor to have to go over parts of the program again. Some of the instructors are more helpful/​nice than others.
Boot Camp Class was the most difficult of the three. Perhaps I was most uncomfortable in this class because of being very out of shape post pregnancy. I found myself getting some pretty significant cramping in my abdomen, having trouble running with the class (they do laps in the opening warm up), and just feeling like I was eons behind some of the other participants. Other than feeling motivated to try to work hard to get to the fitness level of some of the other class members, I felt really self conscious, and borderline embarrassed. Of course, this isn’t necessarily the fault of the gym, rather my reaction to where I was and wasn’t physically. I just felt very unmotivated and supported, and maybe my sensitive self just needed a bit more.
When it comes down to it, I decided not to renew the membership once the 6 week trial was over. It may be due to the fact that I never really got that comfortable feeling of «belonging» here, or perhaps I’m just not the Boot Camp type. For those who are pretty fit, I think that you can have a lot of fun in a setting like this. For single folks, I think this is an AWESOME way to meet new people. For me, I just think that I need a bit more «one on one» support to reach my fitness goals. Perhaps when I’m more comfortable with myself, then I may give the Monkey Bar Gym another try.