DSM Barbell Club — Local services in Des Moines

I was a member during summer 2023 while I had a summer interning in Des Moines.

TL;DR: I would highly recommend this gym, even if you are not a powerlifter. Management was always professional and responsive. I think it is worth the price. You should be cognizant that it does get hot in the summer and can be busy during peak hours.

I enjoy lifting but had no exposure to the powerlifting scene prior to joining. I was a little apprehensive from looking solely at the photos posted to this Google Maps profile. I decided to take advantage of the free pass deal the club provides and never looked back. I found the club to have a surprisingly supportive and inclusive atmosphere about it. For example, on at least three occasions over the summer I witnessed the majority of present members spontaneously stop their workouts to cheer on/congratulate a fellow member for attempting/accomplishing a PR. It was a surreal level of camaraderie to experience. I found management to be extremely quick to respond to texts. Really great customer service in my opinion as well. I could be wrong, but I believe the building does not have air conditioning. Instead the building uses industrial fans and its various bay doors to keep it cool. This was adequate most of the time, but during heat waves it could get uncomfortable. I opted to come back after dusk during the worst parts of the summer. I was not a member during the rest of the year and cannot speak to how it would be during more pleasant months. I noticed the main side parking to the building would often be full. Oddly enough, I don't recall ever waiting for equipment or felt like I was on top of other members. It was a pleasant change from my experiences at my local university's facilities. There is only one restroom and admittedly there were times when I had to wait to use it but it honestly was not that big of a deal. The club also boasts a self-service concession and club-wide music station. I thought those were pretty cool amenities. There is also club...

Ive been a member at DSM Barbell for almost 3 years and it is hands down the best gym atmosphere Ive ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Everyone in this place is friendly and ready to be your biggest fan when you're lifting. The staff is incredible as well and will help you with anything from a spot to a quick technique tip. Id like to highlight one staff member in particular as ive worked with him for a year now. Nate Poage, im not sure where to start.. When we first started working together I had one foot out the door on powerlifting. I wanted to try new things, the natural progression was strongman and let me tell you. Nate cooked up some doozies for me and helped me learn great technique and helped me through my first competition. We went from our strongman era to weightlifting era naturally. We have been working on weight lifting for months now and the man is an encyclopedia of knowledge in every aspect of this new sport. Besides being knowledgeable Nate is also a lead by example type and will program you things you think seem goofy but will absolutely humble you and make you question your athletic ability when he does the same drill with ease. Long story short join here and with a trainer the investment is...

At the age of 49 and being a competitor in multiple sports up until the last couple years due to knee surgery always staying in shape was important. Dsm Barbell trainer Keaton Baccam not only has been a huge part of helping guide me along the way to rebuilding my knees to also becoming hungry to get back to a competing form. I use to do my own routine but these workouts Keaton has introduced to me not only are building the major muscles but all of the supporting little muscles that has been a huge difference. Even doing it the online training way not gonna lie I was hesitant because you might be doing a lift incorrectly and cause injury Keaton has been great through that process and introduced several different lifts that at times I wonder what might have been had I worked out like this before. Thank you Dsm Barbell and...