Speed Power Strength

Speed Power Strength was built from the ground up to be the most complete Olympic weightlifting training center for athletes. The 9000 square foot space contains 12 lifting platforms, a permanent competition platform, and a recovery center. Everything was built to give athletes all the tools they need to succeed.

A Q&A with Mike Jenkins, SPS founder and owner

What drove you to open SPS?

Two things: growing the sport of weightlifting and helping my local community. My vision is to build a professional weightlifting facility in the US, that is open to everyone at all levels, but not sacrificing excellence. I believe inviting Olympians and world champions as both coaches and athletes to freely share their knowledge in weightlifting and strength & conditioning moves the sport in a positive new direction. I was looking to create an open source gym that is not concerned with selling a specific system or methodology, but providing what's best for the athletes.

It was also important to me to build a training center with a positive environment in Oakland, California that could help contribute to the local community while inspiring athletic excellence. The challenge of building a world class training center in the heart of the Bay Area was something that got me excited from day one and I hope it excites others to also want to make a difference in our sport.

How is your facility different from a traditional or mainstream gym and fitness facility?

We obsess about helping our clients achieve their goals, and our athletes to win. That means, we strive to have the best facilities for weightlifting, powerlifting, strength & conditioning, and recovery – all under one room. It is no small feat, but we are committed to excellence in all aspects of the SPS training center.

What are the key differentiators that make your facility successful?

One key is that we are unconcerned with selling supplements, online programming, or any activities that distract from providing our athletes with the approach that is best for them. Instead, we are 100% focused one creating and growing a training center with a welcoming and positive environment for ALL members – at every skill level. Those who entrust us with their athletic or fitness goals receive our undivided attention.

What are the biggest benefits of weightlifting in a group training setting?

At SPS, we believe that small group settings help people push themselves in areas they didn't think were possible while they are under the watchful eye of a professional coach. It lets people pick up cues and tips by interacting with like-minded people, and that can be a motivator. More importantly, it's good to have someone to high-five when you hit a big lift. Giving yourself a high-five just looks awkward.

What drives your members towards lifting? Competition, health, fitness, sports conditioning?

Weightlifting, powerlifting, and strength sports in general are becoming a much more mainstream way of training. I believe it's a natural progression for some people to seek alternatives to using machines for strength training and cardio. There also seems to be a sizable shift toward performance goals over aesthetic goals. Or at the very least, people want to feel and actually be as strong and athletic as they look. Competition is just a natural extension of hard training. It lets you know where you are, and gives you goals to focus on in the gym. It can also be a great shared experience with the people you train with daily.

In your view, how has the market/interest/demographic in weightlifting shifted over the years?

This answer can be summed up in one word: Women.

The interest and participation of women in weightlifting and strength sports is the most significant development in weightlifting. No question. The increased number of girls and women who train and compete is a welcome and necessary evolution in the continued popularity of the sport.

What are your thoughts on the trends in weightlifting or future direction of the sport?

Clearly the direction of the sport in the US is a bright one. With so many gyms across the country with equipment to do the lifts, the exposure to weightlifting has never been higher. Kids and youth athletes are introduced to the sport on a regular basis. I think we have yet to even see the full results in this explosion in weightlifting popularity. In 5 to 10 years, we will see some remarkable athletes move weightlifting to the next level in the US. We have just scratched the very promising surface.

How is Eleiko part of creating added value?

Initial feedback from our members tells us we’ve raised members’ expectations of how a gym should operate. Far too many athletes have been led to believe that a poorly equipped and poorly maintained facility is standard fare for a weightlifting gym. "It's too nice" is a criticism or complement, I'm still not sure which, a handful of people in our area choose to describe SPS when we first opened the gym. The bar has been set very low as to the type of facility and level of coaching people will accept. By affording people the opportunity to experience Eleiko equipment on a daily basis, we extend to them the sense of pride Eleiko puts into its products. Like Eleiko, we are looking to set a new standard for all athletes. And of course ALL are welcome through our doors.

Visit www.spsgym.com for more information.