A Healthy Balance

Is there a character limit for these reviews? That could be a problem.
I have been active my whole life — soccer from kindergarten through 8^th grade, three seasons of track for all of high school, and a recreational runner during college. I had a few lazy years post-​college, and built back to a regular running routine about six years ago. But strength training… I knew I should do it, I knew it would help my running, and help me to lose a little weight, but I COULD NOT bring myself to do it. I tried classes at other gyms I belonged to over the years, I tried using machines, and I tried putting together my own body-​weight routines. I never stuck with a single thing.
In spring of 2012 some of my co-​workers put together a wellness challenge, and part of the challenge was to work out more while another part involved weight loss. I knew that if I was going to earn points in both of those aspects, I needed to get strong (er, at least) and I figured that the boot camp class I used to see sometimes when I was meeting my running club would probably get the job done. Google-​fu led me to AHB — and lucky me they had a deal on one of the local voucher sites so I could attend eight boot camp classes AND get a massage for cheap. I heart cheap, and the timing was perfect, so I signed up. Alicia’s boot camp classes are awesome. Having a class that is fun (even when it’s kicking your ass), where you laugh far more often than you would expect to while working out, and where you are constantly meeting other strong, amazing, inspiring people has made me a regular ever since. I also lost six pounds and dropped ~3% body fat, in case you were wondering if it works (I should add that I don’t do the nutritional counseling that’s available at AHB… but I’m positive that I could lose more weight if I did. I’m just a brat who doesn’t like to be told what to eat.)
That consistent strength routine led me to a pretty amazing year of running in 2013: I set PRs in every distance I race numerous times that year (10k in April and again October, 5 miler in May and again in November, 5k in August). I was more comfortable running for longer distances than I have been since I ran three seasons of track in high school. I also climbed Mt Washington in 2.5 hours (aka the tallest mountain in the northeast — the guide book said it would take 4.5 hours) and wasn’t even sore after hiking 12 miles and ~4,800 feet of elevation gain/​loss in two days.
In 2014 I decided to train for a half marathon, and I wasn’t going to do it without proper training. I hired Alicia to train me for it. Alicia provided me with weekly plans that included a mix of running and strength training, working around my schedule when necessary. Her feedback was supportive, helpful, and constant. Weeks before race day, I was confident that I would nail it. I ran a 2:16 half, and successfully trained for it without any injuries. Later in the summer I hiked the Presidential Traverse (19 miles and 8,815 feet of elevation gain over three days) and was barely sore. That wasn’t because I go hiking every weekend, it’s because working with Alicia at AHB has me in the best shape of my life.
Alicia offered weekly track workouts in 2014 as well, and despite having some lingering PTSD from all the running in circles that I did in high school, they turned out to be one of my favorite workouts of the week. Now that the track is buried in snow, Alicia and Erin offer runner-​specific cardio conditioning and strength classes that, while sometimes feeling torturous (reminder: workouts aren’t supposed to feel easy), have been challenging and enjoyable. You know, in that sadistic way that only hard workouts can be enjoyable.
I can’t write this review and not mention that it’s not just Alicia, Erin, and the rest of the AHB staff that is amazing and supportive. The other clients I’ve met at AHB are all friendly, welcoming, supportive, and inspiring… and a lot of them have become friends! These are my people, there isn’t a day that I’m not grateful to have found this place.

I love A Healthy Balance and can’t say enough good things about Nikki and Alicia. Thanks to their help I lost more than 15 pounds in three months and have kept it off for a year. They are so approachable and friendly and encouraging, and emphasize HEALTHY weight loss (or «just» fitness and well-​being in general if you’re already at a healthy weight). I’ve used four of the many services they offer: nutrition consulting, personal training, boot camp, and their running program.
Nutritional Consulting: Nikki is realistic, and that’s why I love her. She didn’t expect me to give up chocolate, or wine, or any of my other yummy bad habits. She just helped me tone it down, think about what I’m eating, and make healthier choices. And when I had a less-​than-​healthy week, she encouraged me to keep making healthy choices. Not just for my weight, but for my overall well-​being. Nutrients and all that (my cholesterol also drastically improved thanks to Nikki!). I had originally thought, «What can a nutritionist teach me? I know I shouldn’t eat a muffin for breakfast. Duh.» Nikki gave me alternative choices that satisfied my sweet tooth AND filled me up. No more over-​eating. If you’re in a nutritional rut, see Nikki!
Personal training: I never thought someone could get me out of bed at 8am on a Saturday to work out, but Alicia did! She pushed and encouraged me in my hour to do the best I could — jump higher, squat lower, do one more set of crunches, you name it. If you’re looking for an aloof and nasty trainer — go somewhere else. Alicia is friendly and sincerely wants the best for you.
Boot camp: Yes, this is hard, but it’s actually fun. An overall atmosphere of encouragement and laughter. AND the first time is free… so you literally have nothing to lose (except 300 – 500 calories). We use weights, yoga mats, and our own body weight (unfortunately sometimes that’s enough!) as resistance. The 45 minutes fly by. AND they’re always running deals, so it’s rare that you have to pay full price for a session.
(Another thing about boot camp… I always feel sheepish coming for a week of boot camp, and then letting life get in the way of working out, and then not returning until a month later. That’s sort of my fitness MO, unfortunately. The ladies at A Healthy Balance are always glad to see me and never make anyone feel bad for falling off the workout wagon.)
Running program: I signed up for the Quincy Half-​Marathon through A Healthy Balance. Alicia sent out a weekly training program, and then we did one run a week together. I went from huffing and puffing and cramping at two miles (full disclosure: this was during one of my «sit on the couch» phases) to running the half-​marathon under 2.5 hours. Without this program I NEVER would have signed up for the half-​marathon and successfully completed it.
I apologize that this is so long-winded…but the one-​star rating from someone who went to three classes got my goat. I know that different people love different things, but their program works and they work their butts off for their clients. So, if you want to do any of the following: lose weight, improve your cholesterol, learn to love your body, build some muscle, and/​or tone up — give A Healthy Balance a try!

I don’t think I could say enough good things about the ladies at AHB, and the work that they do. From the moment I stepped inside their studio I’ve felt comfortable, motivated and confident in their skills.
The «Be Healthy, Be Balanced» class is a fantastic place to learn about making better food choices, healthy recipes, and maintaining a healthy (and obtainable) lifestyle versus a fad diet. It is also great to have a small group of women to bounce ideas off of.
Although the facility is small, what I like about AHB is that they’re not a typical gym– there are no treadmills or elliptical machines. The workout that you are getting through their personal training sessions or bootcamps (and I can say I’ve done both!) are ones that are done with simple ingredients: some free weights, a yoga mat, and the strength of your own body. It’s a workout that you’ll feel for days after… and yet, want more of.
But besides the nutritional lessons or the strength training, what stands out the most about AHB is the feeling you get from the staff. You’ll leave every class feeling empowered, motivated and ready to bring on whatever is next. Personally, I couldn’t ask for anything more :)

I have been doing boot camp with A Healthy Balance, both indoors and outdoors, and couldn’t be happier that I found this place! I really enjoy the comradery of working out in a small group instead of by myself at the gym because it makes the workout my more enjoyable and holds me more accountable to going. Everyone I have worked with has been extremely knowledgable and friendly and genuinely seems to care about the well being and progress of their clients. I have noticed my strength and endurance improve significantly with their support. I would highly recommend the training and/​or boot camp classes to anyone who is looking for a fun and quality workout!

I came here a while back through a deal I saw on trubates. I’ve done bootcamp before and normally love it, but not here.
First when I got in there the place is small and questionable on it’s cleanliness. The place is small as in I felt like I was working out in somebody’s living room. The yoga mats were all dirty and stained and I am not even sure about the foam thing that is black colored. Because the place is so small, it gets stuffy and smelly.
Also it seems so unprofessional there that I was getting so annoyed. I went in there expecting a workout. The other people working out in there talked to the instructors like they were close friends about personal things such as speed dating, the weekend superbowl parties, and other random personal stuff. We were in there trying to get a workout while this whole conversation was going on and were like wth we don’t even know what we need to do right now? It’s VERY unprofessional.
I had 10 sessions there and probably only went to 3. I am not going to bother using the rest of the classes that is how much I was unsatisfied with this.

Please tell me I am not the first person to review these awesome ladies??? What can I say, I joined A Healthy Balance in January using a
coupon for a series of nutritional and wellness classes.
I then signed on for their weekly boot camp (which is a steal price-​wise) and personal training. While I have cursed and cried more times over the course of the last few months, I absolutely believe Alicia and Nikki have helped me start turning my life around. They are enthusiastic, hard working and extremely understanding about the busy lives we all lead… BUT in one hour give you a work out that will make you stronger, faster and dare I say a little bad ass!