I've driven past Tucson Strength on Speedway more times than I can count ,kind of tucked away on a corner, easy to miss & WOW... I cannot believe it took me this long to finally walk in. This place is no f*cking joke. First off, this is an old-school strength gym, and I mean that in the best way possible. It's not bougie, it's not aesthetic-driven, and it's definitely not trying to be a trendy Instagram gym. It's gritty, it's real, and it's built for people who actually want to get stronger. They've got everythinggggg!Olympic lifting, strongman training, personal training, group classes, nutrition coaching... even a calisthenics coach (which is honestly rare to find). Whether you're a beginner wanting to level up or someone who's already deep in fitness and feels like you've outgrown franchise gyms... this is where you go to get humbled REAL quick. And I love that. The tour alone sold me. Front desk was super welcoming, and the owner was already on it with communication before we even walked in. You can tell this place runs on passion and community, not flashy marketing. Inside? Old-school equipment (my personal favorite &way more effective than a lot of the newer stuff IMO). Outside? A full-on training setup with turf, tires, and space to actually move. There's also indoor turf, kettlebells, and room to train however you want. This is a no-BS, get-it-done gym. One of my favorite parts though? The people. You've got folks in their 70s and 80s lifting alongside everyone else and that's powerful. As a woman in my 40s, that kind of environment hits different. Strength training isn't optional, it's essential & this is the kind of place where you do it right. Also love that they have options for everyone: * Memberships * Personal training * Group classes (super affordable around $20/class once you're cleared) * Even drop-in options for travelers It's flexible, which you don't always see in more serious gyms. And honestly... if you're the person who's always finishing first in group classes and not really getting pushed anymore? Come here. You will be challenged. In the best way. This place feels like a local secret , very word-of-mouth, very "if you know, you know." Not overcrowded (especially midday), dedicated community, and zero fluff. Soooo yeah... I'm hooked. If you're serious about getting stronger -- not just sweating, but actually building strength & this might be the gym in Tucson. read more

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A great gym with fantastic equipment and fantastic trainers, and an environment that welcomes all who want to make their body stronger. This welcoming environment, however, is in spite of, not because of, its owner, who uses his brand's social media account to mock people for, among other things, having pronouns in their bio, and when confronted on this, will delete comments critical of those actions. https://www.instagram.com/p/DYfR3r9yPIv/ As such, it becomes difficult to recommend Tucson Strength as a welcoming place if you are someone who expects to have your gender identity respected, as the owner believes "pronouns are a social construct" that he "does not buy into" and that "there are [only] two genders" He is obviously welcome to these opinions, in the same way I am welcome to take my business elsewhere, while letting others know they may not feel welcome in this space. It is truly disappointing that the owner of a gym with a "Don't be an asshole" sign cannot live up to that most basic of principles. All of that said, I cannot in good conscience give a review less than three stars, as at the end of the day it has the makings of a potentially fantastic gym that's *actually* a welcoming place for *anyone*, and I have incredibly fond memories of my time there. It was with great disappointment that I canceled my membership, but I simply no longer felt welcome at a place owned by an online bully, who claims everyone is welcome in his space, while at the same time using his public business account to hunt down and mock those who think differently than him. read more

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I worked with one of their trainers for several months. It was an okay experience. I haven't returned but no follow-up from the trainer or Danny to find out why not. They promote personal training as their priority. I don't agree. Their priority is power lifting. No organization gets it right all of the time but perhaps a feed back loop to find out more details about someone's experience, especially if echoed from other reviews and taken seriously, might strengthen (pun intended) their business. I've moved on to another gym. read more

This gym is reminiscent of the hardcore gyms that I grew up in! All metal plates, completion grade bars only, lots of racks & lifting platforms. Also plenty of machines from the Golden era of bodybuilding that are in mint condition! Danny Sawaya is the owner and puts his heart and soul into this place! This is a hardcore, old school lifters dream of a gym! Come and check them out! You'll be addicted the moment you walk in! read more

Awesome gym with great people and a true old-school atmosphere. The equipment and machines are high quality, and the community is welcoming and supportive. It's a refreshing change from the overcrowded, impersonal big-box gyms. Highly recommend! read more

As soon as I walked for a day pass I felt like I was part of a community, lovely family owned facility with lots of equipment that seem dedicated to people getting stronger. All levels were in the gym with folks smiling, didn't see anyone taking selfies or standing in front of mirrors except to notice their form. Although I didn't use them, their trainers looked great as they were working with their clients . I'll be back next time I'm in Tucson . read more

As a senior who had become sedentary, I appreciate that Tucson Strength has talented personal trainers and group training classes that help me to get back to being strong again. read more

The best gym experience. Love Tucson Strength, the staff is so friendly and willing to help with anything you need.

Tucson Strength is the best! Always keeping the training going, putting the members first! Mental health is very important to many who workout. During this pandemic, we needed a place and Danny + team provided it. No smoke in mirrors here folks, just outstanding management, an abundance of equipment and constant innovation. I love the outdoor tents and the indoor space as well! I moved to Tucson recently and I enjoy calling it home. read more

Tucson Strength - Outdoor workout space. #innovation #pandemic - Trainers Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Tucson Strength is the best gym in Tucson for everyone, including someone like myself with previous injuries/chronic back issues. After starting with the "4 weeks to a healthier back" program and continuing with the Original Strength program to where I am now, there is a world of difference. The price is well worth the results! Even though I was only going for one type of group class, the entire staff made me feel welcome from the start. During the pandemic, being forced to shut down, they were there for their members through personal online programs and online group training the entire time! I don't know any large scale gyms who would do that for their members. Tucson Strength is not only a great place for anyone to feel welcome and train in, they are also a local business I am proud to support and will continue doing so. I love my gym!! read more

(I am submitting this review after working out at TS for a little over two weeks now) Since I will be staying in AZ for a period of time, I wanted to find a gym that would suit my needs and help me with my short term powerlifting and fitness goals. I cannot say enough about how glad I found Tucson Strength! When I searched the interweb for a local gym, photos of the equipment, layout and other members is what first caught my attention. Next, once I had a chance to meet the owner and his staff, and see the facility for myself, I knew this would be a good fit for me. The equipment and facility are very well maintained. There are classes, machines, weight apparatus, and other notables for every type of person at every kind of fitness level with a goal in mind. The best part of it all, everyone works along side everyone else. You get to see all of the trainers interact with all the clients which gives you first hand experience to how this gym and their personnel operate. I have worked with the owner, Danny, for three sessions as of this review and am looking forward to his assistance over the next few months. I look toward each session as a learning experience and a brief view to what my body is capable of. There is a sign outside this business that relates to this not being a $9.99 a month gym. That's right, it is not a $9.99 a month gym. No truer words are spoken than "You get what you pay for" when you sign on at Tucson Strength. Leave your ego at the door, come in, get your workout done, enjoy some conversation if you see fit, make a friend or workout partner, then leave sweaty and happy. Repeat! read more

I have been attending Tucson Strength for just about 4 years. I began with the Strong and Healthy Woman program. I found out I really enjoy kettlebells and general weight lifting. The staff are what make this place special. The focus is on making sure you know the proper way to do an exercise so you don't get injured. And, they re-fresh you on technique on a regular basis. I love my gym and the folks there. Great place read more

Based on only a single drop in visit. This place is great, really great. Easy access, abundant parking. Exceptionally friendly front desk. Best part is wide open, incredibly well stocked strength training gym. Little to none douchebag apparatus but rather weights, weights, lifting platforms and a buttload of rowers. Best part on a walk in visit- the trainers leave you the duck alone to work out. read more

I hate going to ordinary and big box gyms. But I really like this place. Clean, pleasant, not full of meat heads and Barbies, just a bunch of folks who care about being and getting strong. The staff is professional and extremely knowledgeable, and work to bring a sense of fun to the gym. They can help you rehab an injury, or even come back from a 3-month hospital stay (my wife), with a workout routine customized to you and your needs and abilities. A lot of other gyms left me feeling like an outsider or weakling, but I've never experienced that at Tucson Stremgth. Both the staff and the other members are friendly and helpful (if you want it or ask) and the sense of community is unique. Check it out! read more

The BEST gym in Tucson! Extremely knowledgeable and experienced staff who regardless of your goals, Whether it's weight loss, speed/mobility or strength related someone in the building is more than happy to help. Several unique specialty pieces of Equipment and A Lot of space to use it, I've never even had to wait for a rack, dL box or bench! One of my favorite spots, is the outdoor lifting area! An area originally created to STAY OPEN during pandemic closures has expanded and is here to stay!!! From day one the owners Danny and Selma will tell you its a community and we are there to look out for each other and you'll see its true everyday. I joined just earlier this year and the only regret I have is not joining up sooner!! read more

BEST GYM IN TUCSON can't say enough good about this place , staff is friendly and helpful

I participated in the Strong & Healthy woman program way back in January of 2014. The experience was great, but circumstances led me a way from Evolution after the series ended. Fast forward to yesterday evening. I stopped in to inquire about the structure of the six-week special that they're currently running, and I was greeted by name by one of the trainers. The fact that Jesus remembered my name after all this time was seriously impressive and a shining example of how the Evolution Family, rolls. read more

I got coached on squats by Danny. He was very knowledgeable and effective in helping me improve. Also the facility is first rate for serious strength training. read more

I've been a member at Tucson Strength and a part of their Barbell Club for years. Two years ago, I moved to the East Coast and aside from leaving my family, leaving this gym was the toughest part. My husband and I have since moved back to Tucson and couldn't be happier to be at TS once again. I've competed in powerlifting meets and trained for a 5k, both with programs specifically written for me and my goals. I also enjoy their Original Strength classes. There is no other gym like this in Tucson. If you're looking for a big box gym with a cheap membership and zero guidance, go somewhere else. Here at TS you get what you pay for and then some. On a more personal note, Tucson Strength is more than just a gym for my husband and I. In May of this year, our son was born 15 weeks premature. Danny Sawaya and the Tucson Strength community came together and provided us with an outpouring of love and support. We can't be more thankful for this place. If you're serious about getting strong and want to do so alongside some amazing people, this is your gym. read more

Whether you want to move faster, get stronger, go longer, or just look better in a swim suit while floating down the salt river. Tucson's School of Strength is the place where dreams or as they call them goals become reality. The coaches here really know what they are talking about and they unlike some of the other gyms I have been to they take the time to actually coach. They also make sure that everyone who steps through the door feels welcome in the gym. With all kinds of different classes they have something for everyone and you'll always find something you can do to make yourself better. read more

My first review here was 2 1/2 years ago. Since then, Evolution Tucson has grown by leaps and bounds. They've moved to a new, larger location, added trainers, programming and have improved from an already fantastic gym. This is where people go to get strong. This isn't your cheap big box gym. All the classes are taught by knowledgable, certified, and caring trainers. I just moved to Las Vegas and I'm VERY upset to be losing my gym. There's just no replacement for Danny Sawaya and his staff. read more

Hands down the best gym I have belonged to. I have a home in Tucson and work in Baltimore, travel a lot and have never been able to find any other place that comes close to how awesome these trainers are. Danny and team are amazing teachers, dedicated to helping everyone regardless of age and ability. They are genuinely caring and helpful. I have a lot of knee issues and they worked with me from day 1 to modify movements and that made me get stronger and gain confidence. I highly recommend this gym and the experiences you will gain there. read more

Great gym. Good environment. I'm glad I found a gym that suits my needs. For whatever reason Many of the commercial gyms around the Tucson area have about as much equipment as my small apartment gym. The staff at Tucson strength are super friendly and the environment is great. read more

After finishing the strong and healthy women's program I signed on and paid in full for six months to avoid any possible billing issues after my contract ended. .... The selling point for me was the fact that two female trainers taught the program. However, after i signed on classes were being merged, never knew what trainer was going to be there, and severely crowded. Several classes are run at the same time but there just isn't enough room. You are quite literally on top of each other or crammed in a corner with equipment. I talked to the trainers to ask if they can teach the classes they were assigned instead of swapping with another trainer or combining classes of different levels but nothing changed. How intense the workout is depends on your trainers mood and not to mention waiting for floor space so you can do some reps. Waiting while three classes take turns using floor space between reps is NOT conductive to working out. Even though i paid for six months I will not be going back. I think this gym bit off more than it can handle and it's performance is suffering. On the bright side, they are sure to offer some amazing deals to try and stay afloat. 4/23/17 Thank you Daniel, for offering the same amount of assistance as when I talked with you in person before I left as well as four other trainers. Feel free to call me anytime. read more

Evolution Fitness is the best gym in town, with trainers that really care about their clients. I was a personal trainer for 13 years in Tucson before I went into medicine, and I've worked and/or worked out in most of the gyms on the east side. With my background, I can say with full confidence that not only do I enjoy training here, I also send my wife (lots of old injuries from dance & gymnastics) and my mother to train here. I also refer my patients to train here quite often. read more

You had me at "This isn't a Zumba class." This gym is filled with incredibly knowledgeable trainers (that obviously practice what they preach!), half smiling-half pained sweaty faces, and all the equipment needed to get your strong on. My husband and I have a pretty decent garage gym and are both Crossfit lvl 1 cert'd but we were looking to get some more guidance on our olympic and power lifting technique. Chris and Danny are great at instructing (so are all the other amazing trainers here). I feel like every class I am able to take away something new whether it be a tip for maintaining form, technique, new mobility movement, or type of exercise They call themselves the Tucson School of Strength and I feel it is well suited. They focus on getting strong not skinny. They recently underwent some renovations (by recently I mean yesterday!) in order to offer more space within the gym. There is talk about installing showers and changing area in the future which I am pretty excited about. All in all if you are looking for a place to develop your strength programming, lose weight and get healthy, or just want a community to go with your gym, then Evolution is ideal :) read more

So, I signed a six month contract after trying their Strong and Healthy Woman program. I liked the program, but it definitely got old after a while. Some of the trainers are personable, some are not, so your mileage may vary although all seem well-trained. However, beware that your contract does not expire at the end of the term; they simply start charging you the month-to-month rate unless you remember that you have to give them thirty days written notice. They decline to give you a call when you stop coming; they just keep charging you an expensive rate for services that you aren't using. They are completely unapologetic about it. I initially liked this gym a lot, but the cost was simply too much given that I also had to pay for childcare to use it. To be charged for months I did not attend when I thought my contract expired two and half months ago is particularly annoying. Buyer beware. read more

I cannot say enough about my home away from home. Danny and his team are amazing. They are my extended family. I began my training in the Strong and Healthy Woman's program with a colleague of mine over 5 years ago. I had no formal gym knowledge and knew nothing about kettlebells. That didn't matter. Everyone took the time, and with great patience, to help me learn and become stronger. After a year or so with the Strong and Healthy Woman's Program I moved over to the Barbell Club. I've never looked back. The Barbell club has helped me achieve strength goals I never thought were possible. I have continued my strength training through two pregnancies and was supported and cared for every step of the way. Tucson Strength has given me confidence in an area of my life that I didn't know was possible. In my profession it is important that I have an outlet for stress release; Tucson Strength is that place. I know when I walk in that not only will I be challenged and told to #handlemyshit, but that I will be cared for like I am family. I've seen this gym expand and grow not only in knowledge but in size too. The new facilities cannot be matched. Danny, thank you. You guys are remarkable. read more

I've been going to Tucson Strength for about two months now, and i can't recommend it highly enough. The staff is incredibly welcoming and friendly. The facilities are spotless and offer all kinds of equipment. They have anything you would need for powerlifting, olympic lifting, or any other general fitness interests. The other members of the gym are friendly and it's a welcome departure from the culture of many other gyms. The owner, Danny, is very helpful as well, and helped me fix some bad habits from being self-taught. All in all, I would recommend Tucson Strength to anyone who is looking to train in a welcoming, supportive environment. read more

Evolution Fitness is an awesome place to work on strength. Danna Sawaya, the owner of Evolution is a very knowledgeable coach and truly cares about the student working out there. His meticulous on the students form and constantly monitors form and performance. Don't expect not to work when you go to Evolution. You will work, and you will see and feel results. Highly recommend this gym! read more

Literally the best gym in the world. Nothing even comes remotely close. Every single piece of equipment imaginable. Extremely friendly staff that will hook it up and let you stay in late. The absolute cleanest gym you will ever visit. read more

The only gym I have ever walked in where the owner and trainers are all genuinely interested in you, the person, the individual. I have been a member of Cross Fit gyms, big box gyms, the Y, all variety of gyms and Evolution is the first one focused on my individual path to strength and health. read more

I've trained in a lot of gyms (and I don't mean the big-box kind) and I must say that this is a great training facility. Everyone if very friendly and the workouts are great. Danny (the owner) does great program design and you can get great results from the workouts whether or not you are a beginner or already strong and fit. Highly recommend! read more

Here is a second review 3 years later. I have to say that this gym is awesome. I started with kettlebell classes and moved into barbell lifting. I owe it to this gym for helping me find my love for fitness and for lifting. I have completely changed my whole physique and I am eternally grateful to Danny and his staff. They are legit and know their stuff. They help you with your form in a small class size and you feel like you are getting one on one training even in a group class. If you want to change your life, physique and health, this is the gym for you! read more

I've been with Evolution Fitness for almost 2.5 years. I've worked out before, but I was never educated about how to work out. Danny and his staff know what they're talking about. Also, Danny is a very stand up guy. He really cares about you and your fitness goals. I love this place so much that it's now a family affair. My husband regularly attends with me, and my sister has done the Strong and Healthy Women program. I'd be so lost with Evolution Fitness! read more

I really like the philosophy at Evolution Fitness! They focus on strength and conditioning.

I have been going to Evolution Tucson for one year. I have never been so happy with a gym. I have belonged to many gyms but I have never increased my strength. The trainers are amazing - great instructors that really watch your form and are encouraging - not degrading. I attend the group sessions and it always feels like one on one training. The workouts are awesome - they are so challenging and you feel like you really accomplished your goals when you are done. This is definitely the best gym in Tucson! read more

Evolution Fitness is the best place to workout at. Awesome strength training!! The trainers are amazing!! Love it!!

Great local Gym with excellent staff and programs. Run as fast as you can from the Big Box meat markets and go see Danny and his friendly staff for everything you need if you are serious about exercise conditioning and strength building, best place in town ! read more

I have been going to Evolution for several years to be trained by Serg Giardini, who is a great personal trainer without using the gym for anything else. Well, that changed in June. The owner, Danny, started offering intro courses to learn indoor rowing. I am hooked! And because of that, I have been around the gym more and had a chance to see how everyone is a village there. I just love the atmosphere at Evolution. Everyone is helpful, from Genevieve at the front desk to Steve, Jesus, Kelsey, and Danny. Gail has been a big supporter with my rowing too. Just terrific. read more