Build Your Capacity in a Supportive Environment
Want to get strong but not into gym vibes? If you’ve ever felt intimidated by strength training, we are your people.
We offer seven drop-in Strength Training classes per week. In these empowering classes you’ll learn functional movements - like squats, deadlifts and doable push-up progressions - to help you build strength and increase capacity for daily tasks and recreational activities. You'll learn how to safely use weights like dumbbells and a barbell. We take a fun and lighthearted approach to strength building in a group setting, and participants who attend regularly can expect to build physical capacity and confidence progressively, over time.
See Strength Training Classes on our Drop-in Schedule
Our Approach to Strength Training
The Strength Training drop-in class is programmed in 4-12 week cycles, and structured around a specific lift (like the conventional deadlift). Working with a program, as opposed to introducing different exercises every week, allows participants to develop competency within a specific exercise while gradually increasing the challenge over time by adding weight, repetitions, or range of motion.
We offer two complementary workouts each week, (workout A and workout B) so that participants can choose to attend once or twice a week with appropriate recovery time in between sessions. Workout A or B can serve as a stand-alone class for a once-weekly session, or done once each for twice-weekly sessions. There is minimal exercise overlap between A and B to encourage less fatigue between sessions, and they are often split between upper and lower body focus.
We train using free weights (dumbbells, kettlebells, barbells), gymnastics rings, pull-up bars, and resistance bands. We also develop strength through our use of bodyweight exercises like push-ups.
Our instructors are knowledgeable and pursue continued learning through professional development, mentorship, and our own training experience. We can personally attest to the positive impact of strength training in our own lives, and we’re adept at helping to scale exercises to suit the needs of each individual that walks through the door so that our clients can also experience the benefits of strength work.
Our strength community is made up of practitioners at all experience levels. Beginners are very welcome and are often cheered on by others in the group! Folks who are returning to strength work after some time off, whether due to injury or other circumstances, are also very welcome to participate.
Do I need to book in advance?
Reservations for In-Person Classes: Reservations are strongly encouraged as some of our classes fill up regularly. We also allow drop-ins when there are spots available in a class or when there is a last minute cancellation.
Joining a Virtual Livestream: Registrants will receive a Zoom link by email 15 min before class starts. Be sure to sign up at least 30 min in advance to ensure you're on the email list, and add virtual@thebranchesyoga.com to your safe contacts list so you don't miss it!
Tech Tip: You can manage your bookings in our Mindbody Online booking system by clicking here, or download the Mindbody Online booking app for Apple or Android.
iPhone Users: please note that the MBO booking app does not display any virtual offerings at this time. Use the web app instead if you prefer virtual classes.
Class Cancellation and Waitlist Policies
Late Arrivals: Please arrive 10-15 minutes before the start of your class. If you have reserved a spot for a sold-out class and you’re not here 5 minutes prior to class, your spot may be given away to someone on standby. Our doors are locked at the start of class. Please arrive on time.
In-Person Class Cancellations: Please cancel your reservation 2 hours in advance if you can no longer attend an in-person class. This will ensure your account will not be charged and allows someone else to fill that spot. If you cancel less than 2 hours in advance your account will be charged for the class. Outdoor classes will automatically move indoors if the weather is bad, and the same cancellation policy applies.
Waitlist: If a class is full, try for a spot via the Waitlist! If someone cancels, you’ll be notified via email and text message. Make sure you've enabled "Reminders and schedule changes" notifications in your account profile to ensure you receive this message. Please let us know right away if you no longer want the spot so we can offer it to the next person on the waitlist.
Feel like staying home and want to switch from the in-person to the virtual class? If it's past the 2 hr cancellation window, go ahead and late cancel yourself out of the in-person class and sign into the virtual class. Make sure you sign up 30 min before the virtual class begins so you get on the list to recieve the livestream link. Then email us at info@thebranchesyoga.com and let us know you signed up for both. We'll credit your account for the late cancel and you'll only be charged for the virtual class.
Where can I park?
We have 4 in-tandem spots in our driveway on the left side of the building. We strongly encourage yoga clients to utilize these spots for all our classes to minimize the parking load along Samuel St.
Parking is reserved for The Branches yoga students for all classes.
Pull up as far as you can (4 cars deep), nearly bumper to bumper.
Please vacate the parking spot within 5-10 minutes of class finishing.
Do not park in the driveway on the right side of the building.
Please remember we are in a residential neighbourhood and be considerate!
If you're able to arrive early for class, please look for parking on a side street so we don't overload Samuel St. (See map for suggestions).
According to city bylaw, do not park within 1.5 meters of a driveway.
Please check parking signs. Most side streets allow free 2-3 hour parking.
Do NOT park in the private parking lot across the street from The Branches.
Park in the driveway if you're able, and park as close to the curb as possible if you're parked on the the street.
When there is significant snowfall event (8 cm or more), check to see if the City of Kitchener has declared a "Snow Event." During a snow event, you cannot park on city streets - cars will be ticketed and towed to allow for snow removal. Notifications are posted on the City's Facebook and Twitter accounts, as well as their website, and are in effect for 24hrs. You can also sign up for email alerts HERE.
If a Snow Event has been declared:
Please take public transportation, walk, or get dropped off for class if you are able.
Park in a nearby public parking lot - the nearest lot to us would be the Otto St. Lot across from Centre in the Square (about a 5 min walk).
Park in the driveway if other options aren't available to you - but be aware there are only 3-4 spots available.