G-Strength (Queen Village) — Local services in Philadelphia

G-Strength is not your average gym. It's also not "just a gym" which has become increasingly clear right now. When Pennsylvania required non-essential businesses to close due to COVID-19, Gian, the owner, immediately put everyone's memberships on hold. Without anyone asking. Yes, you read that correctly. At one of the most trying times for a small business owner, Gian made (what was probably) a very tough decision and put the well-being of his clients first. He then quickly transitioned the in-person small group training sessions to online Zoom workouts. He had one on one calls with every single client to discuss with the changes, to find out what home equipment we owned, and to ask if we had any questions or needed anything. Now, there are three daily options for classes - 7AM, noon, and 6PM. The team at G-Strength had to design a new program that would meet everyone's needs and allow for the lack of access to the normal equipment. Not only did they design a new program, but they also are meeting the needs of those with energetic children at home by offering a kids "workout" program at 3PM. I'm sure parents are thankful for having a short break in their day where they can work from home uninterrupted. Gian has also hosted social events both in person (before the pandemic), as well as online (happy hours and trivia nights) acknowledging that social interaction and community is extremely important to mental health, especially right now. The focus of the programming at this gym is on improving strength thru lifting. If you are a beginner or the kind of person who avoids weights, I promise it isn't an intimidating environment. There is zero shame in starting with no weight or low weight. The focus is on the right weight for you, the one that is challenging but you can still complete the movement with proper form. Clients are all ages and all levels. The owner, Gian, cares deeply about helping clients meet their goals if you didn't pick up on that already. The entire training staff is very attentive to making sure you are hitting your form correctly, and does a great job of offering feasible alternatives for people with varying capabilities WITHOUT removing intensity. If you are unsure about checking them out, I highly recommend at the very least trying out their intro week or right now, dropping in on one of the online classes. The intro is completely free - you literally can't afford not to :) More details available via Instagram at...

I’ve been going to G-Strength (Queen Village) since October 2021. I moved to Philly that summer and was looking for a (physical) gym that would provide something similar to the kettlebell strength training I’d been doing for a few years. G-Strength was the closest to what I wanted in terms of strength training and conditioning. We’ve mostly been working with barbells and dumbbells which works just as well. I've had chronic knee pain for a while now and I've noticed a HUGE difference in pain level if I go to classes regularly.

The small group personal training model was new for me too and it’s proved to be very clever! The classes are intimate enough that the instructors can provide personal feedback and tips but autonomous enough that it never feels like someone is hovering. The training programs are also switched up about every six weeks which makes the classes fun, refreshing and challenging. Everyone in the class really pushes and cheers each other on.

I have taken classes with Tyler and Chloe and they have both been spectacular particularly when it comes to modifying and teaching form. There are also a lot of class times to choose from but if you need a more popular time, it’s always good to book early. Giancarlo, the owner, is incredibly accessible and empathetic. He knows all the students by name and clearly loves his job.

The only thing about G-Strength that confused me was the pricing model. It’s not written anywhere (but I haven’t looked that hard) and It’s a bit pricey. However, for someone who needs the discipline, accountability and social aspect of a boutique gym, G-Strength...

I have been going to G-Strength for a little over 2 months (8 weeks), and have seen drastically better results in these past two months, compared to the YEARS I have spent money on a gym membership. Not only have I gotten substantially stronger in terms of weights and reps, but have also seen a visible change in my muscle mass and even toning, all throughout my body. Not to mention, the staff are all extremely passionate, caring, and always accessible. The G-strength coaches have SUPER patiently taught me the fundamental and did not quit until I completely understood, and are always extremely quick to text back if I have any questions at all, even when it comes to other things such as diet and recovery. The only thing I wish I knew earlier is how kind everyone is, even other members; G-Strength has a very community-like feel, and for some reason I was under the impression that it would be scary to be in the same group as someone lifting 500 lbs, but they have established a culture that would never tolerate this. If you want to see a real, quick, and healthy improvement, this is the place to be. In 6 months, you'll have wished that you started...