bstrong testimonials

bStrong has been a game-changer in my fitness journey. Not only did I shed over 40 pounds, but I also developed a profound love for strength training thanks to their incredible support and expert guidance.

The trainers at bStrong crafted a tailored workout plan that was both challenging and achievable, keeping me motivated throughout. Their guidance and encouragement were instrumental in my success and made every visit enjoyable.

As I progressed, I found a new passion in strength training, which I never thought I’d embrace. bStrong introduced me to the sport, teaching me proper techniques and guiding me through structured training programs. Today, I not only have a transformed body but also a newfound confidence and strength, thanks to this remarkable community.

Mohith, Bellevue

Sierra and Kelly in the gym holding dumbbells

bStrong is a place we’ve found significant progress in our strength and accountability for consistently attending classes. While the main lifts are the same throughout the four-week cycles, the workouts switch up to avoid monotony, which is so helpful when getting to the gym is a struggle.

The owners, Ben and Kyle, are very friendly, approachable and encouraging. They run the gym in a manner that shows how much they care about the well-being of their members and their business.

The trainers are well-versed in proper form and great about helping individuals attain the best form for how their bodies move. They are motivating without pushing beyond a member’s limits, and they keep the overall class environment fun.

In short: come for the great workouts, stay for the awesome community!

Kelly and Sierra, Seattle and Kirkland

I never really thought of myself as a gym person, but bStrong is not your typical gym. When I first started, I was trying out a bunch of gyms in the area and bStrong really stood out as a welcoming space. The coaches are super approachable and the small group training format provides individualized attention. When I was recovering from surgery, coaches were always prepared to offer up alternative exercises when I needed them and they helped me rebuild my strength safely.

What I love most about being a bStrong regular is how much stronger I feel. I am able to keep up with my kids and even help move some furniture. When I started, I had never deadlifted before and now I can deadlift my own body weight!

Lisa, Bellevue

Bill and Jim posing during an outdoor adventure

We first started going to bStrong primarily because of its convenient location in downtown Bellevue. We belonged to multiple gyms at the time but bStrong quickly became THE gym.

We immediately felt very comfortable here thanks to the enthusiastic owners (Ben and Kyle), knowledgeable trainers, and friendly gym members. The workouts are structured to be challenging but not overwhelming and the supportive members create a “we’re in this together” atmosphere.

All of the trainers are great about modifying the workouts as needed to accommodate members who have a physical limitation or are recovering from an injury. The gym also offers nutritional guidance and periodic fitness challenges to help keep us motivated. bStrong is large enough to meet the fitness needs of a wide range of people without being so big that you get lost in the crowd. We really enjoy being part of this community and are happy with the results we’ve achieved from being members.

Bill and Jim, Bellevue

Deborah flexing next to coach Tru in the gym

I joined bStrong after a long hiatus from exercise, looking to get back on track. Initially, I chose them because they were conveniently located, but I quickly discovered they weren’t a typical gym. Their approach is rooted in community, which to me has been the biggest factor in exercising consistently.

The trainers know you by name, listen to your goals, cheer you on, and push you when you need it, no matter where you are in your fitness journey. One year in and the results are apparent — from body composition to the amount of weight I’m able to lift!

Deborah, Bellevue

I joined bStrong in 2016, and it’s truly been a life-changing experience. Initially, I was just looking for a convenient gym location as I was balancing a busy schedule with my medical training, however, I’ve gained so much more.

Fast forward, eight years later, bStrong has become an integral part of my life. Training at bStrong has changed my relationship with health and exercise, creating a well-balanced, sustainable lifestyle without the sacrifices of restriction or elimination. Small group strength training has been empowering, and the coaches are so dedicated to helping us succeed in whatever our goals may be.

Ultimately, this community has given me the confidence to grow and succeed in so many aspects of my life. I’m incredibly grateful for this welcoming community and the lifelong friendships I’ve made along the way. Thank you, bStrong!

Cindy, Bellevue

The trainers and small group format are awesome for keeping me motivated over the long term! A lot of thought goes into the exercise circuit and individual weights for each session, and they are chunked up nicely so 50 minutes seems to fly by. All of the trainers have great industry knowledge as well as a long tenure at bStrong. Best of all they are super nice and helpful, without being condescending or overly-intense.

Having a regularly scheduled time really helps me stay on track, since “planning” to go to the gym never worked for me over the long-term. There’s something about having a date/time booked that helps me prioritize working out, and when something pops up that I can’t move it’s easy to re-book for another session.

All of these aspects have helped me stay on track for over 2.5 years now – something that would never have been possible if I was doing it on my own. I feel so much better mentally/physically and enjoy my time at bStrong every week!

JEREMY, Bellevue

Willis conquering an obstacle during a race.

In December 2021, I -- like many folks who set New Year’s Resolutions -- decided to finally start my fitness journey. My goal was to get stronger, but I had no experience with strength training, dumbbells, barbells, other gym apparatus… and overall felt little to no confidence in what I would do if I went into a traditional gym.

I started with 1-on-1 sessions. It was a great experience as I was able to work with three different personal trainers: Hannah, Moses, and Charles. Each of them was knowledgeable, had detailed programs, and checked in on my individual needs, such as if I had any injuries, what I wanted to work on, and how I could achieve my goals.

After that, I started small group workouts to complement weekly individual personal training sessions. Small group training is fun because it balances strength training with various full body functional training exercises to make sure we get a balanced workout.

I find small group sessions are great to focus on your workout, meet new people, and develop discipline. I am now two years into training, and what felt scary before has now become ingrained in my life. It has enhanced all the activities I want to do; I’ve been able to more steadily hike tougher routes, including the Enchantments through hike, and I’ve been able to complete more obstacles in multiple Spartan races that I wasn’t able to complete before. I feel like my time at bStrong has given me a lot of confidence and enabled me to achieve and reach for new goals

Willis, Bellevue

Unlike many other gyms out there being picky with members, bStrong is an excellent fit for all with various training backgrounds, different fitness goals, and want to feel healthy. Owners Ben and Kyle have devoted their time and love to running this welcoming community.

I joined in late 2019. For over five years, "showing up" to the workout has gone from surviving an early wake-up to something as routine as ordering boba tea with no sugar :)

Here at bStrong, there are fun workout plans, clean facilities, people who take their fitness goals as seriously as I do, coaches who care and love what they do, and my great friends; there are no criticisms, judgments, or drama. The logic is straightforward: show up, survive, and get fit.

winnie, Bellevue

I joined bStrong to figure out how to put on muscle. Strength training had been pretty intimidating to me for years, but now I LOVE IT.

The coaches are so knowledgeable and perceptive, but what really stood out to me was how empathetic, encouraging, and earnest they are. I truly feel like I’ve developed a unique relationship with each coach and them with us.

Then, of course, I have learned and grown a ton since I’ve joined. I can now deadlift more than my body weight!! They design effective workouts that highlight three essential exercises (squat, bench, deadlift) but the circuits are versatile and full body oriented. Also, they really leverage the assortment of equipment they have, so you’ll never get bored and find out different ways to challenge yourself.

On top of the gym experience itself, the social activities and opportunities to bond with the community are plentiful. It’s so enlivening to meet other trainees and then see them in workouts. We all motivate each other and everyone makes sessions so welcoming and fun!

Nandhini, Bellevue

Kip standing next to Coach Philip, flexing, and holding his board celebrating 100 bStrong workouts

After the pandemic, I tried multiple roads to health. Keto diets, trying to eat one meal a day, or even just trying more cardio workouts. And with all the same outcome - I would see results, but then I'd incur some injury that would require rest time and breaks and gaining back what I lost. With this in mind, I decided to take a different approach. I was always concerned with short term goals. What I needed was a longer-term lifestyle change.

I realized I needed structure to keep me accountable, and coaches to ensure I was doing the exercises correctly since I am kind of injury prone. This is where I landed into strength training, and as a bonus, I learned that I could raise my RMR (resting metabolic rate) by gaining muscle, since my career will have me in a sedentary setting for the foreseeable future.

I came across bStrong because they offered a small group training which is a perfect balance in cost-effectiveness, as well as enough personal attention to function like 1:1 training. After a 2-week trial, I found all the coaches and trainers to be helpful, kind, and motivational. This is when I knew that this would be the program for me.

I was anxious and nervous at first to commit to such a routine, but after accomplishing 100+ workouts, I realized I was glad I did. As the saying goes, the best day to start was yesterday, second best day is today, and if you are looking for your today, bStrong is definitely the place to start!