

Health.
Stronghold Strength & Wellness, located in Dandenong, has been helping people improve their physical health, longevity, and well-being since 2011. Founded by Christian Bylsma, the gym initially started as a garage gym offering 1:1 Personal Training and Small Group Personal Training. The aim was to create a safe haven for individuals who wanted to strength train and improve their fitness without feeling judged, anxious, or intimidated by the public. Stronghold prides itself on fostering a strong sense of community and camaraderie.
With over 12 years of experience in Personal Training, Stronghold has been able to serve its community by taking a holistic approach to health, strength, fitness, and recovery methods. The gym has helped hundreds of people achieve their goals, including successful transformations, natural bodybuilding, and powerlifting competitions. In response to the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Stronghold expanded its services to include remedial massage therapy as a way to prevent, diagnose, and treat chronic pain in individuals with active exercise regimes.
The team at Stronghold is dedicated to creating an experience that clients can look forward to, where they feel safe and can achieve balance in their physical and mental well-being. Through a combination of remedial massage therapy and personal training, they aim to help people achieve improved physical health, longevity, and overall well-being. The focus is on creating a space where individuals can release what no longer serves them and feel good from within.
The purpose of Stronghold is to provide tailored services that educate, strengthen, and treat individuals in order to improve their quality of life, physical performance, and overall well-being. Their mission is to support, educate, treat, and train the community to become the best versions of themselves. They understand the demands of everyday life and aim to help clients achieve realistic results that fit their personal needs. With a strong emphasis on support, encouragement, and creating a safe space, Stronghold is committed to guiding individuals in their exercise and treatment sessions.
Stronghold also prides itself on its community, which is made up of friendly faces and ongoing support from its members. The gym sees fitness and recovery as methods of caring for both the body and mind. The team is dedicated to serving and supporting the community on their journey towards improved well-being and a common goal.
Christian Bylsma, the Owner and Head Coach of Stronghold Strength & Wellness, has a lifelong passion for strength, health, and wellness. He began his fitness career in 2009, working at various gyms and local schools. Having experienced his own challenges in getting in shape and feeling confident with his body, he is committed to sharing his wisdom, knowledge, and personal setbacks to help others avoid time-consuming mistakes. With over a decade of experience, Christian has fast-tracked the pursuit of living their best life for many individuals.
He understands that achieving long-term physical success involves not just lifting heavier weights and focusing on nutrition and recovery, but also managing inner states, genetics, and everyday stress. Specialising in strength coaching and having previous training experience in Australian Powerlifting and fat-loss transformations, Christian helps busy individuals with varying strength and fitness levels find an optimised roadmap to better control over their physical and mental health.
In conclusion, Stronghold Strength & Wellness in Dandenong is a gym and massage therapy centre that provides a holistic approach to physical health, longevity, and well-being. With a focus on community, support, and education, Stronghold is dedicated to helping individuals become the best versions of themselves through personal training, remedial massage therapy, and strength coaching. Under the guidance of Christian Bylsma, clients can expect a safe and welcoming environment where they can achieve their goals and feel good within.