I’ve been trying out a few places and still haven’t found the right Santa Monica fitness gym to call home. Some gyms have amazing equipment but the atmosphere feels a bit too competitive, while others are relaxed but lacking in serious strength options.

One thing that would really help me is finding a spot where I can also connect with solid personal trainers near me. I’m not looking for someone who just counts reps—I want a trainer who knows how to program intelligently and actually track progress.

For those of you in Santa Monica, have you found a gym that balances a good training space with quality trainers? Or do you think it’s better to join a gym you like first and then search separately for a personal trainer?