The Activelab story.

You already know how important muscle is to your health, and lifting weights is by far the most effective way of building muscle. However, many people just don’t like gyms. We all have our own reasons why we feel comfortable in some spaces and not in others. Some people find gyms loud, crowded, and confusing. Some people don’t like being around all the metal and black rubber. Add to this that today everyone in gyms is plugged into the digital media and oblivious to the people around them.

Activelab was created for people who want an alternative to conventional gyms. So what makes Activelab different? First of all, you will see the difference there moment you walk in the door. We our space has a spacious feel, with a warm color palate, a cork floor, and wood materials where ever it is structurally allowed. We have also assembled an array of original exercise apparatus that looks nothing like typical gym equipment.

Beyond aesthetics, the content of the Activelab program is different.

• We have a wide range of very different movements in the program. If you browse through the exercise section you will see this range. The diversity of movements will keep you thinking and learning.

• We have selected movements that feel right to the body. Of course, this is a subjective matter. Some people may really like an exercise, and other people might have the opposite reaction. On the whole, we have done our best to select movements that feel right to our clients.

• If you have been to a conventional gym, you know that people spend most of their time sitting, either on the seating of a weight machine or on one of the various benches. Our equipment is used standing or lying down, but never sitting. This will keep you moving and active.

Activelab began in my garage, in a residential area of Northeast Portland. I started by building a couple pieces of equipment so that I could do some exercises that I couldn’t do at my gym. Then I built a couple more pieces. Pretty soon, or I should say, a few years later, my garage was getting crowded, and I needed a bigger space. This is why I opened a business called Activelab, which is probably not the typical reason someone starts a business.

I still lift weights regularly the same gym - dumbbells mostly. Truth be told, weight lifting is the most effective way of building muscle. At the same time, the traditional weight lifting paradigm is limiting. There are many other wonderful ways of moving your body, if that is important to you. I recommend to everyone, go to the gym and do your weight lifting, and come to Activelab to move.

- Chris Pike - PhD Physics