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 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.
"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"
"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"
"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"
“What surprised me the most was the amount of progress you can make - in such a short time”
"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 learned more in a matter of weeks, than in 10 year of training on my own"
"I've gotten more out of Hench and I have in the previous 10 years of going to gyms"
"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."
"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 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 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."
"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"
Katrina
19th March 2024
I joined Hench around 6 months ago now and couldn’t recommend them more. I joined having done no strength training previously so was a little nervous but the coaching and support I’ve received has been amazing and has really changed my mindset in a positive way in relation to exercise. It’s been amazing to see the progress I’ve made which wouldn’t have been possible without the coaches. The timing of the coaching slots available gives me the flexibility to go whenever suits around work and other commitments, with the booking system meaning all the equipment I need for my session is available when I go. I’d highly recommend for anyone looking to give strength training a go!
Barry
Top notch facilities, brilliant coaching & programming. Hench takes all the thinking and hassle out of a structured training program. I’ve made better progress here in 6 months than in the past 5 years training on my own. I’d highly recommend Hench to anyone interested in strength training, from complete beginner to experienced athletes.
Ali
24th April 2021
Great gym. Coaches are extremely knowledgeable and dedicated to each member. Good atmosphere with like minded people. More expensive than other gyms but you certainly get what you pay for at HENCH👌. Gym is suitable for all people no matter what stage they're at on their journey.
Ross
25th May 2023
I have been training at HENCH now for 9 months. The facilities are great, the training is top class and the coaches are very knowledgeable and approachable. The attention to detail that you get in HENCH is brilliant. This has made a huge difference in improving my lifts and form each session. The atmosphere in the gym is great and I couldn't recommend it enough for anyone in the Belfast area!