Frequently Asked Questions
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We're at 339 5th Street in Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY 11215. We're a short walk from the F and G trains at the 4th Avenue/9th Street stop.
Street parking is available on 5th Street and the surrounding blocks. If you're driving, we recommend building in a few extra minutes to find a spot.
Priority Fitness was founded in 2008 by Ben Kessel. We've been training clients in Park Slope for over 17 years, and many of our members have been with us for a decade or more.
We're not a gym. Priority Fitness is a private, appointment-only training studio with no open floor, no drop-in memberships, and no unsupervised access. Every session is scheduled in advance and led by a trainer. If you're looking for a place to wander in and use equipment on your own, we're not the right fit. If you want a real training relationship in a professional, private setting, you're in the right place.
We're a private training studio, not a full-service gym, so we don't have locker rooms or showers. We recommend coming dressed and ready to train. That said, we do have a bathroom and a place to change if you need it.
We primarily work with adults. If you have a teenager interested in training, reach out and we can talk through whether our services are a good fit for their goals.
Personal training is available to anyone, regardless of fitness background or experience level. It's flexible, goal-driven, and entirely tailored to you. Strength and conditioning is a separate, more specialized service led exclusively by Ben Kessel. It's designed for special populations as well as athletes with a specific performance goal, whether that's improving on the field, on the court, or in competition. If you're not sure which is right for you, reach out and we'll point you in the right direction.
Assisted stretching is a guided flexibility and mobility session led by Sergiy. You remain fully clothed while Sergiy works through a series of passive stretches designed to improve range of motion and reduce tension. It's a popular complement to regular training sessions and a strong standalone option for clients focused primarily on mobility and recovery.
A Half & Half session is one 55-minute appointment split evenly between personal training and assisted stretching, both with Sergiy. It's a good option if you want the benefits of both services in a single visit.
Yes. Buddy sessions are available for personal training, with both participants training together under one trainer.
We offer remote personal training on a case-by-case basis through trainer Libby Ferguson. It's not a standard offering, so please contact us directly to find out if it's available and the right fit for your situation.
Absolutely. Reach out directly and we'll help you figure out the best fit.
The lab is our clinical testing suite, offering VO2 Max testing, Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) testing, and Running Analysis. These are the same assessments used in hospital and research settings, available to anyone who wants accurate, data-driven insight into how their body works and performs. Please note that these do not constitute a medical diagnosis, and you should speak with your physician before undertaking a test.
All lab tests are led by Ben Kessel. Ben holds the certifications required to administer clinical metabolic and performance testing using Korr Medical Technologies equipment, the same technology used in hospitals and research institutions.
Not at all. VO2 Max and RMR testing are valuable for anyone interested in understanding their baseline fitness, dialing in their nutrition, or building a training approach grounded in real data. Running Analysis benefits runners at every experience level, from beginners working on form to seasoned competitors looking to improve efficiency.
It depends on which test you book. RMR testing takes approximately 30 minutes. VO2 Max and Running Analysis each take approximately 55 minutes. Package appointments that combine VO2 Max and Running Analysis tests are split up over two sessions. Packages with the RMR Analysis can be conducted in the same session, or split up over multiple sessions. You can find full details on our Rates page.
Yes, and the prep requirements vary by test. Detailed preparation instructions are available on each individual lab service page. Following the guidelines closely will ensure your results are as accurate as possible.
Endurance coaching is a monthly remote coaching service for runners, cyclists, and triathletes. Your coach builds and manages your personalized training plan through TrainingPeaks, with ongoing communication and adjustments throughout the month. Coaching members also get access to The Squad, our endurance community where athletes connect and support each other through their training.
Our endurance coaching team includes Ben Kessel, John Hirsch, and Maurya Couvares, each with a different background and coaching specialty. When you reach out to sign up, we'll help match you with the right coach based on your sport and goals.
Endurance coaching is for runners, cyclists, and triathletes at any level who want structured, personalized guidance from an experienced coach. Whether you're training for your first race or your fiftieth, coaching is built around where you are and where you want to go.
It's important to us that we find a good match between athlete and coach, and so Endurance Coaching enrollment is handled by email rather than through our online portal. Visit our contact page to get in touch and we'll walk you through the process, including coach matching and setup.
Yes. There is a one-time $150 setup fee when you begin coaching, in addition to the monthly rate. Monthly rates range from $275 to $385 depending on your coach. Full pricing is available on our Rates page.
Booking, Rates, & Policies
All in-studio sessions and lab tests are booked through our online scheduling portal. You can browse availability and purchase sessions or packages directly through Mindbody.
Yes. If you're new to Priority Fitness you can get started with our Intro Pack: two personal training sessions for $149. It's the best way to experience the studio before committing to a package, and it's available exclusively to first-time members.
Yes. Every session and package has an expiration date that begins at the time of purchase. Expiration windows range from 30 to 200 days depending on the service. Unused sessions from an expired package do not roll over. Expiration details for each service are listed on our Rates page.
We require at least 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule any appointment. Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice are forfeited and charged at the full session rate. Exceptions for genuine emergencies are made at the sole discretion of Priority Fitness management.
All sessions, packages, and lab tests are non-refundable. In special circumstances, refunds may be issued at the discretion of the owner and will incur a $25 processing fee.
There are no membership or startup fees for in-studio services or lab testing. Endurance coaching includes a one-time $150 setup fee plus a monthly coaching rate. Full details are on our Rates page.
Prices listed on our website and in Mindbody do not include sales tax. Applicable taxes will be reflected at checkout.