Why Synapse?

From the outside, we look like a “functional fitness” gym with pull-up rigs, barbells, and heavy things to move around. What makes us different is our exceptionally nerdy approach to fitness. We thoughtfully incorporate an endless variety of movements your body needs to help you become resilient and capable.

An analogy we love from Katy Bowman is that fitness is like nutrition. Your body needs more than fats, proteins, and carbohydrates;  it needs minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Most fitness programs today focus on one or two macronutrients – endurance/strength/stretching.  But the body needs to be challenged with various levels of intensity, loading, and dynamics. It needs rotation, coordination, play, and stillness. All of these pieces, over time, become body awareness and control which are the foundation to building a sexy, ripped body–or whatever it is fitness means to you. Also, we don’t just administer or prescribe workouts and supervise as you move around. We listen, we observe, and we coach.

Group Classes

Private Training

Open Gym

How We Train

Strength

Push, pull, squat, hinge, rotate, and carry heavy things to build strength and power to make everything easier.

Conditioning

Sweat, fire-breathe, and look good naked. Endurance & metabolic conditioning are the cornerstone of fitness.

Coordination

Connect the brain and body to move with grace and power. Moving well is directly correlated with better performance.

Mobility

Expand & control new ranges of motion to bullet-proof your joints. Greater mobility unlocks endless possibilities.

Play

Incorporating the chaos of play trains neuroplasticity and helps you smile more.

What our members are saying

Maryn Johnston
Maryn Johnston
2023-08-14
In my very first class at Synapse, I received a form correction that was more specific and helpful than most others I have received in my years of taking group fitness classes. This is a great gym for strong nerds: they teach the "why" alongside the "how," so you learn how the body moves while also learning how to move better and becoming stronger and better-conditioned. Plus, the environment is very relaxed and welcoming. I highly recommend!
Amanda S
Amanda S
2023-07-27
I joined Synapse ~9 months ago hoping to get stronger and more flexible in ways my hiking and pilates routines weren't quite cutting it, but without having to endure the intensity and imprecision of CrossFit. Well, my body has totally transformed since joining this gym in ways I never expected -- seriously, I even walk differently -- and it feels like it happened magically. All I had to do was show up to totally delightful small-group classes with amazing people a few times a week and do what James (head coach and owner) told me to do. James is one of the smartest people I've ever met and by far the most gifted and observant fitness mind. He's got a rare blend of patience for working with a wide range of folks at different points in their functional fitness and life journeys, a spicy sense of humor that makes even 6am classes fun and motivating to roll out of bed for, and the equivalent of human x-ray vision when it comes to getting to know your body and detecting minute ways to up-level your form. I've always felt met where I'm at, while being held to a high standard that has made me a stronger, more flexible, and more confident mover over time without having to think too hard about it. I could not recommend James / Synapse more highly, both for the results and how fun the process of getting the results has been!
Kyle Leggott
Kyle Leggott
2023-07-24
Great gym. Small and individualized classes. Trainers are very knowledgeable.
Gaby Spartz
Gaby Spartz
2023-07-21
I've been working out with James on and off since before the pandemic. I've tried out group classes and personal coaching as well. James pays great attention to form, which I really appreciate since I have hyper-mobility so I'm extra careful about that. I couldn't recommend his gym enough!
Ilene
Ilene
2023-07-20
I’ve been working out at synapse for about 10 months. It has been life changing. I’ll never work out anywhere else. It’s the best, most edifying, challenging, and fun experience work out experience that I’ve ever had. I’ve long been an avid indoor aerobic (e.g. spin and HIIT classes) and outdoor aerobic exerciser (XC skiing, hiking, snowshoeing) and a very unenthusiastic, irregular, lazy strength trainer (going through the motions in sloppy fashion). After a doctor told me it was time (as a middle aged woman) to get serious about strength training to ensure bone strength, I started looking for a new approach. I began to research strength trainers near my NE Denver home. I found Synapse and its owner James just a few blocks from my home. I worked out privately with James for around 6 months and came away from that experience empowered, having learned more than I ever imagined, and deeply impressed with Jame’s patience and deep knowledge. I also had a sensitive knee and he helped me strengthen it. I went from someone who hated strength training to someone who loves it. I recently transitioned to the small group classes at Synapse (taught by coaches James, Alani and Ryan). They are great fun, always different, challenging, and I continue to learn new things. I consider those classes to be an important part of my self care and I always look forward to them. I’ve met great people through the classes as well. The classes amount to small group personal training of a sort I’ve never experiences in group fitness classes elsewhere. Added bonuses of being a synapser—my clothes fit better, I’ve lost weight w/o trying, and I find that my long distance hikes have gotten much easier.
Garry Horle
Garry Horle
2023-07-18
James is the best. Knowledgeable, tough but fair, good mentor and leader. Has really helped/improved my strength, balance, flexibility. A great track record for an 83 year old.
Ethney McMahon
Ethney McMahon
2023-07-18
I love this gym, the instructors & the members. The space is intimate, the workouts are well conceived and communicated with humor & confidence. There is no BS. The instructors are passionate about what they do and know what they are doing! I look forward to each hour with each instructor. A small but mighty space with a community that supports your well being. Do it!
Laurel Klafehn
Laurel Klafehn
2023-06-28
All of the instructors at Synapse are incredibly talented. I move more effectively and efficiently because of their coaching. The group classes offer a fun atmosphere with other people, with the added benefit of highly personalized coaching in every movement. I’ve never been to a gym that blended these two things before. Private classes are thoughtfully-curated and helped me address specific issues that I’ve dealt with in my personal practice: fundamental things like squat form and deadlift precision. I am so grateful to have found Synapse!
Mick
Mick
2023-03-06
The best fitness coaching I’ve had 20+ years of being an athlete. Absolutely worth the time to try a group class and book private sessions with the instructors if you can.

Address

5022 E. Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80220

Contact

info@synapsestrength .com
720. 460. 9251