Essential Strength Studio

Portland, 1620 SE Claybourne St a101, Portland, OR 97202 | ★ 4.9 (17 Review)

📞 +1 503-389-8786

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Gym

About the Club

Essential Strength Studio –
Strength Training That Fits Your Life

At Essential Strength Studio in Portland, we offer science-backed strength training designed for real people with real lives. Using advanced ARX and CAR.O.L equipment, we deliver safe, efficient, and highly effective workouts — typically in just one focused session per week.

Whether you’re short on time, returning to fitness, or want a smarter approach to staying strong, our personalized coaching and adaptive technology help you build the strength you need for the life you want.

Book your free intro session today and experience what strength training should feel like

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 Essential Strength Studio
 Essential Strength Studio
 Essential Strength Studio
 Essential Strength Studio

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Reviews

Brandon Duncan

★ 5

This place ROCKS! The ARX machine is literally the BEST form of resistance training possible. It is the perfect workout every single time. I have been lifting weights since I was 13 years old, 47 now, so I know a few things about weight lifting. I have stacked on 12 pounds of muscle in 4 months with this place and the ARX workout machines. It not only builds muscle, it improves cardio and I always leave in a great mood and simply feel euphoric! This is the ONLY ARX facility in the whole Portland/Vancouver area. Come check it out, I highly recommend to anyone serious about their health and building muscle mass and bone density going into their 40's and beyond! Micah and his team here are wonderful!!

Source: Google

Leslie

★ 5

I’m 70 years old and have been working out here for a year. I recently took my 22 year old niece to Greece and we hiked and climbed all day every day. I kept up with her because of my workouts at Essential Strength! I feel young and strong! Yay!

Source: Google

Kris Rydecki Ching

★ 5

I love Essential Strength Studio! I joined in February and definitely notice I’m stronger and gaining muscle. The sauna is awesome for recovery and overall health benefits (I’m addicted!). Love the bike too. All the trainers are personable, helpful & supportive. Give it a try…you’ll get hooked!

Source: Google

Geoffrey

★ 5

ESS has been a positive experience every week since my free introductory session. Within a month I could tell my balance and posture had improved. Your trainer teaches you the proper form for each exercise and makes sure you are breathing effectively. I look forward to going every week because I see and feel the results.
Thank you ESS Team

Source: Google

Emily Wiess

★ 5

Source: Google

Leisel Stohr

★ 5

Micah is fantastic! This is the ultimate life hack gym. He has it all! Plus his one-on-one sessions where you don't have to think about anything except getting through the next rep is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

Source: Google

Eugene Chang

★ 5

Have really enjoyed coming here for the past couple months-twice a week, seeing quantifiable improvements with automated tracking. It's literally come in, push and pull your hardest and let the machines track your progress. There's also a great private recovery room with infrared light and sauna to sweat it out. On top of that, Micah and co are incredibly chill, friendly, and motivating. The perfect gym for someone who isn't obsessed about creating their own strength training workout everytime but still wants to push themselves for growth. I leave everytime happily exhausted.

Source: Google

Scott Kosmecki

★ 5

Best busy lifestyle workout! Science based, great results and super fun and focused.

Source: Google

Cindy Gordon

★ 5

This gym is what I’ve been looking for and had no idea something like this existed. My workout is finished in 15 minutes and then I sit in the infrared sauna and only once a week. I’m seeing results faster than I ever have and am stronger and able to do more in my life.

Source: Google

Whit Pendergast

★ 5

I almost hesitate to write this because it will contribute to this secret getting out but here goes- this is the best gym experience I’ve ever had. Love the flexibility with schedule and I have never gotten such good results with so little time a week working out. Worth every penny to invest in health.

Source: Google

maralee greeno

★ 5

Micah worked one on one with me in the free workout he gives. I am still in my first month of weekly visits but I am impressed. I leave exhausted. There are two machines that work you at your max capacity thru the big 5 using chest,shoulders and legs. Computer graphs,measures compares and tracks your work and growth. At 69 yrs I want to increase my overall strength and one workout per week for 20 minutes is both efficient and effective.

Source: Google

apaulogetic

★ 5

This program is perfect for me, a 40-year old male with no friends and nothing to do but focus on fitness. In the gym, I find it difficult to increase weight due to being socially awkward and not having a spotter. The value I get from this will be the strength gains harnessed safely while I can keep up my normal regiment as conditioning exercise. Thanks Micah!

Source: Google

Dianne Pernetti, lmt

★ 4

I just finished my second week and am pleased with the program. It fits into my busy schedule and is close. I am loving the short /maximum effort routine and am hopeful it works. This is something I will be able to commit to. Place is clean, and sanitized after each person, one person in gym at a time. Owner/trainer is personable, laid back and welcoming. I feel comfortable here.

Source: Google

Adam Porterfield

★ 5

When Micah explained the science of the approach at Essential Strength to me over a coffee, i was unable to conceive that such a short workout could be effective. Flash forward to my introductory session that I left without a question that it was the most challenging 13 minutes of exercise I've ever had in my life. I've been going for three weeks now and my mind is blown at the changes in my body over such a short span. If you're short on time and eager to improve your fitness, please do yourself a solid and explore what Essential Strength Studio has to offer.

Source: Google

Stella B

★ 5

I cannot believe how efficient the specialized equipment is! I seriously only work out for 20 minutes ONCE A WEEK at the gym and my body is totally getting stronger and more defined. And Micah is like my personal trainer and is so helpful and encouraging! Joining ESS was the best decision I have made for my health during the pandemic. And it is very safe pandemic-wise.

Source: Google

Brendan B

★ 5

Source: Google

Michele Blake

★ 5

I’m 70 years old and my doctor told me I needed strength training. ESS and the ARX machines were just what I was looking for. A great way to strengthen my body, have a guided personal trainer, remove any risk of injury, and all with only one 20 minutes session once each week. It was a little high-tech for me at first, but the results have been both amazing and very rewarding.

Source: Google