Alchemy Strength

Best gym in Iowa! Amazing coaches, awesome facilty, and a friendly community that is very welcoming. Definitely try it out!

Reviewed on Facebook

Well trained staff and with one hell of a caring attitude. Always pushing to make you reach a new goal. Positive atmosphere all around.

Reviewed on Facebook

This gym is changing my life for the better. Incredible environment, great equipment, amazing team of people here. Welcoming and supportive.

Reviewed on Facebook

Ethon is an amazing coach; I've been training with him for years. You'll work hard as all get out, but never beyond your actual limits (as opposed to what you think your limits are).

Reviewed on Facebook

I've been attending classes at Alchemy for about 4 months now and have more good things to say than will probably fit in this review space, but I'll try! ;-) I've gotten to work with Sarah, Ethon, and Shara and they are all incredibly knowledgeable, experienced, and supportive!

I started with Sarah in boot camp and was really nervous at first, but Sarah and the other "campers" were completely nonjudgmental and supportive. Another thing I loved right away about boot camp is there was never any assumption that I wanted to lose weight or any gendered assumptions about what I wanted my muscles to look like. I really appreciate the implicit emphasis on non-weight-loss benefits of exercise/lifting, including obviously strength building, but also stress reduction, increased energy and focus, and challenging yourself/’testing your mettle” without hurting yourself. Each day incorporates some creative new workout that keeps it fresh and interesting! I was also lucky enough to get some one-on-one sessions with Sarah where she really honed in on foundational strength-building I had overlooked, like ankle stability. Training with her made a tremendous difference in the way I thought about working out. The holistic, social-psychological approach to health is also really appealing to me—nodding to Sarah, but Ethon adopts this too and recently talked about how things going on in our lives can affect how much we lift on any given day.

Speaking of Ethon, I was nervous again when he took over boot camp for Sarah while she recovered from childbirth—mainly because Ethon looks like Wolverine (Little Village article= pre-chops) and I was afraid he’d expect us to have super powers—but he’s awesome too. :-) I usually don’t like to do things I’m not relatively good at right away (aside from dancing), so being patient and working up to lifting/pulling (i.e. pull-up) goals is a mental as well as physical challenge. But the relaxed and fun atmosphere of boot camp makes it easier! Ethon and Sarah push us but joke around and have fun at the same time. They provide plenty of encouragement and high-fives! They also really practice their philosophy on a daily basis, making sure we do everything WELL and warm up with purpose to prevent injury and building community by ensuring that fitness is for EVERYONE.

I’ve also been lucky enough to have both group and one-on-one yoga sessions with Shara. Shara’s practice is informed by her advanced knowledge of both anatomy and movement from her medical and dance experience. I love her emphasis on balance, namely the balance between effort and relaxation. She creates a space of respect for what our bodies can do without taking them so seriously that class is ever stuffy or formal-feeling! I never really thought of yoga practice as a place where I could laugh and be a little silly, but that freedom is definitely available in Shara’s classes! I’ve also drastically improved my practice in the short time I’ve been working with Shara because she explains the minor changes needed to align the body or sink deeper into a pose in a way that I can easily understand. She’s also willing to watch and help re-position when needed. :-) She has a huge repertoire of asanas and methodologies for stretching, recovering, strengthening, and relaxing, including therapy balls for massaging and stretching muscle fascia. Because of her vast knowledge, she’s able to completely re-design her planned class for the day based on how everyone is feeling.

Although boot camp and yoga are group classes, as others have said, they feel more like personal training because of the individualized attention you get during each class. Ethon, Sarah, and Shara each take the time to watch and make sure you’re doing things properly, help you make adjustments when needed, and give recommendations based on your unique ability. Because of this, I’ve seen a dramatic difference in moves I didn’t know I was doing wrong my whole life (hello, lunges! hello, downward dog!). As some others have mentioned, the benefits of working out at Alchemy also extend beyond the "gainz"--as someone who works from home over the summer, classes really help structure my time and I've met an amazing group of people (and even some adorable babies/toddlers!) I look forward to seeing each day! They’ve really built a wonderful gym community and I highly recommend their classes to anyone interested in personal fitness! :-) More...

Reviewed on Facebook

The training program that Ethon makes for everyone is dynamic and allows everyone of all abilities to train to their potential. Plus, he and the other coaches provide you with diet recommendations and recovery therapies designed to fit your goals and lifestyle. Truely the best gym I've ever experienced! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Most crossfit gyms have a similar set of equipment and workouts. What really sets Alchemy apart from the others is the quality of coaching you receive here. Coach Ethon makes working out fun while making sure that you get a great workout every time. Alchemy has has a very familial atmosphere that is very welcoming to new people. All in all, an excellent gym! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

It is not hard to find gyms where you can do CrossFit or similar work outs. It is hard, however, to find a coach so knowledgeable and committed as Ethon. The programming reflects his deep understanding of fitness. Alchemy has a great community- the people are fun and friendly. Makes it easier to get through the hard workouts. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

One of the best choices I ever made was going to this gym! If you love a tight knit atmosphere - want to better yourself - and get benefits of a great work out - this is a wonderful place to be! I have only scratched the surface of potential unlocked from this place. Everyone is super knowledgeable and the everyone cheers each other on! :D I'm happy to have such a wonderful resource for getting in shape and will continue to come back! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

The staff here maintain an exhaustive attention to detail in exercise trends and innovation. I feel like I am always trying something new and challenging every session. I came to here to get stronger and improve endurance, but I am quickly finding that the work Alchemy has me do to achieve those goals has me also improving my range and quality of body movement, preventing many possible new injuries! The atmosphere is incredibly diverse and supportive. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Alchemy offers strength, conditioning, and explosiveness training for elite youth athletes. Our daughter is ripped and has shown huge gains in only 6 months. She will continue to train there for the next 4 years until college. I only wish we had started this 3 years ago. The owners Ethon and Sarah are great mentors too. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Top gym for all around fitness. Came as an edurance athlete looking to round out my training and never left. Improved in power, form, range of motion, and fewer overuse injuries. Got in a pool after not swimming for months in the off season and hadn't lost any speed. Great owner, coaches, and other members. Can't remember recommend enough. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

I hate exercise for the sake of exercise and always veered toward team sports or outdoor activities where a high heart rate was a benefit but not the goal. I signed up with Ethon and Alchemy on a whim because excessive travel was literally causing my body to become pear shaped. I'd known coworkers whose lives were transformed by Crossfit-style strength training but didn't know a squat from a press from a WOD. Ethon steadily brought me up to speed while making sure I didn't hurt myself. To this day he continues to motivate me to push beyond what I ever thought possible, even on days when I'm worn out from work and showing up last minute. As a huge bonus, Ethon's gym comes with a diverse community of like-minded athletes of all skill levels. The process of watching peers at Alchemy sweat their way through months-long physical transformations has become almost as fun as crushing the competition in the team sports. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Incredible training and a great community!

Reviewed on Google Maps

Best function fitness gym in the Iowa City area

Reviewed on Google Maps

Great people and great coaches. It doesn't matter what size or age you are, as long as you show up the coaches will work with you and the fellow classmates will cheer you on. All around great place. Been with them since the beginning, and am sad to be leaving the area and this gym. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

If you're more interested in getting in better shape vs. holding a gym membership, this place is for you. The ever changing workouts are challenging and rewarding. Ethon and team do a great job working with individuals to ensure the workouts fit with each person's abilities. This ensures you always get the most out of each session, without risking injury. If you truly want to get in the best shape of your life, and have the drive to do so, look no further than Alchemy. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

I've spent over a year, going into Alchemy three mornings/week, to do some of the most challenging physical activity of my life. In the process I've built muscle, lost weight and made some good friends. I started at Alchemy out of shape and without much endurance. Although I have a long way to go, before I will be satisfied with my progress, I am definitely much stronger, faster than the day I started and I'm able to hold my own in some very rigorous workouts.Alchemy is the gym for you if you:-Have never worked-out before.-Have worked-out some but don't currently have a gym.-Have worked-out a lot but are dissatisfied with the results from your current gym/trainer.-Are looking for a family atmosphere instead of just a big room with treadmills.-Are looking to build muscle, get healthy and/or looking for a safe, fun, healthy activity that is a good use of your time and hard-earned money.-Understand fitness is a journey, not a destination.-Enjoy debating the merits (or lack thereof) of Coors Lite. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

New gym (2016) with brand new equipment. Even though the gym is new, the head trainer (Ethon) has been working in the greater Iowa City area for years. He does an unparalleled job of knowing the members. I believe Ethon can tailor a workout for anyone: from novice to performance athlete. I'm in my mid-40s and I feel welcome even though I'm no gym rat. Ethon has kept me motivated and progressing in my fitness goals for the last two years. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Greatest gym I've ever been a member of. The owner is amazing. He really cares about the members. Always pushing us to get better and making sure we are doing it in a healthy safe manner. Would recommend to anyone who wants to get in better shape and be around a great group of people! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Awesome equipment, great trainers who CARE about form and safety.  The programming is innovated and balanced.  The owners are down to earth and very welcoming.  Moving to a new, larger location beginning of 2017.  Will definitely be back! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

New gym (2016), but even though the gym is new, I've been working with the head trainer (Ethon) for two or three years.  As a small gym, the trainers know all the members personally.  They can tailor a workout both to an individual's goals and to any special needs (I'm in my mid-40s and have a few minor injuries).The members are a diverse group, covering performance-minded college students through an older group focused on more basic mobility.  I find value and challenge in the interactions with members of such varied backgrounds, abilities, and goals.Five stars because:  Ethon has kept me motivated and progressing in my fitness goals for years without me getting bored! More...

Reviewed on Yelp