The Beginner Barbell Club
The Beginner Barbell Club is an eight-week strength training program designed with the complete beginner to the intermediate level gym-goer in mind. In just eight weeks we’ll build your confidence in the weights room so you can resistance train safely, effectively and confidently.
Gyms and weight rooms can be pretty daunting, we get it. Even more-so when you don’t feel like you know what you’re doing.
We created the beginner barbell club because we were tired of fear and intimidation being the barrier to those curious and wanting to improve. We were tired of people around us settling for subpar training, training alone, or training in environments that don’t inspire them because the alternative was just so far out of their comfort zone.
That was five years ago now. We’ve since introduced so many people to barbell training. People who have now gone on to have strength training become a pillar of their weekly routines, people who are now using strength training to support them in other athletic pursuits, people who have found friends, community and so much connection through lifting, and people who have gone on to pursue powerlifting competitively.
With coaching from TSF owners and coaches, Billie and John Paul and training together three times per week in groups of no more than four, you’ll receive ample attention to ensure you learn safe and correct technique, develop your confidence in the gym and that you’re pushing for strength and progress week on week.
If you want to learn the ropes with a barbell, lift well, get strong and do it with a group of people that you’ll actually love training with, we would love to meet you!
In eight weeks you will,
Improve your strength, fitness and muscle mass
Learn how to squat, bench press and deadlift with correct technique
Learn how to perform an host of other barbell, dumbbell and and machine-based exercises
Be confident to walk in to a gym alone and confidently guide your own training
Understand how to write your own training program,
Recruit new friends and training partners and
Of course get a whole lot stronger.
First intake of the year kicking off
3 February 2025!
How we do it:
check 3x strength training sessions per week at The Strength Fortress in Maidstone
check Face to face coaching every session with TSF coaches Billie and John Paul
check Groups capped at four people
check 2x four-week periodised strength training programs with emphasis on the development of technique, strength, fitness and muscle mass
check Warm up protocols to prepare you for each session and
check Education around exercise execution, exercise programming, warm ups and recovery.
Launching 3 February 2025!
Would you like to learn more?
If the Beginner Barbell Club sounds like something you’d like to be part of, please flick us a message!
We would love to hear about your gym experience, your nerves and apprehensions and we can tell you more about session times, pricing and all that nitty gritty.
You will also be invited to come in for a cost- and obligation-free trial session so you can visit the gym and meet our team before you commit to anything.
However we can make you feel comfortable, let us know. We would love to hear from you.
Trans or non-binary? We would love to have you join us.
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Antigoni
When I first started at TSF I was super hesitant to train in a "proper gym" because I had no confidence, very little self esteem and I didn't want others to see me struggle.
Now after training in such a super supportive environment, I know I am strong and capable and I am much kinder to myself.
I now train at times where the gym is filled with people and I have no fear. I know that I can do what my program prescribes because I completely trust the coaches at TSF, but I am also not afraid to fail.
I owe a lot of who I am now to the Barbell Club.
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Aaron
I started training as a complete beginner. Being in my early 40s, stepping into a gym isn't something I thought I would do now, let alone stick with. I really had to push myself out of my comfort zone to get going but with the support from the TSF coaches and community any reservations I had quickly disappeared.
When I first joined, my goals were pretty simple— just to get stronger and work through prior injuries. A year in, my goals remain the same. And I’m smashing them.
Powerlifting is an individual sport but at TSF you are part of one big team.Everyone supporting each other in ups and the downs. Working towards one goal; getting better one day at a time.
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Jess
I have been training at The Strength Fortress since October 2019. In that time I have found a love for powerlifting, I have improved my self confidence, I have learned so many lessons that extend far beyond the weights room and I have become part of a community of amazing people.
The Strength Fortress is the most welcoming place with a group of members committed to cheering you on and celebrating you regardless of if you're lifting 10kgs or 100kgs. Rather than being an intimidating space which most gyms are, TSF is an environment for everyone to feel like they belong and a place where you can achieve your strength goals regardless of what they are. My only regret is that I didn’t start at TSF much sooner.
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Rowena
I started powerlifting to make new friends. Most of my friends are in different life stages to me and I wanted to meet people with shared interests. I
t’s always bit daunting trying to make friends as an adult. I always say I’m too weird to make new friends. Turns out that is not true. I look around at the legends I train with now and am in awe of them and how much they lift. The community is so supportive.
My sessions come packaged with a cheer squad who motivate + push me, and support me if I balls something up. I have excellent chats on a daily basis. I really come for a chat and do some training on the side (lol).
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Sally
When I first started at TSF I felt lost. Lost in my training, lost in motivation and a little lost in life. My sister witnessed this and gifted an eight-week barbell club block, and I haven’t really looked back. It’s been three years.
I now feel confident in myself and definitely in my lifting. I consistently show up for myself because I love training and love those I train with. I’m now entering my third year of lifting and don’t even feel like I’ve hit my limit yet.
As an alumni, I am really excited to see others experience this journey and what they can achieve.
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Nam
Joining TSF three years ago was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Through countless injuries, I was motivated to improve my technique and be more consistent with my lifting but intimidated by the idea of being coached professionally.
The welcoming atmosphere at TSF changed all that. The coaches, particularly have been phenomenal in their support. They personalise your training experience, ensuring that it aligns with your goals and fitness level. The diverse community at TSF is its biggest strength. From students to professionals, everyone brings something unique to the table, fostering an environment of mutual respect and encouragement.
TSF is more than a gym; it's a place where you're pushed to be your best self, both physically and mentally.
