Our Community
Their Story
Dimitri Tsagaris
Perth AUS
Strength Club has been my gym for four years and it has been the best decision I ever made. It's hands down the best powerlifting gym in Perth, and one of, if not the best in Australia. Jacob and his coaching team are reliable, talented, detail orientated and professional at what they do. And above all else, the community makes Strength Club the special place it is. Can't recommend it enough!
Joined 2021
2 x Junior Bench Press National Champion
Silver Medal Asian Pacific African Championships
National Bench Record Holder
5 x National Level Athlete
Natalie Laalaai
Perth AUS
I first met Jacob when I was four months postpartum, with a long-term goal of competing on the IPF World stage. Four years later, we’ve competed at three IPF World Championships and one World Games Championship, breaking multiple national and world records along the way. Jacob is patient, caring, and incredibly understanding. He takes my goals seriously and consistently does everything possible to help me achieve them. He is not only an exceptional coach, but also a trusted friend. I couldn’t recommend Jacob highly enough.
Joined 2021
Bronze Medal 2025 World Games
Bronze Medal 2025 Open Worlds
4 x Deadlift World Record Holder
2 x National Champion
Mel Craggs
Perth AUS
What can I say about Connor Ross.Absolutely awesome.He has been a godsend to me.I had big knee operations at the start of 2024 and all I wanted to get back to was my powerlifting and at the start of 2025, approached Strength Club to begin training with them. Connor became my coach and the rest is history. He has been so patient, knows my strengths and weaknesses, knows how much my body is capable of. I have seen myself get stronger and improve in my technique which he has tweaked and 2025 has seen me qualify for 3 lifts Nationals in 2026 through the Australian Masters Games and also qualify for World Bench Championships in 2026 at the Nationals Bench. I am still pinching myself that I have achieved so much within the first year with Connor and Strength Club. Our coach client relationship is filled with so much banter and laughs as Connor gets to know what makes me tick.
Joined 2025
Bench Press National Champion
Australia Masters Games Champion
Chloe Liebeck
Perth AUS
Starting with Jacob in 2021 as a novice lifter with only one prior competition, my development since then has been steady and deliberate, progressing into international representation for Australia three times and holding a national record. Jacob’s coaching is grounded in clear and honest communication, dedication to his athlete’s goals and a deep understanding of evidence based strength and powerlifting principles, allowing training to evolve appropriately as the athlete does.
Having both Jacob and Connor present on the floor during coaching hours means guidance is always timely and relevant, whether that’s technical feedback, situational adjustment, or simply reading the moment and providing hype when it matters. Their familiarity with my lifting carries seamlessly into competition, where decision making feels controlled and assured, making Jacob and Connor the best game day team to have in your corner. Above all, trust is essential in a coach, and it’s something I have implicitly in Jacob.
Joined 2021
3 x AUS International Athlete
Silver Medal Oceania Championships
Silver Medal Asian Pacific African Championships
2025 Equipped Bench Champion
Kristy Ireland
Karratha AUS
As someone who lives remotely and can only travel to Strength Club sporatically, I only have good things to say about the community. Each time I visit, I am treated as if I never left. The support is unwavering, not just in the gym. I feel the love through every like/comment or message exchange and I love knowing I'll always have a place at SC when I visit.
Joined 2021
3 x National Level Athlete
Added 70kg+ to total
Jaxon Best
Melbourne AUS
I’ve been working with Jacob for just over a year now and in that time I’ve put over 100kg on my powerlifting total. The biggest thing for me is how consistent and reliable his coaching is. The programming makes sense and I’m always confident in what I’m doing. He’s also very active with replies, so if I have a question I’m not left guessing. I’ve made progress I honestly didn’t think I’d make this quickly, and working with Jacob has been a huge part of that.
Joined 2025
Preparing for his Nationals debut in 2026
Mary Slater
Perth AUS
Joining Strength Club has been life changing for me. I am part of a supportive community, I have made life long friends and I have an amazingly knowledgeable and extremely caring coach - Jacob Sofianos. Being in such a positive environment has helped
me to achieve goals that I would never have thought possible, like representing Australia at IPF Masters Worlds in 2025. Most importantly I haven’t laughed this much in a long time.
Joined 2024
3 x National Level Athlete & PodIum Placer
2025 Masters Worlds Athlete
Bench Press National Champion
