Reviews of The Vault Barbell Club & Personal Training (Gym)

Justine Reist

I was a complete newbie when I started at The Vault 8 months ago. The atmosphere is fantastic, everyone is friendly and supportive no matter your level of experience and if you’re lucky you’ll get some love from Daisy, the big cuddly gym dog. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never lifted before or you’ve been doing it for decades, The Vault is exactly where you need to be.

Lana Katz

My partner and I started lifting here in September. We can't say enough good things about the facilities, equipment, and coaching quality at the gym. It's a true community environment and we have made an incredible amount of progress (in both technique and weight!) thanks to the weightlifting coach, Trevor. As beginners, we really enjoyed the friendliness and support of all the members and staff at the Vault. I highly encourage anyone in the area who is curious about trying out powerlifting or weightlifting, or who wants to improve, to give this gym a try!

Amritraj Mathew

Great gym, great staff and members, the best part is when you get greeted by Daisy (st Bernard) as you walk in, such a sweet soul...mark knows a lot about power lifting..this gym means serious business.., this isn’t any other global gym...very powerlifting and oly lifting oriented.. highly recommend

Amii

This review will get flagged by spam because that's how dishonest the owner is. Instead of issuing refunds to paying members, he will sit here reposting on social media and flagging honest reviews on google. I would NOT trust this facility and would rather never touch a barbell again than train or give this place my money. 1. This club is run by a longtime CPU (canadian powerlifting union, part of IPF) member. He was the president actually- he is aware of all the Ontario Powerlifting rules and still has the audacity to not communicate to people that have signed up for his meets, take money out of accounts that have already been closed and harass/shame people for wanting a refund. 2. They ran a powerlifting meet - this meet never occurred due to the pandemic. The federation ordered all meet directors to refund their participants. Every meet refunded everyone across Ontario. Except Vault. Who ignored all the lifter's emails/DMs/refund requests for as long as they could until it got blown up on social media. Then they issued a measly little instagram post (still with no email communication to everyone that's paid) saying they are willing to give a credit for a future meet instead. 3. The owner is not trustworthy and was willing to go ahead and steal people's money (some lifters are participating don't even work FT/couldn't even get CERB etc) 4. The place was confirmed OPEN during the pandemic and allowed their own members to train here and continue their memberships (confirmed by members and ex-members) - which was illegal. 5. The owner suggested instead of refunding everyone properly, that he would be ready to run a powerlifting meet in September. Ok- we are not the USA/crazy. People haven't been training, people are suffering during this time - nobody wants to be put in a forced powerlifting meet in September when COVID isn't over in the slightest. It is NOT SAFE to suggest a powerlifting meet in the midst of the pandemic, despite the federation's rules. Overall, very disappointing practices from this place. Though the people that train here may be strong - there are no excuses! Please save your money and do not ever give it to this gym under any circumstances.

A Carter

Although this facility is well equipped, I highly recommend reconsidering your choice to train here. The owner is unprofessional and has been unethical in different situations in which he could control without taking ownership of his actions.

Erinn Pettipiere

If you are looking for an accepting, positive and fun environment to go to and work out; look no further! Mark is amazingly knowledgeable, friendly and he will tailor things for you. He meets you at your level, constantly encourages you and also challenges you. You will leave each session feeling accomplished. This is an inclusive space and welcoming to everyone whether you are a pro or just starting out. Definitely a gem!

Mario Gonsalves

Awesome space, most weight-lifting/power-lifting experience packed in one gym, maybe in all of Ontario and for sure in all of Guelph !! All these guys here are very nice and love to share decades of knowledge on proper/safe lifting techniques. This has to be the best environment for the beginner lifter who wants to shortcut with learning the proper technique on day one and for the intermediate to advanced lifters paradise !! No dog and pony show here, just folks that want to move some weight... You’ll definitely catch me lifting here !!!

Paulette Lavigueur

Friendly, open.atmosphere, eclectic music

Amy Martin

Beautiful equipment (plates, bars, benches, racks) and expert, highly experienced trainers. Excellent facility for beginning and experienced lifters.

C C

Unethical business taking money from athletes and not providing professional responses to update everyone. Vault is fighting to not refund people for an event that was cancelled and is only offering an ambiguous “credit” for future events. All other gyms hosting powerlifting meets have refunded everyone already across the nation.

Brook Bennie

Great training facility! The best equipment you can find. Great training environment; the staff and membership are very supportive and encouraging.

Lewis Kavanagh

Very welcoming, super friendly, a great place to train. I'll be back next time I'm in town!

Shelley Sandiford

This facility was the perfect home away from home while we were on vacation. Great powerlifting gym!

Liviu Erbarescu

I have been training at Vault for just under 2 years now. It has been a second home for us. From the amazing ownership to the constant improvement mind set this is where you want to be if you are serious about improving your performance or general health. The facilities are very well equipped and always clean and safe. If you’re looking for a place to make real progress and be part of a community reach out and give us a try.

Jess S

Great training atmosphere, and quality equipment. This is not a big box gym, it's a community. Covid update: Cleaning is up to standard and tools are available for you to wipe down your equipment before or after use. Platforms are booked online for 90 minutes and gym goers are really respectful of one another's space.

Tristan Rocheleau

Great gym to use for strength specific training. It's not too big (keep it simple) , there isn't a bunch of useless machines that waste space, and the atmosphere is fantastic. Definitely worth the visit. It's great to see a gym like this in the area. Keep it up guys????

Francis Tapon

The Vault Barbell Club is a magical (yes magical...you read this right) place where I go 3 times per week to be led by the magician himself, Mark Giffin. I could not be happy and healthy without him, his club and his two wonderful dogs, Daisy and Leoh. Mark is a very accomplished weight lifter (with the physique to prove it). But he is much more than a weight lifter. He is a very very intelligent, well read and empathetic weight lifter. He knows how to show me what I need to do to improve and he does it in such a gentle way that, if I did not know him very well, I would miss the criticism and wrongly believe that I am actually doing well and pushing myself enough. Like Warren Buffett, he knows how to criticize by category but to praise by name. I dislike being criticized even when it is deserved. I have never been offended by him. When he praises me I recognize the difference between "this was truly good" and "this was good but you will do better in the next exercise". The Barbell Club is very well equipped with the best professional weight lifting equipment by Eleiko the Swedish brand that one sees in weightlifting competitions. Not flashy but extremely well built. Eleiko is the Steinway of weight lifting competitions, Steinway being the gold standard for piano concerts and competitions. The space itself is humble (it was a workshop in another time), located in a formerly industrial area of Guelph. I adore the location. Convenient to my house and in a part of Guelph that I particularly love. So that's what you can expect: a simple but extremely well equipped gym, run by a very talented trainer who will make a huge difference in your life, watched over by his two lovely dogs, Daisy, a beautiful St Bernard, and Leoh a chocolate colored retriever. They will both insist on meeting you at the door. As the Guide Michelin would write about great restaurants, "Mark Giffin's The Vault Barbell Club is well worth a detour". Francis Tapon Professor of Economics and Finance Lang School of Business and Economics University of Guelph Guelph, Ontario Canada

Teresa Yeung

The owner is a shady person who takes people's membership money, comp fee money even when competitions have been cancelled. The owner has been ignoring athlete's emails and attempts to contact the via social. I would highly recommend not spending any of your time or money at this gym.

Tim Almond

The Vault offers an amazing lifting community. If you are serious about getting stronger, this is the place to go. With the RMT and chiropractic clinic on site, it's truly a one stop shop.

Erin Calhoun

I love this gym! Great friendly atmosphere, great equipment and amazing coaching. Highly recommend for new and seasoned lifters.

Christine Thorne

Very shady especially with finances. Gym is well equipped but you have to deal with a toxic environment and bullying from the owner if he decides he doesn’t like you.

Angel Honeywood

I train here 3 days a week with Mark. He’s amazing! Goes over and above expectations you would expect from a trainer. Knowledgeable about nutrition and proper form. It’s like a little community with friendly people and can’t forget to mention Daisy the gym dog ❤️❤️❤️

Mike Rudat

A top notch training facility filled with world champions in a wide variety of sports. The knowledge the Vault provides to its lifters is second to none. Great atmosphere with a great team always makes for an enjoyable lifting experience. With so many fitness gyms today it is refreshing to have a place where you can lift heavy without being frowned upon and have a few laughs with some really great people. No matter what sport or activity you are looking to excel in the Vault can provide you with unbelievable knowledge, motivation and take your strength to places that will shock you. So if you are looking to be judged and feel insecure with no direction just go to the many fitness clubs but if you want to know what it's like to train with world champions and be a part of a strong family then definitely check out the Vault.

Jen Sears

Amazing facility & Amazing supportive staff!! I am so happy to be apart of such a wonderful gym!

Lex Brewer

If I could give 0 stars I would... I would not trust this facility or owner AT ALL. The powerlifting community is a tight knit group that prides itself of being supportive/welcoming and inclusive. The owner has shown NONE of these qualities in recent events. He has left a fowl taste in the mouths of experienced lifters and has made newcomers to the sport feel that you will be treated poorly right out if the gate. The Vault was expected to host a powerlifting meet April 18, 2020 - for obvious reasons (global pandemic), this has since been cancelled. Originally, Mark postponed the meet to September and advised lifters who wanted a refund, to connect with him to coordinate. Refund requests were met with poor excuses to make lifters feel guilty for asking for their money back. I missed the original deadline to request a refund due to the postponement, which Mark was eager to advise me he wasn't responsible for issuing a refund per the OPA policy. However, once the OPA cancelled all meets and the notice was sent out, he was required to issue refunds to all lifters as the meet will not be taking place. Queue further excuses that he should not have to issue refunds. I'd like to point out that the policy he tried to use against my original request for a refund, is on the same statement as the cancellation policy. Conveniently, he read what would benefit himself and nothing more. All other meet directors across Ontario have since issued refunds to their lifters ... VBBC has not. Lifters have been trying to get in contact with the owner for months with not so much as an email that they were working on it. Every single lifter who has followed up with VBBC has been ignored since the refund requirements came out. Meanwhile, they have the capability to post new videos on social media, while leaving everyone else to wonder what's going on? Based on the events that have come to light ... it is apparent that there was some serious financial mismanagement and that the lifters funds were used to pay for other purchases ... considering no meet purchases would have been incurred due to the cancellation. Meanwhile, it's been confirmed that the VBBC was open to members to continue training, even with the mandated shut down. So considering there was still a source of income (albeit illegal as per Ontario's Pandemic Recovery guidelines) ... how is a refund not feasible? The solution provided, after months of no contact, was to offer a credit to a future VBBC powerlifting meet. At this point, the last thing I would ever want to do is support such an unprofessional business and business owner. Mark has suggested the reason he does not owe anyone refunds is because they are ready to run in September (among other excuses) ... let's take into account that many lifters have gone months without so much as touching a barbell ... how would this meet be safe for those lifters? I'm beyond disappointed in how this situation has been handled. There are no reasonable excuses to ghost your lifters, deny refunds and continue to operate without so much considering the financial struggles being faced by everyone in this pandemic. The pandemic has hit everyone hard ... how are your financial woes any more important than the lifters you are robbing of $100. That money could easily have been repurposed for food, bills, etc. Invest your money into a club that cares more about it's community because the VBBC won't do you any favours in the long run.

Michael Cowan

Welcoming community. Down to earth people. Highly recommended.

Natasha Kvedaras

"The Vault" Mark Giffin has been my powerlifting coach for the past four years and has led me to numerous national records and a silver at Commonwealth and a silver at World's. Mark's knowledge in this sport is second to none. We are so fortunate that he has opened his own gym in Guelph. If you want to lift with people who are friendly and want to help with your technique then this is THE place to be. I highly recommend this gym family. World class athletes in a world class gym .

Jamie Crane

Awesome club for strength training (weightlifting, powerlifting or just getting in shape). Wide range of levels...from beginners to elite lifters in smaller club setting. Great atmosphere and group of people who are always motivating to be around.

Jordan Shannick

Fantastic people, well educated, open and honest staff. Great for people of all levels ranging from beginner lifters to international level competitors. Plus it's dog friendly!

Aras Kvedaras

Best heavy lifting facility in Ontario. Besides top notch equipment, the amount of knowledge and experience in this facility is unparalleled. Fantastic lifting family environment

Matt Goldsmith

Arguably one of the best training facilities in the province, The Vault finds itself the home of multiple national and world champion powerlifters. The Vault contains a tremendous amount of competition grade equipment as well as a tight knit community of lifters. Athletes at the vault will find themselves quickly immersed in the team atmosphere where everyone trains with a direction and purpose. Secondly, with an on site RMT and chiropractor the Vault becomes the premier athletic training facility in the Guelph area.

Elena Popadic

Anyone looking to get into powerlifting in the Guelph area I kindly suggest you avoid this place as management is not representative of the type of community we strive to have in the sport. Honest and transparent communication is nonexistent and overall unprofessional behaviour has been demonstrated and witnessed by several. I'm sure the facilities are great but I would not trust them with my money.

Sarah L

I've been training here for a few years now, and I can't recommend Vault highly enough. The community that we train with, and the staff at the gym are always are welcoming, friendly, inclusive and supportive. The equipment is always clean and well maintained, and the atmosphere and environment is like nothing I've been a part of before.