about us

A group of people at a gym posing for a photo, with a person standing in front of them making a gesture, in a large indoor space with exposed ceiling and lighting.

OUR MISSION

Our grandfather opened the first Wareingโ€™s Gym in 1923. Our father opened his gym over 45 years ago (1960) in Virginia Beach. The success of our grandfather and father was because of their โ€œ always give more than you takeโ€ attitude, with their โ€œno frillsโ€, โ€œno nonsenseโ€, just results approach to proper exercise. When our father turned the gym over to us in 1978 we maintained a commitment to these family traditions and beliefs.


We have always strived to do the common things, uncommonly well, and itโ€™s not the quantity of instruction that we do, but the quality of instruction that we do that counts. Because of these feelings and beliefs, we know that there is no other advertisement like a good reputation. Our gyms reputation shows the integrity and honesty of what our name represents. We truly believe the level that we give our members affects everything else in our gym, and our lives.


We must never be satisfied that our instruction is fairly good, or good enough. Nothing short of the best is good enough. Nothing short of the best will do because only the best is good enough to provide our members the results and benefits that they have paid for. โ€œTheir success is our success.โ€


Helping a person realize their potential helps them, it helps the gym, the community, and even the world, but just as importantly it helps you as a person.

A woman with long curly hair, wearing a blue sports bra and shorts, is performing pull-ups on a gym rack. Several other people are in the background, some measuring weights and others sitting or standing nearby. The gym has a red and black theme with various equipment around.

The Wareingโ€™s Philosophy

We believe the best movements are the ones performed the right way.

Proper form, strong movement patterns, and intentional coaching help reduce injury risk, build confidence, and support long-term progress.

Strength is the foundation, but training should also challenge you.

At Wareingโ€™s Gym, we combine structure, intensity, coaching, recovery, and community to help members train hard, move well, and stay consistent.


โ€œWareingโ€™s is truly my favorite gym! The staff make you feel like family and the team training workouts are always challenging. Can honestly say I havenโ€™t found another gym that comes close to what Wareingโ€™s offers.โ€

โ€” Ashley
Black and white photo of a group of nine people, six men and three women, sitting and standing in a gym with boxing or wrestling ring ropes in the background. They are dressed in athletic workout attire, smiling and posing for the camera.

OUR STORY

For nearly a century, the Wareing name has been synonymous with physical fitness. Since 1923, our legacy began with Bill Wareing, Sr., a renowned physical culturist in New York City. His son, John Wareing, continued the tradition, opening the first Wareingโ€™s Gym in 1960. A legendary figure in Virginia Beach, John touched countless lives as a fitness guru, war hero, strongman, and more.

As we expanded throughout the โ€˜80s, โ€˜90s, and 2000s, Wareingโ€™s Gym became a local fitness leader. Today, the torch has passed to a new generation, ready to tackle current health epidemics. Our enduring success is rooted in hard work, real results, strong relationships, and a good laugh. At Wareingโ€™s, we prioritize family, and as a new member, youโ€™re now part of our family.

WELCOME HOME!

Group of ten people, including adults and children, posing together in an indoor gym with blue walls, black chalkboard, and artificial turf flooring.

More Than a Gym

Since 1960, Wareingโ€™s Gym has made it our mission to be the best part of peopleโ€™s day. We strive for every member to leave the gym feeling better than when they arrived. Our success has never relied on equipment or programming nearly as much as it has the very people we consider ourselves fortunate to coach.

By treating our people less like clients and more as an integral part of our culture, we create an environment that minimizes judgment while promoting support and a sense of community among one another.

While itโ€™s vastly important to see peopleโ€™s bodies feeling better, the true goal is to sustain an environment where people are free to feel better about themselves.

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