One of the first things I did when I arrived in Warsaw for a long stay in 2012 was find a gym. I’d started weightlifting on a regular basis earlier in the year, so I wanted a place I could walk to and keep up the habit. After doing some research online I found Power House on Tamka street, less than a 15 minute walk from my apartment. I went to check it out and paid a one-time entry fee of 19 złotys ($6). I ended up liking it so I bought a 6-month pass for 624 złotys ($208).
One of my best friends, the local squat rack.
The centerpiece of the gym is the weight room. There are a variety of free weights and machines. There are two regular benches, as well as an incline and a decline bench. If there’s one criticism of the gym its that there is only one squat rack. It hasn’t been much of an issue for me though as I like to workout in the morning (before 10am) so the rack is usually free. If not I just wait until it opens up and do something else in the meantime. I spoke to one of the owners and he mentioned that he’d like to have more space, but given the costs of renting in the city center, this was the best option at the time.
The weights are all in kilograms, so you’ll have to do the math to figure out your weights in pounds (1 kg= 2.2lb), though using kilos is also a good way to mix up your routine. I remember exceeding my personal best bench press this way, going by feel than counting the exact weight. I converted the numbers later and was pleasantly surprised.
Powerhouse doesn’t consist solely of a weight room, but also includes a fitness room for aerobics, yoga and related activities. There is also a hair salon, massage room and tanning booth. The weight room is all that interests me, but I understand that these additions are a way to appeal to female customers who make up a portion of the Power House clientele.
Unlike cookie-cutter mega gyms in Warsaw like McFit (whose name and logo reminds me of McDonalds), Powerhouse is at its heart a local gym where guys come to pump iron. All the necessities for getting a great workout are there, the location is great and you can’t beat the price. Within a couple of days of my return to Poland in March, I went to Power House and bought a one-year membership for 828 złotys ($276). I worked out for free through my workplace in California, so I don’t know what prices at gyms are, but I wouldn’t be surpassed if what I’m paying at Power House is less than half of what you might pay otherwise and there’s no contract either.
If you’re ever in Warsaw, and need a place to get your workout in, Power House is the place to go.
(It looks like the website is all in Polish, but if you have any questions, let me know and I’ll translate. I don’t get any kickbacks from them, I just want to support a blue collar, local gym. Also, bring a second pair of shoes for your workout, you leave your street shoes behind the desk in exchange for a locker key.)
