May 28, 2026, 7:14 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
I love working out at the gym, but gyms are a world of their own and not for everyone. I know people who have realized that strength training is important, but have no interest in gyms. There’s hope for them. In Berlin, I’ve discovered a chain of studios with special courses that I consider a perfect alternative.
A friend told me about the new training option in the city. She’s a yoga instructor and trains in calisthenics, but was also looking for a way to start strength training without being tied to a traditional gym. Curious (though a bit skeptical), I went along—and was thrilled. I experienced a 45-minute guided strength training session that pushes you to your limits if done right, yet is also suitable for beginners in strength sports.
Full-Body Training to Muscle Failure
The studio’s setup makes it clear: They have specialized in a concept. No other course rooms, no unnecessary frills. The studio consists of changing rooms and a training room. It’s smartly equipped with various training stations. From barbells for deadlifts, to dumbbells and benches for lunges and bench presses, to back machines and leg presses, everything is available to train the entire body in 45 minutes. The principle: Six stations, six machine or compound exercises, three sets of 40 seconds at each station (with 45 seconds of rest in between) with weights heavy enough to perform a maximum of eight to ten clean repetitions. The last repetition should be barely achievable, indicating the right weight has been set or chosen.
This makes it clear: It’s not about endurance like in courses with moderate weights and many repetitions in long sets. Instead, the principle is “training to muscle failure” to build muscles and strength.
Before the strength training, there’s a short warm-up program, followed by a two-minute intensive core session and finally a cool-down consisting of stretching exercises, including some familiar from yoga.
Essential: Good Guidance from Trainers
What makes the training attractive for gym skeptics is its compactness. Instead of hours of lifting at the gym, you only need 45 minutes here to train your entire body and exhaust your muscles to the max. It’s no wonder the trainers emphasize at the end of the workout: Remember your recovery! And you need it. I’m certainly not a beginner in strength sports—and yet I reach my limits.
Another plus is the collaboration with the trainer. I’ve been with several different trainers, and all have impressed me. They explain the process and goal of the training each time and demonstrate the technique of each exercise. During the workout, they keep an eye on the participants, correct them, or encourage them to be bolder with heavier weights. They also point out mistakes that sometimes necessitate using a lighter weight. Technique takes precedence over weight—if only to prevent injuries.
Such intensive instructions are no longer a given in most gyms today. Usually, you have to actively book an hour with a trainer to learn from their expertise. Few members take advantage of this, and you still see incorrect exercise execution far too often. I also occasionally notice that I’m not paying attention to my form and have to correct myself. Such lapses have no chance in the new course concept!
Unfortunately, I only know of studios in Berlin with this training concept so far. However, I can imagine that such offerings exist in other cities as well. If not, that will likely change soon. The fact is: Strength training is important, especially with an eye on healthy aging, and more and more people are recognizing this. But not everyone wants to go to a traditional gym. My fellow trainees and my friend love the new course concept as an alternative to gyms. The target audience is definitely there.