Belfast's Strength Quarter
Founded in 2012, HENCH is a pioneering coaching gym in Belfast City centre that’s dedicated to you becoming stronger for life. We've helped 5000+ people like you build a stronger, healthier lifestyle that transforms every aspect of their daily lives.
Learn about our members resultsTruly Personal Coaching
We work with you to define your individual fitness goals and our team of coaches are always on hand to guide you based on your individual needs. Every member has their own personal coach who provides one-to-one accountability and advice via face to face and remote consultation.
Learn about membershipsOur Mission Is You
Our mission is to help you look, feel, and live stronger – with the confidence, resilience, and determination to take on anything life throws your way. We build bodies and minds that are primed to meet the demands of modern life - your physical and mental wellbeing is as important to us as your ability to squat, row or bench press. We work with people of all ages and backgrounds and focus on getting to know you as a person, understanding your goals and supporting you every step of the way.
Welcome to the club
We have an inclusive community of like-minded people from diverse backgrounds of all ages who come together to create a fun, welcoming environment to get results and build a long-term sustainable relationship with your health and fitness. Our members come together with a shared goal - to become stronger for life. We love and enjoy what we do and take down to earth approach to delivering our mission.
Meet the team
Our expert coaching team is led by Head Coach Conor Johnson, with coaches Jay Malcolm, Joe McGreevy, Bronagh Donnelly and John Watson working alongside Founder Rory Girvan (Former Ireland No. 1 ranked Powerlifter, ambassador for mental health charities and Irish News Fitness Columnist) and Business Manager Ciara Girvan. Our coaches are highly experienced and hold bachelors, masters degrees or PhDs in exercise science and undergo regular, rigorous training and development to stay up-to-date with the latest in strength training and coaching techniques.
Here's what our members have to say
Watch more member stories"The things I like best about HENCH is that coaching is really good. And it's made me think about exercise differently in terms of structuring it through my weight, giving myself rest days, allowing myself time to recover, eating well."
"I learned more in a matter of weeks, than in 10 year of training on my own"
"There's so many things that I love about HENCH. It's quite hard to pinpoint just one. I'd have to say my favorite thing is the time commitment that they give you."
"It kinda reminds me of Cheers. You know, like you know where everybody knows your name. I feel like I'm part of something in the community, and the coaches here are smiling at me and encouraging me and making me feel like I can accomplish whatever I wanted"
“What surprised me the most was the amount of progress you can make - in such a short time”
"My favorite thing about HENCH is the balance that it gives me. Before joining, I was looking for a place that I would be able to train and feel independent, have my own sense of autonomy"
"Within a short time, I hit my initial targets in terms of weight loss and muscle gain and can feel the benefits of the training sessions in every interaction outside the gym too."
"Unparalleled coaching provided at Hench, I have trained in lots of different gyms and with different coaches and have never made as much progress, or enjoyed my training, as much as I have at Hench."
"I really really enjoy here. I just love coming here because it's fantastic facility the information and the knowledge of the guys have the equipment is second to none."
"I'm spending half the time in the gym as I did previously but making much better progress. I feel less fatigued during long and stressful work days, and better in general - happy that I can carve out space in my day to lift."
"I've gotten more out of Hench and I have in the previous 10 years of going to gyms"
"I've got a stronger back and it's more or less got rid of my chronic low back pain that's been an exception eye outcome"
"I think I've made more progress in the first 6 months being here than I did in the last 6 years."
Here's what our members say about their experience at HENCH on Google
Read more reviews-
Neil
25th May 2023
I’ve been to quite a few gyms, but Hench is in a different class. The coaching is of an extremely high standard with a good attention to technique and form. There is great variation in the programming and I have been able to make excellent progress in a short space of time. I would recommend this gym to anyone, even to a complete beginner.
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Ciara
A completely unique gym, there is no-where in Belfast like it. Besides the excellent equipment, knowledgeable coaches and friendly environment, this gym focuses on the progress of every individual. Small classes ensure a high level of individual attention and coaching. The coaches have created a safe, friendly and enjoyable atmosphere. I cannot recommend this gym highly enough.
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Sinead Henry
19th March 2024
I’ve been with Hench for around 6 months and it is the best gym I’ve been a member of. If you’re looking for transformation pics or 1000 calorie diets this isn’t the place for you. Focus is on strength, health and wellbeing and the coaches always strive to make you as comfortable as possible no matter what your goal is, this gym is for everyone
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Damien
25th May 2023
I joined HENCH last year to prolong my sporting career. At 35 I was about to start a new season with my local team where the average age is 22. I’ve always been a member of gyms around Belfast and would have considered myself to be fairly knowledgeable in relation to weights training. However, when I joined HENCH, what I got was an education. An education I wish I had 15 years ago. There is a great atmosphere around the place, unlike any other gym I have attended, it actually feels more like a club or team. Subsequently with my team we have had are most successful season ever, reaching an all Ireland final of which I’ve been able to contribute thanks to the team at Hench for their coaching and expertise.
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