St. Louis Missouri's
Best Fitness Secret
Justin Thacker
Owner, The Lab

Laser Weight Loss Program

St. Louis Personal Training
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To Learn More About Our Laser Weight Loss Program!

Success Stories


Carl Hoffsten resuming his training 4 weeks into chemo and radiation therapy for brain cancer:

”This place is a paradise!”

Carl Hoffsten, Contractor, RIP 2008, St. Louis



“The premium membership has worked wonders for me to keep me in shape and motivated. I no longer have to worry about designing my own workouts or worry if I am performing the exercises correctly. Not to mention I am saving a TON of time, money, and frustration!“

Gerhardt Gern, Waiter, St. Louis



“Training for the 2008 Olympic Weightlifting Team I was at college and had all sorts of distractions in the weight room. I missed the 2008 Olympic Games by 1 lift. 2012 will be different. Now that I am at home, and training at The Lab 2012 is in the bank!”
Jeff Wittmer, National Champion and Olympic Hopeful-Weightlifting, St. Louis


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St. Louis Personal Training
Success Stories

Dave Zeiser “The best kept secret in the Central West End can change your life”

At age 47, I wondered if it was really possible to radically change my life. I missed the energy level associated with my younger years. It seemed like no matter how I altered my diet, I continued to gain weight. I was one of many men my age with a predominant abdomen and my blood glucose level indicated that I was pre-diabetic.

I needed to change my life for the better or accept who I was and health-wise where I was going. But, could I do it?

I took a short walk to just off the corner of Boyle and Laclede and met Justin Thacker, owner of “The Lab” gym. Justin was an imposing character with a history as a weight lifter and strong education in nutrition. I asked myself, “Can I do this?” I wasn’t sure.

Justin started my training off slow and allowed me to find my own pace and he offered just enough push. I felt comfortable. The place was not a meat market. Looking back, feeling comfortable was critical.

That was just under a year ago. I still can’t get used to using the phrase, “I’m going to the gym.” It just doesn’t seem to fit who I am. But, it does.

Now, my blood glucose level is back in the normal range. My blood pressure is down. My cholesterol levels are great. I eat better and more than I have in years and I’ve lost 25 pounds. Most importantly, my energy level is way up.

My friends often refer to, “Your new body.” It sounds so strange. Looking so much better was just a side benefit.

Dave Zeiser
Extraordinary Training, St. Louis
Gabriel Shapiro “Howdy Justin, I just want to tell you that my energy level is EXPLODING right now! I'm working on so many things instead of just limping through the day with no energy. I'm certain that it's the exercise and your generous help. I just want to tell you how important this mind/body/nutrition training is to me. I know only my toe is in the water and that I am lifting very little, but I FREAKIN' LOVE doing this!!! I'm not sure why. Perhaps my body has been waiting to work areas it hasn't for two decades (while I have remained some what physical throughout my years, I have most likely only been using the same narrow range of musculature and movement, catering to my weaknesses and injuries while simultaneously undermining generalized body health). I will continue to try to do everything you suggest. I believe you have the experience, knowledge and inclination to reawaken my healthy side.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP”

Gabriel Shapiro
English Professor Mc Kendree College, St. Louis
Lydia Arbaugh “I have been working out for over 20 years and even competed in figure! But, this is different. This is it!!! Consider me a lab rat!


Lydia Arbaugh
Lab Rat in Training, St. Louis
Bryndon Bay Bryndon Bay, President of Mel Bay, dead lifting over 300 pounds with under a year of training.

“I feel so much stronger now after training with Justin. He has me doing squats and dead lifts every week! Now I can power through my long bike rides on the weekends AND still enjoy my Hagen-Dazs icecream!”

Bryndon Bay
Vice President, Mel-Bay Corporation, St. Louis
Lab Rat “My work as a nuclear testing lab rat was great. But, when the economy took a turn for the worse I knew there wouldn’t be many more opportunities for lab rats as grant funding would be cut. But, when I applied for the gym rat position boy was I pleasantly surprised. This is a lab rats dream come true! No more spinning wheels or mazes! Now I use weights and the elliptical and can find my way to the bathroom without having to find the damn cheese!”

The Verminator
Official Lab/Gym rat for The Lab Gym, St. Louis
Daniel Rick “I searched every health club in town to find the right fit for me. When I walked into the lab I knew I came to the right place. I have always exercised and stayed in shape. I would even ride up to 200-300 miles per week on my bike. In the first 4 weeks I lost 16 pounds and I am now stronger and doing more in the gym than I ever imagined. I knew I had to tell the godfather of my child Rick to come in as his health and weight had been slipping. Now, Rick is a new man too. He is working out, losing weight, and standing taller than ever. And, we have so much fun and so many laughs while working out it makes the exercise all much more enjoyable!

Daniel Henki-Cilenti and Rick Spiekerman
Ralston-Purina, St. Louis
Sujata Buck “I have never lifted weights before and have always been intimidated by gyms. There are just so many big machines and big scary guys in there I was never sure what to do. Now, I am a true gym rat and look forward to going to workout everyday. Justin and his staff made me very comfortable with weight training and showed me how to do EVERYTHING!”

Sujata Buck
Pediatrician, St. Louis
Coming Soon “This is OUR gym”



Rich Buck,
Epidemiologist, St. Louis
Erica Teague “After having kids I never knew if I could get my modeling form back into shape. Now I look as good as ever and I am ready for the camera again!”




Erica Teague
Model and Mother, St. Louis
Cass Carnahan “Justin helped me get in the best shape of my life for my figure competitions. He dialed in my training and diet and I hit the stage harder and leaner then I ever thought was possible!"



Cass Carnahan
Figure Competitor, Hair Stylist
and Personal Trainer, St. Louis
Coming Soon “We used to belong to that gym where you walking in circles like cattle and and pump out tons of reps until the bell rang and we moved to the next. How boring and what a waste of time! Now, workouts are exciting and we DON’T miss a day! Life just isn’t the same without our daily dose of The Lab. THIS is exercise!"

Marian and Sonya (aka: Thelma and Louise)
St. Louis
Coming Soon "I used to spend hours a day at the near by multi million dollar fancy schmancy health club. Hours spent in Pilates, yoga, spinning, and some weight machines. Now, I see the light. My whole life has changed and I am not turning back. Now, strength, flexibility, mobility, my posture, everything has changed in minimal time once I started doing things right here at The Lab. No more wasted time, just focus and progress. I am 52 years old and I am in the best shape of my life!"

Rod A.
Computer Technician, St. Louis
Ian Quinn “I left the Junior Olympic speed skating camp this summer realizing that speed and power were holding me back from realizing my Olympic dreams. After camp I went to Justin to do just that. In 4 weeks I was able to out power clean every skater from camp. In 3 months I can now squat double my bodyweight! I am now not only in position to win junior nationals this year, but I may also be able to go and win junior nationals in weightlifting!”

Ian Quinn
High School Student, National Level Speed Skater, Olympic Hopeful, St. Louis
Zeti Nauden “I came to Justin hoping to become a better wrestler and improve my chances at breaking into professional wrestling. I have suffered from Crohn’s disease my whole life and have battled extreme weight fluctuations and weakness from the harsh medications. The first several workouts were an eye opening experience as 25 pounds seamed like a mountain. Now, I am picking up nearly 400 pounds and can heave 200 pounds overhead. Body slams have never been easier!”

Zeti Nauden
Professional Wrestler, St. Louis
Gerhardt Gern "The premium membership has worked wonders for me to keep me in shape and motivated. I no longer have to worry about designing my own workouts or worry if I am performing the exercises correctly. Not to mention I am saving a TON of time, money, and frustration!"

Gerhardt Gern
Waiter, St. Louis
Taylor Blando “Justin helped me get in and stay in tip top shape for all of my photos shoots. The photographers are always so shocked to see how defined I am.”



Taylor Blando
Fashion and Fitness Model, Boston/St. Louis
JR Patton “Oh my God, I hate you Justin!”

“Only six weeks in and almost 20 pounds lost!”

JR Patton
Accountant/Engineer/Musician, St. Louis
Lynne Cooper Lynne seen taking a break after working with our new trainer Carlee (small furry thing to the left) and taking a break after Carlee demonstrated how to do bear crawls.

Lynne Cooper
President/CEO of Doorways
St. Louis

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