The Athlete's Playground
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
The Athlete's Playground uniquely positions itself as a family-centric fitness facility with a strong emphasis on youth sports training, offering a range of services from individual coaching to group classes for all ages. It's often praised for its welcoming community feel, modern equipment, and generally uncrowded environment, making it appealing for families seeking to pursue fitness together. However, prospective families should be aware of serious concerns regarding staff conduct, perceived discrimination, and membership value.
Key Highlights
- ✓Strong emphasis on youth programs and sport-specific training for children and young athletes.
- ✓Opportunities for entire families (parents, kids, siblings, spouses) to train together, sometimes simultaneously in different programs.
- ✓Welcoming, modern, clean, and inviting facility equipped with high-quality equipment.
- ✓Knowledgeable, creative, and inspiring coaches (Brandon, Liz, Owen mentioned by name).
- ✓Fosters a strong sense of community and mutual motivation among members of various ages.
- ✓Generally uncrowded, allowing for a more comfortable and personal workout experience.
- ✓Family-owned business that aims to foster health and well-being for all ages (as reported by some loyal members).
Standout Features
- ⭐High-quality and modern fitness equipment.
- ⭐Variety of training options: youth and adult group classes, individual personal training, and standard memberships for independent workouts.
- ⭐A strong sense of community where families, siblings, and spouses often motivate each other.
- ⭐Coaches (e.g., Brandon) are noted for being knowledgeable, creative, and able to work around injuries.
- ⭐The facility is consistently described as clean, modern, and inviting.
- ⭐Rarely crowded, providing a more pleasant and efficient workout environment.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →**Clarify Facility Rules Upfront:** Specifically inquire about rules regarding practice areas and usage of equipment/spaces, especially for children on trial, to avoid misunderstandings and potential negative interactions with staff.
- →**Utilize Trial Periods Thoroughly:** Use the offered trial (e.g., 5-day trial) not just for evaluating equipment and programs, but critically for assessing staff demeanor, customer service, and overall atmosphere before committing to a membership.
- →**Inquire About Youth Program Schedules:** If bringing children for specific training, obtain detailed schedules to ensure they align with family needs and coordinate with adult workout times.
- →**Budget Appropriately:** Be aware that individual memberships are cited as "extremely expensive," and assess if the value aligns with your budget and anticipated usage, given reports of restricted hours and closures.
Things to Consider
- ⚠One owner (a woman in a TAP shirt) was reported to be rude and dismissive towards a 16-year-old daughter during a trial, explicitly telling her she couldn't practice in an area, and allegedly mocked the children.
- ⚠A customer reported feeling discriminated against based on the color of their skin by staff/owner during a trial.
- ⚠Individual membership is described as "extremely expensive."
- ⚠Frequent closures and restricted operating hours diminish the perceived value for the high membership cost.
- ⚠Some members perceive the crowd as "rude" or exclusionary towards those who are not "affluent."
Price & Value
Individual memberships are described as "extremely expensive." The value for this cost is questioned by some members due to restricted operating hours and frequent closures. Free trials (e.g., a 5-day trial) are offered, which can help assess fit before commitment.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accommodations for special needs are mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •No specific food and drink rules are mentioned in the reviews.
🚗Parking Info
- •No specific details about parking are mentioned in the reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Generally described as "rarely ever crowded," allowing for a more pleasant workout experience.
🛡️Safety Features
- •High-quality equipment and a clean, modern facility contribute to a safe physical environment.
- •Coaches are noted for being knowledgeable and able to work around injuries.
- •No explicit mentions of specific safety monitoring or security protocols (e.g., wristbands, first aid stations) beyond general facility management.
⏰When to Avoid
- • If you require highly flexible operating hours or an open-ended schedule, as hours are reported as restricted and the facility can be closed frequently.
- • If you are highly sensitive to perceived social elitism or value consistent, polite customer service from all staff, including owners.
- • If budget is a primary concern for an individual membership, as it is described as "extremely expensive."
- • If your children tend to explore different areas of a facility freely, without clear communication on boundaries, as this could lead to negative interactions with staff.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
Individual Youth Membership
$49.99 + Tax Per MonthDuration: Monthly
Provides facility access and unlimited fitness, strength and conditioning, and sports-performance classes.
Includes:
- •Unlimited Classes (registration required, space limited)
- •$20.00 One-Time Initial Sign-Up Fee
Individual Adult Membership
$59.99 + Tax Per MonthDuration: Monthly
Provides facility access and unlimited fitness, strength and conditioning, and sports-performance classes.
Includes:
- •Unlimited Classes (registration required, space limited)
- •$20.00 One-Time Initial Sign-Up Fee
Family 2-Pack Membership
$89.99 + Tax Per MonthDuration: Monthly
Provides facility access and unlimited classes for up to two family members, with workout assistance.
Includes:
- •2 Members Maximum
- •Unlimited Classes (registration required, space limited)
- •Workout assistance included at no charge
- •$25.00 One-Time Initial Sign-Up Fee
Family 4-Pack Membership
$124.99 + Tax Per MonthDuration: Monthly
Provides facility access and unlimited classes for up to four family members.
Includes:
- •4 family members maximum
- •$29.99 per month for each additional family member
- •Unlimited Classes (registration required, space limited)
- •$30.00 One-Time Initial Sign-Up Fee
1-ON-1 Adult Personal Training
Call for Pricing (505-321-5797)Duration: 1-Hour Sessions
Customized personal training program tailored to specific needs, goals, and limitations, with an individual strength coach.
Includes:
- •1 Member Trains Individually with 1 Strength Coach
- •Personalized program based on initial assessment, needs and goals
- •Assessed and measured throughout training to track progress
2-ON-1 Adult Personal Training
Call for Pricing (505-321-5797)Duration: 1-Hour Sessions
Customized personal training program for two members, tailored to individual needs, goals, and limitations, with one strength coach.
Includes:
- •2 Members Train Together with 1 Strength Coach
- •Each participant receives a personalized program based on initial assessment, needs and goals
- •Each member will be assessed and measured throughout training to track progress
Small Group Adult Training
Call for Pricing (505-321-5797)Duration: 1-Hour Sessions
Private group personal training for 3 to 6 members, with personalized programs and a strength coach.
Includes:
- •Minimum of 3 Members and cannot exceed 6 members
- •Each member receives a personalized program based on initial assessment, needs and goals
- •Each member will be assessed and measured throughout training to track progress
1-ON-1 Youth & Teen Personal Training
Call for Pricing (505-321-5797)Duration: 1-Hour Sessions
Customized personal training program for youth and teens tailored to specific needs, goals, and limitations, with an individual strength coach.
Includes:
- •1 Member Trains Individually with 1 Strength Coach
- •Personalized program based on initial assessment, needs and goals
- •Assessed and measured throughout training to track progress
2-ON-1 Youth & Teen Personal Training
Call for Pricing (505-321-5797)Duration: 1-Hour Sessions
Customized personal training program for two youth or teen members, tailored to individual needs, goals, and limitations, with one strength coach.
Includes:
- •2 Members Train Together with 1 Strength Coach
- •Each participant receives a personalized program based on initial assessment, needs and goals
- •Each member will be assessed and measured throughout training to track progress
Sports Performance Training Groups (Youth & Teen)
Call for Pricing (505-321-5797)Duration: 1-Hour Sessions
Private group personal training for 3 to 6 youth or teen members, with personalized programs and a strength coach.
Includes:
- •Minimum of 3 Members and cannot exceed 6 members
- •Each member receives a personalized program based on initial assessment, needs and goals
- •Each member will be assessed and measured throughout training to track progress
Team Training - 4-Pack
$600.00 + TaxDuration: 4 sessions (75 minutes each)
Team training program tailored to sports-specific strength and movement, with initial performance assessments.
Includes:
- •Minimum of 6 participants (more than one strength coach if exceeding 15 participants)
- •Initial Sports-Performance Assessments conducted prior to training (not counted as a session)
- •Total Per Member: $100.00 + Tax ($25.00 + Tax per session)
Team Training - 8-Pack
$960.00 + TaxDuration: 8 sessions (75 minutes each)
Team training program tailored to sports-specific strength and movement, with initial performance assessments.
Includes:
- •Minimum of 6 participants (more than one strength coach if exceeding 15 participants)
- •Initial Sports-Performance Assessments conducted prior to training (not counted as a session)
- •Total Per Member: $160.00 + Tax ($20.00 + Tax per session)
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Mind & Motion Physical Education Program (Homeschool)
Starts Monday September 15, 2025 (12-week curriculum)
Registration Available (pricing not explicitly stated, call 505-321-5797 for details)
A structured, coach-led training experience for homeschool students that combines youth athletic development with age-appropriate physical education. Focuses on movement fundamentals, physical confidence, strength, coordination, body awareness, discipline, and teamwork. Designed for elementary (ages 7-10) and middle school (ages 11-13) students.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Teenagers are always supervised on the gym floor to maximize time without risking injury.
- • Emphasis on maintaining a clean, healthy, safe, and productive training environment.
- • Coaches provide workout and exercise guidance, including modifications for physical limitations, and assist with proper form and technique.
- • Youth Sports-Performance classes are broken down by age groups for age-appropriate workouts to improve development and prevent injury.
- • Class sizes are limited to 12 members to ensure individual attention and maximize progress.
- • For youth strength training, proper form and technique are strictly enforced before increasing resistance loads.
📅Booking Policy
- • Self-service online registration system is available for memberships, programs, and classes.
- • Users need to create a username and password for their self-service account.
- • The portal allows users to view invoices, buy memberships/programs, book daily sessions, and view schedules.
- • Payments for registrations can be made through the self-service portal.
- • For questions or help with registration, contact the front desk at 505-321-5797.
- • Unlimited Classes included with memberships require registration due to space limitations.
- • Personal training sessions (1-ON-1, 2-ON-1, Small Group, Team Training) must be scheduled with a strength coach in advance.
Recent Reviews
Elizabeth Manyo
2 months agoWe originally went to TAP to get our daughter some off season training. We were so impressed that the rest of the family started working out at TAP too. Liz and Brandon have built a welcoming facility with high quality equipment. They provide a wide variety of services that range from youth and adult group training, to individual personal training options, to the standard memberships for independent training. What sets TAP apart from other gyms? It’s a local business owned by a family who sincerely cares about fostering the health and well-being of athletes of all ages. We’ve been members for three years and look forward to many more years working out at TAP.
Katie Arndt
a month agoGreat coaches. Great facility. Love how they emphasize on the programs for kids. We typically go as a family - kids go to their workout class and my husband and I get to work out together. And it's rarely ever crowded.
M G (AG)
6 months agoLet me explain why the 1 star. Me and my kids were there on our 2nd day of the 5 day trial. I told my 16 year old daughter asked that looks like the owner(wearing TAP shirt) if she can play volleyball with them since they were practicing there anyway, she just replied to her NO! So my daughter proceeded just to practice by herself (no harm) but about a minute later the owner approach my daughter and rudely told her that YOU CANNOT PRACTICE HERE AND YOURE SUPPOSED TO PLAY WHERE THE CAGE AT OR INSIDE!, while I understand why but I'm sure you don't act towards a customer like that (mind that they told us the first time as long as you stay on the turf you are fine). I continued to workout, I noticed the owner proceeded to the treadmills and called the girl at the front. They looked at my kids way and started smiling and grinning towards them . After my set I told my kids its time to go cause I did not like the way she talked to my daughter and laughing at them. Before we left I informed the girl at the front that I wanted to speak to that lady wearing the TAP shirt which is the owner and she asked me for my last name saying that she does not know who we are when all 4 of us scan our barcodes at the front. After that , the front girl informed me that the owner is on the phone and she would call me instead, that's when I told her that I wanted to talk to her in person but she kept saying she is on the phone so we just end up leaving. I do not like places like this and yes we been discriminated before because the color of our skin but I wont tolerate anyone insolent towards me and my kids. This is the reason you do trials. I want to thank Owen and Brandon for giving us the free trials but unfortunately wont be going to continue with the subscription.
Alexa
5 months agoEnjoyed working out here when I was but the membership is extremely expensive for one for them to be closed all the time and their hours are just so restricted for how much you pay. Then the crowd is another story if you aren’t affluent you shouldn’t be here because people can be so rude here.
Ben Lewinger
a year agoAfter a nearly 20-year hiatus, I re-started a fitness journey at TAP this week. The facility is modern, clean, inviting, and equipment is in great shape. Brandon is knowledable, creative and inspiring, able to work around injuries and weaknesses. I think the best part is the community - I see parents working out with their kids, siblings motivating each other, spouses in there together, groups of young athletes doing sport-specific training - it's all really inspiring and welcoming, and I'm very grateful. Thank you!
Contact Information
7800 Las Lomitas Dr NE Suite C, Albuquerque, NM 87113, USA
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