Client Testimonials
The Iron Works is as hardcore on the outside as it's welcoming on the inside. Do not be fooled by the cold iron sounds and the grunts of torture coming out of this gym. They belong to a great community which is as vibrant as it is diverse. It is a community with a strong heart, built for people that want to achieve results. For this reason we decided to dedicate an entire gallery to our hard-working members that make this gym not only a welcoming and friendly environment to train in but also inspire others to become the best they can be.
We've randomly asked a few of our members to pose for a quick portrait and answer to 2 questions.
Tom
1. How long have you been training at Iron Works?
"I've been training at Iron Works just over 18 months now and since I've came here I just excelled... with all the help and the equipment here, I've just learned so much."
2. Why do you train at Iron Works?
"I train at Iron Works for the brilliant atmosphere, the whole team down here, everyone's great, really friendly people and the equipment is second to none. There's just so many helpful people, whenever you need a spot or anything, someone's always there to help."
Leah
1. How long have you been training at Iron Works?
"For about a month now."
2. Why do you train at Iron Works?
"Well, I'm hoping to get a good bikini body (smiles) for my holidays and then it's close to my home and it's cheap, really good for students."
Ian
1. How long have you been training at Iron Works?
"About 8 months."
2. Why do you train at Iron Works?
"I train here for the atmosphere but I train in general for nearly 3 years because prior to that I've had an eating disorder and I dropped down to 43 kilos in weight and I was nearly in hospital. From then on it's just been about bettering myself and be the best I can be. I train at Iron Works for the atmosphere, for the equipment and because there's lots of knowleadgeable people around you can ask if you need advice... yeah, it's just the best gym around."
Len
1. How long have you been training at Iron Works?
"I've been training for about the best part of 20 years."
2. Why do you train at Iron Works?
"I trained in quite a few gyms before and none of them matched up to Iron Works and I don't think there's a gym quite like this, at least not in Birmingham."
KERRY
1. How long have you been training at Iron Works?
I came to train here about 20 years ago, on and off for about 20 years I continued to train, recently I rejoined 2 years ago and I train to make myself look better, really… I like bodybuilding but I don’t think I’d like to be too muscly but I just like to think that I train to make myself look better…
2. Why do you train at Iron Works?
I like the atmosphere. I trained at other gyms, you know like the corporate gyms and it’s just not the same atmosphere… People tend to be frightened to come to train at the Iron Works because it’s predominantly a male gym but the men don’t bother you, they just get on with their own thing and you get on with your own thing and it’s just nice to be in this environment. (smiles)
Kit
1. How long have you been training at Iron Works?
Just over a year now.
2. Why do you train at Iron Works?
The main reason, basically, it’s for the equipment they’ve got here, it’s like nowhere else I’ve ever trained and I’ve trained at a hell of a lot of gyms but this place has got everything. And the other thing is just that the staff and the other clients are so bloody friendly… you know how the big guys are always the nicest guys and they’ve got nothing to prove and this is where you’ll find the biggest guys, isn’t it?! (smiles) and it’s a really nice atmosphere, you’ve got so much to learn from them. The people who run the place as well, they really know all their stuff, you know.. they’ve all competed and they still do compete and it is a lot to aspire too, as well.
Ian
1. How long have you been training at Iron Works?
I was one of the original customers so this is 20 years here at the gym.
2. Why do you train at Iron Works?
Well, it’s a proper hardcore gym, you got all the exercise machines you need here, all the weights, you got a lot of support here and I just like the atmosphere. Everybody’s really friendly and I enjoy my training, otherwise I wouldn’t come.
Ruth
1. How long have you been training at Iron Works?
It’s gotta be about 10 years now.
2. Why do you train at Iron Works?
Because it’s THE BEST gym around, I’ve known Bob (Young) for long and the whole team is so welcoming, I can even bring my daughter in to train, so yeah, it’s ace, I love it.
Carol
1. How long have you been training at Iron Works?
For about over a year, on and off.
2. Why do you train at Iron Works?
Because I like the sound of the iron… it motivates me… and I think to achieve anything to do with your body, the sound of the iron and the sound of people’s strength will motivate you in achieving that perfect sculpted body. It motivates me so much. In order for me to get to achieve something hard, you know… you have to… hear it hard and do it hard and that’s why the sound of the iron makes you feel as though you are doing something towards getting a better body. It reminds you also of what you have to go through in order to achieve what you want to achieve. This is about the physical body and the strength of the mind combined and when you hear the grunts of other people, the banging of the iron and then the sweat, you can’t forget the sweat (laughs), it wakes you up and it reminds you of your own body and that at the end of the day you’ve done a good workout.
CALLUM
1. How long have you been training at Iron Works?
Uhmm, nearly two years, it was June time so more or less now.
2. Why do you train at Iron Works?
I think it’s probably one of the best gyms around, you got a real variety of equipment, when it gets to training by body part you wouldn’t be able to know that you can train any where else really…
Karen
1. How long have you been training at Iron Works?
Since last September (2012).
2. Why do you train at Iron Works?
Well, because it’s near, in a good location, it has friendly staff, it’s good monthly membership, you can also pay on a daily basis, and it’s just so very friendly here.
KELLY
1. How long have you been training at Iron Works?
I’ve been training for about three and a half years.
2. Why do you train at Iron Works?
I train because I want to do some modelling so I do it for my portfolio. I was 16 stone and I did lose like 2 stone. Also I train here because it’s a much better gym, I’ve been to other gyms before and it’s not many … there and I get more people helping me here as well… so that’s why I come to this gym. (smiles)
IRINA
1. How long have you been training at Iron Works?
I’ve been training at Iron Works for a few months now.
2. Why do you train at Iron Works?
I came here because my boyfriend is training here all the time and we like to train together. I must admit this place grew on me gradually and I have become very very fond of this gym. There’s a great community of people, very friendly and helpful, also we’ve found a great personal trainer who gives us the best workouts and I’m most thrilled with my results. The staff and owners are always welcoming, feel like I’ve known them forever now (laughs) and I honestly admire their dedication to this gym, I mean you rarely see a broken machine for more than 2 days and they’re always bringing in new equipment. There’s a lot of heart put into this gym. I’ve trained at different gyms before but looking back now, the Iron Works is truly unique in this sense.
SHAKERA
1. How long have you been training at Iron Works?
Roughly… about six months.
2. Why do you train at Iron Works?
I enjoy the atmosphere and the buzz, and I love the fact that we can come in and train in an atmosphere where everybody is trying to get results and I really do enjoy my results at the end of the day. (smiles)
NICK
1. How long have you been training at Iron Works?
I first started when they opened up in 1993, I went away for a while and then came back to train here.
2. Why do you train at Iron Works?
Because it’s the best gym in Birmingham for my purposes as well as because it’s got all the facilities that we require for training and it’s really the best gym for what we need.
ALEX
1. How long have you been training at Iron Works?
I’ve been training here for the last 7 months.
2. Why do you train at Iron Works?
I really like it here, the atmosphere is really good, the equipment is the best obviously, there’s always people around to help you and give you advice, you’re never short of a spotter. It’s exactly what I need to help me get to the next level as I’m currently training to compete.
DWAYNE
1. How long have you been training at Iron Works?
I’ve been training at Iron Works for about a year and a half.
2. Why do you train at Iron Works?
I train at Iron Works because of all the equipment, there’s such a huge variety and so it never gets boring, you can always change up your workouts, so you train your muscles in a different way and also for the great team here, Bob and Darren are always here to give you friendly advice, always helping you out. Since I’ve been here I’ve excelled so much and I’ve made a lot of improvements.
SAIMA
1. How long have you been training at Iron Works?
I’d say about a year, on and off.
2. Why do you train at Iron Works?
The reason I train here is mainly because of the atmosphere, also I feel that in order for me to reach my goals I need to be somewhere where everybody is focused and I believe this atmosphere makes you more motivated. You feel like you want to work out and you feel like you can reach your goals more easily because you see people around putting the effort in. I’ve been to other gyms before but when I come here I feel like I’m getting a good workout but also because I train with Chris (my personal trainer) and that obviously helps as well. (smiles)
Dan
1. How long have you been training at Iron Works?
About six months, since Christmas (2012).
2. Why do you train at Iron Works?
There’s lots of equipment and it’s a really good environment. There’s always people around you can watch and learn from, people from all walks of life, there’s the strongmen, the big guys or just regular people that like to train or get in shape. I think you get a lot of mixed people all training together really, they’re all putting in the effort, they all want results and this is the kind of hardcore and friendly at the same time, down to earth gym that will help you achieve whatever goals you have. I guess it’s motivating, at least for me.
Zoe
1. How long have you been training at Iron Works?
About six months now.
2. Why do you train at Iron Works?
Just to be more fit really, lose a little bit of weight and just generally be more healthier. Also Iron Works is quite close to home, I can walk here and it’s very reasonably cheap. Also the Ladies Gym is quite nice as it’s not too busy so I’m not worried about competition. (laughs)