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 resultsWe 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 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.
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.
Our expert coaching team is led by Head Coach Conor Johnson, with coaches John Watson, Bronagh Donnelly and Joe McGreevy working alongside Founder Rory Girvan (Former Ireland No. 1 ranked Powerlifter, ambassador for mental health charities and Irish News Fitness Columnist). 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.
"The sort of goals that I wanted to achieve felt like like a pipe dream eight months ago and I've managed just surpassed them"
"I think over the last nine months I've actually transformed completely physically, but mentally and to be strong is like really cool, especially as a woman."
"I was kind of hoping to learn more about the actual basics. And ever since I've kind of been a bit hooked. I've seen pretty good progression since I've joined."
"I've gotten more out of Hench and I have in the previous 10 years of going to gyms"
"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 began to understand that if you dealt with people who knew what they were talking about, you got results very, very quickly and the wonderful thing about HENCH is that it allows you to constantly pursue new goals too"
"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's had a really positive impact on my work-life balance, I have more energy and I've never been stronger, and just really enjoy it here. It's just a great place to train."
"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."
"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 think I've made more progress in the first 6 months being here than I did in the last 6 years."
"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"
"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"
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.
Keith
I had been training by myself for a few years & felt things had plateaued, i was getting a bit bored with my commercial gym so decided I would give the Hench a try. It was exactly what i needed, i signed up & with the coaches help, I set some new personal goals. I joined their small group classes & 2.5 years later I am still making progress, still loving it & still learning all the time. They run excellent programs designed to get the most out of your workout and most importantly you learn how to do things right. The equipment is great, the coaches are sound & are dedicated to movement quality & precision. This is the best gym in town, go check them out.
Eoin
Great gym with really knowledgeable and passionate staff. A community of likeminded people, all looking to better themeselves in one way or another. Equally suitable to both the beginner and advanced trainer. Without doubt the best decision I have taken in respect of my health and well-being has been joining Hench. I cannot recommend the place enough.
Catherine
24th April 2021
My experience at HENCH so far has been very positive. Training here strikes the right balance between personalised goals to work towards, while also feeling like part of a team. The staff are highly professional, friendly and approachable. Overall training here has been motivational and enjoyable, which I definitely plan to continue.