Featured Success Story

shannasnatch50
I was always into fitness but mostly kept to yoga, running, and was even a vegetarian.  I didn't realize how much I was missing with my diet and training program.  I am stronger than ever and fell in love with lifting weights! ...

mandi on hookgrip2
As a Crossfitter there are so many things to master.  My biggest weakness had become the Olympic lifts and my strength.  Training at Team LAB put 15kg on both my snatch and clean & jerk in a little over 3 months!  And,...

anne jaques2

johncenatest
"This place is awesome!"

diana 32
Local Crossfitter Diana Davidson qualifies for the 2012 Crossfit Games and places 5th overall in the masters division!  In her preparation she works with Olympic Weightlifting Coach Justin Thacker at The Lab Gym

hannah2
Hey Justin!! I want to thank you for everything! I lost weight before your help but when I implemented everything I learned from you and Ben, that's when my body really transformed!! I'm doing great! I lost 27 lbs total  now...still have a...

TABITHA2
Recently Tabitha Porter, a die hard member of The Lab Gym’s Extreme Bootcamp and a Justincredible Award Winner of 2012, professed her Lab Love on Facebook…”I never thought that I would sign up for what I thought would be a six week...

ginny12
Thanks for everything Justin! I am having so much fun and feel so much better since joining the LAB. So the things that I wanted to change before turning forty and before Alyssa graduated have become or will become reality. You see...

marina2
The personal way each one is treated. The flexability of the trainers and the program The camarderie among all. The Lab has changed my life. When I came to you guys my lower back was in so much pain I thought I...

emma2
The Lab is wonderful. I came to The Lab for help with some medical issues. The results and physical strides that I have made are outstanding,  if I have to say so myself. However, I am getting lot's of positive feedback from...

troy new23
I began this  weight loss journey on my own but quickly became frustrated and unmotivated.  That is when I came to The Lab and they helped me make needed changes in my training plan,nutrition, and motivation!  With their help I was finally...

jim davis
  Growing up I was always the skinniest kid in my school.  I graduated high school at 6'6" and 135 lbs.  While in collage I joined a gym, trying to get to a "normal" size, but didn't really know what I was...

Screen shot 2013-01-09 at 10.09.42 AM
I still pinch myself and thank you guys at The Lab Gym every day for helping me do what I couldn’t do on my own. My long-term goal was to lose 35 pounds, but I achieved it in only 2 months and there’s...
Suzy
EVANS2
"In my role as an academic leader, one of the most important reasons I had to get my fat behind across the alley to you was to be a better role model for the students, staff and faculty I am blessed to...

iantest
Lab Rat Ian Quinn wins 2011 Junior National Championships in the 1,000 meter speed skating championships! "I left the Junior Olympic speed skating camp this summer realizing that speed and power were holding me back from realizing my Olympic dreams.  After camp,...

The Lab PC_Sonya_c
“When I had my 50th birthday I just assumed I would continue to gain weight and that was just the way it would be.  I started to realize I was losing strength in simple things like opening a jar!  So it was...
Sonya Stevenson
Dena Westerfield
“I began working with Justin to bring up my hamstrings and lower back for my next competitions.  We have been packing in tons of density to my muscles and overall physique that will bring me past my competition.” Dr. Dena Westerfield IFBB...

Cass Carnahan
“Justin helped me get in the best shape of my life for my figure competitions. He dialed in my training and diet and I hit the stage harder and leaner than I ever thought was possible.” Cass Carnahan Figure Competitor, Hair Stylist and...
Cass Carnahan
voy2
To the guy at until the age of 50, never did a single jumping jack or pushup in his life. The guy who took 3 months to get 15 minutes non-stop on the elliptical. The guy who almost quit too soon. The...
Voy Andrews
sharontest3
I started at The Lab in October after much encouragement from 3 friends and “lab rats”. They told me The Lab was one of those special places where care and competence coexist. They were right. The Lab is a special places that...
Sharon Lightfoot
drsuggstest2
Donald Suggs Age: ???, Weight: 155 Pushups: 80, Squats: 225x 15 reps, 275 x5 reps, Deadlifts: 315x 1 rep You may have heard of him? Well, he hasn’t gotten soft this year. Former Lab Rat of the Year winner and multiple time...
Dr. Suggs
tom majer muscle shot
I came to The Lab with many injuries. After 6 months I did 120 pushups on my 60th birthday! Anything is possible at The Lab! Former Lab Rat of the year runner up, another year down, another surgery down, this man makes...
Tom Majer
Mike Marker losses 133lbs
Dear Mike, I was recently thinking about our journey and about all the times we reached a milestone from when we first started. Remember when we first met? I remember when you first walked in the door with a big smile on...
Mike Marker
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Latest News & Events

WORLD RECORD ANALYSOIS_SNATCH START POSITIONS_WOMEN Current Women’s World Snatch Record Start Position Analysis By admin

training “Test Rat” needed at The Lab Gym By admin

f9ceb-t_anatoly_pisarenko_clean_ii_203 Team LAB-5/24/13-Friday By admin

2013-04-02_06-56-07_340 The Lab Gym’s EXTREME BOOTCAMP: Friday or Sunday Homework 5/24/13 By admin

Latest Videos

Q&A and Various Rants with Justin Thacker Q & A & Various Rants: The 15 Minute Rule
May 24, 2013

trainers academy logo test_brendan in action_smaller_bb The Lab Gym Trainer’s Academy: You have to want your client’s success more than they do.
May 23, 2013

weight wise 2 Weight Wise: The Root of Over 80% of Your Snatch and Clean Errors
May 22, 2013

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Welcome to The Lab!

The Most Unique Gym Around and the Best Trainers in Town!

Welcome to St. Louis’ hottest new gym! The Lab is not your ordinary fitness club. It is a one stop sports performance and preventative health center. Staffed with Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists, Registered Dietitians and Massage Therapists; The Lab Gym team has been hand picked to help our clients achieve their goals, both physically and mentally.  At The Lab you are GUARANTEED to reach your health and performance goals.  Whether your are an athlete, a diabetic, or have other health risks, we have a competent educated staff to get you on the right plan for success. With 24 hr access and a limited membership base you will not have to wait in the line or have an excuse to not achieve your goals.

Latest Blogs & Articles

WORLD RECORD ANALYSOIS_SNATCH START POSITIONS_WOMEN

Current Women’s World Snatch Record Start Position Analysis

Posted on April 12, 2013 By admin

Looking at the Women’s Snatch start positions, here are a few clear observations. The same principles are there: -Eyes up, chin up, neck extended, chest out/up, shoulders back, hips down, knees out, back arched, bar tight to shins (4 Chinese, … Read more
CrossFit Competition

CrossFit Competition at The Lab Gym- April 20th

Posted on April 2, 2013 By admin

The Lab Gym will host a CrossFit competition as part of the Lab Gym Spring Open Weightlifting Event. The Crossfit competition is a non-sanctioned, CrossFit division Weightlifting + CrossFit WOD combined competition (you may also compete in the official USAW … Read more
mandi on hookgrip2

The Lab Gym’s Weightlifting & CrossFit Competition is April 20

Posted on March 30, 2013 By admin

The Lab Gym Spring Open Weightlifting & Crossfit Competition is rapidly approaching!  We would love to see you there as a competitor OR spectator (or you may volunteer to judge, load, etc).  You may register here: Online registration. Description: The LAB GYM is a … Read more
Power & sexercise

Power: The Ultimate Aphrodisiac! Time for some SEXercise!

Posted on February 13, 2013 By admin

By Justin Thacker MS, RD, LD, ACSM-HFS, CES, USAW, CSCS Ohhh the many benefits of exercise.  Many people eagerly head to the gym to look better naked by losing fat and gaining muscle but did you know that there are exercises … Read more
Justin pull drills

Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast! Part 2 – Drills to Master the Pull

Posted on February 13, 2013 By admin

By Justin Thacker MS, RD, LD, ACSM-HFS, CES, USAW, CSCS Last time we discussed why you should not initially think of the lifts as a grip it and rip it approach (see article here). Now, what can we do to … Read more
apti-175_lg

Olympic Lifting Problems & Fixes: Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast!

Posted on February 7, 2013 By admin

“Hurry up and wait!” “Speed up!” “Slow down!” “Pull faster, finish!” “Smooth pull, be patient!”   “Say what coach? You ok? Exclaims the confused lifter. As if learning the Olympic lifts were not already complicated enough, now you have to … Read more
Belly Laugh

Nutritional Compliance, HAHAHA! But, Seriously Folks…

Posted on January 31, 2013 By admin

Justin Thacker MS, RD, LD, ACSM-HFS, CES, USAW, CSCS Ahhhhh, nutritional compliance…perhaps two words that couldn’t be more ironic when paired together. I work with so many smart folks that typically understand what it means to eat healthy. More times … Read more
CrossFit Competition

The Lab Gym Spring Open Weightlifting Competition! Set for April 20th, 2013!

Posted on January 25, 2013 By admin

  2013 LAB GYM OPEN TEAM L.A.B.WEIGHTLIFTING CLUB, April 20th, 2013 Description: The 2011 LAB GYM is a sanctioned USA Weightlifting event including both the Snatch and Clean & Jerk. Medals for 1st-3rd place in each weight class of each … Read more
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How long will this take? A high five to the face.

Posted on January 25, 2010 By Justin Thacker

“The Pain of change is never as difficult as the pain of not changing.”-Some very smart author who’s name I can’t remember or find on google, probably because I messed up their quote.  However, I think I caught the essence … Read more
grit

Have you Tried GRIT?

Posted on May 13, 2013 By admin

The Lab is the first in St. Louis to offer GRIT! This is small group training at its finest and only $5 per class!  All are high energy classes with music that makes you want to keep moving.  Spend 30 minutes pushing your body and … Read more