Our Members
Don’t just take it from us.
My name is Angie, I’m 22 years old and hold a bachelor’s degree in dermal sciences. I started my journey with TSF in late 2020 as a complete novice to strength training. For the longest time I wanted to get into fitness, but always felt too intimidated to step into a gym because I never knew where to start. I was encouraged to join by my older brother who also trains here, so I decided to just bite the bullet and organise a trial session. I remember walking into the gym for the first time feeling so anxious, however, I walked out feeling empowered and ecstatic to embark on a new venture. The coaches welcomed me with open arms and quickly made training something to look forward to. Their acceptance, patience and support has made me the lifter I am today.
I feel physically and mentally stronger, but most of all, a lot more confident in myself. I definitely held myself back from starting because I felt I wouldn’t be good at powerlifting. However, 1.5 years later I’ve made such significant progress. I’m glad I decided to give it a go, despite being so scared.
TSF is more than just a gym to me – it’s my happy place. It has enabled me to discover my strength and I’m beyond grateful. It’s a place where I improve my physical strength and create valuable friendships, which I have to say is my favourite part about this gym. We’re all so different yet alike, and always support each other without fail.
Angie
I moved to Melbourne in March 2023, and needed to find a gym that provided coaching in power lifting/strength training. I had been training with my coach in Canberra for about 12 years and had been including some powerlifting for at least 10 of those years. I was devastated to lose my training world, and so was grateful when she recommended TSF to continue my training.
The gym has a really nice feel to it, and everyone I have met has been friendly, and very supportive. I really appreciate how much all the lifters get behind each other when someone is trying to achieve a PB. The coaches have been excellent and I certainly could not have achieved my recent bench PB of 49 kgs (yesss!!) without both their technical lifting tips and endless encouragement, and the cheering of everyone who was in the gym at the time!
For anyone wondering whether this kind of training is for you, here is a bit more of my story. Around 15 years ago (when I was 55) I realised that I needed to start looking after myself a bit more (having put on around 20 kilos of extra weight and with nothing but sore knees to show for it). I found my coach (and strength training) via triathlons and some gym group classes. Somehow powerlifting gives you the best of both worlds: an individual sport where you are battling yourself, and where any improvement is a huge win, but is also a fabulous group activity where you can get a lot of pleasure from seeing others succeed in achieving their own goals.
Over my years of powerlifting, I have had a knee replacement and prolapse surgery, both of which meant I had to stop for a while, but it’s such a way of life for me that I have found my way back to it each time. I’m currently having a break from squats because my other knee seems to be stuffed...but have no fear, the coaches have provided my with plenty of alternative exercises!
I plan to keep doing this kind of exercise as long as I possibly can (I think that means until I die). Each time I finish a training session I am more mobile and flexible (and sometimes a bit stronger) than I was when I started it, and that is a great thing. I spend time looking after little grandchildren and the fitter I am, the better able I am to get up and down off the ground a hundred times in an hour!
Helen
I've been a TSF member since 2017, joining as a newbie trying to resolve a lower back injury from poor lifting form and technique. With the coaching and patience of the coaches over the years, we were able to figure out what works best for me in terms of programming, form and mentality in training and competitions. Now, being nearly 30 years old and working a typical 9-5 corporate job, powerlifting is not only a hobby but has become my lifestyle.
My first impression of TSF is that it is not like a commercial gym. TSF is a welcoming, safe training and social space for beginner to advanced lifters, introverts to extroverts, non-competitive to competitive lifters, and everyone in between. Eventually you will know the names of every member and interact with them through spotting their lifts, sharing racks, verbal encouragement or even just a smile and wave. It's a great way to make friends authentically (some of my closest friends now are TSF members).
If you're wanting to get started in strength training or just want to get stronger, TSF is a great place to start. You will be surrounded by knowledgeable coaches who care about your progress, and you will feel inspired by our members - all from different walks of life (students, parents, lawyers, teachers, tradies, recovering from injury, etc.).
Lizzie
My name is Edwina and I’m a Psychologist. I’m 29 years old and I started lifting at The Strength Fortress back in 2018.
When I started, I felt lost in the fitness world for some time. I had assumptions around what it meant to be ‘fit’ and these were compounded by the influencers and social media messages around what constitutes being a girl who goes to the gym, mostly around being thin, 4% body fat and a need to be ‘toned not muscular’. While I fit into the category of societal thinness, I never felt I was enough.
Starting my powerlifting journey with John Paul was a completely new experience. While the warehouse appeared intimidating as did the lifters inside, I was instantly comforted when hearing other people’s experiences of working out in a close knit gym and being under the eye of not only an international powerlifting champion, but also someone who genuinely cared about my background, my goals and how we could work together to achieve them. Under nutrition coaching from Billie, I slowly changed my cognitions from wanting to be ‘toned and skinny’ to ‘my body is strong and I can appreciate everything it does with the right programming and nutrition’.
If you’re feeling hesitant about starting, just know that absolutely everyone has been in the same position as you. No one is born strong, but with the right guidance and coaching, you will get there. Training has now become a part of my life, not just something I do aimlessly after work in order to tell people I go to the gym. I’ve found a family that understands my passion and goals and it’s a completely different experience to going to commercial gyms. If anything, I’d just say to give it a go. The worst thing that can happen is that you hate it, and I doubt you will.
Edwina
Hi my name is Tenisia (Sia for short). I’m a 24 year old Mama and I’ve been a member of the TSF family for almost seven months. I had never done powerlifting before TSF and I had been wanting to try it for about a year before I worked up the courage to send through an enquiry.
Fast forward to today I can 100% say that I’m so glad I decided to step outside of my comfort zone and give it a go. I’ve made so many lifetime friends and love working with all the coaches! JP and Matt have been there every step of the way from the day I walked in and coaches Molly and Josh have also given me so much guidance and support. Not only the coaches but fellow team members are always there to help and spot, support is always there and everyone is so warm and welcoming. I’m a shy and awkward person by nature but for sure this is the scariest but best thing I have done by myself, for myself and I am always looking forward to training.
If you are thinking about joining TSF it doesn’t matter what stage you are at, this is the perfect place!
Sia
Whether you're a novice or an experienced lifter, TSF caters to all with its inclusive and supportive environment. I transitioned to TSF in January 2018 after an 18-month stint at another gym and was immediately struck by the both coaching quality and the member atmosphere at TSF. The coaching team is exceptional, offering personalised training programs and hands-on coaching to each member, regardless of their experience level.
What truly sets TSF apart, however, is its community spirit among its members. Fostering a supportive space where everyone, from newcomers celebrating their first PR to seasoned lifters smashing huge numbers, receives the same encouragement. It's not just a gym; it's a community where everyone motivates each other to strive for their best.
Michael
I’m Minh. I first joined TSF because I wanted to learn more about the sport, and the fundamentals to maximise performance safely. My enjoyment for powerlifting has grown enormously throughout my time here. TSF has become more than just a powerlifting gym to me - it has grown to be my second home with like-minded individuals pursuing a common goal of being their strongest self.
One of my favourite things about TSF is the atmosphere and hype within the gym when someone is going for a PB, and the whole gym stops to watch and cheer on the lifter.
Minh
I’m Tina, I joined TSF in mid 2021. I wanted to get more out of lifting - not only to improve at my major lifts and potentially compete, but to also improve my form and technique to ensure longevity. I had previously struggled with lower back issues and knee pain from deadlifting and squatting by myself, as well as seeing slow progress from inadequate programming. While I’d tried personal trainers in the past, I found that few actually had enough knowledge in powerlifting to coach me through harder technique changes, or had programming that was personal enough for my specific training situation. Not to mention, having a personal trainer with you for every session can be expensive!
That’s when I called up TSF and decided to come in for a free trial. As soon as I walked in, I noticed a massive difference between TSF and any other old gym - everyone here is motivated and passionate about powerlifting, the coaches are extremely knowledgeable and supportive, and you actually get to train on equipment that’s sometimes used directly at national level competition! Ever since joining, I’ve noticed a tremendous difference, not only in the way my body feels and how much I’ve been able to lifted, but also in the way I view powerlifting as a whole. Lifting became a team sport, I’ve made lasting friendships and many upon many treasured memories. I can’t think of a better place and better people to embark with on this journey!
Tina
As someone with a love/hate relationship with movement (i.e. I love the idea of it, but chronic pain and deconditioning means I have avoided it for over 20 years), I am the last person you would expect to step foot in a gym, let alone enjoy powerlifting. But with an active holiday planned for mid-2023 that I wanted to feel strong and energised for, I thought there wasn’t much to lose in checking out the trial for the Beginner Barbell Club.
That was January 2023 and as they say, the rest was history!
Nobody is more surprised than me that not only did I join Barbell Club after my trial, but I showed up to every session and have continued to train at TSF for the past 12 months.
The team at TSF are incredibly supportive and invested in the success of every member and have cultivated a community and culture that I didn’t think was possible in a gym environment. I love that I can walk in and see all different bodies, genders and ages lifting heavy stuff and there is zero expectation that only a certain body type or aesthetic can be a powerlifter.
Nina
I’m Greg. Training has been an important part of my life for several years, especially since joining TSF. At first I had been training at local commercial gyms to improve my strength, but after a while I stagnated and became plagued with recurring injuries, and I had no clue on how to manage this. I joined TSF as a I knew of their coaching and training services through a close friend.
Right from the start I felt welcomed by the staff and members. Fast forward three years and I am loving training more than ever, I have made steady progress and I have assistance available to manage the occasional injury. I couldn’t ask for a better group of training staff, members and training facility.
If you’re unsure about giving TSF a go, have a crack at a trial session and see how you go!
Greg
I previously trained on and off at local globo gyms, but when my 12 year old son also expressed an interest in strength training (but was too young to join regular gyms), it led me to finding TSF. From the first try out session, the coaches and members were welcoming, and we couldn't keep the smile off my son's face! We've both now been members for five months and I couldn't imagine training elsewhere. Everyone there is supportive and respectful of each other, which is a testament to the example led by the amazing coaches. It doesn't matter if you've never seen a weight before or if you're a competitive athlete, TSF provides the support and tools to help you reach your strength training goals.
Alisa
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.
Nam
I started training with TSF in late January of 2023 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. My biggest achievement has been turning up each week, doing the work and getting the results. Everyday life is so much easier now, from carrying the groceries up the stairs or lugging the suitcase around on holiday. The end of year max out was also such a buzz and a great way to reflect on just how far I had come in ten or so months.
Powerlifting is a very 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.
Aaron
