Epic Hybrid Training

Best gym in NYC hands down. Take a class with Julia or Teddy and you’ll see why people rave about Epic!

This. Place. Is. AWESOME.
I have friends who’ve gone here and I’ve been dying to go for a while, but it’s a wee bit out of my price range. I jumped when I saw a month of unlimited classes on Gilt City and now I’m kinda screwed because I’m already trying to figure out how I can fudge my budget to keep coming. :)
I’ve attended three full weeks now and it is totally bonkers how much of a difference it’s already made. The classes are BRUTAL, but no one is going to shame you if you take a second to catch your breath or grab a sip of water. Everyone is so badass, though, you wind up pushing to your max just trying to keep up. The people that come here seem to be more interested in strength and power and ability than just looking «bikini ready» and it’s crazy inspiring. This place is VERY into obstacle course races, so most of what you’ll do here will prep you in a major way to participate in your next Spartan.
The classes are the same for 4 weeks (or maybe 6 weeks?), so every Monday will be the same, every Tuesday, and so on. It gives you a chance to improve upon certain skills and watch yourself get better and faster before they switch it up. Different classes have different time schemes (like 30 seconds on, 15 off, or longer 90 second holds), but you will SWEAT SWEAT SWEAT no matter the day. I find them all to have a great ratio of cardio to strength training.
I haven’t disliked any of the instructors, but I’m really partial to Julia and Caitlin. They’re all super well rounded and knowledgeable athletes in their own right, and their tips and tricks have helped me conquer things (like handstands!) I was too scared to attempt just three weeks ago.
Can’t recommend it highly enough. Hope to be able to keep coming back!

Small gym with really attentive and challenging classes. This place is clean, convenient to get to (near the E, M, 6 train), and will 100% deliver a tough and worthwhile workout.
I have tried The Grynd, The Blast, Tone and Power, and Dynamic Core. They have more detailed descriptions on their website regarding these classes, but I would say The Grynd is the best overall well rounded class. No Dumbbells or machines at Epic, mostly kettle bells, TRX, boxes, ab rollers, pull up bars, and body weight exercises.
I have had most of the instructors but Julia is the best! Her awesome bod shows that she’s doing something right in the realm of fitness, and she always gives good corrections and attention to form.
Best of all, leave your sneakers at home. No shoes required. I would suggest bringing your own towel and water. There’s also a line for the showers in the morning so keep that in mind if you plan on getting ready for work here.

Love this gym! Small classes for that one-​on-​one attention. great crew! Workouts vary by day and get revamped each month.

This place is great. I tried it for the first time today using class pass. Checking in was easy. I went to the blast class — worked out for the entire hour. It was such a good workout. Everyone was very welcoming and motivating. They have towels, a shower and water for sale for $ 2. I’ll definitely be back.

I’ve just started personal training with Brendan and it’s like no workout you’ve ever had. I guarantee it! I ‘m really looking forward to hoping in the classes asap.

This gym changed my life. That may sound a bit dramatic but it’s the absolute truth. After battling depression and putting on a significant amount of weight in 2013 I felt lost and hated looking at myself in the mirror. I knew I needed a change. I tried going to a traditional gym and working with a personal trainer at another but it just didn’t work for me. I was bored and felt like I wasn’t using my full potential to lose the weight and feel the way I wanted to.
Fast forward to June of 2014 I was wandering through my new neighborhood when I spotted Epic and their advertising outside. I was intrigued so I went up to check it out. When I got in I met the manager Rachel who was incredibly helpful and really nice. I signed up for a 10 pack to try it out.
My first class was with Samantha and it kicked my butt! Noticing I was new, Samantha made a point to introduce herself and get to know me. I was intimidated by the class at first because people there were in much better shape than me, but having the instructor come over and talk to me before class made me feel at ease. I enjoyed the people in the class and the small but welcoming community. I found exactly what I needed, when I needed it.
One of the great things about Epic are the specialties and varying disciplines that the Instructors bring from Julia’s gymnastics background to Brendan’s muy Thai history. The workouts have these specialties infused into the workout.
Not only are the instructors awesome, they work with you and to what your body is capable of. It’s not looked down upon to be doing a modified version of an exercise because they know you’ll be able to get there eventually.
It’s mid November and I’m stronger, leaner and more confident than I have been in years. I owe it To this gym and the superb staff.

This is the best part of my day. I love going here no matter how exhausted and tired I am at the end of work. I find enjoyment doing the workouts at Epic and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to be in shape or stay in shape. I am so happy to have bought the groupon deal for this!

I went in about a year ago inquiring about classes twice as I live in the neighborhood. The first time a trainer was in the middle of a private session, so I understand he couldn’t really give me his attention and i left with a brochure. Maybe they should invest in a front desk staff, i thought.
The second time I went back, the actual owner was there and it seemed he just finished teaching a class. Again, there seemed to be no front desk staff, but the horrible thing is the owner looked less than thrilled to see a potential customer walk in the door. He cut my one or two basic questions short in a curt way, and when I said I’m not sure if kickboxing is for me because my hips are tight, he very rudely said, «well this is the wrong place for you, see ya.» and then just gave me a stare that seemed to say «why the f*#% are you still standing here? Leave!» Very unwelcome feeling. He had his hands on his hips and looked hostile. I did not go in with a negative attitude or was being critical. I was a potential full paying client ready to drop some coin. Kickboxing is by no means all this gym offers, but he didn’t care to persuade me to sign up for anything or inform me what the studio’s other offerings were.
You would think that he is raking it in with customers beating down the door, but the owner just launched a ridiculously cheap promotion on BLOOMSPOT at the time, which is a clear statement that business is no good and this gym is not fiscally successful. It is clear to me that this has everything to do with very poor customer service and a rude owner.
I would be careful giving my money to this guy. I bet for all the people who purchase any deal site offer or CLASPASS that this owner will be especially rude since they are coupon customers not paying full price. Beware!!!

awesome workout out– went to the spartan training for the first time. got a gilt city voucher… honestly i’m into girly workouts and this is really really intense for me. i couldn’t do half of the things. spartan training includes burpees, mountain climbers, climbing robes, monkey bars etc. my hands were shaking afterward, definitely will be super sore tmr. I liked it and will come back :) hmm only thing is the changing room is quite small.

This gym has all you will ever want to get out of a workout with great trainers and awesome members! You better be willing to sweat though and want a challenge weather you are a beginner or advanced. With a wide variety of exercises you can’t ever get board and results are guaranteed… as long as you come of course!

Everyone else pretty much summed it up, but this place is amazing. If you’re considering trying it out, don’t think… do!
Do it if you want to challenge yourself, do it if you want to make major (great) changes to your body, do it if you want a fantastic support team, do it if you want to feel, strong, beautiful, and powerful!
I tired through Groupon in March. At the time I was doing Krav Maga and was on the verge of putting down $ 700.00 for 20 classes. Once I tired Epic I instantly decided that my money could be better spent. I was hooked! I currently do an unlimited membership and I can’t imagine a life without Epic.
By the end of the week my body is dying for rest, but I always come back on mondays recharged and ready for more :)
Thanks to the entire Epic team! I am discovering muscles I never thought existed (so cliché but so true). My body has never looked better and it’s still a work in progress.

I am so happy I found this place AND that their class times /​location works perfectly for me. I live quite far from the location, but work very close, so I need a morning class that doesn’t force me to wake up before 6am and from which I can get to the office before 10 — and voila! There was EPIC!
But it’s more than that — I also insisted on excellent trainers who know what they’re doing, positive energy from the people around me, and a workout that will kill me but not be overly long. Having come from an amazing women-​only boot camp experience in Hong Kong that became extremely near and dear to my heart, I feared I’d never find anything that worked for me again — and then. yes, there was EPIC!
I have been going from 4 – 6 days a week since I started a few weeks ago, and can’t imagine changing that anytime soon. But for all that is good (which outshines the bad), here are the bad:
Yes, it gets damn hot in here and you will SWEAT, esp when it’s humid. That sweat (of yours and others) is all over the rubber mat floors, which we all work out on barefoot. You will slip and slide as you try to do head stands, bear crawls, jungle gym pushups, etc. Hopefully you will not get fungus (hasn’t happened to me yet, but I fear it every time!).
There are only two showers, and I always feel bad about taking more than the most minimal time. I will race in and race out, and do most of my getting ready outside. Fortunately I’m not embarassed easily.
The online system seems a bit difficult — their is a policy that you auto-​renew your membership option every month, and can only change that with 30 days notice. Seems harsh, though apparently in practice, this issue can be bypassed. I don’t think that practice and policy should be disconnected though.
In the end of the day, I am super happy that I joined. My time slot is fortunately never signed out (so far, touch wood), AND they are opening a second location (hooray!) come July!
If you are a masochist, then this is the spot for you.

These guys are the real deal. I joined via Groupon deal and then converted into a membership. Great friendly environment, excellent motivating trainers who will deliver results.
Varied weekly workouts will keep it interesting and challenging across a variety of fitness areas!

This gym has been a great find by my wife. We started in March and have been hooked since. Living in Hoboken, it’s worth the after work workout to wait and come back home.
It’s been a GREAT push each work out and the difference in the classes and instructors gives great variety in their styles, all of which are great.
The other amazing aspect of this gym is the clientele the draw. The people that take classes alongside you are great. Everyone is great top to bottom and Alex/​Julia/​Brendan/​Rachel are great staff and trainers. Just wait til you get to a race with them!

EPIC is one of the best gyms I have ever been too and would give it 6 stars if it was possible! I have been going to EPIC for 3 months now and have noticed a SIGNIFICANT change in my strength, endurance and figure. I started to get back into fitness in late January and tried everything from Kickboxing, weight lifting at NYSC, spinning, boxing, personal training and other fitness classes and then I DISCOVERED EPIC. After 3 months of searching for the right gym, EPIC was the one gym that has truly CHANGED my life. I had bought a Livingsocial deal and after 4 classes, I was hooked! I lost approximately 15 pounds before EPIC and then once I started EPIC, I have become more toned and sculpted than I ever have been in my life and have lost an additional 15 pounds.
The set-​up of the classes makes this gym one of the best. EPIC is like having a personal trainer for an entire hour except you are with a group of people (14 max in a class). Throughout the entire class you work with a partner and motivate one another to work harder. Each class has about 8 stations that you perform a workout at for approximately 45 seconds to 1 minute and then rotate. Workouts vary from TRX bands to burpees to kettlebells and they even have monkey bars! Each class works the entire body especially the core. Best part of going to class is seeing the same people on a consistent basis as if you are a team.
Each day has a different focus and changes each month which is great as you are consistently changing your routine which makes class that much more interesting!
I have seen a lot of trainers over the past 6 months however, none compare to Alex and Julia. Both are very motivating instructors and explain how to properly perform each exercise. They know you by name and make you feel very welcomed in class and know when to push you when you need it most.
I attend classes at least 4 – 5 times a week and love the feeling after a great workout. The price you pay for a class is worth every dollar as you are truly getting the best workout in 45 — 50 mins. Be prepared to leave class soaked as if you just got out of a swimming pool! Overall, it is an awesome experience!

This is a little hidden gem in NYC. I have always been one of the stronger ones in class at my previous gym but this place puts me to shame in a good way! The quick pace, constant change, and great coaching makes this gym stand out. Everyone is motivating towards each other and we all have built great bonds. Its not intimidating at all and you walk out wanting more (if you can actually walk!) The Manager keeps the gym running smooth and the coaches keep your attention; always push you to do YOUR best and no one else’s.
Its a little pricey but definitely worth it, you never get bored!

over the past two weeks I have visited EPIC 10 times with four trainers, I see the difference in every way — check out my blog review for more detail, but more importantly check this place out! You won’t regret it! It does not matter your fitness level — beginners to pro athletes will be challenged here!

This is definitely NYC’s best kept secret! I just started attending classes about 2 weeks ago. They offer new students an unbelievable deal — $ 19 for 3 classes for the Monkey Bar Gym — and they are totally awesome!
Class sizes are small and manageable (12 – 15 ppl) and most exercises are done in pairs with another member, which helps to keep you motivated and on track. They’re all functional movements which are fun and done in a Tabata-​like fashion — 20 seconds on/​10 sec rest — which ensures a challenging and high intensity workout. The instructor (Alex) is very engaging and helps push you that extra mile when you’re energy starts to dip after several intense rounds.
What impressed me the most besides the helpful and friendly staff — were all of the other people in the class. Everyone there is super cool and friendly and really welcoming. On my first class — 2 girls introduced themselves to me and made me feel like I’d easily fit in.
Walking in to a predominately martial arts school could be somewhat intimidating and Epic really sets the bar for creating a great engaging, energetic vibe and welcoming environment!
I’m definitely going to be attending these classes on a regular basis and definitely suggest anyone looking for a good workout or just looking to change it up — to give it a try!

I really don’t think you can find anything like Epic Hybrid here in NYC. It incorporates Muay Thai, BJJ, cardio and strength training all under one roof. The rubber dungeon (that’s what I like to call it) gives you resistance in everyday home exercises. It definitely kicks it up a notch.
While you’re at it, pick up some cool Muay Thai techniques or brush up on your ground fighting skills. Conveniently located in the heart of midtown.