Stroga

My boyfriend bought me a yoga gift certificate for here after they had closed and they still allowed the sale. They have not refunded us.

Yes and yes. I came here yesterday with my bff and love this space. We did yoga and a fitness class in the same day. The one thing I did notice is that the space is so big it feels a little funny if there are not so many folks in it. I will return and also will be checking out The Studio and Embrace which are very close by in the Adams Morgan neighborhood. I just wish there was a metro nearby.

I never write bad reviews but I’m very frustrated with my experience. I went for the first time and dealt with some rude staff. Wrote two emails to Stroga and they never responded. Guess that’s an expensive Groupon gone to waste!

As I recently moved to DC, I wanted to test out a few different studios before committing to one. I saw a few LivingSocial deals for different studios, and purchased this one first. (I typically don’t buy into these deals, and am irritated by those who do at my favorite places, but cut me some slack! I’m new to this city.) I’m so happy that I did! It’s been a great experience thus far.
Pros:
–Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful space. Sunrise yoga in the ballroom is not to be missed!
–The majority of instructors are fantastic. Each is a little different– some more intense than others. Love Vivian for pilates and the Sunday yoga donation class.
–Yoga mats are available for rent, should you forget yours! Most of the time, they don’t charge you either.
–You can download MindBody Connect to sign up for classes with the touch of a button!
Cons:
–The studio needs a little TLC. Stunning space, but a lot of chipped paint is visible, rugs are a little worn, etc.
–The guy that mans the front desk isn’t always the friendliest.
–The monthly, unlimited packages are pricey.
All that in mind, I’ll probably buy a monthly package after my deal runs out!

Well, I used to love Stroga. But now they seem to be edging out the MMA program. All the classes got cut by 15 minutes and Krav got replaced with some cardio boxing BS. Dear investors: I want the old Stroga back!

I started going to stroga in 2012 when the ballroom would be packed for a Saturday morning yoga class and while I was annoyed by lack of space, at least I felt like the instructor was great and I got a good workout. Plus the space is beautiful with lots of natural light and beautiful ceilings.
But stroga now tries to be something to everyone. When I go to yoga now, sometimes I’m one of two students and very, VERY often, I hear the strength classes going on upstairs because they are blasting their music or jumping so much. Who can get into their yoga practice if they have trouble hearing the instructor or relaxing? Also the instructors change constantly and not for the better. I miss the days of Mimi and Paige.
Yoga no longer seems to be Stroga’s focus so it’s time to leave. There’s so many better options right in the neighborhood that has awesome instruction, no competing noise and a community feel.

I am a fitness director in northwest DC and often take classes around the city for myself and my own strength training as well as to ensure that I am keeping my facility up to industry standards. I took a Stroga Power Yoga class with Greg Stuart and it was by far the best class I have ever taken (and I’ve taken HUNDREDS!). The price is low compared to the area and the studio is incredible, but the real kudos should be given to Greg.
The class was organized and had a great flow. Not only was the power yoga incredibly challenging but he is encouraging as well. I am slightly unfamiliar with yoga terms and positions but he took extra care (even in a large class) to ensure that I was able to get to the correct positions. His descriptions of the poses is easy to follow and continually gives corrections to ensure that your posture and focus is where it should be.
By far the best class I’ve ever taken. If I could, I would take it every day!!! Try it out :) And, thanks Greg!

I very rarely write less than stellar reviews, but I felt like I had to write about Stroga. I live in the neighborhood and received a coupon in the mail to attend classes for free for a week. Good marketing on their end, but kind of backfired since the downstairs studio is just really outdated and shabby.
Anyway, since the weather has been awful this winter, I thought it might be nice to try a gym that’s around the corner. The guy at the front desk was really nice and got me all set up in the system.
The spin class I attended had a great instructor. I really, really liked her music and her overall demeanor — and the class went by quickly, but that’s where the positive stuff ended.
Stroga felt dirty and poorly laid out compared to other boutique gyms and studios I’ve been to. There was no mirror in the spin room so for beginners, it was hard to focus on form. I feel like this isn’t a deal breaker, but I personally like having a mirror.
There is only one bathroom and when I used it after class there were no paper towels. Also, if you want a towel to wipe off sweat during a class, you need to purchase one for a dollar. That was a weird «extra» that I wasn’t expecting. You can buy water for a dollar too.
There aren’t any showers and the locker area is for men and women. I wanted to quickly change my shirt after sweating throughout the class but I had to wait in line for about 5 minutes for the bathroom to free up.
If I’d been to Stroga 3 years ago, I probably would have said it was quirky and great. Today though, with so many incredible fitness options in the DC area (RideDC, SoulCycle, 305 Fitness, SolidCore, Vida, Mint, Studio DC, etc etc) Stroga just felt poorly kept up.
It was fine as a free weeklong pass, but I would never pay to belong to the gym.

I have a love/​hate relationship with Stroga. The yoga space is BEAUTIFUL and I’ve really loved some of the teachers. That being said, there are far too many instances that leave me a little incredulous: Pandora with ads during an $ 18 yoga class, billing mistakes that require 3 follow up emails to get things fixed, constant instructor turn over, etc. It’s confusing.

3.5 stars
I attended Stroga’s sunday community class with Mimi Rieger. FYI Mimi is yoga badass so I definitely recommend her classes across the DMV area. It was my first time at Stroga although I have a friend who lives in upper Dupont area/​AMo area who frequents the studio a lot but lucky for those who live close to Stroga because for us less fortunate folks, parking is a nightmare! horrible horrible parking situation boo.
Front desk person Veronica was very welcoming and accommodating as she pointed me up the stairs for donation collection and class. Stroga’s Yoga studio is beautiful– love the molding and calming, room is well lit, large and very spacious. Bathrooms are clean and there is a water bottle.
A-​OK yoga studio but parking situation and difficult public transportation commute would definitely deter me but if you are local, check it out!

I joined Stroga in October and had been satisfied with my experience until today. I am not a morning person so having to get up to make a 6:30am Spin Class is not ideal for me but I always feel great by the time I get going. This morning I showed up and the instructor didn’t. Of course I’m aware that things can happen but while speaking with the other people in class I came to learn that this isn’t unusual for Stroga as the manager, Jeff, doesn’t find subs when an instructor can’t make class. Even if Jeff has been aware of the issue for several hours. Also, while being told by the person at the front desk to get in touch with the manager with any issues one woman replied, «He doesn’t do anything.» which did not make me feel very good.
Since I have a monthly unlimited membership, being taken out of the class did nothing to assuage my frustration and I only hope I can be let out of my end of the deal since I can’t expect Stroga to hold up their end.
I will say I’ve had nothing but good experiences with the Yoga instructors and with all of the Spin instructors but if absent instructors is something that happens more than a few times then I’m ready to find another gym.

I hate to leave such a poor review for Stroga, but my experience lately has been horrendous. For the past 8 months I have had an unlimited membership and have gone 3 – 5 days a week.
A month ago as I was walking to a class, I got an email 15 minutes before that it was canceled. I was annoyed, but realized these things happen. A week later, I’m sitting in spin class warming up and a front desk person comes in and says sorry there’s no instructor. Again, these things happen. Another time I showed up and the stereo was broken so they canceled class but again, didn’t feel the need to send an email. In the past 24 hours, this has happened to me TWICE for a total of FIVE times in 1 – 1.5 months. From what I hear, the teachers have emailed Jeff saying they can’t make it but he doesn’t bother to find a sub or send a courtesy email to people who rush home from work or wake up extra early to make a class. They offered a comp class for people that were paying by the class but for people like me who have unlimited it was just «too bad» with an unsympathetic sorry.
Also, Jeff fired the absolute best spin instructor (Krista) supposedly because she asked for a mike.
I will be canceling my membership. I think there are other gyms out there that are more reliable, especially if you are joining primarily for spinning class.

I wrote a review of stroga soon after they opened in 2010 and wanted to give an equally glowing update 4 years later after taking a class with Akin.
Stroga was the first place I fell in love with the practice; since then, I’ve continued my practice on a near daily basis through the years and several moves. I’ve even done a teacher training. Back in the DC –area, I revisited the place where I fell in love with the practice. I was lucky to go to a class guided by Akin. His flow was unique — let’s face it, when you have a daily practice, lots of sequences can kind of be overdone. I can’t wait to go back to another class to experience his sequencing! But more importantly, he clearly knows the muscles and bones: he knows the postures, he knows how to stay safe in them, how to give direction so that you feel them the correct way and won’t get injured. It was also a subtlety spiritual class (and these days, it’s the spirituality that speaks to me).
Stroga’s still got it and I recommend this place to novices and regular students alike! There is safety, challenge, and a comfortable level of spiritually for all, especially in Akin’s classes!

I really can’t say enough good things about Stroga. I started coming because of a Groupon, and now I can’t get enough! I’ve only done classes within the yoga realm, and they have all been wonderful, but I’ve also heard great things about Spinning/​Group Training classes offered there as well.
The Stroga schedule is chock-​full of classes, and you can sign up via a very convenient app (MindBody Connect) to guarantee a spot with your fave instructor. I must say though, unlike at other studios, I’ve never had a problem getting spaces in a yoga class, probably due to the large (and beautiful!) room where classes are held — plenty of room for all yogis!
Stroga offers classes for yoga beginners (Yoga Fundamentals), as well as many options for those who are more advanced in their practices. There are classes that will ZEN you out, classes that you can spend alternating between crazy headstands and holding high plank until you can’t plank no mo’, and a bajillion other classes in between. I highly recommend checking out Stroga for all of your ommmmmm needs.

I originally signed up for Stroga through the groupon deal, in search of a new gym to take classes. I have since used up all 10 of my original classes and have bought a 20-​pack (a little pricey, but not any more than other workout classes/​gyms I have found in the area). I have been nothing but satisfied with Stroga! I have taken the group strength training classes with David, Darren, and Craig as well as spinning and Zumba classes and while the instructors are certainly different, I enjoyed all of the classes and left each one feeling that I had gotten an amazing workout. To add to it, I really enjoy the open, light space where classes are held. I have not taken any of the yoga classes, so I cannot comment on those or their instructors.
The one negative experience I had with Stroga was when a sunday evening Zumba class was cancelled last minute, yet they did not notify those who were pre-​registered. I only figured it out because it was suddenly not available on the registration app (MindBody) and I called to clarify. This area of communication could be improved.
Overall, If you are looking for a variation on your workout. I would definitely recommend mixing it up with some Stroga classes.

I’ve been going to Stroga for the past six months or so, and I’m generally pleased with the environment and the people there. I saw that another reviewer posted her comments as «the good» and «the bad,» and I thought I’d follow that same format here (Thanks for the good idea, Lola A.).
The good:
— They offer a little bit of everything when it comes to classes– yoga, spinning, boot camp, tango, jiu jitsu, zumba, capoeira, pilates… The variety is terrific.
— The space is beautiful.
— The teachers are personable and easily accessible if you have questions or want to get to know more about their experience. Genuine sense of community.
The bad:
— Not many bathrooms.
— No treadmills, elliptical machines, or other equipment for solo workouts.
***
Main takeaway: I would recommend this gym.

I have really enjoyed all my classes at Stroga, and all of the instructors are enthusiastic and helpful – particularly the group strength trainers. I only attended one yoga session where the instructor was inconsiderate and slightly rude when my friend and I asked her to turn on the fans because we were feeling faint.
Stroga is a beautiful space and the natural lighting is especially charming in the yoga room. I only wish that they had showers in the facility, and it was a cheaper membership. I had to stop going after my groupon ran out because it was too costly per month.
Overall, 4 Stars.

4.5 stars. I personally have enjoyed all the classes I’ve taken here. I’m an avid runner who started feeling monotonous just running all the time so I bought a groupin deal for this place.
I’ve tried strength training with Darren and with Craig (both will kick your butt) and I’ve done different yoga and spin classes. I can honestly say I’ve never walked unsatisfied… And I am a bit of a fitness nut.
I would recommend it for anyone who can afford it. Personally, I do love the place even if it is a bit overpriced

I love Stroga and cannot say enough positive things about the place. My husband and I have been going there for almost 2 years now and it has completely changed our bodies and our lives for the better. The trainers are incredible, talented, energized and friendly. Everyone feels welcome no matter what level of shape you are in. It feels like a team working together helping everyone to reach their best. The variety of classes and class times are excellent from yoga to strength training to Capoeria, Zumba, spin classes an tango they are all so much fun. We have replaced happy hour with exercise hour at Stroga and it has been a lot more fun. It’s made Adams Morgan seem like a real neighborhood and now we have friends all over our block. Stroga has literally changed our life for the better created a whole new community of people I now consider close friends.

I had never really been a yoga fan, but recently I’ve really gotten into it and have explored yoga at a couple different venues thanks to deal-​of-​the-​day sites. Stroga is hands-​down my favorite so far.
Atmosphere: Have you SEEN the pictures? Amazing art deco on the ceilings with chandeliers and huge windows and plenty of fresh air when needed. The yoga room is huge and there’s plenty of space to move/​breathe/​pose. My only complaint is that Power Core starts near the end of my yoga session and there is stomping around that I hear from upstairs.
Instructors: I can’t say I’ve had too much diversity as I’ve only sat in two different instructors’ classes… but… all I have to say is… Gregory Stuart. He’s the absolute best. From the speaking and questioning of the mind, to step-​by-​step instruction (the way he dictates I can just feel my body move into position without my mind needing to process), and the flute (?) playing at the end. Great class every time.
Classes: I’ve only been to Vinyasa Flow, but it looks like they have plenty to choose from on their class schedule in terms of styles of yoga. I can hear the Power Core at the end of my class – that sounds good, and they’ve recently added spin class.
The only thing is that classes/​packages are pretty expensive. I’m not surprised because it is a pretty good location, and the facilities are top-​notch. Anyway, the online system is good, classes don’t fill up that quick, and on Saturdays when it’s warm, I get to go to the farmer’s market right outside after yoga… win win. :)