Koa Fit Personal Training Studio

Fantastic experience: Brenna created a custom in-home rehab plan for my Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. The routine focused on both strengthening and increasing range of motion. It helped my knee pain and allowed me to resume mountain biking again.

Fantastic experience: I’m an older, avid rock climber who has had a chronic recurring left shoulder injury for at least 5 months. Over this period, I’ve seen an exercise physiologist specializing in climbing injuries (and completed their 6 week rehab program), a Rolfer whom I continue to see, a climbing coach I continue to see, and a deep tissue massage therapist. They all provided some relief but didn’t solve the problem, yet they all gave me an important clue to its resolution: each said, “you have a movement pattern issue in your left shoulder and scaps”. Brenna is known as a movement specialist, so I recently went to see her. She quickly isolated the issue, and prescribed a course of progressive exercises that incrementally corrected the movement pattern. Now, less than 8 weeks later!!, I’m climbing as I should on the left side – with flow and ease, and with no tweaks, pain, or achyness -- and fully enjoying climbing again! What I realized was, injuries are generally a sign of movement inefficiencies or weakness. So, in the future, when I get another injury, Brenna will be my first stop, not my last! Two thumbs up for Brenna and Koa Fit!

Fantastic experience: I love this gym SO MUCH. There aren't enough words in the English language to express how much I love this gym, the coaches, and the community. Brenna is whip smart and highly committed to continuing her own education as a personal trainer, business owner, and industry leader. I attend both the group classes and personal training sessions, and really enjoy them. In my experience, the other members in the classes are all kind, committed to their own progress, hold themselves accountable, and are ready to have a good time. After several years of training here, I can confidently say that I am stronger. I also rehab'd my foot after breaking a metatarsal, and Brenna thoughtfully guided me through strengthening and mobility exercises. I am a stickler for quality instruction, safety, and movement integrity with personal training and group fitness, and I trust Koa Fit to provide all of this at the highest level. Truly the best gym in the world!

Fantastic experience: KOA Fit has been a magical place to learn more about my body, how it moves, and how to lift heavy with the best community possible. Forever grateful for the environment Brenna has cultivated that is safe and welcoming!

Fantastic experience: I love KOA Fit. It took me a while to find a gym that I liked, since I moved to Boulder 8 years ago. What do I like about it? Starting with Brenna, the owner, her great energy, amazing class and how much she cares. She is always attentive and supportive during the sessions. The staff is friendly and helpful. And the members are also very friendly. I highly recommend them. Thank you Brenna and team!

Fantastic experience: I have found that KOA Fit is the best place in Boulder to get truly personalized workout training. Trainers pay close attention to your body's strengths and deficits and then tailor exercices to increase flexibility and build muscles while, most importantly, preventing injuries. And, they are super encouraging and a fun group to work with!!

Fantastic experience: As an 83-year-old woman, it takes all the exercise I can do to stay in the same place. Typically, people in their 80s lose muscle strength, flexibility, and balance. Fortunately, I have been taking Koa Fit exercise classes and doing personal training with Brenna Backe for 9 years. Despite having severe spinal stenosis which causes sciatic pain in my legs, my training with Brenna has helped me maintain strength and flexibility as I age. I live in a townhouse with 3 flights of stairs, so I climb about 100 steps a day, with no pain or problem. My core is strong and I can do planks, squats, bridges and other exercises that help me keep doing daily activities easily. The personal home exercise program that Brenna has created for me and which she continuously updates with videos that I use at home is an invaluable part of my daily routine. Over the years I have dealt various injuries, sometimes with the help of physiatrists and physical therapists. They have all told me that the years of work I have done with Brenna have clearly made a significant difference in my maintaining a good level of functional fitness. I highly recommend Brenna and the Koa Fit classes to anyone and everyone who wants to stay strong, flexible and healthy.

Fantastic experience: Brenna is wonderful and has helped me so much in my fitness journey. I really love the weekly women's lifting class and have also done a few personal training sessions. Brenna made a workout plan that is effective and that I've been able to stick too. She even took videos of each exercise along with explanations to help me remember what my form should be. I highly recommend Koa Fit!

Fantastic experience: Really nice facility and sweet people. I worked with Jon and he is super knowledgeable and easy going. I received great service from the other folks who work here too. Would recommend especially if you are healing from an injury or need some guidance around your fitness goals.

Fantastic experience: I have found this to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. At eighty I am stronger and have better balance than I have had in years. My daughter gave me one session to try and I am so thankful she did. I have had a wonderful experience.

Fantastic experience: The 5 years I spent in Boulder with Koa Fit were a highlight and a joy in my life. As a trainer I added so much to my experience about practical ways to connect to the body, and I got to work with the most amazing community. As a client I was given detailed and caring instruction that helped me through injury. This place is the best!!

Fantastic experience: I found Brenna after separating my shoulder. I was considering surgery prior to meeting here due the pain I was feeling on a daily basis. She convinced me to come in and do a few exercises to see if we could eliminate the pain. I am happy to say that her instructions and exercises were effective and I no longer experience regular pain in my shoulder. I have continued seeing her to help eliminate pain in my wrist. I would highly recommend koa fit.

Fantastic experience: I came to KOA Fit to work with Brenna to help me with some chronic knee pain that I had been experiencing for close to 6mths. I know that Brenna is an expert in physical rehab, as I have worked with her for years. After a thorough evaluation she gave me a series of 7 fairly easy-to-accomplish exercises and a user-friendly platform to view my exercises and rate my level of accomplishment. After several days I was amazed at the decrease in pain and the range of movement that I gained! Now, after several weeks of doing my exercises at home I can honestly say that I am between 95-100% now! Brenna's expertise and skill level is such an asset to our active Boulder community!

Fantastic experience: Trainers are top notch and really know how to help you be your best self. Honestly can't say enough. They truly gave me back my life.

Fantastic experience: After just a few sessions, I'm moving better, feeling stronger, and most importantly experiencing joy when I move. I am surprised by the extent to which Rebecca has been able to adapt movement and strength training for my arthritic hands --all the while keeping the movement intrinsically interesting. She is intuitive, a good listener, and cues well. I am building better, more integrated, movement patterns, protecting creaky joints, and enjoying it!

Fantastic experience: What a great bunch of people! - The quality of your time working out at Koa shines a light on their expertise in exercise science. Go Team!

Fantastic experience: The trainers are so observant, supportive, encouraging and well-trained, that every moment you spend with them is productive with long-lasting positive results.

Fantastic experience: KoaFit is da'bomb. For reals. When I first went in I couldn't run, squat or a range of other things a 40 something should still be able to do. But, I've played hard in those years so I was trying to accept where I was. Fast forward a few years, I recently did a 12 hour "race" where I covered nearly 30 miles - coming from a place of "I can't run anymore" & last night I was able to squat down, lift a 50 pound glass jug, carry it across the room and set it down light as a whisper, all because I have regained the flexibility and mobility to allow me that type of a squat, without having to strain my back. Brenna is the best. Also, as another stated - Lily the gym dog at no charge :P) If you're struggling with mobility issues - this is your new happy place. You're welcome.

Fantastic experience: I’ve been taking online training sessions one on one for over a month for my lower back pain and it’s turned out way better than I could have expected. Brenna really listens and uses live instruction to really make sure we’re not only targeting the right areas but doing it the right way. After a few sessions we moved to additional exercises which surprised me because the ones we started with were working so well. Well, Brenna knows better! It’s not just about short term alleviating the pain, it’s about the long term building of your posture/muscles/memory of how to keep you from ending up back in pain. I can’t say enough great things about Koa Fit and Brenna! I’ve really enjoyed my online time. Thank you!

Fantastic experience: Koa Fit and Brenna Backe came to me highly recommended and did not disappoint. I came to work with Brenna to strengthen my shoulder after an injury. I had been to physical therapy for a year and to numerous doctors with not much progress. After working with Brenna for a couple of months, I could already see more progress than I had in well over a year combined. I am feeling stronger and progressing well. Brenna’s knowledge and experience in anatomy is evident and she was able to customize a workout plan to fit my needs. Brenna is professional and takes the time to not only explain exercises but explains how the exercise is helping me. Brenna is a pleasure to work with and her intricate understanding of how muscle works is helping me get stronger every day.

Fantastic experience: Strong Balance Class: This class is perfect for all phases of life and ability. I have taken this class when at the top of my physical game and I benefited. I am currently 11 weeks out from major surgery and it remains to be everything that I need. Range of motion, fascial stretch, muscle activation, alignment and breathing. Brenna's cues are smart + helpful. Every muscle group is addressed gently, functional and, more than anything, effectively.

Fantastic experience: I have been working with Brenna Backe, the owner and founder of Koa Fit for a couple of years, and she is truly AMAZING. Brenna is a gifted and highly experienced trainer, and she understands the human body and its patterns unlike anyone I've met (and I've been to a lot of practitioners). I am a 53-year-old ultra runner and finished my first 100 mile race last year. With Brenna, I am working on long-held patterns of imbalance in my body and developing strength and mobility in my core, spine, and hips. I know that this will not only help me to run well and injury free, but also feel good in my body day to day. Brenna is incredibly precise at looking at your alignment and movement and identifying restrictions and imbalances. She then tailors a program of releasing, mobilizing, and strengthening for you on the spot. I come out of our sessions feeling both stronger and balanced. I've done some of my recent sessions with Brenna online, and am astounded that she is able to tune in to my body and direct me through movement just as well over Zoom as in person. This is great news for anyone wanting the option to train with her remotely. If you are looking for injury prevention/recovery, improving your performance, or feeling better in your body, Brenna's your lady...highly recommended!

Fantastic experience: KOA Fit is absolutely fantastic! The owner, Brenna Backe, does a wonderful job on an initial phone call listening to what is going on for you and putting you with the appropriate trainer. While their card says, "personal trainer," I refer to their studio as "corrective exercise". They have helped many of our patients achieve postural changes, post-surgical rehab, shown our pregnant clients safe ways to exercise and helped them recover post-partum. Personally, Brenna and Rebecca have helped reduce my migraine headaches by strengthening muscles in my back and other places to reduce the pressure on my cervical spine. They are helpful, supportive, and educational. If I could give them ten stars, I would! Erin Pass, Founder, Acupuncture Clinic of Boulder, Inc.

Fantastic experience: Great members. Friendly. Nice energy. Super personnel.

Fantastic experience: Came to KOA to address nagging injuries in both shoulders, eight months later I'm in the best shape of my life. After being unable to exercise or mountain bike for over two years, I came to KOA and starting working with Brenna. Not only did she systematically rebuild my shoulder mobility and strength, but also transformed my overall physique. At age 46, I'm the strongest and fittest I've ever been. And not only is Brenna the best, but she works with the best. From PT to massage to the other great trainers, KOA has all the people and expertise I need to stay healthy and fit. Lily the gym dog included at no extra charge.

Fantastic experience: I have had numerous injuries in my life that were causing pain and keeping me from doing the things I enjoy. Working with Koa Fit, I now have minimal pain and am able to get back to an active lifestyle. They are incredibly knowledgeable about body mechanics and ways increase mobility and structural integrity. They are my go to for fitness and prolonging my enjoyment of physical activities!

Fantastic experience: Brenna is a MASTER at observing the body and identifying the imbalances that are causing pain and weakness. She has been guiding me for the last 5 years and her intuition is spot on. The entire staff is highly experienced and committed to the success of the clientele. I am a bodyworker of 25 years and my husband is a Chiropractor, so we are picky about who we work with and KOA FIT has been a huge asset in my life.

Fantastic experience: BETTER THAN EVER is how I can describe my strength and fitness level after working with Brenna and the staff at KOA Fit. We began when I was at rock bottom - awaiting a stem cell procedure and following a knee surgery to remove broken cartilage. I couldn't walk or even stand without pain. What I've learned is that BRENNA WILL MEET you where ever you are and take you as far as you want to go. She's taught me to recruit muscles that had become passive and relax muscles that were overly active in response to my injuries. I use my body differently now and most importantly I have a solid self care routine to make sure that I never damage my knees again. THANK YOU TO BRENNA AND THE STAFF AT KOA FIT!

Fantastic experience: Koa Fit worked miracles on me! Before Koa I could barely walk due to a back injury. Koa explained exactly what had happened to cause my back injury and then described exactly what I needed to do in order to heal. Through a series of exercises, using muscle memory, gradually I was able to start lifting weights and am continuing to get stronger. Now I can ski double black diamonds and ride a mountain bike better than before. Thank you Koa Fit.

Fantastic experience: Absolutely WONDERFUL place. Every one who works there is at the top of their field. From Personal Training to Massages to Nutritional advice. Warm, welcoming and the most knowlegeable team in the Boulder area!

Fantastic experience: Missy, Siri, and Brenna are amazing! They work together to monitor every aspect of your path to better health -- from food to exercise to structural body work, they have you covered. The studio is a welcoming modern place full of great energy. You will not find high-pressure sales here or uninterested trainers. Your program is tailored to what YOU want, based on assessment and discussion of what your needs might be. I was used to places that made me feel like I had to hand over all my money and if I had questions or needed additional guidance, that would also cost money. Not at Koa - if you can't remember an exercise or want to know how to adjust a recipe to make it healthier you can just ask and receive expert advice. I had major surgery last year and in 8 visits to Koa I regained my balance, core strength, endurance, and lost 5 pounds.