Answers to common questions

1. How much does this cost?

We only offer 1 service: membership. This includes coaching + individual programming + gym use in a small group.

Investment: $200/month. Tax included. No contracts. No sign-up, cancellation, or hidden fees.

We offer a $10 discount for military, laborers/manual workers, and families of 2+. You can pay via credit, debit, cash, check, or sign-up for auto-payments. Don't worry about starting mid-month on a Tuesday, just get started! Your coaching & programming will start on day one. We DO require an functional assessment form, but we don’t do any "movement screenings" because those are bogus. We know how to start coaching you on your very first day.

2. WHAT TIMES CAN I TRAIN?

Our hours are Monday - Friday, 3-7:30 PM and Saturday at 9-11 AM. We do not offer morning training sessions. To start, please choose either: M/W/F evening or Tue/Thur evening and Sat morning. We will accomidate another schedule if possible.

3. How do i get started?

Just contact us! Send us an email using the outline above. We'll answer any questions you still have and schedule a day to start. We’ll email you an invoice and one form to sign. Then, you just start! Don't worry- we'll walk you through everything.

4. Can I do my own training here? Can I buy a “pass”? Can I drop-in/ try it?

Sorry, no. We would love to provide quality barbells and platforms to everyone, but we can't. Everyone in our facility trains with our programming, even if they're just in town for a month or two. We may expand this service someday in the future? At the same time, this isn't a "boot-camp" where everyone does the same thing at the blow of a whistle (gross). Once you've learned how to perform each movement, can warm-up on your own, and understand your programming, you're free to continue through your session. Coaches will be available to provide feedback and answer questions, but we won't breath down your neck.

5. How can i get the most out of this & be a great trainee?

Great question! Be consistent, compliant, and have a good attitude. If you can take care of those 3 things, we will go above and beyond for you. We don't expect you to know everything or even anything. We don't want you to train every single day or start some weird diet. If you want to receive the best coaching from us: try not to miss days, don't eat like a total garbage disposal, leave any bad days at the door, and really want this for yourself. If you don't make yourself coachable, you're just over-paying for a gym membership and we might actually discontinue our relationship with you. Attitude is everything. This is YOUR time- let's make the most of it!

6. Do I only train 3 days/ week?

When you start, yes. This is training, not exercising. The goal isn't to burn calories everyday- it's to make progress from one training day to another. That means you'll need a day of recovery in between. What you do on your "off day" will depend on your individual needs and goals. As you become a more advanced lifter, we will likely add additional training and/or conditioning days depending on the goals we set for you. Yep, you just have to trust us. Most people have a "conditioning day" added first. If and when we increase your training days, you will not be charged more.

7. How long are the training sessions?

We aren't personal trainers, so we don't have hourly rates. Your training sessions will take as long as we need them to. When you're first starting out, plan for about 45 minutes of learning, practicing the movements, training, and talking. Your sessions will take longer as you become stronger, which is what we want! Think about it- it will take you longer to do more sets with heavier weights. Why would we put a time limit your gains? Lame. We're here to focus on quality training, and long-term strength gains.

*COVID-19 edit: right now we are strictly limited to 45 minutes training sessions. Tim will still ensure you get a good amount of work in, you just won’t be doing any “extra” right now. You’ll have something to look forward to when we can increase training time again.

8. How much coaching will i actually get?

During your first week, we will teach you everything. You will be training among others, but a coach (Tim) will not leave your side. If you're new to barbell training or want a re-fresher, you will love this! We will guide you through lifting technique, proper warm-ups, improving each lift as you perform them, our gym protocols & etiquette, counting plates, how to use a training log, and setting-up and breaking-down equipment.

If you're experienced in training, don't take offense- we're your resources, not technique bullies. You'll likely pick up on everything quicker and we can get to work on making the tweaks your gains are needing. If you want to train in our super awesome gym without any coaching at all, this isn't the best place for you unfortunately. We (our members included) have high standards for technique & performance. We all know what squatting to parallel means, and we expect it from each other.

A coach (again, that’s Tim) will always be present. He is there to help you through any technique break-down (because we're all human and it happens), answer any questions you have, make any modifications you might need, and oversee your programming.

9. What is the atmosphere like?

We've crafted a pretty great training environment. Our members might be doing different lifts and programs, but we all respect and help each other, lift with proper technique, and are working toward becoming the strongest versions of ourselves. Our members include everyone from athletes to scientists, from nurses to construction workers, from 12 year old kids to grandparents. If you want to be here, you'll fit right in. We instill confidence but don't accept egos. Yes, we do end membership for people with poor attitudes that affect others.

10. will i get cut/skinny/huge/jacked/ripped?

Uh, probably not- but we guarantee you will get stronger! Depending on your goals (and our professional opinion) we can also help you lose fat and gain muscle, Full disclosure: that will require nutritional changes on your part. We can suggest what those changes might be (no additional charge), but we can’t be in your kitchen with you everyday.

We don't specifically focus on aesthetic goals. If you want to look like a figure competitor or bodybuilder, please seek out a specialist in that service. If you want to be a stronger, leaner version of yourself, we can help!

11. I'm not an athlete- can i do this? Am i too old?

Yes, you CAN do this! No, you're NOT too old! If you're able to walk, you're able to train. Some of the most rewarding work we do is helping older individuals stand up from the seated position without needing support. Guess what- that's gaining strength! Everything is individualized, so don't be nervous. We will assess your needs and goals, and plan accordingly.

12. My son/daughter is an athlete- how will this help?

Do they need speed? Flexibility? Mobility? Stability? Conditioning? GREAT! They can get all of that and more through proper strength training. For real, do the research. This is not new info.

Be wary of training fads that promise buzz words like the ones listed above. It is highly likely that the person using those words can't actually define them, let alone provide a program that specifically targets them.

What every youth needs is to become a well-rounded athlete, by becoming the strongest they possibly can. It comes down to this: the stronger your son/daughter is, the better overall athlete they will become. The more muscle they gain, the most strength they will have behind their swing, throw, punch, take-down, tackle, sprint, etc. The stronger they are, the less likely they are to be pushed around. A true strength training program (like ours) will provide everything they need to increase their power, strength, speed and agility, coordination, flexibility and mobility, confidence and accountability. These words get thrown around a lot, and there are plenty of fitness/YouTube gurus ready to take your money to provide them. Your money is precious, but your kids’ days in athletics are numbered. Don’t waste their limited days in worthless, or even detrimental training programs.

We are the after school tutors in weight lifting, and the running-start program to college strength and conditioning. Your son or daughter will learn proper, college-approved technique and how to train for every future life situation. Our kids aren't put through some sweaty "workout"- they actually LEARN how to train for strength so they can continue training on their own whether they go to college, join the military, or join the work force. Our program doesn't just help them become a better middle/high school athlete, but an educated, well-rounded young adult.

13. can i do this while i'm in season for my sport?

Yes! Training will be modified for your sport's seasons, whether it's a school sport, a marathon, or year-round swimming. Strength training should always be done all year-round. You will gain strength in your off-season and will will maintain that strength (aiding in injury prevention) during your season. Remember- this is training, based on science, not random exercise. You won't feel worse going into your game or practice; your strength training will compliment what you're doing in your sport. Like studying for a test, you’ll be better prepared.

14. can i do this in addition to a my running/cardio class/yoga/kick boxing/etc.?

That is highly dependent on your individual situation.

Are you an adult who plays a sport or enjoys a class? Chances are you can continue, and strength training will actually help you perform. Are you an adult totally new to training? Don’t start running now. One thing at a time. We will eventually program an additional conditioning (“cardio”) day for you. Do you have a lot of body fat to lose? We may have you start with a cardio day in your first week.Are you a youth with no other sport, who is underweight? We will probably not recommend any additional activities. But again, this is all highly depended.

The only time we strongly discourage additional endurance/training is for youth playing a sport. For most youth, You can train with us and practice your sport (which usually includes a lot of running already), but we do not want you involved in any other form of training while training with us. This specifically means that we do not want you to train with us, practice with your team, and work with a “conditioning coach”. Why? It’s too much. We cannot promise an outcome if we can’t control the variables. Also, you deserve an off-season. You aren’t paid to be an athlete yet, so don’t live like a paid athlete.

15. can i try it for free?

Sorry, we never offer free trials. Please read through this site, look at our photos and videos online, and ask any/all questions. You are not bothering us by asking too many questions before joining. Not sure? Totally out of your element or want to make sure we aren’t fitness bullies? Just email - ask to stop in and meet us in person prior to joining.

Unlike some places, we do not give “free tests/trials/teasers” to make you want more. That’s a marketing strategy we don’t have time for. We get right down to business on your first day. We invest so much time and knowledge in every single person that we simply cannot afford to give anything away. Your first day, week, and month is the foundation of everything.

16. what if i don't like it after I start?

Totally okay! That's why we don't do contracts. If you train for a day, week or a month and don't like it, no hard feelings. You're free to leave at anytime; no guilt or obligations. Just let us know! We do not pro-rate or refund if you choose to leave mid-month.

17. is this only for powerlifters?

No! This is a common misconception. Some of us compete in powerlifting or strengthlifting, but we are not a "powerlifting gym" and don't require anyone to compete. We DO require proper technique (which we teach) in order to have valid and reliable measures. Proper technique (such as squatting to 90 degrees, keeping your feet and booty flat while benching, and deadlifting without hitching the bar) just happens to also be USA powerlifting requirements. Our technique requirements are based on science- biomechanics, the most efficient way to move the weight, and your individual body segments. We do not coach anyone who is not a powerlifter to lift in a way that will sacrifice general strength gains for the quest of big numbers. Non-powerlifting members do not squat "extra wide" or "max out", specially not youth members.

If you are interested in powerlifting (squat, bench press, deadlift) or strengthlifting (squat, overhead press, deadlift), awesome! Let's talk.

18. Is this a starting strength gym?

We are not a Starting Strength gym. We do not hold Starting Strength coaching certificates, and we do not pay for the affiliation. However, there's a good reason you see similarities! Most people we coach have never touched a barbell, Tim coaches in person, in small groups, and teaches many of the same barbell movements in the beginning. We were heavily influenced by Starting Strength in the start of our business back in 2013, and we've since grown in many ways. The biggest difference, in our opinion, is Tim's ability to individualize training and coach people long after the novice phase. For example, we're all held to the same standards as to what an acceptable squat is, but not everyone has to hold the bar one certain way. There are people who need modifications, and Tim's great at deciding what that is. If you're interested in the features that Starting Strength offers— in person coaching from someone with an extensive knowledge in training, coaching, and bio-mechanics, I'd say that we're your type of training program.

19. what else will you try to sell me?

Haha! We do sell pretty sweet t-shirts if you want one. Otherwise, nothing. We're good at coaching, so we stick to it. We also don't believe people need gizmos, gadgets, and on-going "therapies". You'll never see us partner with chiropractors, massage therapists, fitness guru, or the like. We don’t sell supplements, and most of the time we don’t even recommend them. However, we do use some supplements ourselves and have brands we like. We are not (sadly) sponsored or affiliated with any brand. If you’re a member and have questions about supplements, Tim will answer them based on proven testing, at no charge. You’re a members; that’s just some of the stuff you’ll talk about.

Note to solicitors: please don't ask us to sell your supplement line. We know about all of them and aren't interested. Even it contains the fountain of youth, answers to life, or will bring us a new revenue stream that pays in gold bars.

Contact Us to start

location

428 E Columbia Drive STE 110 Kennewick, WA. 99337