MEMBERS OF THE MONTH

July 2024

"I only recently joined Forge, and I regret not joining it earlier. 
The sense of community here is stronger than I've experienced in other gyms. It's lovely to have people recognize you and engage with you when you rock up at half five in the morning, even if it's a simple smile in acknowledgment. Forge is also inclusive and supportive in a way that resonates with me. I see the ways in which the trainers engage with their trainees, and their care and attention does not go unnoticed.”

April 2024

"I started working out at Forge near the end of 2021 in an effort to get back into a regular workout schedule following a long break from Crossfit during the pandemic. My initial plan was to take some of the HIIT classes to get back in shape and feel more confident with my olympic lifts so I could eventually transition back into doing Crossfit full-time within about 6 months. After more than 2 years I can't see myself working out anywhere else. I miss the classes when I'm out of town, and the regular morning crew keeps me driven to stay consistent."

January 2024

“I first joined forge in 2020 and started powerlifting as a pandemic hobby. I trained with Matt Rud, and soon convinced my brother Ethan to join and train with me. Coming to Forge and training together was a way we could see each other 4 times a week when we otherwise were restricted from seeing each other. Since then, my community at Forge has grown and I have connected with so many amazing people here. I regularly come to the gym now with my sister in law, Zoe."

October 2023

"Forge has been an integral part of my morning routine since moving to Victoria from Kelowna a year and a half ago! Fitness has always been a big part of my life - I grew up doing Kung-Fu and kickboxing and I started getting into strength training in University. Going to the gym regularly has been so important for not only my physical health, but my mental well-being as well."

July 2023

“My experience at Forge started after moving to Victoria in February from Australia and while looking for a gym I learned my housemate has a connection to Lachlan's past life back in Perth. I was looking for a gym to join and found that Forge really aligned with my training style. I have now started kickboxing with Hal and have been having a great time being a novice and learning new skills. I really love the energy in the gym and feel like I'm a part of a community at Forge.”

April 2023

"Forge has been an integral part of my life since opening in 2015. I’ve done personal training with Hal and have been attending classes since day one! Forge has taught me that movement, technique and consistency are what matter most. I’ve learned to love and appreciate that bodies change and that as a women physical strength is an absolute superpower. The class community at Forge has provided me with such a supportive crew of pals and inspiring coaches over the years. I am forever grateful for my Forge fam!”

January 2023

"In October 2019, I was medically retired from the Canadian Armed Forces. My injuries had left me a shell of the person I once was. I needed to be inspired. Fast forward to November 2019, I attended my first 6 AM boxing class, where I met Hal. A few weeks later, Hal and I began the process of rebuilding. I've gone from being unable to deadlift to competing in the Victoria Barbell Open last fall."

October 2022

"Health, wellness and fitness are a priority in my life and have been made a non-negotiable in my daily routine. I really enjoy training at Forge and being in the company of like-minded people that have a passion and a hunger for progression. There is an array of awesome equipment and the outdoor training space on a sunny day is absolutely mint! Looking forward to getting after it at Forge for many more years to come!
Not sure how it happened, but thank you for selecting me as MOTM. Keep grinding!”

July 2022

"Weightlifting is a part of my daily regimen because it makes me feel better mentally.  I have been to many gyms throughout my travels, and I always look forward to returning home to train at the Forge.  They provide a vast selection of maintained equipment which permits an efficient workout." 

April 2022

"My first day at Forge was September 6th, 2017. I remember how out-of-place I felt that day, those first few months, even the first year! Something I noticed right away was that I wasn't the only gym "newbie" there, I wasn't the only one putting myself out there and getting uncomfortable in front of total strangers. And at no point did I ever feel out of place or left feeling like I didn't belong at Forge"

January 2022

“When I was first introduced to Forge by my friend and trainer @mattrudfitness, I wasn’t expecting it to be much different than other gyms I’d attended — besides maybe some equipment I hadn’t seen before and some very strong people working out around me. But right off the bat, I felt welcomed by the Forge community in a way I never had at a gym in the past"

October 2021

“Thank you for selecting me as member of the month, an honour that is legitimately the pinnacle of my athletic career. I never could have risen to these heights without the support of Michael, who gave me my first tour and convinced me Forge was a place I’d fit in, and Tina, whose training has made me stronger and has mostly helped me avoid hurting myself with my clumsy tendencies."

July 2021

"I joined last year when all my sports were cancelled by COVID. Even my old gym was closed. It was looking to be a bleak winter. But I was saved by Forge!"

April 2021

"Like many of my predecessors, I've been with Forge since it's onset. Though my adventure with this awesome group started long before that. I started training with Locky at Studio 4 and then followed him to Catalyst."

January 2021

" I have been coming to Forge since October 2019, and especially considering the dumpster fire that was 2020, my visits here have been crucial for my mental and physical health."

October 2020

"Thanks to the awesome Forge staff for their help and encouragement and also for following health guidelines during this pandemic to keep us safe and working out!"

July 2020

"What I love about Forge is that all of the staff is so welcoming and helpful if I need any guidance. The Forge culture is so amazing and everyone feels good being here."

June 2024

"I came to the Forge about three years ago for many reasons. I wanted to inspire my three teenage kids, fight back against aging, and explore taking up more physical space in the world. My first step was to attend the 5:30 a.m. HIIT classes and to measure success by attendance alone - not by body weight or performance. Despite being hugely intimidated by the other side, I chatted with Tina about finding a trainer."

March 2024

“As I was spinning my wheels at a local big box gym, I started to notice that the best coaches were fleeing to a place down the road called Forge. Upon hearing some positive testimonials, I finally decided to get out of my comfort zone and join. I was looking for a chill place where I could listen to the same Judas Priest albums over and over again in my headphones while doing some heavy deadlifts."

December 2023

“I joined Forge in Spring 2019 to help me deal with work-related pain because my partner bugged me to, and I haven’t stopped (to my own surprise!). I’ve trained with Matt Rudd for several years and gained comfort and strength in powerlifting. I was happy to find a friendly non-gymbro atmosphere that uses their place in the community to do good. I honestly don’t know if I could belong to another gym. Thanks for creating such a great spot!”

September 2023

"I started going to Forge three years ago now and it's changed my life in such a positive way. Establishing the habit of going to the gym, especially using the guidance of my trainer Meghann to help me with my goals and technique, has led me to an overall healthier lifestyle. I’ve noticed such a difference not only in my physique, but in my mental clarity. Everyone at the gym is so inspiring and kind, too, which makes it such a fun and safe place to work out and push hard."

June 2023

“One year ago I was given a choice for a birthday gift: personal training sessions with Tina or a day at the spa. I had no clue how much that choice would change my life. Like so many, I came to Forge to work my way back from an injury, hoping to gain the confidence to trust my body and feel strong and healthy again. With the help and encouragement of so many here (and Tina's amazing guidance), I have made and exceeded goals I never thought possible."

March 2023

"Prepping to move back to Victoria, you would think my priority would be to find a place to live, but funny enough, it was finding a place to train. Coming from a past life as an athlete, fitness/sports have been a large part of my life - even allowing me to get a higher education debt free (which is tough these days), and now as a washed-up athlete, still exercising the competitive side that has been ingrained in me over the years.”

December 2022

"I joined Forge about 2 years ago when I had minimal weight lifting and strength training experience with free weights. I remember feeling nervous and unfamiliar at first, but the community here welcomed me with open arms. Whether it’s asking questions specific to my workout or getting help setting up a rack for the first time, each trainer here has helped me."

September 2022

“In the last few years I've been coming to Forge I added hundreds of pounds to each of my lifts
and I met the best friends I have in my life.
Forge has the weights you need to get stronger, and a community that
makes you want to keep coming back.
I can often be found taking a long time in the combo rack,
I apologize for hogging it but I will do it again."

June 2022

“We have been working out at Forge for the past year or so together and are both so grateful for the awesome facility and community.  

Over the course of the pandemic, Forge did an amazing job working with the public health orders to ensure the community had a safe place to train."

March 2022

“I can't say enough about the tremendous impact Forge has had on me - my life, my health, my outlook - in the seven years or so since I dragged myself in here, a person in his mid-50's, formerly very active but by that time a sedate couch potato. My good friend Grant got me going on this - it was clear something had to be done! Well, this place, and the incredible people in it, were just what was needed to turn a badly-needed new leaf."

December 2021

"I was drawn to Forge by the spirit of community and inclusivity that Locky, Tina and Hal have built the organization on. As a non-binary person some other gyms are not safe spaces nor have they put the intention that Forge has into ensuring all members have equal access to facilities."

September 2021

“I walked into Forge almost 6 months ago hoping to find a good spot to train and continue my health and fitness journey. I can now confidently say that I have found a second home at Forge."

June 2021

“Prior to joining Forge, I had frequented a number of gyms in which the priority was getting in and getting out as quickly as possible. My experience at Forge has been wildly different; never before had I worked out in an environment of such camaraderie, community, and commitment."

March 2021

"I have been training at Forge for a little over two years now and coming here is consistently the best part of my day! The community here is unreal."

December 2020

"Being recognized by my peers for something I absolutely love to do is an awesome complement; all you other Grinders at Forge, thanks for the inspiration."

September 2020

On behalf of the owners, management, and staff, we want to acknowledge all of the members of Forge who have worked hard to not only readjust to life and training in our post-COVID world, but THRIVE.

June 2020

"I can honestly say I don't think I could have done this anywhere else. I always felt quietly supported, very much at ease, and never judged. The stronger I felt inside the gym, the stronger I felt outside the gym."

May 2024

"I started working out at Forge in Dec 2022 and it’s been such an amazing experience working out there and connecting with the community!
I have grown so much in weightlifting over the last couple years. and it has made a huge impact on my physical and mental health overall! It has also helped me improve my performance in Ultimate Frisbee.
Massive shoutout to Jack Dong for the constant support and training to push me to my limits, and my partner who got me to switch to this amazing gym!"

February 2024

"Hi Forge! I've been a member since 2017. I started out with Jason's functional fit classes and was introduced to the joys and pains of powerlifting via classes with Danzel, Eric, and Matt. This is the longest I've stuck with any kind of sport or training regime and I just keep coming back for more - thanks in part to Lindsey's coaching. Being deaf, I've mostly found gyms and team sports really hard to navigate and I'm grateful for this spot and the staff and community that built it."

November 2023

"Hi! My name is Ethan Louie and I am a member of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth First Nations. I have been a member of Forge since 2021 when I started working out and doing personal training to lose weight. My main focus for a while at the gym was powerlifting, but now my focus for the gym is strength and athleticism as I started playing senior mens rugby with the Castaway Wanderers."

August 2023

"I used to play rugby, and I enjoyed strength training. Then lockdown hit, and I spent 2 years inactive putting on a silly amount of weight.
When I moved to Victoria last year it was time to get back in the gym, starting again from an empty barbell. I have lost 30 kgs so far, and I know my fittest years are still ahead of me."

May 2023

“My journey with Forge started back in 2015 at their first location on Fort St. I started doing PT with Jacquelyn and was then convinced to give Boxing a try by both Hal and Laura. I never felt I was very fitness-inclined or considered myself an athlete, but being at Forge changed that. I absolutely fell in love with boxing and the community that surrounded it; from the classes to our Women-only sparring class, it fed me in ways I didn't know it could."

February 2023

"My first day at Forge was in July, 2021. T’was a sunny day and Hal and I were in the basement back at Forge on Yates. I’m out of breath from jumping on a tire for three minutes while Hal is hitting me with foam noodles. I blacked out shortly after and the remaining 57 minutes of training were a blur. I don’t know how I made it home that day, but I remember feeling good and proud of myself just for showing up."

November 2022

"I’m excited to reach my lifetime goal of becoming a member of the month! Forge never ceases to impress me. Not only is it a beautiful facility with top notch equipment, but the trainers and staff create a supportive and inspiring environment for all. It always amazes me that people of all levels from beginner to elite can train side by side in such a positive setting."

August 2022

“My first visit to Forge I witnessed someone deadlift 600 pounds. It was equal parts intimidating and exciting. In the roughly 750 visits since that day I have been introduced to the sport of powerlifting and met some of the most amazing people. Training here with my friends is very often the highlight of my day. I'm wildly grateful for this gym and the community it has fostered.
P.s. My apologies for hogging the combo rack, but I have no plans to stop.”

May 2022

"Thank you so much for the honour of Member of the Month! Forge has had an immense positive impact on my life. I’ve had the opportunity to be a member with Forge since their first gym on Fort St. and it’s been incredible to witness the work and growth made possible by Hal, Locky and Tina. I’ve never considered myself an athlete, and never consistently went to the gym. It wasn’t until Forge that I knew it was a place I wanted to be a part of."

February 2022

“Going to Forge is the best part of my morning. I jump out of bed at 5 a.m. because I know I have a kickass gym waiting for me. The people of Forge are definitely part of my tribe and my much-needed motivation."

November 2021

“I moved here from Ontario this past March and was looking for a gym that met my needs. I’m really particular about where I train. I love bodybuilding and CrossFit and take my training very seriously. Forge is a great facility with equipment that helps me do both."

August 2021

“First off, I would like to thank the Forge staff and owners for going above and beyond during these strange times to keep everyone feeling safe and comfortable. I really feel like you guys have gone above and beyond, and are an excellent example of what a gym should be."

May 2021

"Forge is a special place. I consider it an extended family. A place that you can come, whatever your abilities or condition and do a workout and be comfortable. I am constantly amazed at the abilities of the members around me."

February 2021

"I was introduced to the Forge through members at school. Initially, I was intimidated by all the people lifting heavy things but quickly realised I have nothing to prove."

November 2020

“Wow, what an honour this is to be selected for such a prestigious award. I am sure this was a hard choice, but being a gym god has its benefits."

August 2020

"The gym is a foundation that ensures I consistently come out stronger. My growth here has been a meaningful part of my trajectory that I will look back on in reverent appreciation."