Raw Strength

Raw Strength Raw Strength is the only true powerlifting and strongman gym in the area.

There's nothing better then being a part a team. There are numerous ways you can be a part of a team. Whether it is at w...
08/03/2026

There's nothing better then being a part a team. There are numerous ways you can be a part of a team. Whether it is at work, you and your partner, being a part of a sports team, or anything else where you have to work together for a common goal. As great as a team is, the balance between good and bad is hard. One person on that team who is only looking out for themselves and the betterment of their goals, can destroy a team. A team that has a bunch of independent individuals with their own goals, but help each other achieve each other's goals and want everyone to succeed creates a recipe for success.

Trusting your team is no easy task. Trusting everyone is on the same page with the same goal is hard. If anyone on that breaks that trust, its almost impossible to get back.

For my young athletes out there. Find a team that will support you. A team where you aren't the biggest, strongest or fastest. A team that wants the best for you. Having those aspects of a team allows for growth. It allows for you to push yourself to be the best. It allows others to help you achieve your best. Being highly independent is a skill, but when it comes to a team sport you need to work as a team. You have to rely on each other, not just yourself.

Lastly for my young athletes. Stats last a season. Records get broken. But lessons learned from both wins and losses, last forever. They build who you are. They shape you.

With that said. Thank you for all the teams I have been and are a part of.

I know many people have already said their piece, but I am late to the party. I hate that we have to continue to denounc...
07/27/2026

I know many people have already said their piece, but I am late to the party. I hate that we have to continue to denounce issues that should no longer exist. But once again, we have another occurrence of racism at the top level of powerlifting. Sonita Muluh was attempting a world record squat and one of her spotters blatantly stops her from getting it all because he is a small insignificant man that admitted to everyone he is racist. How small of a human being do you have to be to blatantly not want someone to succeed at the highest level, all because of the color of their skin. There is no room for sexism, racism, homophobia or hate of any kind, not just in strength sports but in the world as a whole.

As I have grown in my adult life, I realized how sheltered I really was. I had no idea any of these things truly existed because the people I surrounded myself with were not those things. But as I have aged I have learned how prevalent these issues still are, and they shouldn't be.

In the strength world we are either lifting circles, picking up rocks, or just pushing what our bodies can do in whatever way deems fit. Strength comes in all creed, color, and sizes. Strength is not about how much weight is on a bar or how heavy a stone is. Strength is the obstacles that have been overcome to achieve those weights. Unfortunately form some, some of those obstacles are sexism, racism and homophobia. If you define yourself by how many colored circles you lift in a linear plain and are upset that someone who looks different then you can lift more colored circles, you need help and do not belong in a strength space.

As a whole we need to do better. We need to make sure people like this know that they are not welcome in a strength space, or any space for that matter.

As for Sonita and any other person who has experienced this. Keep your head up. There are people who do and will always have your back.

We havw replaced the purple rack up front with a new competition bench compliments of Dan Dalenberg . This will allow at...
07/19/2026

We havw replaced the purple rack up front with a new competition bench compliments of Dan Dalenberg . This will allow athletes to now train with bands without having to be in a powe rack. We will do a small tutorial on how to use the bench and the benefits in the next few weeks. If you have questions on it please let us know. DO NOT attempt a PR on the bench without a spotter because there are no spotter arms on this bench.

07/16/2026

Just a few quick gym reminders for this weekend.

We have the privilege to host two meets from two different federations with the same amazing director PowerBelly Barbell

We will be rearranging the gym starting Friday afternoon. The front will be able to lift in on Friday. The back won't be functional unfortunately. For our powerlifters, train up front as usual. Strongman can train up front or outside depending on implements. For my Olympic lifters, you can always lift up front, but i have arranged for you to be able to lift at Crossfit AZO this weekend is you would like. If this is something you would like to do please let me know so I can let the owner know.

Spectators and athletes please park in the highschool parking lot on Saturday, due to our neighboring business. On Sunday you can park in either.

Gym will be back to regular programming after the meet on Sunday. Which means no strongman Saturday this weekend. Thank you for being flexible and understanding. Come out and support your Raw Strength athletes and local powerlifters!

06/12/2026

Just a few reminders for saturday!

Members: The gym will be open in the front but closed in the back on Saturday morning. Back to normal schedule once the comp is done.

Athletes:

Day Before Weigh-in: 6/12 6-7pm at Raw Strength (300 e centre ave, portage mi)

Day of Weigh-in: 6/13 8am

Rules Meeting: 9am

National Anthem: 10am

Competition Start: 10:15am

Please park in the highschool parking lot located directly behind the gym

No spectator fees!

Keg Toss- Athlete will start with one hand on the yoke, away from the kegs. There will be a total of 6 kegs. Kegs will b...
06/11/2026

Keg Toss- Athlete will start with one hand on the yoke, away from the kegs. There will be a total of 6 kegs. Kegs will be in ascending order. 20lb, 20lb, 25lb, 25lb, 30lb, 35lb. The kegs will be pony size. Each keg must be tossed up and over the bar. If a keg does not go over, athlete must run to the keg and try again. Athlete will get a maximum of 3 tries per keg.

Allowed: Belt, elbow sleeves

When: June 13th
Where: Raw Strength (300 E Centre Ave, Portage MI 49002)
Time: 10am

Media: kehsports
Livestream: Tanner White
Shirts: Forward Inking
Gym: Raw Strength

Natural Stone Carry- Athlete will have 30 seconds to pick the natural stone from the ground. Once the stone is picked th...
06/11/2026

Natural Stone Carry- Athlete will have 30 seconds to pick the natural stone from the ground. Once the stone is picked they will have 60 seconds to carry their stone on their chest as far as possible. Shouldering the stone is not allowed. The course length will be 50ft with a turn around. Athlete will walk 50ft and touch the line with their foot before turning around and continuing. They will then turn around and walk the length of the course back. Athlete will repeat this until 60 seconds expires or they drop the stone (whichever is first).

Equipment not allowed: Any and all tacky

When: June 13th
Where: Raw Strength (300 E Centre Ave, Portage MI 49002)
Time: 10am

Media: kehsports
Livestream: Tanner White
Shirts: Forward Inking
Gym: Raw Strength

Keg Pyramid- Athletes will have 90 seconds to cross each implement over the line and stack the kegs into a Pyramid. The ...
06/11/2026

Keg Pyramid- Athletes will have 90 seconds to cross each implement over the line and stack the kegs into a Pyramid. The heaviest 3 will be the base. The lighter 2 will be in the middle and the lightest keg will be the top. Athlete will have to carry each keg 15ft. All kegs must be carried in order. All kegs will be labeled as to which order to carry them.  If the keg is dropped while carrying, the time is stopped and the event is over. The weights listed are the order. 

EXAMPLE: masters men will have the keg order of 250, 250, 250, 200, 200, 150. So they are moving a total of 6 kegs. 

Equipment not allowed: Tacky of any kind

When: June 13th
Where: Raw Strength (300 E Centre Ave, Portage MI 49002)
Time: 10am

Media: kehsports
Livestream: Tanner White
Shirts: Forward Inking
Gym: Raw Strength

Just ANOTHER reminder. If squatting alone DO NOT use the mono. Use the combo rack or power racks with safeties. Secondl...
06/07/2026

Just ANOTHER reminder.
If squatting alone DO NOT use the mono. Use the combo rack or power racks with safeties.
Secondly if you do happen to put a giant hole in my wall or break something please let me know. I'll understand mistakes happen. But when I walk into the gym and see a giant hole in my wall with no explanation, that is unacceptable.
This is not just my home. This is all of ours. So when one thing gets messed up it does t just effect me, it effects everyone that is a part of this gym and community.
If you are strong enough to pick up heavy weights you are strong enough to use your words and communicate to me.

Please join us in a few new strength training programs this summer! No experience needed! This will be catered to whatev...
06/02/2026

Please join us in a few new strength training programs this summer! No experience needed! This will be catered to whatever level any athlete may be at!

Intro Session, from 6/15-6/18 is for anyone who has not lifted, is new to lifting or need a refesher. This will set you up for success for the Building Session.

Building Session, form 7/6-7/30 is for anyone looking to get stronger for their sport or for themselves. If you have never lifted before the Intro session is required. This session will be adapted to ones strength and fitness level.

If you have any questions please let me know!

We look forward to seeing you this summer.

https://pci.jotform.com/form/261205095217047

Address

300 E Centre Avenue
Portage, MI
49002

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