The popular gym in Reading, Pennsylvania, is reopening its doors with a new name and management
Warhouse Gym, originally opened by Rob and Dana Linn Bailey, sat right in Reading, Pennsylvania and was known as one of the most hardcore gyms on the east coast since it opened back in 2015. Influencers, bodybuilders, powerlifters, and regular fitness enthusiasts gathered there for all types of different events, from meet and greets to powerlifting competitions. Not to mention, Warhouse gained a following of people who were there just to enjoy the atmosphere that Rob and Dana Bailey had constructed.
Unfortunately, in 2020, the popular gym closed its doors, and not long after, much of the equipment was auctioned off. Patrons could be seen hauling out the squat racks, benches, dumbbells and barbells, as well as other equipment that once helped many Warhouse attendees work towards their dream physiques. After this, the building sat dormant for years, with the shopping center parking lot relatively bare. All that was left of Warhouse Gym was a few shirts and gym bags that people had purchased, as well as the memories and photos.
However in 2023, Warhouse is reopening its doors, this time as “Warhouse Strength”, and under new ownership. Let’s take a look at the vision the new owners have for the future of the gym.
What Was Warhouse Gym?
Warhouse Gym was a gym that sat in Reading, Pennsylvania, and was seen as one of the most intense gyms on the east coast, aside from other gyms like Atilis in New Jersey, or Bev Francis Powerhouse Gym in New York. It was established by Rob and Dana Linn Bailey in 2015, the Warhouse Gym provided a great training facility for those serious about high level lifting and strength and conditioning.
Not only was it owned by Dana Bailey, the first Women’s Physique Olympia, Warhouse had seen many different professional athletes train there, such as Larry Wheels who had hit some crazy PRs inside its walls. 4x Mr. Olympia winner, Jay Cutler also stopped by Warhouse once or twice, and even C.T. Fletcher had trained there, the main star of Vladar Films’ CT Fletcher: My Magnificent Obsession, which explores the pain, struggle, and hardships that he has endured throughout his life.
Unfortunately, despite the popularity that Warhouse Gym had conjured up, it seemed that 2020 political and economic climate had struck again and had hit the Warhouse Gym as well. Many gyms and establishments have been forced to shut down during the global health crisis. It appears that unfortunately the Warhouse Gym is one among many.
Rob and Dana had left patrons with a heartfelt message before they officially closed its doors:
“THANK YOU
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE FOR ALL THE SUPPORT. THE WARHOUSE HAS BEEN A FUN CHAPTER IN OUR LIVES. ALL CHAPTERS EVENTUALLY COME TO AN END, AND NEW CHAPTERS OPEN. DUE TO REASONS OUTSIDE OF OUT CONTROL WHG WILL BE CLOSED INDEFINITELY OCTOBER 26TH. WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE THAT CAME TO ALL THE EVENTS AND LIFTS OVER THE LAST 5 YEARS.
ALL ACCOUNTS WILL BE CANCELED AND NO MORE MEMBERSHIP FEES WILL BE CHARGED.”
After this, the equipment was auctioned off and gym owners, as well as people looking to stock up their home gyms flocked to Warhouse Gym’s grounds to see what they could take home as memorabilia. Once the equipment was gone, it seemed as though the gym would never reopen.
Warhouse Strength is Born
However, in 2023, Warhouse Gym has been rebranded to “Warhouse Strength” by an eager couple, and is set to open its doors on December 16, 2023.
A young woman by the name of Brittany Dotterer had fallen in love with the original Warhouse, and did not want to leave it to rot. Brittany said that Warhouse was her happy place, even during her rougher times, such as her cancer treatments. Despite the type of day she was having, she found comfort in hitting the weights at the infamous gym.
That being said, she roped her husband, Justin, into joining her on this journey, and it certainly has been a rollercoaster. Thankfully, despite the loops and bounds that they went through, the duo managed to get everything up and running, and are looking forward to opening the doors of Warhouse Strength.
Gym Specs
Brittany’s goal with Warhouse Strength is to give people a place to go and seriously train, whether their goal is fat loss, gaining muscle mass, or whatever. Brittany wants the gym to be a place for them to seriously transform themselves, and not worry about the young gym goers that that sit on their phones for too long, pose in the mirror after every set, and make the gym toxic, the kids that are also known as gymcels.
Warhouse will be home to loads of new equipment, with squat racks, pendulum squats, tons of machines, and dumbbells from 5lbs all the way up to 150 lbs. Aside from that, there also will be a tanning bed, and a red therapy room, as well as massage therapy to help with recovery. Despite anticipating a packed gym, Brittany and her husband will be keeping the gym clean, organized, and doing everything they can to have the same atmosphere of the original Warhouse, and even building more off of that. They want that hardcore feel that you would see at gyms like Metroflex, where Ronnie Coleman trained.
Supplements
Unlike many commercial gyms that just have vending machines filled with a few drinks, Warhouse Strength will be fully stocked with different supplements for your overall well-being. Ranging from pre-workouts to protein powders, as well as a smoothie bar for your post-workout snack or meal, you may not be able to resist staying a few minutes extra to grab a few different supplements or a smoothie.
Wrap Up
Overall, Pennsylvania is getting a new and improved harcore gym that you can definitely add to your list of stops the next time you are passing through. Brittany and Justin Dotterer are going to do whatever it takes to carry on the atmosphere that Rob and Dana had left behind.
Will you be stopping by Warhouse Strength?
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