Blast

I'm a BLAST OG, meaning I joined BLAST back in 2013/14 when it used to be called "Blast 900" in Athens. I've since moved out of the area, but was back in town scoping neighborhoods for when I return to ATL. I decided to stop at the Blast Buckhead location for old time's sake. Unfortunately, my experience didn't live up to my memories.

The class that I attended was a 5 min block class which I never cared for in the past and didn't care for this time bc there's not enough time to work up a good sweat at each station before transitioning since the clock keeps running during transitions. This location also has zero COVID safety protocols: because of the constant switching, there is no time to wipe off the shared equipment and wipes aren't even provided on the floor.

My biggest gripe, though, was the instructor and his music. I enjoy boutique fitness classes and the playlists usually get me pumped for a great workout. This instructor played LOTS of pop and rock and a handful of 80s/90s R&B songs. By the time there were 20 mins left in the class I hadn't heard a single hip hop song so I asked if he would mind playing some. His response? "Umm... we have to play stuff for everybody." I responded "yes I know. I just haven't heard any [hip hop] so that's why I asked."

His response rly annoyed me. I am not a fitness class newbie. OBVIOUSLY most instructors play a variety of music for "everybody" but completely excluding one genre of music doesn't seem like you're playing music for "everybody." Am I not a part of that number? Also, I've been to countless studios-- OTF, Solid Core, Barry's-- and the instructors there ALWAYS welcome requests from participants bc we are the ones working out!

I don't plan on joining when I move back. Ugh what a bummer.

I am big into fitness. I have tried a few different gyms and group fitness classes, but Blast is by far one of the best.

I arrived a few minutes early for my first class and was warmly greeted by the front desk. She checked me in and gave me a tour of the space. The restrooms and shower area was fully stocked with goodies in case you left something at home. Good to note if you are headed to work after a workout. I dropped my keys into a locker and waited for class to begin.

The instructor, Denae, called me into class a little early and showed me the equipment and treadmills and how everything would flow during the workout. These treadmills go up to 30 incline, woah! Cold water bottles and towels are provided too, so amazing!

Class began and we warmed up. I was already breaking a sweat and feeling good when the first block began. The class is broken into smaller blocks of floor and cardio work. After the intervals on the treadmill, it was time to swap to the floor. A super intense workout with long and short resistance bands were killer. I needed to change my band for a 'beginner' band, which the instructor noticed and assisted me so I didn't have to move from my station- Thank you!

Fast forward 60 minutes and we were finished, cooling down with some stretches and lite ab work.

I left feeling awesome, it was a great experience.

This is without a doubt my favorite HIT class...EVER!
It's completely addictive and you see results after a few classes. Each trainer has their own special way to torture you in the BEST way possible! My body is changing and sculpting in ways I could never achieve with classes at the local gyms or their trainers.
The staff is energetic and always super helpful and motivating.
I'm a sucker for Bri's classes...she constantly takes it up a level but also allows you to go at your own pace...then she pushes you to challenge yourself and BOOM - you're going at twice the pace and twice the weight.
Nathan is another favorite...but I do need to say that all trainers offer various levels of challenges that'll keep you coming back for more...even if you're wobbling in.
This is what it means to "Elevate your Workout".

The workout is fine, some days are better than others since the exercises change every day. I do wish instructors corrected form more often though. Assistants are there to help, but they generally just refill water bottles and set treadmill inclines.

What really gets me is the restrooms. There is mold in the showers, and the sink surfaces are rusting, but nobody seems to care. They have towels there, but most of them are fraying and need replacing. I also found a massive wad of someone else's hair on a towel recently - not what you want just before you jump in the shower. There are only 3 showers available for women, so occasionally you do have to wait until someone else is done. Of the three showers, one is in a separate handicap bathroom and one has the worlds worst water pressure (something that has been a problem for over 2 years). For almost $200 a month, the facilities should be much nicer.

There are also only 3 classes on Sunday and 5 on Saturday, so don't expect to workout in the afternoons on the weekend.

Was in town and enjoy cardio + strength combination classes like these so I decided to give it a try. According to online, they want you to be there around 15 mins early which makes sense but kind of leaves a lot of dead time if you get there too early. The treadmills are pretty simple although the person who explained them to me acted like it was a complicated concept (basic incline and speed though, with a couple of extra cues that are easy to pick up on) and I didn't feel safe COVID wise there. I used the same equipment as someone else and there were no masks or cleaning throughout class. That combined with the constant switching from tread to weights every 5-10 mins is a lot. I enjoyed the class and would recommend it to someone who needs a gym setting but I can get the same difficulty of workout at home in a safer setting.

Blast is without a doubt a really great workout - always worth the long drive down from Alpharetta. Most of the instructors are good | Paige, Kelli, and Sarah are my faves -- Andrew, not so much. And most of the time the workouts are modifiable for all skill, strength, and endurance levels (sometimes they're just rough and I can't keep up on the floor due to the weights being too heavy). Real talk: it is a real great workout.

Taking 1 Star off due to the prices. I used to visit quite often when they had a Dunwoody location and reasonable prices. Now, I visit 2 times per month via ClassPass and would love to go more but they have seriously priced me out of going more often (and I would love to). Be prepared to spent some serious cash to work out here often.

BLAST is awesome. The class was very upbeat (high energy music) with excellent trainers and staff. My water bottle never got low and I didn't have to worry about towels. What I thought was different from this class vs Barrys is the relatively low downtime and the ridiculously elevated treadmills. We could elevate up to 27% I believe..and best of all, the treadmills were so runner friendly (shock absorbable). I also liked how they broke up the running into smaller intervals. Overall, I thought BLAST was awesome and wish they had one in Nashville for me to frequent more often.


Locker Rooms
- Fully stocked with shampoo, conditioner, lotion
- All girl products
- Towels

Price
- Uh a lot
- But your first time is free!

COMPLETELY sold on BLAST! They switch from spurts of cardio to strengthening with weights. Although a little complicated to understand initially, by the end of the session I felt like a pro. They keep you well hydrated with complimentary water bottles and a towel to wipe off the excess sweat you're sure to be exerting with the workout!

Thanks BLAST!

I love the Blast high intensity work outs. They are super friendly and have great facilities (this location is so much better than the old East Andrews location.

I've been going to BLAST sporadically for a couple of years now, and the workout is consistently one of the best in Atlanta. It's a treadmill-based HIIT class, with half the group starting on the treadmills and half starting with floor exercises, and although I haven't tried either, I've heard the style of workout is similar to a Barry's or Orange Theory class.

Parking at this location is really easy, and the gym is located right next to a Kale Me Crazy (coincidence?!). The front staff are always really nice, the inside is immaculate, and there are plenty of lockers to store your stuff.

Each station in the class (whether a treadmill or floor station) has a water bottle and towel set up when you go in-- supplying water bottles is a small perk that definitely separates BLAST from other gyms, and it's nice that the instructor's assistants refill them throughout class!

The classes themselves vary by instructor, but I've never left without being absolutely drenched in sweat and feeling like I accomplished something. I love that aspect of their classes! I'm consistently pushed hard, I almost always feel sore the next day, and I have never left feeling like it was a waste of time. Some of my favorite instructors are Marilu, Megan, and Nathan. Reggie's class is also awesome, but sometimes I feel like the class is almost too hard (as in, the sprints and intervals feel unattainable or unrealistic)? Either way, the music is good, the workout is intense, and it's definitely worth checking out.

I wish I could give them 4.5 stars, but I'm settling for 4 simply because the price is outrageous ($33/class is actually absurd to me, so I enjoy my 3 classes a month on ClassPass and call it a day). Also, the assistants that used to refill water bottles, offer encouragement, etc no longer seem to do this-- at my last class, the guy would occasionally stand next to someone's treadmill and watch them, sweep around everyone on the floor (which is already pretty crowded-- and what needs to be swept up during the class??), or just walk around the class doing his own floor exercises. It was really, really distracting, so I hope BLAST addresses this in the future!

All in all, a really great (but really expensive) workout, with awesome instructors and amenities!