ReInvent Strength Training Center

I heard about this kind of strength training from my favorite philosopher, Nassim Nicholas Taleb. Apparently this is what you can do to remain fit into your middle age. He does high amounts of weights for a short amount of time and then rests. That’s what Super Slow is. The workout is 20 minutes long, once a week. It’s not easy but it’s wonderful to have a trainer standing there and helping you every step of the way. The point of the workout is to get to muscle failure with each machine, so your body gets the message that it needs to get stronger.
I used to work out at a gym and I have to say after doing Super Slow I don’t see much point in going back! You could work out HOURS at a gym but get the same or better results with just 20 minutes of super slow! Free weights are like lifting rocks! It’s not tailored to helping your particular needs. And the treadmill? You could walk on it for an hour and not break a sweat. And it’s so boring!
This training method is fast and effective. The team at Reinvent STC is excellent. If you’re in Portland and looking for a quick way to get fit, build muscle, or lose weight I’d highly encourage you to give the super slow method a try.

I feel like Reinvent is my life saver. I started training with Luke and Malcom in the month I turned 70 and had just read the book «Younger Next Year», which emphasizes the importance of strength training. I dislike spending time at anything that resembles a gym, so I was fortunate to find that at this «gym» I can be very quickly in and out, with visible results from my effort. At Reinvent trainers can provide a total body workout in 20 minutes of intense individually programmed exercise. The trainers can adapt to any situation. I have severe arthritis and am still able to complete all of the program with the adaptations they make.
I am now 77, still building muscle, not giving up this intense 20 minutes per week until I no longer want to be able to get out of a chair.

ReInvent Strength Training Center is amazing. Seriously, the staff are all knowledgeable, all are great trainers, and they work with you as much as they can, from workouts to scheduling. Going here gets me the best possible workout there is and it only takes me 20 minutes! I write with such conviction because I have trained and worked out at other places and in other ways, and none have come close to the results (weight loss and muscle gain!) I have seen from the super-​slow exercise workout, of which ReInvent STC is an incredible example. I would never, ever want to go to a more ‘traditional’ gym after seeing what ReInvent can do.

I love it here. I’m an avid runner, and I want to spend as much time as possible pounding the pavement, not half-​heartedly pushing weights around in the gym, where I have no idea what I’m doing. That’s where ReInvent has saved me. I’ve worked with them for three years now, and in 30 minutes a week, I’ve made huge gains in my fitness. I feel better, I look better, and most importantly, I’m running stronger than I ever have. I love working with trainers who do the dirty work for me – I don’t have to worry about crunching numbers or picking machines, I can just focus on pushing the weights. The environment is fun, but serious. I never feel like I’m wasting my time. Can’t say enough good things about this place.

ReInvent Strength Training Center employs a «super slow» resistance training method that uses a lower number of slow, high intensity reps to more efficiently increase strength (See:
… for a review of the scholarly research studies of this training approach). I’ve been training with one of the two wonderful co-​owners, Luke, for the past five years and at 39, am stronger and in better physical condition than I was in my early 20s. When I started training in 2007, I was very skeptical that 20 minutes of training each week could provide much noticeable benefit. Within three months, however, I could begin to see and feel improvements in my posture and increased firmness and definition in my quads, glutes, triceps, lower/​upper back, and core. Over time, even my health care providers took notice: the curvature in my spine (from scoliosis) had lessened and my bone density was deemed «excellent» (a first for me).
For the first three years of «super slow» training with Luke, I did no other form of exercise; I unintentionally created a self-​experiment that enabled me to attribute my fitness gains specifically to this training modality. As I grew physically stronger, I felt more inspired and confident to initiate practices in pilates, yoga, and figure skating, all of which I now do regularly. Aside from the strength building, what I really appreciate about «super slow» and the trainers at Reinvent – is how carefully and specifically each workout is designed. Their attention to detail and precision of body positioning, movement, and timing is so expertly calibrated that I can focus squarely on performing the exercise without having to worry – am I doing this correctly? safely? most effectively?
I also appreciate how this training carries over into my other sports and activities. One of the nicest compliments I hear from other fitness instructors outside of my strength is that my form is usually precise. That comes from ReInvent’s foundational principles practice & learning to do each exercise correctly before moving on to the next stage. Lastly, I’d be remiss if I didn’t note that the co-​owners/​trainers, Luke and Malcolm, are such decent, honest, and ethical people; they’re fun too. It’s definitely a labor of love for the owners. From explaining the protocol, philosophy, and individual exercise training plan to carefully guiding each trainee through their exercises– safety, effectiveness, and efficiency –are evidenced in every workout. It’s physically the most demanding 20 minutes of every week, but there is no other exercise I’ve encountered that can get such stellar results with such a modest time commitment. Free initial appointments are really helpful too – so each person can make an informed decision about whether «super slow» is a good training option/​fit for his or her needs.

Best workout I’ve ever had! The trainers at ReInvent are knowledgeable, patient, encouraging, and tough. I LOVE that it only takes 20 minutes to get a full workout.
I recommend ReInvent over the «usual» fitness clubs.
This is for people of ALL ages (I’ve seen women in their 80’s here) who want to create optimal health!