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Expert strength coaches · Poole & BournemouthStrength Training
Poole.
Get stronger, feel better, move well — at any starting point. Expert strength coaching in Poole for people in their 30s, 40s and 50s. No intimidation. Just results.
Strength is built.
Not given.
Strength training is the single best thing most people in their 30s, 40s and 50s can do for their body — but most people who try it on their own either don't know where to start, worry about getting hurt, or never really see the results they expected. That's a coaching problem, not a you problem.
At 180 Strength in Poole, you don't need to know anything about strength training before you start. That's literally what we're here for. Every session has a qualified coach watching your form, making sure you're moving safely and making progress. We've coached over 1,250 members in Poole over 25 years — from complete beginners to people who've never been near a gym.
Whether you want to get stronger for sport, change how your body looks, or simply move and feel better for the rest of your life — proper strength training, properly coached, is the way.
Book your free call180 Strength · Poole
Strength training is not just for young people or gym enthusiasts. Some of our most dramatic transformations have been people in their 50s who'd never lifted a weight in their lives.
— James Rufus, Head Coach & Founder
📍 7 Dear Hay Lane, Poole BH15 1NZ
Mon–Fri 6am–9pm · Saturday mornings
Free parking 2 minutes away
Everything you need.
Nothing you don't.
Progressive programming
Your strength programme is built to progress — not repeat the same session week after week. Every month you'll be lifting more, moving better, and getting stronger in ways you can measure.
Expert technique coaching
Strength training done wrong causes injury. Done right, it transforms your body and protects your joints for life. Every session at 180 has a qualified coach watching your form.
Structured, progressive sessions
Every session builds on the last. You'll always know what you're working towards and your coach will always know where you are. No random workouts — just a programme that actually goes somewhere.
For all levels
Complete beginners to competitive powerlifters train at 180 Strength. Our coaches are expert at meeting people exactly where they are and building from there.
Sofia's world-class credentials
Sofia Rufus is a Commonwealth Gold medallist and IPF World medallist — she competed for Great Britain in her 40s. Her strength coaching knowledge is genuinely world-class.
A community that keeps you going
Training with the same people every week changes everything. The group keeps you accountable, celebrates your wins, and shows up for you when motivation dips.
What our members
actually say.
"180 Strength is the BEST place if you're looking for a supportive environment, with coaches who genuinely want to see you succeed. Whether you're a complete beginner or experienced, there's something for everyone."
"I have been training with James for the past year and a half. He's very insightful and friendly. He creates programs that suit my needs and my limits. Good banter."
"180 Strength is the BEST place if you're looking for a supportive environment, with coaches who genuinely want to see you succeed."
"My life changed forever. That's not an exaggeration. The accountability, the coaching, the community — I've never experienced anything like it in 20 years of going to gyms."
Frequently asked
questions.
Completely. Our coaches are expert at teaching strength training from scratch — and getting beginners strong safely and quickly. Most of our members start with no experience.
Yes — and it's often more effective than cardio for long-term fat loss. Building muscle raises your metabolic rate and changes your body composition in ways that cardio alone can't match.
Strength training has a specific goal — to progressively build strength through resistance. It's structured, measurable and progressive. General fitness is more varied. Both have value, but strength training produces the most transformative results for most people.
Not at 180 Strength. Most of our members felt nervous before their first session — and almost all of them tell us within weeks they wish they'd started sooner. Our coaches are expert at making people feel welcome and capable from day one.
World-class coaches.
Right here in Poole.
A Commonwealth Gold medallist. An MSc in Strength & Conditioning. A founder with 25 years experience. Meet the team properly.
Meet the full team →We're right here
in Poole.
No big commercial gym with rows of machines and nobody knowing your name. A focused, welcoming coaching gym in the heart of Poole — where the coaches know who you are from day one.
Address
180 Strength
7 Dear Hay Lane
Poole, BH15 1NZ
Hours
Mon–Fri 6:00am – 9:00pm · Saturday mornings
Free parking 2 minutes away
Serving
Poole, Bournemouth, Wimborne, Wareham and the wider Dorset area.
7 Dear Hay Lane, Poole BH15 1NZ · Free parking nearby
Get seriously
strong.
Book a free, no-obligation call with James. We'll talk about your goals and whether 180 Strength is the right fit. No pressure. No hard sell.