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February 2023 by Karl Gyllstrom
I went to a class looking to get a form check on a few lifts. Derek was really awesome and gave me a lot of pointers to work on, like back rounding on deadlifts, arm position on OHP. Gym has a really positive energy and the other lifters were really helpful and supportive.
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May 2022 by Jason Timmons
Great place! Make sure to check hours of operation. It isn't open 24 hours at least during the week. Closed at 9pm on Tuesday. Luckily I got to enjoy the hot tub before it closed!
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January 2022 by Young Shim
I trained here for 4 months during my sport's off season. I was looking to get stronger for the national championships and Derek sure delivered. While I own a home gym, learning Olympic weightlifting on my own proved to be problematic so I signed up for the Olympic weightlifting program. In the time I spent here I added 20 kilos to both my snatch and clean/jerk. Outside of weightlifting, this translates to more flexibility and more strength which means all the drills I do in my sport are now much easier, my gear feels lighter, and it's much harder to push me around the court. In addition to the excellent coaching, the community is also fun and supportive. I highly recommend Seattle Barbell Club to anyone looking to improve their weightlifting technique and/or make strength and performance gains.
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November 2021 by Eric M.
This place has a great community and Derek is an attentive coach. He makes sure you see progress while being safe by coaching form and enforcing reasonable steps up in weight.
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November 2021 by Gautam Rai
Seattle Barbell Club is so good I feel conflicted about going on vacation. Derek is an extremely competent trainer, and has a great sense of how to structure programs for beginners as well as advanced lifters. Most sessions have somewhere between 8 and 12 people, but the way Derek goes about it, it often feels like you have a personal trainer for the price of a group training session. He is particularly good at injury rehab. An unexpected perk is the social aspect. Derek does a great job of keeping things light-hearted and fun. The regulars are super friendly and you will get to know everyone over time.When I started, I really only intended to try weightlifting out for a month as a novelty thing, but somehow I'm still here.
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October 2021 by Gautam R.
Seattle Barbell Club is so good I feel conflicted about going on vacation. Derek is an extremely competent trainer, and has a great sense of how to structure programs for beginners as well as advanced lifters. Most sessions have somewhere between 8 and 12 people, but the way Derek goes about it, it often feels like you have a personal trainer for the price of a group training session. He is particularly good at injury rehab. An unexpected perk is the social aspect. Derek does a great job of keeping things light-hearted and fun. The regulars are super friendly and you will get to know everyone over time. When I started, I really only intended to try weightlifting out for a month as a novelty thing, but somehow I'm still here.
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August 2021 by Massage Team
Derek and SBC have been very welcoming & supportive.From 2016-2018 I was at an Eastside-based Crossfit gym focusing on their barbell club programming (= Olympic Weightlifting + powerlifting). Good times were had, progress was made. When the 1 barbell coach left, the owner let our club fizzle and our community scattered.Tail end of 2018, I tried another local barbell specialty gym on the Eastside. I liked the main coach and was easing into the community. Then, the owner mistreated me so I only lasted 1.5 months.Early 2019 I jumped in with Derek's cozy gym at Strength University in South Bothell, later re-branded Seattle Barbell Club. I haven't looked back. The community has always been fun and supportive. People come and go (life, right?) but the vibe remains good. I continue to make gains in technique and strength.We have nearly as many women as men working out there and I chip in on spot-coaching also.Come ready to self-organize with the programming tools, and ready to be part of the community and positively contribute. The occasion risqué joke or expletive happens so that keeps it fun also.
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July 2021 by Al Mc
Derek and SBC have been very welcoming & supportive.
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December 2020 by Kenneth King
This place was really dialed it was like you got a free trainer
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September 2020 by Allison S.
My husband and I have been going here for a year and a half and we are huge fans! Derek and his coaches are all great - enthusiastic, flexible, and open to people at all levels. I was initially thinking that we wouldn't fit in, since we go for general strength and conditioning and there are a number of folks who are competition-level that train here, but everyone is really friendly and welcoming. Highly recommended!!!
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August 2020 by David Bartnik
Seattle Barbell club offers excellent coaching and personalized instruction in a safe and comfortable environment. I have learned a lot about weightlifting and continue to get stronger all while working out along side other friendly club members. I highly recommend Seattle Barbell Club!
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August 2020 by Sandrine lepesqueux
Great place for weightlifting and powerlifting with personalized coaching. I am doing weightlifting and my technique has been improving a lot with Derek. I met also great people at this gym: there's a great community with good mindset.
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August 2020 by Kevin Mackey
Seattle Barbell Club has had a huge positive impact on my strength and overall health and wellness. Derek Kress is knowledgeable, accessible and enjoyable to work with. Through his program, at age 45, I'm now stronger and healthier than I was in my 20's.
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July 2020 by Christy C.
I have been going here for almost a year and I can't say enough good things about this gym! Derek is awesome as well as the community. It's a great workout every time.
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March 2019 by Maddy Kaha
After a 13 year break in Olympic lifting, Derek got me back in the game! The training at this gym is awesome, and the family is even better. Everyone wants you to be your best and won't let you quit, even on the hardest days.
