Why No One Cares How Much You Lift at BARCH (And That’s the Point)

You know that feeling when you walk into a gym and suddenly feel like everyone’s sizing each other up?
Like the guy next to you is waiting to load more weight on the bar just because you did something heavy?

Yeah… that’s not what we do here.

At BARCH, no one gives a sh*t how much you lift.
Not because we don’t care about progress—we do. But because your progress isn’t a competition.
And we’re not here to impress, we’re here to improve.

Strength looks different for everyone

For one member, strength is doing a full push-up for the first time after three kids.
For another, it’s loading a barbell and finally trusting their back after an injury.
For someone else, it’s just showing up to a 6am class and getting through the warm-up without quitting.

You don’t see that in a mirror selfie or in someone’s lifting numbers.
But that’s the real stuff. That’s what we celebrate.

This is a no ego gym—for real

It’s not just something we put on a sign (though, yes, it’s literally written on our stairs).
It’s how we train. It’s how we coach. It’s how we treat each other.

We’ve had people walk through our doors who can deadlift twice their bodyweight,
and total beginners who haven’t touched a dumbbell in a decade.
Both belong here. Both are treated the same. Because ego gets in the way of learning, progress, and community.

And we care about all three.

So what do we care about?

We care if you’re willing to show up and give your best on that day.
We care if you support the person next to you—whether they’re lifting 10kg or 100kg.
We care if you’re coachable, if you want to get better, and if you leave feeling proud.

We program progressive training blocks for a reason—so you can track your growth.
Not to outlift anyone. But to outlift your old self.
And some days, that just means turning up when you didn’t feel like it.

What we hear from our members again and again:

“I’ve never felt intimidated here.”
“Everyone’s focused on their own progress.”
“The coaches actually care.”

This is why people stay.
It’s why people who’ve never stuck with a gym before find their rhythm here.
Because when the pressure to “perform” disappears, you get to focus on what actually matters—getting better.

Final thought: If you’re worried you’re not strong enough for BARCH… you’re exactly who we built it for.

You don’t need to be strong to start.
You start so you can get strong. On your terms, at your pace.

And no, no one’s watching your barbell.
They’re too busy trying to get better themselves.

Try your first BARCH class for free.
No pressure. No posing. Just progress.