Strength in numbers

Curing iron deficiency

"Equip yourself for life, not solely for your own benefit but for the benefit of the whole community" - General Sir John Monash

Kyle has been a trainer since 2009, and instructor since 1995. He specialises in timid and broken beginners - and found room for competitive powerlifters, and people entering uniformed service, too. 

Merkava has been a competitive gymnast and swimmer, has been lifting since 2018, and is the assistant coach for movement. She is particularly adept at teaching the quick lifts. 

Both will help you become generally more useful and harder to kill, and everyone there will give you a laugh, some even on purpose. 

You have a duty to health. We have a duty to help you.

Come for the training. Stay for the banter.

Services

Rehab

Working in communication with medical professionals, we’ve trained people with arthritis, herniated discs, multiple scelorosis, recovering from cancer and more. They all felt and performed better.

Semi-private training

Sessions have no more than 7 people per booked session, keeping your training safe and effective, and letting you make new friends. We aim to educate, so you know the why as well as the how. After 12 months you will know more about training than most new personal trainers.

Strength focus

The basic physical qualities are strength, endurance and mobility. Strength is the base of the others. In combination with a healthy diet, strength training can change how you look, feel and perform, making you generally more useful and harder to kill.

SACRIFCE - special offer for AV, nurses, etc

ACE has a SACRIFICE programme, Support for Ambulance, Care, Rescue, Intensive Frontline & Community Effort. We are experienced in dealing with people experiencing the demands of physical and mental work doing rotating shifts, and both coaches have previous experience in these sorts of jobs. FIRST TERM FREE Paramedics, nurses, midwives, hospital janitors and similar. Some people can do their job from their desk so their physical needs are low, but the SACRIFICE people need their bodies to work well, and they risk them every day at work. Being stronger makes you generally more useful and harder to kill. Therefore, we offer a three month term free to those applying, one slot only at a time. After those three months you should be well-equipped to maintain your new strength on your own, or you can continue as a paying student.

Structure

Structure & Seminars

We think of training as an educational course. Training is sold in ~3 month terms matching the four terms of the school year, where you come as often as you like, provided you book. The cost is the same $750 however often you come. To be able to purchase later terms you must attend at least 1.5 sessions a week. To further your education, we have frequent seminars on various physical topics, usually on the first Sunday of each month, these are all part of the fee. Visitors may drop in on these seminars for a fee of $50. 2025 Feb 9th - Coach Ryan - Weightlifting Mar 2nd - Physio Daryl - Top 5 Warmup & Mobility drills Apr 6th - Coach Ryan - Weightlifting Nov 9th - Jane - Dietician

Extra-curricular

Every educational course needs extra-curricular activities. About once a month, usually the second or third Wednesday, we do something outside the gym, like going down to the rifle range, the bouldering gym, out to a restaurant or hiking. 2024 Oct 11 Wed - Rifle shoot at Springvale Nov 20th Wed - Bouldering gym at Clayton Dec 18th Wed - Lasagna dinner 2025 Jan 13th Mon - Axe-throwing at Knox Feb 17th Mon - Shoot at Springvale Apr 14th Mon - Pool/billiards in Frankston June 16th Mon - Greek food Oakleigh Nov 10th Mon - Paintball

Year Schedule

Every new person will begin with a term of Strength. Aside from that, the annual schedule is as follows. 2025 Term 1 – Skills Jan 2nd to Apr 19th 2025 Term 2 – Strength Apr 20th to Jul 19th 2025 Term 3 – Brawn Jul 20th to Oct 4th 2025 Term 4 – Peaking Oct 5th to Dec 19th Members pay for each Term they wish to attend, and Terms are charged on a pro-rata basis for anyone starting later.

Articles

How I started our microgym

How I started our microgym

It all began with some dropped cleans, and a mysterious phone call.

Read More  
Beginner Bodyweight Programme

Beginner Bodyweight Programme

You don't need equipment or a gym membership to get started.

Read More  
Accessible Strength Programme

Accessible Strength Programme

For when you can train often, but not hard.

Read More  
3 Months and 13 Steps To Health

3 Months and 13 Steps To Health

3 months of accumulating good habits can improve your health.

Read More  
Lifters first, always

Lifters first, always

At ACE, we put the good of our lifters first, whatever anyone else says or does.

Read More  
Standards, Trainers and Coaches

Standards, Trainers and Coaches

We train you for the first 50% of possible performance. This will change your life.

Read More  

Reviews

 

Athletic Club is great gym if you’re looking to elevate your training and learn the core fundamentals in strength. Over the last 6 months I have been educated not only in my training (reps, cues, progressive overload and journaling) but a history class on your everyday world topics. I know I’ll be informed in my sessions with Kyle! Looking forward to smashing more PBs!

Cass C
 

Cures Iron Deficiency. Tried and tested

     
Joemar M
man
 

I've had an excellent experience at Athletic Club East. Kyle is incredibly knowledgeable, patient and provides great guidance. The gym exudes a positive atmosphere, and the supportive community here is truly uplifting. I appreciate the encouragement and valuable advice from both Kyle and fellow members. It's a fantastic place for strength training with a friendly and supportive vibe. Highly recommended!

     
Vish C
woman
 

ACE is a great community with a fantastic coach. Kyle tailors your program to your individual needs and has a keen eye for form. I came in with a busted back and slipped disc and 18 months later I'm squatting and deadlifting with no flare ups, at weights above and beyond my own training maxes. Going to the gym is much less of a chore when you have great people by your side with similar goals and encouragement or even just good conversation!

Jesse C
 

Kyle from ACE has helped me get on track with my life after my back injury by gaining confidence and strength through his solid teaching and down to earth manner. Couldn't recommend him enough! Thank you Kyle.

Alex B
 

An inclusive gym for those wanting to start powerlifting or for those wanting to refine their technique. An encouraging female friendly and family friendly environment with a range of membership options.

Fiona S
 

Kyle is an excellent trainer who has helped me improve my strength and quality of life enormously. But these reasons alone aren't really what keeps me coming after seven years... What Kyle has created at his gym is a community where people, particularly women / people with health issues / seniors, are welcomed and respected, no meatheads or dudebros here. I have made wonderful friends and I'm so grateful to have a place like this.

Rach M
 

The health benefits are great. But the main factors keep me staying, are the community, tremendous support from Kyle and everyone. No matter whether you are chatterbox or prefer quiet environment, you will find that you are easily belong here. Kyle and Merkava are great trainers, not only that you are also get great advice from your peers.

     
Ann T
 
 

Contact

  • Lanark St, Clayton South VIC, Australia