Essential Strength Personal Training & Strength Training Gym

Fantastic experience: First a bit about me, I hate cardio machines but wanted to lose weight and get fit. I wanted to transform my body for the same reasons almost everyone does and had tried and failed to do all this alone in the past. I always ended up failing as it was so hard to make myself go to a gym where I didn’t feel welcome, where I felt anxious that I wouldn’t be able to use the equipment I wanted because of a que and because the only person keeping me honest was myself. At Essential Strength I have managed to find a place that does make me feel welcome and despite its small size I never worry about equipment shortages due to the booking system and clever ways to maximize each area's utility. Lastly I love that I don’t need to research what I should be doing and don’t need to read the cesspit that is online fitness information. As someone who at one point in their life was trained as a personal trainer I can not understate how knowledgeable and humble Adam is. He will answer any question you have without belittling and create a workout program that works for you taking any feedback or worries into account. Since joining I have managed to go to the gym 4 hours a week consistently (I hadn’t been to the gym in 8 months before starting and it had been 10 years since I last went consistently) Though I thought it would never happen the gym has become my favorite place to be. There is no way for me to show how grateful I am for this other than through this review. 5 stars doesn’t feel like enough.

Fantastic experience: A great, no-nonsense gym with a friendly and supportive atmosphere. Kim and Adam are both really knowledgeable trainers and always happy to help with tips on how to use the equipment or modify exercises. They are also both committed to providing a top notch training environment with quality equipment. I would recommend this gym to anyone who wants to get stronger, whether you're just beginning your fitness journey or you're an experienced lifter.

Fantastic experience: While being coached in strongman by Adam I have seen a huge increase in my skills and strength overall. The strength community essential strength creates is a fun team, we push each other and it’s rarely a serious environment. Lots of fun!!

Fantastic experience: I’ve been going to the strongman groups run by Adam since the start of the year. I think they’re great, everyone is so lovely and supportive, Adam has helped me increase my strength and technique so much :)

Fantastic experience: I trained with Adam for almost a year and I managed to pull up weights I never thought I could. Totally recommend to train with him if you want to accomplish the impossible ❤️

Fantastic experience: Kim and Adam are both amazing. I started working with Kim as an online client back in March 2022. I started as online as I felt intimidated to go to group sessions in a weight gym as I thought I'd be holding people back. However due to my personal lack of motivation to have a regular gym schedule, I decided to swallow my fears and swap over to in person sessions with her, (as I hoped that having a time booked would help keep me on track). In June 2022 I started the 6 week program 'fast track to free weights', thinking if I didn't like it I could just walk away at the end of the 6 weeks. Kim was amazingly patient with me and encouraging. Everyone else in the gym was also super friendly and always there to encourage you. After the 6 weeks I decided I was hooked on weight training, non of my fears had been realised, the group sessions are all individually tailored, you're just all in the gym at the same time, so no holding anyone else up. And the community Kim and Adam have built is amazing. I signed up to a regular plan with Kim original just doing one session a week. I am now doing 2 sessions a week and this year have started competing in strongwoman competitions. Adam is helping me with the comp training, he has a great way of calming me down when I start to freak out. If you are on the fence about weight training I'd say give it a go, you'll probably suprise yourself.

Fantastic experience: Adam is an excellent coach. He tailored my program to address my specific needs which adapted with time allowing for new sticking points to be addressed. This was only achieved because Adam was constantly available to view my progress videos that I would send after each session. He would provide thoughtful feedback for me to take onboard. I have had Adam as a coach on two occasions. In the period Jan-July 2018 I received in person coaching 3 times a week. During these sessions my strength sky rocketed. We managed to address my previous forearm pains that restricted my bench press. During my second period of coaching in 2023, I received online coaching June-October 2022. I was looking to cut which meant tailoring a different style of program. Adam helped me to lose an additional 10kg of body weight while I saw my strength increase by changing my training style to incorporate a lot of slow reps with added volume. I would happily recommend Adam to anybody, irrespective of their skill level. On top of his fantastic coaching he’s also a great guy.

Fantastic experience: I've trained with my coach, Adam Roberts, for a year and two months (still ongoing). Absolutely brilliant and fantastic coach! I was an absolute rookie when it came to strongman and honestly, (proper) weightlifting in general. Over the course of my training blocks which were tailored and worked on by Adam, I've improved so much! Confidence, strength and support, three of the biggest things I've found with training with him. For example, when I first started with the log as a workout, 55kg push press was difficult and now I have the ability to log push press 100kg!! Kim has also been a supportive coach too, always ensuring that I'm doing okay and answering questions I have! Although I wasn't her client, she would give me the time to break down my workouts and how I can improve. They're a supportive and strong duo! I've been able to hit awesome numbers thanks to them Would highly recommend them! (I don't regret adding the photo Coach haha)

Fantastic experience: I train Strongman with Adam and have had a great experience Adam brings a sense of humour to training, but also knows when to be serious and make sure you are not selling yourself short. He makes strongman and general strength training fun and creative as opposed to intimidating or militaristic. Since starting training with Adam I have seen a considerable increase in my strength, not only from the style of training but also from Adam giving me the confidence to push myself further.

Fantastic experience: I have been coached by Adam for years. I started with a bit of powerlifting and moved to strongman soon after. I’ve loved being coached by him, he’s always worked with me to help me get stronger despite having to work around all my problems (dodgy loose tendons mostly but life gets in the way sometimes too) and he’s always listened to me and given me great advice. I’ve never been “officially” coached by Kim but she has given me so much help and advice in the gym on many occasions and she is friendly and welcoming too.

Fantastic experience: I have previously trained strongman with Adam. He was extremely knowledgeable.  I attended the group sessions and had a training plan to follow away from the sessions. I seen a massive increase in strength and confidence! Adam and Kim are amazing at what they do and really supportive. Highly recomend.

Fantastic experience: Top trainers - Highly recommend! I do strength training and have had 1:1, group and online coaching with Kim over the years, which also covered nutrition. Through Kim’s input I’ve gained strength, built a solid routine, feel confident to train in any gym and have a much healthier relationship with food. Very grateful for your help on my training journey!

Fantastic experience: I’ve had the pleasure of being coached by Adam and Kim by association! They’re both incredibly knowledgeable and so supportive! It’s been delightful being part of the team they coach and they make every session so fun! Adam is incredibly flexible and adjusts sessions based on what you want and what you want to get out of it. Overall could not recommend them more!

Fantastic experience: Both Adam and Kim are extremely knowledgeable in so many different strength and weightlifting disciplines! Adam has the knack to get you out of your negative headspace by the snap of his fingers and Kim is always ready to reassure you and give you more tips. It's an absolute treasure to train with them!

Fantastic experience: I just finished the introductory weight training with Kim and it’s been so great. I love to go to the gym but find the weights section intimidating and I never felt I knew what I was doing. Plus the huge fitness classes at commercial gyms I find uncomfortable because you don’t get enough attention or the instructor checking your form. Kim teaches 1-1 or in small classes of 5 which is so much better and means you really learn a lot, feel safe and know that your form and everything important is being monitored. Kim was really good at teaching me proper form, modifying exercises I needed more help with, or introducing alternative exercises if I had a bad day, like the slam ball. The gym itself is very welcoming and has a good split of men and women, some doing weight training quite seriously so it was really encouraging.