Reviews

“I've been going to this gym for training for nearly a year now and the improvements I've seen in my life are truly immense. I've lost over 50lbs of fat, and gained a huge amount of muscle in the process while also helping stabilize and strengthen my knees. I've been working with Kleanza for the entirety of my time going here and she's been a phenomenal resource for me and guiding presence in this health journey I'm on. However, Jake, Alex, and everyone else I've interacted with at TML are consummate professionals and extraordinarily good humans. I cannot recommend this gym enough to anyone looking to lose weight and gain muscle.”

— Andrew


“All of the trainers at The Movement Lab are 10/10. I’m stronger than I’ve been in a long time and only getting stronger everyday. I HIGHLY recommend speaking with them if you are ready to get moving again or continue your strength journey. Totally approachable, easy to talk to, friendly, and knowledgeable.”

— Scott

 

“After falling off the wagon with training, Movement Lab is amazing! From starting with Alex and my initial assessment to working out twice a week with Kleanza, I’m feeling better and can see myself regaining strength. I love the personalized approach and focusing on areas that need it more, moving slow to ensure proper form is correct before evolving into more weight. Highly recommend!”

— Stacie

 

“Kleanza is an outstanding trainer with a deep understanding of movement, strength, and body mechanics. She takes the time to tailor the workout to how your body functions, which makes every workout both effective and sustainable. Her approach is thoughtful, motivating, and backed by real expertise. I’ve gained noticeable improvements in strength, mobility, and confidence since working with her. I can’t recommend Kleanza enough to anyone looking for smart, personalized training.”

— Meetal

 

“My first session at The Movement Lab was on December 31, 2024, and I’ll never forget it. I had never done strength training before, and honestly, I was super nervous. I’d heard stories from friends at other gyms who were injured working with personal trainers, so I had a lot of hesitation going in.

Then I met trainer Kleanza, and every single fear I had disappeared. She is absolutely phenomenal! Her workouts are intentional, challenging, progressive in intensity, and always tailored to my body and skill level. What really stands out is her deep knowledge of body mechanics and form, her genuine care for my well-being, and her incredible ability to push me safely beyond my comfort zone.

On top of all that, Kleanza is super kind and has the most wonderful personality—she brings so much positive energy to every session that I actually look forward to working out! Since training with her, I sleep better, feel stronger, and am amazed at how far I’ve come—I can now do push-ups, squats, and planks with more confidence!

If you’ve ever been nervous to start strength training, I can’t recommend Kleanza at The Movement Lab enough. She’s the real deal—kind, knowledgeable, and truly one of a kind!”

— Krystal

 

“I’ve been working out with Kleanza for about 7 months now and I feel so strong! She’s very cognizant of any aches and pains, and will tailor the program to my current needs. We’ve slowly gotten heavier and heavier and I can visibly see my shiny new muscles.”

— Katyln

 

“A safe, intelligent, and personalized progression toward strength and greater well-being. That's how I'd describe my experience with Jake at The Movement Lab. I'm coming up on my one year anniversary and I'm so happy to be stronger and more stable and capable than when I started.

Arriving with my particular array of weaknesses and injuries, I was in pain and felt vulnerable and defeated. Jake listened and observed and got me breathing more effectively and moving more efficiently. I always look forward to my workouts! They are the perfect balance of perficiency and challange that keeps me moving forward toward less discomfort and more strength and vitality! Thank you, Jake!”

— Kirsten

 

“Working out at the Movement Lab was a transformative experience for me. Their consistent focus on proper form and steady progress led me to doing things I never imagined I could do.

Alex is extremely knowledgeable, patient, generous, and easygoing in his approach to progress without injury. He works with clients of all ages and abilities and is equally knowledgeable in how to get the best results. As a menopausal woman, strength training has become central to my health and wellbeing and I have Alex to thank.

I worked with Alex twice a week for two and a half years and would still be there if I hadn’t moved out of state. He even helped me find a StrongFirst certified trainer in my new city to continue my progress. My new trainer compliments my attention to proper form and my mindset and I gotta hand it to Alex for really teaching me so so much. I simply can’t say enough good things about Movement Lab and Alex. Changed my life! There’s no one better in Raleigh! 🙌”

— Jenny

 

“Alex is awesome! I was having a lot of lower back issues- no strength, limited mobility, sciatic nerve pain. After just a couple months, that’s gone. I feel stronger and more confident playing with my kids, and have learned a lot about posture and movement to help prevent future issues. Highly recommend to anyone looking to recover from injury or just build strength for real life.”

— Jake

 

“Life-Changing Experience at The Movement Lab. I’ve struggled with chronic back pain for over eight years—to the point where basic self-care, household chores, and even walking became difficult. I tried everything from rest and physical therapy to acupuncture, PRP, and chiropractics, but nothing worked. Eventually, I was told surgery was my only option (which I refused).

Six months ago, I started working with Alex at The Movement Lab to explore whether PRI (Postural Restoration Institute) techniques could help. From day one, Alex took a whole-body approach rather than just focusing on my back. He explained that pain can sometimes originate from other parts of the body and worked with me to restore balance and proper movement patterns.

After the first session or so, I experienced pain-free movement for the first time in years—something no other treatment had accomplished. Now, six months later, I’m doing pull-ups, one-arm push-ups, sled pushes, deadlifts, and Turkish get-ups—all completely pain-free.

Alex is not only knowledgeable but also deeply invested in his clients’ progress. His approach has given me my life back. If you’ve tried everything else and still live with pain, The Movement Lab is where you’ll finally find hope and healing.”

— Alicia

 

“I’ve had an incredible experience at The Movement Lab! Everyone seems highly professional and genuinely dedicated to their clients’ well-being.

What truly sets them apart is their thoughtful, individualized approach because every session is carefully tailored to my specific needs and goals.

And a special shoutout to Jake, who is an exceptional personal trainer with a deep understanding of strength training and kettlebell techniques. His guidance and personalized advice have made a huge difference in my progress. If you’re looking for expert instruction and a supportive environment I highly recommend The Movement Lab!”

— Dmitry

 

“It's hard to overstate the kind of change that training here had on me.

I trained with Jake for a bit over a year all told, and the only reason I stopped was because I travel a ton for work. Jake taught me everything I needed to get started and there is no more of a welcoming space for a novice lifter than the Movement Lab that I've ever found. I am one hundred and sixty pounds lighter because I emailed these folks back in November of 2023. My health is better, I can find clothes easier, every part of my life is better.

If you are just getting started on getting more physically active, there is no better place to start than the Movement Lab. Whatever your physical challenges, they will know how to modify exercises and adjust your training to fit your needs rather than beat you into a pre-made mold. They'll push you to improve but not punish you. More than anything they'll support you. At the end of the day, I can't say enough good things about Alex, Jake, and Kleanza and the space they've created.

Because of the expert coaching on my weightlifting form I received here, I've yet to really have any injury issues, but I can guarantee that if I ever did they'd be at the top of my list to work with.

Though I still ain't ever deadlifting to Sweet Caroline.”

— Bryan

 

“I've been working with Kleanza for about 6 months just one day a week and have made huge progress towards my goals. She has made very specific adjustments to my workout plan that have helped me improve balance, form, and overall confidence in very challenging exercises. Her attention to detail and patience is greatly appreciated!”

— Kelly

 

“I worked with Alex at The Movement Lab for 6 months and it was one of the best investments of my life. The Movement Lab is a gem for those of us that love functional movement and Alex is an exceptional teacher.

After running for many, many years I'd developed an asymmetrical pattern and could not hinge properly. Alex worked with me in small increments until I could hinge and swing at the end of my time at The Movement Lab. We had to move to the Pacific Northwest or I'd be training at The Movement Lab even now.

However, I've been delighted that Alex's lexicon of excellent cues has stayed with me and I've been able to incorporate independent kettlebell work into my pilates routines twice a week. I am so happy for the time I spent at The Movement Lab.”

— Caroline

 

“Both my husband and I have trained at Movement Lab for nearly 2 years working with Jake and Alex.

They are both incredibly knowledgeable and supportive. We were both beginners to weight training and appreciated that Jake and Alex took time to understand our limitations, listen to our goals, and make sure we made steady progress at a healthy and sustainable pace. The Movement Lab is a totally different atmosphere than any gym—the room does not have mirrors and only 2-3 clients are training at a time—which helps you focus on your work with privacy and
without distractions.

The Movement Lab trainers and the other clients are friendly and welcoming and it’s a very encouraging environment. Finding The Movement Lab has truly changed our perspective on strength and the importance of weight training. We absolutely recommend The Movement Lab to anyone looking for personal training!”

— Meg

 

“I've been training with Alex for about 6 months and cannot speak highly enough of him and the entire Movement Lab crew.

I came in with pretty reduced mobility in my upper body, plus some nerve pain and tendonitis in my shoulder, and I'm not exaggerating when I say that training with Alex has been better than any physical therapy I've ever done (including the 6 months of physical therapy for this exact shoulder injury). Alex's knowledge of movement patterns and anatomy is so thorough that I can have a halfway-gibberish complaint, and he'll give a suggestion that solves it 99% of the time.

And somehow I'm steadily progressing in all my exercises but rarely sore. The whole gym environment is welcoming and non judgemental, and the other trainers and clients are super friendly. This gym has been revolutionary for my injury recovery, my overall fitness and approach to training, and is worth every single penny.”

— Julie

 

“My husband started training at The Movement Lab a few years ago and after witnessing his improvement with chronic back issues, I wanted to try it for myself. I've been working out with the trainers at The Movement Lab for about 18 months and I feel the strongest I've ever felt. Even on the days my body has a various ache (thank you, toddlers!), the trainers know exactly how to address my needs and I always leave my session feeling better than when I walked in. I cannot recommend this place enough!”

— Kathryn

 

“I tried four different trainers before finding Movement Lab, and it was a game-changer. From the start, it was clear that they’re operating on a whole other level when it comes to knowledge and expertise. I’ve seen great results since joining, and I’d confidently recommend them to anyone.

What sets them apart is their attention to detail—they prioritize technique and make sure I’m moving correctly before adding more weight or intensity. It’s a huge confidence boost to know I’m doing things the right way and avoiding injuries. Plus, every workout is completely tailored to my specific goals and needs, which keeps things challenging, effective, and even fun.

If you’re serious about your fitness and want a team that genuinely cares about your progress, Movement Lab is the place to go”

— Alexandra