★ 5

Great gym and god pricing. Personal Trainer was great. Staff was helpful. I revommend it. Best in the area

Source: Google

★ 5

Great place to work out. Fantastic community. The trainer there really knows his stuff too. 10/10 would recommend. Great prices for membership and training.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

If you’re training for powerlifting, strongman, CrossFit or general strength, this is the place for you. Limitless equipment, great staff and true Detroit grit!

Source: Google

★ 5

Skip is very friendly and down to earth. He genuinely enjoys seeing people do better and improve. Im pretty sure he gets just as excited if not more than me when I hit a PR!!! Also everyone that works out at Proving Grounds grounds is very friendly and you never feel judged.

Source: Google

★ 5

MIKE is helpful and engaging to talk to. I think the gym has heart and sincerity! I like that it's Not trying to be a low budget day spa with equipment. The people i've spoke to at the gym are friendly and approachable people. I'm looking forward to learning more and using the kettle bells, to being around real people with goals for their fittness. I love thr sense of community.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 4

A lot of awesome barbell/dumbbell equipment, some dated machines alongside some great ones.

It is more like a bro’s local garage gym they let you use more than a full featured gym facility.

While I liked it in the Fall time, it was just too cold for me in the Winter time. Not quite see your breath cold, but cold enough to feel uncomfortable all session and potentially catch a chill.

I love that they offer a punch card option because to me, that is where this place shines. Can come in when needed to use amazing competition level gear but I am not sure I could recommend it as a year long facility.

Other main issue is the automation behind entry/exit and cancellation is a bit janky and it’s not super easy to wrangle with it when anytime I’ve called or I’ve seen someone call, they don’t get answer or text back.

Communication, customer service and the location itself could use some improvement.

Overall, solid 8/10. One of the only things like it in Metro Detroit. I am just disappointed overall that for intermediate lifters, there does not seem to be a gym yet that strikes all the boxes for a year long facility.

Source: Google

★ 5

Best gym in detroit. Bar none!

Source: Google

★ 5

Amazing place to train in general but especially for strongman/powerlifting/weightlifting! The gym has every piece of equipment you could ever need. I visited here for the weekend, and Mike was accommodating with everything I needed - could not recommend this place more!!!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Stopped here while in town for a couple days. Owner (Mike) was very friendly on the phone and gave me detailed directions to get there. Great place to train, nice atmosphere, plenty of equipment.

Source: Google

★ 5

good gym very good for strength athletes

Source: Google

★ 5

Visiting from Raleigh and needed a gym with heavy weights. I called Proving Grounds and Mike answered immediately. He gave us directions and remotely let us in. It was exactly what we needed and me and my husband got a fantastic workout. Highly recommend!

Source: Google

★ 5

Was in town for work and stopped in here for a few lifting sessions. Absolutely top notch staff and amazing equipment.

Source: Google

★ 5

This was definitely a one of a kind gym. It was a bit hard to find at first, but the owner was helpful in getting directions into the gym. It would be great for those looking for something other than a conventional gym, especially powerlifting or strongman; the gym even had kilo plates which are usually hard to find outside of designated powerlifting gyms.

Source: Google

★ 5

Great facilities in a cozy workout environment. Very DIY but they have everything for a full workout. I would recommend for later intermediate and advanced gymgoers who know what theyre doing and what they want to get out of their space.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Was searching for a 24 hr spot to hit early mornings before my shift and this is just what I needed. Great range of equipment that spans from machines to strongman equipment. I had a bit of trouble navigating the Russell my first couple visits and the owner was more than patient and helpful in helping me access the facility. Definitely worth checking out!!!

Source: Google

★ 5

Excellent gym to go to when you don’t want to be in those busy public gyms. It has all the equipment you could ever need. The owners are very flexible and will not hesitate to help you out if needed.

Source: Google

★ 5

Excellent gym especially for those competing in powerlifting, weightlifting, strongman, etc. Great experience and 24/7 keyed access is super convenient. I’m a young woman and was hesitant with the area but never had any safety issues. Machines are a little dated and could use an upgrade but still functional. 100% recommend!

Source: Google

★ 5

When I first moved to Detroit, I struggled. I would come to this gym and mostly powerlift. The people there made me feel like I was home. I even ended up going to a powerlifting meet I was invited to in another city. What an incredible experience.

I will say, management at the time had some problems with their website and payments, etc. The Russell Industrial Center is iconic and wonderful. But, it is not the safest. It was very cool they had/have concerts and raves there on the weekend. Despite these critiques, I give PGSK five stars because it made me feel like I was home.

Thank you, PGSK.

Source: Google

★ 5

I love the artists here and the ambiance of a recycled Albert Kahn building.

Source: Google

★ 5

Mike was kind enough to let us try out his gym while we're in town for the weekend. It was awesome! Tons of equipment and space to do whatever type of workout you prefer. The gym is low key and the members seem chill. Will definitely be coming back next time we're in town!

Source: Google

★ 5

Great gym.

Source: Google

★ 5

Great 24/7 gym. Everything you need to enhance your workout plan. 100% recommend

Source: Google

★ 5

This gym is absolutely incredible! It has all the equipment needed for powerlifting and strongman, and or bodybuilding. The atmosphere here will definitely motivate you to get stronger, and is better than your typical commercial gym. The owner is very helpful in assisting with membership and or equipment questions! I highly reccomend this to anyone just starting out with lifting, or for the avid gym-goer!

Source: Google

★ 5

I recently had the pleasure of using Proving Grounds Strength & Konditioning gym and I must say, it was a fantastic experience. The owner generously allowed me to use the gym for free, and I was thoroughly impressed with the quality of the facility. The gym is well-equipped with top-of-the-line machines and equipment, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to improve their strength and conditioning.

Overall, I highly recommend Proving Grounds Strength & Konditioning to anyone looking for a high-quality gym with great equipment. It's clear that the owner and staff are dedicated to providing a top-notch experience for their customers, and I look forward to using this gym again in the future.

Source: Google

★ 4

I’ve been using this gym for a few months now. It has all the equipment you need for barbell (olympic and power) and Metcons.
It's a functional space. The stationary equipment is dated but safe. The gym needs to be cleaned more often - it’s dusty and the floors need to be mopped/vacuumed.

The information on the website is not accurate - the gym offers no classes at this point. There is a space to change clothes in the gym and a bathroom down the hallway.

Source: Google

★ 5

Very nice gym with a classic, old school gym feel. Tons of high end equipment for weightlifting, powerlifting, and strongman as well as unique equipment like fatbells, full kettlebell sets, and a huge number of Atlas stones. Highly recommend this place for serious strength athletes

Source: Google

★ 5

Excellent gym, nice people, great for heavy lifting, cardio and everything in-between.

Source: Google

★ 5

Great gym. Good variety of equipment. Very spacious

Source: Google

★ 5

Great strongman/strength and conditioning gym for only $50 per month. Open 24 hours by keycard, which is clutch. No treadmills or ellipticals in here but plenty of room to walk or jog in the hallway of the russell. Very industrial vibe, obviously.

Wide array of strongman equipment like farmers handles, axel bars, yoke, sleds, atlas stones, circus dumbbells, etc. Also olympic bars and plates and powerlifting plates with heavy benches.

This place is not crowded. If you’re a novice lifter you might need someone to guide you. If you know what you’re doing already and need a place to train anytime, this place is pretty dope.

Source: Google

★ 5

Awesome gym with everything you need, super lowkey not crowded just a great space to get a workout in. Definitely compound and serious lifter oriented, seems like they offer private training as well.

Source: Google

★ 5

Love this gym. It has everything you need + more. My favorite place to work out in Detroit.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

I joined Proving Grounds a little over a month ago after leaving a much more crowded chain gym and have no intentions of ever looking back.

Mike and everyone at PGSK have been incredibly helpful and accommodating when called upon. The gym itself has everything you need to focus on building strength and even some stuff you didn’t know you wanted. It never feels crowded even in peak hours, and maintains a vibe of being a place people go to put in work.

Source: Google

★ 5

Highly recommend the gym, has everything you need. I talked to Mike and he offered a free guest pass since I was just visiting from out of town.

Source: Google

★ 5

Fantastic Gym. I was visiting Michigan w my girlfriend, and just wanted to throw around some big weights, and this was perfect. Called Owner, Mike, and he said just walk on in. They have everything you need. Free weight, Kbs, sandbags, tires, and more. Will definitely come back.

Source: Google

★ 5

This gym is a hidden gem. I was looking for a place to do some Olympic lifting while visiting Detroit and PGSK was perfect. It’s not easy to find, but Mike was accommodating, friendly and helpful. Detroit has been full of fun surprises and this gym was one of my favourite parts of my weekend in this city.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

I have worked out at this gym a few times now. So far I have had an amazing experience. The gym building is smaller but luckily it never seems to be over packed with people. All of the equipment they have is great quality… seems like they have everything someone would need to get in shape plus more

Source: Google

★ 5

A1 gym for all types of fitness goals. I like this place since it is gritty and has some hard to find equipment equipment, most gyms don't have strongman equipment or specialized bars.

Source: Google

★ 5

If you’re in Detroit and are looking for a serious place to lift with solid equipment for all variations of lifting style, this is your spot. Not to mention everyone here is friendly and respectful! Old school, all American training mentality here

Source: Google

★ 5

If you’re in the Detroit area and looking for a gym this is the spot. Tons of equipment for anyone interested in powerlifting/olympic weightlifting, however if you’re a regular weightlifter such as myself this gym is also perfect that or any type of training really. They have all the basic equipment as well as some cool and useful pieces that I’ve never seen at other gyms. Mike is awesome and very easy to get a hold of. The other members are super nice and welcoming. Great gym atmosphere.

Source: Google

★ 5

I like the atmosphere of this gym and it has all of the equipment I need!

Source: Google

★ 5

When visiting Detroit for a few months this summer, Proving Grounds was my lifeline. This is everything you want in a gym and nothing you don't; PGSK is fairly priced, no nonsense, has keycard access and amazing equipment, and is never packed. If you find yourself in Detroit and need to pray to the iron gods, this is the gym for you. Call Mike and make it happen!

Source: Google

★ 5

If you’re serious about lifting this is the spot for you. Supportive members and ownership is very responsive. This gym has everything you need for a great lifting session.

Source: Google

★ 5

This gym has everything you’ll need and more than you might know to do with. It’s exceptionally organized and very well kept. Great place to get your work out if you’re strength training.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Atmosphere is more like a garage gym, but that's what I was looking for. I'm mainly focused on powerlifting and it has everything that I need and almost everything that I would want. Nice benches, plenty of squat racks, variety of bars, dumbbells, kettlebells, fatbells. If you're into strongman, you can find most of the equipment you would need: atlas stones, sandbags, kegs, Husafell stone, farmer's carry, axel barbell, logs... If you're into any of the strength sports, you will find what you need here.

It's open 24/7 once you get a key card. Honestly, I'm usually one of only a few people there when I can fit it in. My interactions with others have been informative and positive. I've been able to record my lifts with no problems.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Very wel equipped for powerlifting and Crossfit. A personal feel, also Mike himself is very involved and responsive.
Also 24 hours access is an amazing feature to have for working professionals.

Source: Google

★ 5

Really cool place. I tried for a day and decided to get a membership. Lots of barbell racks is the main selling point for me.

Beginners would definitely want to take some of the classes classes… it’s not staffed 24/7 so there’s no one there to help you with technique or anything.

Source: Google

★ 5

Do you like garage style gyms? Do you like 24/7 access? Do you want to start every workout by walking through an industrial center so you can feel like you’re secretly training to fight the man who killed your partner like you’re some kind of salty vice cop from the 80’s?

Then this is the gym for you.

Source: Google

★ 5

The staff is very friendly and answered all my questions elaborately.

Source: Google

★ 5

Really really cool gym in Detroit. It’s got that grungy, no-nonsense powerlifting/strongman feel that you dont find in commercial gyms. That being said, the atmosphere isn’t intimidating at all. This is where you go to get stronger - whether you’re relatively new to weight lifting or seasoned competitive power lifter. They have all the equipment you could want (and it’s the best equipment around). Tired of the benches at commercial gyms? Go here. You want atlas stones and other strong man equipment? This is the place for you.

Source: Google

★ 5

Has an awesome variety of equipment for weight training and powerlifting. Also has a ton of kettlebells which hasn't been the easiest thing for me to find at gyms lately. The equipment is in great condition, you can tell that everyone who goes here cares about the place. Owners are very friendly and easy to communicate with too.

Source: Google

★ 4

Source: Google

★ 5

Please don’t tell anyone how great this gym is or it will get too crowded

Source: Google

★ 5

Awesome.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Was in Detroit for a few days and found this gym. Fantastic place for strength, conditioning, powerlifting and rehab. We found everything we needed at this gym. Many thanks to Mike, Justin and all the others who helped us out. Everyone was super friendly and helpful. We will be contacting you again the next time we are in Detroit!

Source: Google

★ 5

This place was absolutely killer! Stopped in on a short trip through Michigan and blown away with the diversity of equipment, definitely will be back again on another trip through!
Mike, the owner, you're an absolute beauty; keep doing what you're doing with this gym!

Source: Google

★ 5

Loved it! The equipment/attachment selection was awesome. Had all of the bar types and lifting equipment for everyone from a power lifter to a body builder to a cross fitter. The building was a little sketch but it has a really great gym rat feel. Definately will be coming back here if im ever in Detroit again.

Source: Google

★ 5

Hardcore. No pity city gym. 10/10

Source: Google

★ 5

The only REAL gym in the whole city

Source: Google

★ 5

I see everyone is raving of this place. But is it just for crossfit and body building. I want to lose and tone. I don't want my body super masculine.

Source: Google

★ 1

dropped into this gym last winter while I was in town for a month. people were friendly and loved the garage style atmosphere here. I train at a gym like this in montana and it felt like home.

problem was even though we agreed on payment for a month membership I was charged a reoccuring payment for the following three months before I caught it. the owner said he would refund the money but didnt and I had to cancel my card.

Source: Google

★ 5

Excellent gym, plenty of equipment for various styles of training. People are friendly, 24 hour access very convenient.

Source: Google

★ 5

I'm loving Coach Allan's barbell class so far! (every Tuesday and Thursday!)

Source: Google

★ 5

Fantastic place to train! They have everything you need (including an impressive and complete set of competition kettlebells...if you compete in bells, this is your gym!). They allow gym chalk (so they’re a proper training ground, not just a selfie studio). And the owner couldn’t be nicer. I was visiting from out of town and he went out of his way to make sure I had access when I needed it. 100% recommend. Hands down one of my favourite gyms.

Source: Google

★ 5

Great friendly and affordable. Vanessa's classes are the best!

Source: Google

★ 5

I moved states away and tried to call and email to tell them I need this cancelled, there's no way to cancel this and they don't tell you how. Screw this place, I'm out 200 dollars and have no way to contact them.

EDIT: The website contact section was not working, after reaching out to them on Facebook they were able to validate my account and work with me to cancel billing. They were very friendly and understanding, thanks!

Source: Google

★ 5

The classes are great and everyone is very accommodating!!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Really good gym for Olympic weightlifters, powerlifters, strongmen/women, bodybuilding, and CrossFit (and general strength and conditioning).

Location may be a bit hard to find. Park in the parking lot and go through the door (with the number 1608). Walk down a long hallway and it will be doors 129 and 131 on your left hand side.

I would recommend emailing or calling first so you don’t show up if the gym is empty and locked which can happen sometimes at non-regular hours.

Source: Google

★ 5

Best gym around Detroit, come check it out.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Tremendous facility, a huge variety of equipment, and dedicated and friendly members. Definitely the best gym I've ever joined, and I've been a member of many.

Source: Google

★ 5

Great place full of supportive and knowledgeable people.

Source: Google

★ 5

Love this place! They break the workouts down for you and allow people to work at their own pace/level. I love the structure and the visuals. Coaches are great for helping you through movements and teaching correct form! Overall great place.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Amazing gym lots of freedom and equipment. Perfect for powerlifter, crossfitters, and Bodybuilders alike

Source: Google

★ 5

Absolutely love this place and the members. It truly has a family feel here. Gym is 24/7 keyed access and has most of the powerlifting and strongman equipment you'll ever need to train plus equipment for conditioning as well.

Source: Google

★ 5

Lots of strongman equipment, good atmosphere, great supportive members and 24 he keyed access. Love this place.

Source: Google

★ 5

Great owner with a great atmosphere of people to lift with. They have everything you need for every strength sport. Doesn't get any better than this!

Source: Google

★ 5

Cool gym run by great people!

Source: Google

★ 5

Great playground for any and all fitness levels.

Source: Google

★ 5

Great people, and great workouts and fun times. What more do you need

Source: Google

★ 5

A great place run by great people who are dedicated to improving the lives of their members

Source: Google

★ 5

My favorite place to lift. Great atmosphere and equipment. Super supportive environment for men and women. No gym-bros :)

Source: Google