Industrial Strength Gym

I can’t recommend IS highly enough! Many of the gym members here had some sort of weightlifting or strength training experience before, but I sure didn’t. My husband had joined the gym first and convinced me to try the beginner classes. It only took one class for me to realize how much I could benefit from this gym! I came in with mostly barre and dance experience, and I was severely out-​of-​shape when I started at IS in early winter 2014. Tony, Mira, Arryn and Adam taught me a huge amount and pushed me to be better, but they always keep safety and form as their first priority. After 18 months of moving up in classes and fitness goals, I am stronger physically and mentally than I have ever been.
I just moved across the country, and I am most sad about having to leave Industrial Strength and the kind, supportive people Tony and Mira have brought together. But IS bonds aren’t restricted to Portland; Tony is still helping me out by recommending gyms near my new home.

This gym is great and for those who truly want to be stronger and more confident. In the small classes you get the advice and technique given to you at a great deal. The owners, Tony and Mira, are rad and really pride themselves in their gym and customers – which they treat like family. I work with their other trainer Arryn, a lot, and he has really helped me push myself and is an awesome addition to the team. The equipment is the best and they keep the gym very clean.
I do kettlebell and the Strength and Conditioning classes, and the time I’ve devoted to that has helped me be better at my job, but even if you aren’t a police officer or steel worker, you will really enjoy the gained muscle and showing off your chin-​up or snatching ability at company functions. Plus, your partner will really love feeling those hard glutes, swole arms, and tight core.
The group schedule is really catered to the normal 8 – 5 business day, with classes offered before work, lunch, and evening. This doesn’t always work for me, but Tony and Mira (I’ll add again are way rad) have worked with me in my alternative work schedule, because of my dedication to IS. If they had the open gym times again to get my missed classes in, I would really love it.
For new members, I’d also say, give it some time. Even on the trial periods IS offers may not be long enough to really see the benefits it WILL bring. it can be hard to jump in and start doing a push press or deadlift without feeling a little silly or weak. You’ll often be in a group with members who have been at IS since it opened or some who have only been there a few weeks, so give yourself time. Just be open to the coaching and your new teammates to help you build. Strength building takes a long time, so don’t expect overnight results, but you should enjoy coming to Industrial Strength daily.

I have done years of crossfit, and the strength and conditioning classes coupled with the kettlebell classes at Industrial Strength are so much better for me than crossfit! The programming and progression at Industrial Strength are great, and really help build your strength, conditioning, and endurance rather than the random programming that is done at most crossfit gyms. The emphasis on correct technique at Industrial Strength is also far superior to most crossfit gyms. There is no emphasis on doing exercises or lifts FAST like there is during crossfit WODs, and I find myself only competing with myself instead of other people in class like I used to at crossfit. The smaller class size (limit of 12 people) allows for much more oversight by the coaches at Industrial Strength. They gym is also extremely clean and has really nice weights and equipment. I have been a member at Industrial Strength for over a year now and I am by far the strongest I have ever been (and I was a D1 college basketball player and am currently an international BJJ competitor and MMA fighter). The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Industrial Strength is also excellent. Being affiliated with Impact Jiu Jitsu (Oregon’s largest BJJ academy) brings great coaching and training partners. Having a women’s only BJJ class is also a great way for women to try out BJJ!

I’m in town on vacation and always like to train Brazilian jiujitsu (BJJ) in a new city when possible. I contacted Tony Gracia and he was very welcoming. I took the noon class (a beginner level), and I enjoyed it very much. He ran us through some great BJJ specific warmups and taught an excellent fundamentals class focusing on passing the half guard and transitioning into head and arm chokes. I was impressed with his detail oriented, fundamental focused and inviting teaching style. The gym itself was very clean and offered some great private instruction on fitness. Tony and I had some great matches. While he is a larger opponent I never felt that he relied on his size or strength. He is a very technical player. If you’re in the Portland area, I highly recommend as I believe he’s a solid instructor and a new or seasoned student can learn something.
James Chiariello, Black Belt, Balance Studios, Philadelphia, PA.

I’ve been working full time in the fitness industry, as a powerlifting event promoter and muscle magazine journalist, since 2001 and my travels and projects have taken me to gyms all over The USA and as far away as SE Europe. So I’ve seen the best of the best and the worst of the worst (think abandoned highway rest area with some weights laying around.) I’m happy to report that Industrial Strength Gym in Portland is on the far end of the «Good» side of the scale. Their equipment is competition grade (Ivanko, Texas Strength, Rogue, ect) and they have 4 power racks, 2 bench /​squat combo racks and 3 Olympic Weightlifting /​deadlifting platforms so there’s plenty of space for barbell based training. In addition, they’ve got a double wide astro turf track for sleds and conditioning drills and enough kettlebells to make a Russian strongman smile. And if you like a full arsenal of barbells, they have almost every model available; from trap bars to safety squat bars to Texas deadlifting bars. If that’s not enough to lure you in to check this facility out, I can confirm that it’s SPOTLESS (even the bathrooms are shining like a nice hotel lobby’s) and the trainers are collegiately educated (i.e. bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology) + they all compete in various gym sports (powerlifting, Oly lifting, kettlebell, grappling, ect.) and they’re an affiliate with Impact Jiu Jitsu, the largest submission grappling school in Oregon. And, when we come to train in the late afternoons, we can always find free parking within 2 blocks of their location which is a nice change to the normal downtown Portland parking situation. Industrial Strength Gym is my location of choice for all of my squat, deadlift and conditioning sessions.
Sean

I’ve been working out here since November. Great small group strength training classes. The workouts are awesome. The staff and Tony, the owner have been amazing! I highly recommend this gym.

Strength and Conditioning classes and Kettlebell classes are my fav — all trainers and members are sooo supportive and they make the classes super fun!
IS trainers give challenging workouts while focusing on form & safety — doing it right first! They also tailor it to your personal ability & level of strength as they encourage you to reach your individual goals. If you have any injuries, they would like to know them to help you still get a great workout without causing any pain or issues. They also offer PT!
We are encouraged to keep journals to track our progress and challenge ourselves further for the following workouts. If you want a positive atmosphere to get strong & fit and to learn how to lift safely, Industrial Strength is for you :)

I have been working out here since October, with Katherine as my Personal Trainer, and I LOVE this gym! The equipment is top of the line, the couple who runs it keep it super clean (thanks guys!), and the mood is always positive. LOVE THIS PLACE! Try a group class, you will smile, laugh, and be sore the next day!

Yes, I agree with Jim’s review — the gym is very clean and very intimate. I just switched from 24 hour fitness and I couldn’t be happier. I haven’t taken any group classes yet, but I am tempted to take one now that I have seen them in action.