Ambitious Athletics

I love Ambitious Athletics. I love the gym, the training program, but most of all I love the people - the trainers and everyone who works out there. The gym's motto is "move, look, and feel like an athlete at every age." Whatever your starting point, you'll be welcome at Ambitious Athletics by Carmen and Kam, and the rest of the community. The only prerequisite is a desire to be better. If you're willing to do that, you'll get all the encouragement and technical coaching support you will need to get better.

One quality that separates a great gym from a good gym is a commitment to creating a sustainable fitness routine. Carmen and Kam have designed a workout program varies deliberately over the course of the year balancing strength gains with definition, cardio, agility, flexibility, and rest (yes, rest).

You'll be inspired by your fellow gym mates and over time, you'll see progress and come to believe in your potential to continue to get better. And you'll meet wonderful people from all walks of life, each at a different place in their journey, but each committed to helping each other -- including you -- live life to the fullest.

If you want to get stronger and prove that you can show up for yourself, with the support of an inclusive community and knowledgeable coaches, this is the place for you. Sure, you could join a chain gym instead, but you'll get less out of it. For one, they won't care about you (yes, I'm talking about you, Gold's Gym). Two, you won't feel instantly included and supported by a group of people who want you to succeed. Three, Ambitious provides structure. You don't have to worry about what your next workout should look like, if your form is right, or all the other BS that causes unnecessary gym anxiety. Ambitious has an app with the workouts planned for you, and Carmen or Kam will keep an eye on your form. You will learn and grow at Ambitious.

Here's the proof: I've been a member since October 2021. When I first started, I could hip thrust about 125 lbs. Less than 1.5 years later, I was able to hip thrust 255 lbs. In the past year, I have added the nutrition program which has helped me change my body composition and allowed me to eat more calories daily than I ever have. I now understand that eating more and eating properly supports my lifting goals and overall health. As someone with a restrictive diet background, this has been a freeing experience for me. As for the community, we get together outside of the gym often and we support and care about each other's lives.

Lastly, the facility is dope. Period. You won't find equipment in better condition or a gym that is kept cleaner than Ambitious.

Ambitious Athletics isn't just a gym; it's a vibrant community that truly enriches the fitness experience. The workouts are intense yet safe, perfectly balanced to push you while ensuring your confidence. The diligent tracking system here helps you see real gains, and the supportive, uplifting atmosphere makes every session worthwhile. If you're looking for more than just equipment, but a place that fosters both physical and community strength, Ambitious Athletics is the place. Kam and Carmen are also the best trainers I have ever worked with! I'll miss this gym dearly!

I was hesitant to join Ambitious Athletics at first, but after my first week, I was hooked. It's been over a year since I joined, and I can truthfully say that I feel completely different. I'm stronger, I have more energy throughout the day, and I feel athletic again (after taking a year and a half off due to the pandemic).

Its not one of those big gym chains where the interactions are impersonal, none of the staff are helping if they're not your personal trainer, you don't know what half of the machines do and there are people using them anyway, and it's incredibly hard to set goals because you're on your own. Ambitious Athletics on the other hand is a small business run by very knowledgable and passionate people who genuinely care about their clients. They'll meet you at your current abilities, get to know you as a person, help you set goals, push you, and root for you.

Throughout the year, there are multiple training phases, each with different goals and programs. Each day of the week brings a different workout, and you'll be using an app to track your progress. You can choose to do the workouts on your own during open gym hours, or you can sign up for one of the group sessions. Before each workout, you'll always go over each exercise with one of the trainers. While it isn't personal training, a trainer is always in the gym watching your workout, and making sure that you're doing everything correctly.

The group sessions have played a huge role in my progress - the community is friendly, welcoming, and incredibly encouraging. There's no shaming or over the top competitiveness - people are simply trying to improve and reach their individual goals. Some members have been training with Carmen (the owner) since before Ambitious Athletics was even a thing. You'll find loyal members that have been attending the same daily group workout for years - that alone speaks to the quality of this place. So try it. I bet you'll be hooked too.

You can stop scrolling through Yelp, trying to find a gym that you can feel comfortable walking into on your first day, because THIS IS THE ONE!

Don't worry about being the only person there with no experience. I am 34 and I literally have zero gym/weightlifting/training experience. I too have walked in and out of other gyms due to intimidation and not knowing what to do.

You should at least do the orientation class. You will sit down and talk about your goals and your story, learn how the gym works, and do some stretches to show your mobility and/or limitations.

Hopefully I will see you in classes, and we will be newbies together!

(Click on the website, and at the top you will see "Click here to reserve your orientation spot" - that's what I did)

Ambitious athletics exceeded all of my expectations from the day I joined over a year ago. Carmen and Kam and so incredibly welcoming and supportive, open to questions, comments, conversation any day of the week. The intro meeting that Carmen offers is extremely helpful in getting familiar with the gym and equipment they offer, while being prepped for what to expect in your first class and getting a chance to discuss any other personal goals or concerns. This really removes any of those first class jitters at a new gym and gives your trainers a chance to get to know you, your goals, your strengths and weaknesses, and how they can help you be the best version of yourself in and out of the gym. The small group training classes offer the perfect mix of personal attention you would get from personal training but support and motivation from working out with other people who are all trying to improve themselves.

The facility itself is full of top notch equipment and has everything you need. As a former D1 collegiate lacrosse player, their programming very much models that type of training, cycling through different seasons and phases throughout the year and utilizing a combination of strength training fundamental compound movements with more cardio focused workouts. After being away from this atmosphere for a few years post-grad, coming back to this team training environment has been extremely motivating - I was lost trying group workout classes, online programs, Instagram workouts, and struggling to stay consistent. I have done this type of training before, but have made so many improvements and gained noticeable strength after doing it at Ambitious. There isn't a day that I feel like they have programmed a bad or ineffective workout, and each workout fits into the overall goals of each phase and season. The recovery room access to a cold plunge and infrared sauna are awesome recovery tools and are super convenient to use pre or post workout. Carmen's nutrition coaching is super personalized, he will work with you to create a healthy plan to help you reach whatever your goals are. He checks in frequently and genuinely cares about how you are feeling throughout the process both mentally and physically.

The cherry on top is the other members and overall vibe at this gym. Ambitious is probably the only gym I've ever encountered that attracts such a diverse group of people - different ages, backgrounds, athletic experiences - yet brings them together to create an environment where everyone can thrive. They have members who have been there for 10+ years, and that just speaks to the community Carmen has built. It doesn't matter if you can lift 10 pounds or 200, everybody supports and pushes each other to give 100% of what you have available to give that day. If you can bring that and a good attitude, I'd highly recommend Ambitious to anybody - from athletes who workout everyday to those who haven't worked out in months or years. Ambitious has had an enormous positive impact on my life and general routine, and my hour there is often times the highlight of my day. If you're looking for a gym please give Ambitious Athletics a try!

Ambitious Athletics is the best gym I've ever belonged to. Seven years after leaving D.C., and I still scroll through their Instagram looking longingly at the new space and the equipment!
Best gym I've ever belonged to with results that speak for themselves. There aren't many places I'd get up for, before dawn, on winter mornings, and get on the redline to Woodley Park (when they were there) and for a workout no less!
I miss Carmen, his humor, the workouts, and the Ambitious crew. If you're in the D.C. area (consider yourself lucky to be near this gym) and you need a place to build a lifetime of healthy habits, get yourself to Ambitious!

I joined Ambitious Athletics to prepare myself for my college soccer season in the off-season. Not only did I see the results through improvement in my strength and mobility, but I also gained so many great relationships. The culture at Ambitious Athletics is unlike any other I have experienced, it truly does feel like a family!

I've been a member of Ambitious over the years since 2015. Seven years. The longest I had been able to keep track of a fitness program was 7 months. That is how amazing Carmen, Kam and Ambitious is. The workouts are strong, but engaging and always changing so you have a comforting routine without getting bored. Carmen takes the time to learn about his clients lives and creates programs that work not only what will get you results, but what will work with your work and life schedule. I've also done nutrition coaching over the years, which has completely changed the way I view my relationship with food. On top of all that, the people at Ambitious are incredible, and have definitely become people I count as close friends, while also keeping myself accountable as we achieve our goals together.

Seriously if you're reading this, reach out and go to an orientation. You won't regret it!

The trainers get to know you personally and the structure of the workouts means results. You can show up and you are with friends! Well worth the value!