Loren Koehler brings Wild Iron Fitness gym to Yorktown. Situated at 120 S. Church St., the gym is housed in a striking metal corrugated building characterized by its bold black minimalist façade, which gives the gym an imposing appearance. Upon stepping inside, trainees are enveloped by Nirvana's Dave Grohl’s powerful drums and the deep, resonant bass of Krist Novoselic. This dynamic auditory backdrop complements the gym's mission, creating an inspiring environment where individuals can focus on forging their muscles and building strength.
Born in Yorktown and graduating from Yorktown High School, Koehler went on to the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) and received a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology. Following that, he explored various options.
'I worked at several boutique gyms, focusing on one-on-one training for athletic performance and sports training. From there, I transitioned into boot camp training and even trained some clients out of my garage,” he said.
COVID changed his life. He returned home to Yorktown, contemplating the idea of opening his own gym.
The idea for Wild Iron Fitness was realized with a soft opening in November 2024. Koehler described the offerings at Wild Iron.
'We're an open gym, and I conduct group fitness classes suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Additionally, I provide personal training,' he said, pointing out the various specialty machines as well as regular StairMasters and elliptical equipment available.
Going for quality, Koehler went with a “strength company out of Tennessee called Arsenal Strength.
“They do everything made to order. So, we ordered it a while back, and it took a while to get here, but they are really good quality,” he emphasized.
One of the standout pieces of equipment is the Viking Press, a specialized machine used in some Strongman events.
“It's also a good alternative to a seated shoulder press or doing a standing dumbbell shoulder press. It kind of allows you to overload the muscles a little bit more. You can adjust the handles for different grip variations and different starting positions. It has a full range of motion and finishes on the locking-out position,” he demonstrated.
For those who prefer not to lie down with a barbell or dumbbell on top, the gym offers a standing chest press.
“My idea of having it was for an elderly population or somebody that doesn't want to lay down or have a bar on top of them. This gives you a safer alternative. Also, the arms move independently, so you can develop evenly on each side,” he said.
Wild Iron Fitness offers monthly memberships, which include options for open gym access and group fitness classes. There are also plans for summer camps for teens aged 16 and older.
“It’s just been word of mouth and a few Facebook posts. People are coming to the group fitness classes in the morning. I run those Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 5:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., and then Tuesday and Thursday at 6 p.m.,” Koehler said.
Be on the lookout for the Grand Opening in March. Koehler himself will be competing in the Strongman Competition in June. https://www.facebook. com/wildironfitness/
