Reviews of Forge Training (Gym)

Alicia Reads

I love Forge so much! The staff are incredible; the sessions offered are fun and challenging. Its the first gym that's ever captured and maintained my commitment. Definitely recommend taking some classes!

Brad Engbrecht

Lachlan and the trainers at Forge have created a terrific environment for staying in shape. I have been training there since the beginning and have seen the benefits of staying in shape with great trainers and all while having a lot of fun. The friendly, comfortable atmosphere make Forge earn the fifth star.

Gabriel Bances

Great gym. Great atmosphere.

Taylor Patterson

A small group of GREAT trainers! I had the pleasure of being trained by Hal just over a year ago. Some trainers are good at what they do because they learn the science and apply it. A select few are great trainers because they learn the science then apply it with a passion. Hal is one of those few great trainers. He, along with two other Great trainers Lachlan and Tina, have built this gym into an incredibly motivating and inspiring space to catalyze your self development. I no longer live in Victoria, but every time I come back for a visit you can bet I'm in for a session or two. Can't recommend it enough.

Kollan House

Such a great space with great people! Attention to detail is something I noticed early on. If there was ever anything I couldn't do or was having issues with, it didn't take one second for another exercise to be offered in its place. Training like that just rocks! 10/10 would recommend to anyone.

Laura Thomlinson

I've been training at Forge doing 1:1 PT with Hal for over a year now, and have also been attending many of the amazing classes the gym has to offer. Dedicated staff looking to better your health, with small group classes & always tons of fun.

Robert Morris

Love it. Great people and great equipment.

Lauren Heppell

I love going here! Every trainer I've worked with here has been accommodating, professional, and committed to providing an environment that feels safe and inclusive for all types of clients, regardless of skill level, age, size, etc. I also really enjoy the class scheduling that makes it pretty easy to hit up a number of different classes. Since going here, I've accomplished goals that I would have never thought possible for myself, thanks to the guidance and encouragement of the trainers. I highly recommend Forge to folks that are wanting to try a gym for the first time, but feel intimidated or just don't know where to start.

Amanda Godfrey

Tina and everyone at Forge are always friendly and welcoming since I started training there almost 4 years ago. The gym is always clean, tidy and they get new equipment in regularly. They have also done a phenomenal job fundraising for local charities. Forge will continue to be my go to gym while I remain in Victoria.

Jay Ell

Excellent gym - all the equipment you need for all kinds of training, very friendly, helpful staff with tons of experience. Expect to get fitter and make friends.

Ofri Livneh

GREAT group workout, great trainers! gotta LOVE IT to be up at 5:30 am for group training ! its freaking AWESOME!

Megan Adams

Forge has everything you need and more. I was intimidated when I started looking for a martial arts facility, but every single person I have met at Forge has made me feel incredibly comfortable in my skin. I am able to grow mentally and physically in this clean, organized, and friendly environment. Great facility, great staff, and great members!

Kim Hess

This is one of the best gyms out there! They are so welcoming to out-of-towners, which I very much appreciated. Great selection of equipment too. Awesome experience!

Mark Bell

Welcoming and inviting staff, great personal trainers, awesome classes, and an all round fun place to go to get your butt kicked!

Limitless Training

Great training studio for those seriously into lifting! Lachlan, Hal and Tina provide professional training and good service. Get your pump on!!

T-Jay Creamer

A more complete group of knowledgeable, enthusiastic and professional trainers cannot be found in Victoria. A fantastic atmosphere to learn, make yourself better & have a good time doing it!

Arsenal

I was extremely nervous when i Started to do the Kickboxing/Boxing classes but Hal is such a NICE teacher! its the best place to go If you are a beginner!!

Matthew Kaiser

I can not say enough about how forge has changed my life. The trainers have taught me not only how to be the strongest version of myself I can possibly be, but also the training has eradicated my chronic back pain I had been living with for 20 years. As an RMT I only trust my clients to visit the staff and trainers at Forge because I have seen their skills and trust in their abilities. The staff here are gems, and the management team are unbelievable. This place changes lives, dont miss out!

Adam King

Love this place, excellent covid response, very comfortable and accessible

Konrad Herrmann

Forge offers an extremely proffesional environment, with a group of very knowledgeable trainers. As well as having some of the best personal trainers, the jiu jitsu program taught by Matthew Kaiser is the best on the island.

Laura Yoo

Nice new, clean equipment and super motivating trainers!

Alistair Norman

Great gym, lots of very effective high intensity classes but also very welcoming to all fitness and skill levels

Jim Stephenson

Awesome gym and atmosphere

Laura Sinclair Faunt

Amazing gym! I’m thrilled to have found Forge - it’s more than a gym, it’s a vibrant community of people who are passionate about health and wellness. The space is bright and clean, location is super convenient if you work/live downtown, and every trainer I’ve worked with has been friendly, engaging, and just genuinely awesome at what they do. Whether you’re looking for an open gym, energizing and challenging group classes, or martial arts - you can find what you need at Forge. Monthly membership is very affordable too. 11/5 stars.

Brian Holt

Forge is the best gym and has the best service. You can book a space in advance and use it the entire time without being bothered. Every station has all the equipment you need. The staff are friendly and accommodating. There are no hidden fees or sign up charges. You can put your membership on hold without penalties. Top notch. I couldn’t imagine going elsewhere!

Stephanie Bethune

I find gyms intimidating and uncomfortable so was hesitant to try, but from the first moment I stepped into Forge I felt welcome and included. I've been going to the boxing classes for just over a month and I love it. The facility is clean and tidy, and the staff are unbelievably supportive. They take the time to adapt things so they work better for you (like altering exercises so they are more or less difficult), and are invested in each person's growth - whatever that looks like. I can't recommend Forge enough.

Viet Nguyen

Great place to train. Coaches for boxing/kickboxing are great. Lots of classes to choose from and all are of high calibre!

Chris Hoffman

I dropped in for their $10 for 10 visits promotional offer; this is the best-equipped gym I have seen outside of Muscle Factory in Bangkok. Staff were welcoming and the training environment was positive and energizing.

League and Williams Lawyers

I've been going to the boot camp on Tuesday and Thursday mornings since February and have found the facilities clean, the workout challenging, and the staff to be amazing. Recommend Forge fully!

Kylaina Bellman

What a great gym! The atmosphere here is so upbeat, you can't help but want to work out and work hard. I train with Hal, he's a great motivator and really knowledgeable about creating the best individual plan you need. If you want to get fit and love doing it, visit Forge!

Flo Schultz

Best gym I have ever been to. Great staff, everybody is super helpful and approachable. Clean, well equipped and awesome atmosphere.

Robert McCulloch

Amazing gym, with well-maintained equipment and facility. Trainers are all super knowledgeable. It's a very friendly and welcoming gym for all levels of fitness and caters to a bunch of different fitness goals. Definitely worth checking out!

Jordon J. Lauzon

great gym and has free quality classes included in membership :)

Arash

Great gym for professionals. They don't have some machines for leg curl. You barely find anyone using their phone during workout and you don't need to worry if you got superset and there is time waster occupying a machine or else.

Nicole Freeman

Just an amazing gym. As a student, I was struggling to find a kickboxing/boxing gym that wasn't going to cost a fortune in membership fees. Not only are the memberships affordable, but they include unlimited classes IN ADDITION TO the use of the gym and boxing gym. AND everyone is incredibly friendly and approachable. I cannot say enough good things about this gym.

Codie Lee

Only the most amazing supportive incredible group of trainers around. I've had the great pleasure of working with Hal for the last six months. He is a wealth of knowledge, practical insights and mad skills in understanding body mechanics. Not only have I had a great time working out and developing a new level of personal strength but Hal has also been able to support me through the healing and stabilization of a few chronic injuries. The entire team at Forge is amazing.

Chris David

Love this place! Great place to Kickbox and Box 7 days a week. Hal and Tom are amazing!

Bre Books

I contacted Forge because I was interested in learning how to powerlift and needed some personal training, but was hesitant due to high pressure, high cost sales that I've experienced at commercial gyms. I am so happy to report that this isnt the way it's done here. Tina, was genuinely welcoming and encouraging right from the start and easy to learn from and work with. She made sure I could stay within my budget and set up a program that's easy for me to follow. I appreciated that I could tell from the start that this wasnt about her making a sales quota, but about a genuine love of fitness and helping people smash their goals. I felt comfortable, cared for and positively motivated. I look forward to working with her more in the future and highly recommend this gym to anyone who is looking for a great place to workout. It's clean, fully equipped, follows Covid regulations, friendly staff, affordable training, and has a great atmosphere.

Lara Bannister

I really struggled to find a gym with an atmosphere I really liked, and I am so happy to have ended up here. All the coaches are fantastic, and the camaraderie and atmosphere is unparalleled. I've gained a lot of friends through this gym and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a welcoming gym!

Kelsey Goodwin

Great place to work out and make friends! Has a friendly and encouraging atmosphere that I have found to be unique to Victoria.

Marie-Ève Gagné

Very nice space with great lighting and lots of equipment: many squat racks, 2 lifting platform, several sets of rings, medballs, Kettlebells, dumbbells, a turf for sled pulls/drags, as well as some fitness and boxing classes! Membership price is quite affordable too!

Sam Lindsey

I have trained in numerous gyms around the world, and I can say this is by far the best fitness facility I have trained in. The open concept and tons of light makes it easy to get to on stormy winter days! There is no wasted equipment, and the gym is easy to navigate! Most importantly, the staff who work there are hungry to improve the health and wellness in everyone who walks through the doors. A genuine passion and care that is missing in a lot of gyms these days. No lack of smiles here! 5/5

Caroline Pattison

Love Forge! Great facility, equipment and staff!

Celina Kurz

I want to shout out HAL for being such a great personal trainer! I have NEVER stepped foot inside a gym before and Hal has been helping make the process so much easier than I thought it could! I still have a long way to go for my fitness goals but I feel like it's a real possibility that I could make some strides :) thank you Forge and thank you Hal!

Jennine Gates

Great classes, great workout and a schedule that fits my life. LOVE the early early morning classes!

Brian MacKay

Absolutely awesome. Hal and the rest of the team at Forge have created something truly special. If you're looking for a private training facility with just the right blend of strength, cardio and martial arts you need to check out Forge. The trainers are all fantastic, the classes aren't overcrowded, there's tons of parking nearby and the atmosphere is welcoming to people of all fitness levels. Whether you're looking to kick off a new fitness regime or you want to take your training to the next level I couldn't recommend a better gym or a better team.

Robert Janes QC

I work with Hal Kreisel at Forge and have nothing but good to say about his work and about Forge. They have an open, clean, uncrowded facility with good equipment and friendly knowledgeable trainers. When Hal has been away other trainers can step in if desired and the experience with this has been nothing but positive (thanks to Jacqui Parker on this front). They provide great motivation and safe guidance that has helped me more than exceed my earlier fitness goals.

Andras Lenart

Forge is easily my favorite gym I've ever trained. Phenomenal vibe - a really good community and culture, great equipment as well!

Jeremy Balliston

Best Gym I've been too in this fine city. It's impossible to not pick up on the passion that this gym culture has thanks to the leadership and its members. Normally I just lift weights on my own but the classes are amazing. The boxing and kickboxing classes are taught by world-class teachers. I've also enjoyed the regular classes too.

Eva Cannings

This place and people made me fall in love with fitness. Thank you

Nik & Sasha

This gym got everything, love it, love it, love it very much! I get bored easily, so sometimes I am a crossfitter, sometimes kickboxer, sometimes gymnast, all in one gym! Staff is amaizing, super friendly and very professional, helpful! Thanks Forge, see you tomorrow!

Luke de Leseleuc

Great gym! My trainer Ryan is great! Very reasonable training and just an all round great facility.

Harris Watt

My god what a gym, I miss it so much. I've been meaning to write a review since I moved a couple months ago and I'm following through now because I still think about this place all the time. I try to make a point of going to the gyms where the strong people go, mostly because I think it's good to be around people who are invested in what they're doing and not because I'm particularly hardcore. Still it's not always easy to walk into a barbell gym with a martial arts scene - I think we've all been intimidated by gyms before. If nothing else, I'm here to tell you not to be. There's a reason the members are so fanatically in love with this place, it's crazy supportive and if you're like me and wanna train some fight sports you can have that warm atmosphere and also get some REAL solid instruction. I'm in Vancouver now looking for a boxing gym and I'm following most of the clubs on Instagram. Forge has been here for a couple tournaments and the fighters are cleaning up! It's great to see that kind of representation from a Victoria club. I truly believe this place is on par with anything I'll find here and if I could have taken it with me I would have. There's too much to say, just go here, they'll take care of you. Try the punching classes if you want to feel like an absolute beast within a month.

Roman Kessel

Top notch gym. Only downside is early closing weekend hours.

Philip Shaw

Forge is truly an awesome gym. The owners are on-site 24/7 and it's clear how passionate, caring and knowledgeable they are. I love their approach to educating their customers. Whether it's muay thai or weights classes, the instructors are outstanding. I have trained in many boxing gyms and Forge has to be one of my absolute favourites! If you're looking for a gym, you'd be nuts to not do the $10 for 10 days trial.

Debbie Stirling

There are no words to adequately describe the support and encouragement that one receives when walking in the front door at Forge. The trainers are knowledgeable and dedicated to helping you achieve your personal goals. Forge is a clean, well lit facility with great access to equipment. They have also taken the time to put unique personal touches on the walls which add an element of fun to the space:) Would I suggest Forge as a personal training facility? 100% without a doubt!! so why not start YOUR personal journey with one of the best today?

Venessa Chang

I've been going to forge since 2017. Great location, fun small classes, great knowledgeable trainers, and friendly staff.

Mattie Moriarity

Feeling super safe in the best gym in town!! Nice work forge...you're crushing it!

James W

A budding community of experts with world-class facilities and the positivity, education, and athleticism to make everyone around them better. Can't recommend more.

Anderson Krause

I joined Forge to try out boxing. The instructors are very friendly and helpful and the classes are really fun and a great workout. The atmosphere is very welcoming to newcomers.

Nelson Collins

Fantastic gym. Friendly staff. Excellent personal trainers and equipment. Very well organized system for booking workouts. I love working out there!

Dylan Willows

I've had the privilege to work closely with this team for many years and have had the greatest success to date. Weather it be weight training, weight-loss, anaerobic, dietary needs, or something new, this personal training team is the best in the city! The facility is modern, clean, bright and always welcoming. It truly is like a family that is designed to help you reach your goals no matter what. - D.

Brette Carrigan

Over the past few months I've been training at Forge - both personal training and private small group training, and have recently starting going to the regular scheduled classes. Every single trainer and instructor I've had has exceeded my (very high) expectations. The trainers are experts in their field and by far the best in Victoria, and the atmosphere is incredible - welcoming, encouraging and personalized.

Jake Rochon

I've been going since they reopened in June and have had a great experience. The staff are knowledgeable and very safe with public health orders. The trainers are great (ask for Danzel). Equipment is top notch. Highly recommended.

Maren Gray

Forge is a great place to train with people of all ages and ability levels! Whether it's group training, scheduled classes or 1:1 personal training, there's something for everyone. Each trainer is supportive and encouraging, and you'll always be greeted with a welcome. This is the only gym that I've ever stayed with and won't be going anywhere!

avery kelly

Forge has everything you need: highly skilled, experienced, and professional trainers for one on one sessions, as well as diverse, well thought out classes offered morning, noon and night in a great setting. The gym is in a good location close to downtown and the vibe at the gym is always positive and supportive. People of all shapes, ages and fitness levels come here to work out, learn, and have fun. If you have a specific goal you're working towards or just want a great place to train and stay on track, Forge is worth checking out.

Field Forrest

Incredibly professional and all around solid people. Won't find a deadlier gym on the island.

Hanaa Saeed Sheikh

So much fun! I went to a class 6 months after having a baby with my husband (who is pretty fit) and the class was great for both of us since the instructor was able to offer modifications to the exersizes that challenged both of us. We brought the baby and because the class was so small, she was able to hold him when he got fussy too! I HIGHLY recommend this gym. Friendly instrctors/staff who are helpful and accommodate all fitness levels.

Misha Amos

Open space. Great equipment. Satisfying online booking functionality

michaela aeberhardt

Forge is such a fantastic gym, I’m so thrilled to have found it. The boxing and Muay Thai/kick boxing classes are incredible. The instructors are welcoming, encouraging, but still very challenging. I’ve trained at other gyms both in Victoria and elsewhere and absolutely love Forge. I don’t particularly use the upstairs facilities because I take every boxing or kickboxing class I can. That being said, the upstairs gym/weightlifting area seems top notch.

Victoria Seaton

5/5*

Jessica Dearman

Spacious, clean, and friendly staff!

Jennifer Hallihan

The training environment at Forge is fantastic. All of the staff are welcoming, equipment is well maintained, and the gym is CLEAN! Both their class instructors and personal trainers are great. I work with Danzel and he is always engaged for the full session. He has also put a lot of effort into designing workouts to strengthen my specific weaknesses and to work towards my own personal goals. No Cookie Cutter workouts, here!

Carmelle Lauren

Great gym, great classes!

Joanne Figueroa

Forge is a fantastic space for Olympic, Powerlifting and Boxing. They have a great variety of equipment, clean and friendly staff

charmaine Niebergall

The trainers are true professionals. All levels and abilities are supported with a smile and encouragement. Small, personal classes make you feel truly supported and safe from injury. Worth every penny.

Becca Pepper

Great gym! Super friendly

Charles Rose

I've been training as a bodybuilder for decades and Forge is the best gym I've found in many years, whether in Victoria or southern California. Hal Kreisel does a great job of understanding my goals and pushes me towards them with intensity and skill. I have had injuries with other trainers, however with Hal's knowledge of anatomy and kinesiology, that has never happened. The facility is bright, clean and well-stocked with the necessary equipment.

Brian Farrell

Great facility, amazing trainers!!

Lindsay Woykin

Forge is a great facility with all of the equipment needed for power lifting, Olympic lifting, CrossFit type workouts, or any type of training. It is a nice open space which is kept clean, with new and functional equipment. They offer a membership at a very reasonable price, which includes access to lots of different types of fitness classes for all levels. I'm stoked to have found Forge and happy that it's so close to my school downtown!

Sadat Anwar

Jason is a great trainer