Derek and SBC have been very welcoming & supportive.From 2016-2018 I was at an Eastside-based Crossfit gym focusing on their barbell club programming (= Olympic Weightlifting + powerlifting). Good times were had, progress was made. When the 1 barbell coach left, the owner let our club fizzle and our community scattered.Tail end of 2018, I tried another local barbell specialty gym on the Eastside. I liked the main coach and was easing into the community. Then, the owner mistreated me so I only lasted 1.5 months.Early 2019 I jumped in with Dereks cozy gym at Strength University in South Bothell, later re-branded Seattle Barbell Club. I havent looked back. The community has always been fun and supportive. People come and go (life, right?) but the vibe remains good. I continue to make gains in technique and strength.We have nearly as many women as men working out there and I chip in on spot-coaching also.Come ready to self-organize with the programming tools, and ready to be part of the community and positively contribute. The occasion risqué joke or expletive happens so that keeps it fun also.

Seattle Barbell club offers excellent coaching and personalized instruction in a safe and comfortable environment. I have learned a lot about weightlifting and continue to get stronger all while working out along side other friendly club members. I highly recommend Seattle Barbell Club!

Great place for weightlifting and powerlifting with personalized coaching. I am doing weightlifting and my technique has been improving a lot with Derek. I met also great people at this gym: theres a great community with good mindset.

My experience at Strength University has been great!Derek makes you feel very comfortable and even cracks a couple jokes. It is like being with family. He is very knowledgeable and makes sure that each rep is practiced with perfect form. He takes the time to work with you and give you individualized attention which is keen in safety considering I am no expert in lifting. He asks you what your goals are and more than willing to help get you there and work with your schedule. I have even invited a friend to come to Strength University with me and it was a blast. Overall, its been a very positive experience. =)

Derek is an amazing trainer, he genuinely wants every client to get better and get stronger. He always pushed me to lift that one last rep and it pays off. Definitely worth it!

Derek has been my trainer for almost two years. In that time, Im down one shirt size, and have lost several inches off of my waistline. I feel a thousand times better and really enjoy the new sense of healthy living that working with a trainer has given me.Dereks style is very personal and hands-on with each person getting his complete attention when they need it, as well as the space to do their own thing.The facility itself is a tight-knit community of individuals with diverse abilities and goals. We celebrate each others gains, and encourage each other to excel.Strength University is the perfect place for those who dont want to be in a high-volume, impersonal gym. It doesnt matter if youre new to strength training or have been in the gym for years. All are welcome here.

Derek is very personable and takes the time to really get to know your strengths and struggles so he can help you in just the right way. No matter what your fitness goals are, whether it be to lose weight or get become a professional lifter, he will make sure you get to it. As a person thats absolutely strained for time, Derek works with the schedule I have to get to my personal fitness goals. Would highly recommend him to anyone either wanting to start lifting or someone who already life and just needs there extra racks and platforms.

This place was really dialed it was like you got a free trainer

Great atmosphere.A comfortable place to workout. Derek is a down to earth, but challenging trainer, who really gets down to the basics. All his workouts are based on strength training and are very effective.

If youre looking to get crazy strong, avoid injury, and have a blast doing it, Dereks the man! Super knowledgable and supportive - he definitely knows his craft. After working with Derek, I feel like whether youre a total beginner to lifting, or a weekend warrior, or a seasoned gym rat, Strength U is a great place to learn to be as strong as you want to be.

Seattle Barbell Club has had a huge positive impact on my strength and overall health and wellness. Derek Kress is knowledgeable, accessible and enjoyable to work with. Through his program, at age 45, Im now stronger and healthier than I was in my 20s.

I have been training with Derek for a a few years and am very happy. I have not only become stronger and more in shape but I have learned so much. Derek is a teacher first and has taught me about all aspects of fitness, including lifting, mobility and nutrition.I have seen huge increases in strength with Dereks programming and coaching. His knowledge in both power and Olympic lifting has given me a great foundation that continues to grow. He pushes me every workout and I find myself doing things that I never thought I would be able to.Finally, working out with Derek is fun. He makes me want to work hard and has increased my confidence in myself. I highly recommend him!

Ive known Derek Kress for several years now and let me tell you, he is one phenomenal trainer. He takes the time to get to know what your goals are and creates a plan so that you can safely achieve those goals. He is highly knowledgable in power lifting and Olympic lifting which are definitely areas where you want to have a coach who knows what they are doing! I would highly recommend anyone who wants to be healthier and stronger to check out Strength University!

Strength University has excellent coaching that is very knowledgable, great atmosphere to train in. Highly recommend this gym.

Ive been lifting for years and was never conforable increasing my weight too much because of the fear of injury. Derek recently corrected my squat and deadlift form which has helped me hit new personal bests in these lifts.