The best bodybuilding gym in Denver is so pump friendly, it's basically named 'Armburst', which tells you what you need to know. But it's not the only place to get a valid flex on here in Colorado. So, i'll save you the ball ache of diving through Google Maps or Yelp and guessing, with my winners below.
Bodybuilding Gyms and Denver
Heading over to Los Angeles to review bodybuilding gyms in the Gold State, from Texas, we dipped into Colorado to see what Denver’s bodybuilding gyms were all about. If you’ve ever been to Denver, you’ll know it’s quite a compact city which made it perfect for a spot of gym tripping. I kept getting asked, what the best gym in Denver for bodybuilding was, so it was high time I found out the city’s PBs.
I hit a 5 day PPL in Denver and took in some great places to train. If you want to jump to the champion, hit the link below.
Jump to: Winner
History of bodybuilding and Denver
It may not have been the epicenter of bodybuilding in its early days, but the Mile High City has begun to command a significant part of the sport’s growth. Former IFBB Pro bodybuilder Phil Heath, 7-time Mr. Olympia, calls Denver his home and in 2008 a gym I might be mentioning in this guide opened it’s doors to a host more budding, current and past IFBB Pros.
The usual NPC style events tend to take place here in Denver as well as the Colorado State Championship.
Is bodybuilding popular in Denver?
Denver is never going to push Las Vegas over for bodybuilding mecca factor, but when you have one of the all time bodybuilding greats (Phil Heath) living and training in your city, it’s got to do something for the popularity of the sport.
A lot of the gyms in the city tend to be focused more on cross-fit or taking sign-ups and serving people who can’t bring themselves to quit the membership; but there are still some stand out places to head to if a front double biceps pose or standing relaxed is in your lexicon.
How we picked the best gyms in Denver?
“The colour of the gym equipment”. That’s how we picked the best bodybuilding gyms in Denver. The more retro the colour, or angry looking, the better the gym must be…Joke.
Obviously, we do love a wild colourway (aka Dragon’s Lair) but we are a little more cerebral in our selection criteria. If you want to know exactly what drives us, here’s a short list.
Key thing here – we are never paid, we don’t tend to announce we are coming, as it usually makes us look like we are on the hunt for freebies; and we always pay to train. We want people who read these guides to continue to trust our recommendations on where to lift when travelling.
Now, here’s the brief guidline list:
- Is it an independent/local chain gym business or is it a nationwide franchise.
- Bodybuilder credible equipment brands. Nautilus, Arsenal Strength, Watson, Technogym etc
- Bells & Whistles – Posing rooms, old school bodybuilding posters, mirrors in front of squat racks
- Lifting Vibe – Do you get the rush to want to put on your knee wraps and smash a leg PB?
When we write this section, it is not an exhaustive list but it gives you an idea of what we are looking for as fans of weight training and PT qualified lifters. Any warehouse can hold barbells, but not everyone can develop an intoxicatingly fun place to train. It’s the small details that matter.
Winner - Best Gym For Bodybuilders In Denver
On the edge of Denver is a district known as Wheat Ridge, which we might have missed if it wasn’t for a tip off from one of Lee’s most recent dates, who herself is a budding female IFBB pro card holder. Having already got a great recommendation from her for our trip to NYC earlier in the year, we tend to listen when she talks.
She told us about a bodybuilding gym run by a pro for pros here in Denver. So, with little more information than that, we made our way north west of the city to see what this all about.
The outcome? Our winner for Denver’s best bodybuilding gym. Although in fairness to another later on in the guide, it is a close run race.
Armbrust Pro Gym - Wheat Ridge, Denver, CO
Opened since 2016, Dylan Armbrust has developed a world class training facility known as the Mile High Mecca. For those who don’t know, Denver is one mile above sea level, hence the nickname. When we rocked up we got the same vibe we often get pulling into the parking lot of famed bodybuilding gyms, a sense of “Is this it?”
Unassuming from the outside, an almost sleepy suburb, throws you up a small business complex, with several buildings, including the usual car hire centre, random outlets, a salon and even an archery centre. Probably the world’s only one! Then, off to the right you spy a wide low single storey building with a few sun-bleached yellow signs out the front declaring us this must be the place.
When you walk inside, your perspective changes completely. It’s got big, high ceilings, rows of metal, hard-working trainers, the ‘Stars and Stripes’ hanging in the middle and when we got there, metal banging out. Yeah, this place felt nice.
Why we love Armbrust Pro Gym
You know our take on things, if the gym has rows of bodybuilding photos in frames on the wall, and IFBB Pros like the place, then there is every chance, it’s going to go down well with us.
We love legit, we love valid and Armbrust Pro Gym is exactly that. You’ve got gym equipment that has been picked based on ‘right tool for the job’ and not because of an endorsement deal. That includes real niche name plates like Rogers Athletic, elite gear like Nautilus, Atlantis and more. Critically, on any given day, you may encounter former Mr Olympia Phil Heath. Nothing says bodybuilding gym like an absolute Goat hitting a back session!
For you as a visitor though – what are you going to like?
While the gym is clearly on the hardcore workout hunter’s travel itinerary, it’s also really grounded. The front desk is friendly and as I always say, we don’t tell people we are here to review. For two reasons, we want it to be a true experience and 2: I’m so socially awkward I couldn’t even bring myself to mentioning it.
Day pass costs compared to other Top 50 gyms in the country make this well priced. Golds Venice charges $40-$50, this would get you a week pass here and your workout would possibly be better too.
The whole joint has a very pure atmosphere. It’s a cross between dedication, community and visually chaotic (but in a good way) and for that, it makes it a great place to train for any level of lifter. It’s not pretentious, which you can sometimes find from some of the chain bodybuilding establishments. I visited a Powerhouse once in NY State and I found it to be not the most welcoming – which is not common for PH gyms, but this didn’t have any of that. It could easily be a swaggering place to train, with their credentials, but it’s not. I loved it, you’ll love it, and I’m back here soon and it will be one of the two places I know I’ll train. Support Armbrust, keep gyms independent!
How to find Armbrust Gym near Denver, Colorado
You can get here from downtown Denver in about 15 minutes by car and with a load of parking you’re not going to have to circle the block for ages hoping to stop somewhere. Meanwhile, if you’re coming in from Golden, and flying in off the Golden Freeway, then it’s a case of off-ramping on W 44th Avenue and hanging a right off onto Kipling.
Easy to find, easy to park, and about 15 minutes from any of the major suburban areas on the edges of Denver.
Address: 4240 Kipling St, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033, United States
Staffed Hours:
Monday – Friday: 5 am – 10 pm
Saturday: 7 am – 8 pm
Sunday: 7 am – 6 pm
Day Passes: $20
Monthly: From $25 (with $300 sign-up) to $80 PAYG
4.6 / 5.0 | 303 Reviews (See all)
Our favourite:
“The king of Mr. Olympia-esque gyms in Colorado. This place is serious, focused, well-rounded, and as hardcore as it gets. Atmosphere is unmatched. If you’re serious about your fitness, this is the place to be. Show up, go hard, be relentless.”
Source: Google
Easily accessed on the edge of Denver via Kipling St
Free parking lot
IFBB Pro frequented Gym
Pro Bodybuilder owned – Dylan Armbrust
Supplement Shop
Day Passes Available
Powerlifting equipment – Strongman toys
Plate loaded machines
Leg day training mecca – Dedicated leg room
Posing rooms
180 lbs Dumbbells – Broncos
Brands include: all of them :) Ivanko, Barbell Standard, Prime, Hammer Strength, Rogers Athletic, Dynabody, Nautilus, Cybex and Atlantis and more…
For monthly gym users, I’d say it’s the sign up fee. You get a great deal if you pay a massive sign-up fee of $300, but it’s a lot of money to pay to be a customer. Given that this pricing is on a 12 month contract deal, you’d argue that they may want to do a zero sign-up fee offer with a monthly price they think is fair.
I’d invest good money (always) in going to gyms I love, and this place is no different, but I also think sign-up fees are a joke. It’s like charging someone to walk through the door of your shop for the inconvenience of having to serve you.
I think if I paid $300 sign up fees, or even $80, which gets you $45 a month, I’d want 24 hour access.
I will say this though. If that sign-up fee locked in a monthly rate for longer than a year, I’d see the value more. You’re paying to book a good rate. Fair.
I like to be balanced in my reviews and these would be my gripes. Otherwise, it’s an exceptional gym and for those who train there, they probably don’t spend a great deal on vices that others have, so it’s their luxury and they probably don’t baulk at it.
Other Great Bodybuilder Gyms In Denver
It’s easy to just name Armbrust when listing the best bodybuilding gym in Denver, but there are a number of great options to try instead. 212 is a real pleasure and if Armbrust didn’t exist, I’d be opting for Rocky Mountain Flex Fitness all day long. So with that said, here’s 3 more of the best gyms in Denver to sample when you swing by to watch the Nuggets, or whatever brings you to town.
Best Gym In Downtown Denver
This place runs Armbrust close, it’s spacious and perhaps a bit less “Roar”.
Rocky Moutain Flex Fitness
Rocky Mountain Flex looks the nuts. It’s a well finished joint inside, and on the outside it has that ‘outskirts of Williamsburg’ vibe. Or maybe it’s Wynwood. Either way, this gym is minutes from central Denver, has a ton of parking out front, the railroad runs straight by and is stacked with everything from sleds, lifting platforms and specialist brands like Atlantis, with a beast of a pendulum squat.
There are benches for days, it’s bright and light, which isn’t for everyone, but there are some solid touches of bodybuilding detail. Personal favourites, are the heel wedges for your leg sessions. Small details like that go a long way. That and the protein heaven BBQ joint next door!
Pricing: 1 Day Pass = $17 : 1 Mth $89.99
Find them: 900 W 1st Ave #150, Denver, CO 80223
Best Gym In Aurora
Colorado’s Pro Gym feels like Rocky Mountain meets Average Joes. We like!
Colorado's Pro Gym
Find this weapon on the outskirts of Denver in Aurora and I’m so pleased I made the trip to see it.
A win for the armed forces flags hanging up, and the place was friendly from the moment you step inside. No attitude, just a decent place to train.
Gym equipment wise, the dumbbells are hitting north of 60kg, they may go higher but I was trying to count up while in the way of people, who were probably wondering what I was doing! Machine wise, you’ve got plate loaded equipment from Hammer Strength and Flex as well as the usual selectorised gear. If you’re this way – come by.
Pricing: Free 7 day trial – $50 per month
Find them: 1961 S Havana St, Aurora, CO 80014
Best Gym In Centennial
This independent bodybuilding bad boy in Centennial has that 90s vibe we love.
212 Performance Gym
216 5 star reviews can’t be bad.
With a name that probably needs updating given that they have more than 212 5 star reviews, this locally run bodybuilding gym in Centennial is a must visit on your trip around the state.
What did I love the most? Two things. I could train after hours as it’s a 24 hour spot, and the take-away protein meals in the meal-prep fridge is a proper touch.
I come from an era where gyms sold Mars bars in the reception, so I’ll never not love seeing boxes of gains for sale by the exit door. Respect earned.
Pricing: 30 Day Rolling $38
Find them: 7399 S Tucson Way STE C3, Centennial, CO 80112
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