Most gyms have Two problems. and most people never spot either
Your programme is generic. Nothing was ever personalised.
A good plan gets harder as you get stronger and adjusts when you stall. A generic one repeats the same week for everyone in the room.
You've never experienced real coaching.
In a class of fifteen the coach is watching everyone and coaching no one. Real coaching needs time and a back and forth, not a demo and no help after.
Dark Horse fixes both: your programme is built around you and reviewed each phase, and the cap is five because that is the number a coach can genuinely watch.
"I wanted a gym where I could be myself, have a program built for me, by professionals who understood my needs, without feeling pressured or comparing myself to others. Dark Horse and Conor's team give that and more."
At Dark Horse Individual programming is the whole point. It is why our members progress while others stay stuck.
Your programme is a proper training plan.
Not a template, and not today's group session. The phases are built around your starting numbers, your goals and your history. Our coaches sit down and write it for you. It is not something thrown together five minutes before everyone arrives. When you join, you start with our Intro to Strength Training Offer: your starting numbers taken properly, coaching through every session, and the load built from there.
"Everything on a programme has purpose and is tailored towards these goals. It is clear that the coaches put in a lot of thought and effort into each programme."
Max five per class is what makes the sessions work.
A coach can watch five people properly. Past that, they are managing a room instead of coaching you. We are not trying to pack the place out. Five is the point at which real coaching inside a class still holds.
"The small group PT setting is brilliant. You get the perfect amount of 1:1 attention, while also feeling part of a gym community."
Why Dark Horse is different.
Most gyms run one programme for everyone and call it group coaching. Most PTs write a template and change the name at the top. We do neither.
Your programme is written from scratch, reviewed weekly, and built forward from what you actually did. It takes us more time than the alternatives, and that is the point. If you are paying a premium price, you deserve a premium service.
Most gyms give everyone The same programme. Not because it works. Because generic is easy.
Writing a programme for one person is complex work. It has to weigh your training history, your injuries, your goal, and what your week actually looks like. That takes time and thought, so a lot of gyms skip it and run everyone off the same sheet. It is why so many people train hard and stay the same.
This is the work we are trained for. Conor and Ronan both hold a BSc in Sports Science and Health, four years on how the body adapts to training. That degree sits behind every decision: when to add load, when to pull back, what to change when work and stress eat into a week.
You never see that complexity. We do the heavy lifting behind the scenes and adjust your programme week to week, around your history, your stress, your life. Your job is to come in and follow the plan.
"Conor and Ronan both have degrees in sports science and will explain what you need to do and why for whatever your goal is."
You don't have to commit straight away A free trial session A chance to see what it would be like to work with us.
A free one hour coaching session at Dark Horse.
- A training session written for your starting point and goals, not a generic workout.
- Coaching through the session. Form, load, technique.
- A clear picture of what your programme would look like if you continued.
- A straight conversation about whether this is a fit. No sales pitch.
Before
When you book, we'll call you. Brief chat. Training background, injuries or limitations, what you're looking for. Mainly to organise getting you in for the trial. The call takes ten minutes. The session is where the real conversation happens.
During
The session runs 60 minutes. You'll train the way members train. Your own programme, coached throughout. If you've never done structured strength training before, the session will reflect that. If you've been training for years, it will reflect that too.
After
A brief debrief. What we observed, what the programme would look like, and whether it makes sense to continue. No pressure. No hard sell. You decide. If you join, you start with our Intro to Strength Training Offer, the first phase of a programme built around you.
What this is not:
A gym tour. A sales presentation. A dumbed-down starter session that doesn't reflect what training here actually looks like. You will train. You will leave knowing exactly what this is.
Dozens of members Who trains at Dark Horse. most came from somewhere else, for a reason
Most had been training for years before they arrived, at a commercial gym, a CrossFit affiliate, or a 1:1 PT.
Robyn F. Bray
Before, I would only attend classes in commercial gyms as I didn't have confidence to do my own thing on the gym floor and was never progressing. I now have so much confidence in my sessions, mentally and physically I feel better and stronger and my progression is on a steady incline.
Martha M. Bray
I've spent over a decade going in and out of various gyms and PTs. For the first time in my life, I jump out of bed on my gym days and leave afterwards with a smile on my face. I feel strong and healthy.
Sam E. Bray
Started as a complete beginner with daily back pain. Conor listened and patiently improved my life by making me stronger. Best investment in myself I've ever made.
Rachel H. Bray
I joined after back surgery, nervous about causing damage. Conor and the team created a bespoke training plan that took things at the right pace. 12 months on I'm stronger and training with real confidence again.
Eimear C. Bray
I joined Dark Horse less than 6 months ago and I can already see myself going nowhere else. Having joined with a back injury, their bespoke training plans are tailored to each individual to obtain real effective results. Couldn't recommend any higher!
Cherasade F. Bray
For many years I would go to the local gym and kill myself with workouts designed to fit as many people as possible and ask myself why I was not getting any results. That all changed when I joined Dark Horse.
Karl O'F. Bray
Fantastic gym with a great encouraging atmosphere. Couldn't speak more highly of Conor, Ronan and Leo - all demonstrate a great depth of knowledge to cater to all levels of experience. The tailored programming and general camaraderie makes you look forward to your sessions.
Tony J. Bray
From day one I knew they had my goals in mind and they have done nothing but blow my expectations. The type of training they provide is hard to find in Ireland.
Kelly M. Bray
It's not just a gym, it's a community. There's a level of support here you just don't find at big commercial gyms. I would highly recommend.
Marilia C. Bray
The gym maintains a limited set of people per time slot, so it's never too busy, allowing for personalized attention. The coaches are exceptional, their expertise and dedication are evident in every session.
Caitlyn S. Bray
Conor creates an incredibly supportive environment and cares so genuinely about all of his clients. I leave every session feeling better about myself, not only do I feel progress in my training, but I also leave with an improved mindset and attitude to life.
Sofia M. Bray
The gym has become the highlight of my week. The timetable flexibility means I can get my sessions in without getting up at the crack of dawn. I came back from back surgery and the team built my training carefully around it. I'm feeling better than ever.
Tayloe K. Bray
Having been involved in athletics for most of my life, I'm very selective in what I'm looking for from a programme. Strength training with Conor has been an absolute game changer for me and I can't recommend him highly enough.
Nazish A. Bray
I came in dealing with a slipped disc and a lot of discomfort. The team built my training carefully around it, and a few months in I'm moving far better and back to my daily walks.
Shane B. Bray
After over a decade of training in the gym, I reached a point where I needed help to take things up a level. In just a few months, Conor systematically developed my technique and designed tailored programmes that factor into my lifestyle. His value as a coach is priceless.
Kenwa M. Bray
I've seen my share of soul-crushing gyms in my day. Places that promise the world and deliver nothing. From a somewhat alarming 119kg back in January when I started training at Dark Horse, I'm now sitting pretty at 101kg as of June. That isn't the result of some fad diet or a spiritual awakening. It's just damn good, honest work that delivers.
Sinead K. Bray
Conor and Ronan genuinely care about seeing their clients progress and are willing to go above and beyond for them. Everything on a programme has purpose and is tailored towards these goals. Their knowledge, attention to detail and professionalism will make you feel like you are in the right hands.
D Redmond. Bray
They helped me get back into training after life got in the way. I picked up a few minor injuries outside of the gym and the team amended my sessions to keep me training and progressing. Top place if you want to get stronger in a friendly, results-oriented gym.
Aaron C. Bray
I enthusiastically look forward to training every week because of the environment Conor has created and his extensive knowledge. It has boosted my confidence in and out of the gym. By far the best decision I've made.
Fionna H. Bray
I definitely didn't know what I was doing before, but I'm confident enough now to try new exercises under the guidance of the trainers. It honestly makes lifting fun. You won't meet nicer people to help make you big and strong!
Roisin M. Bray
Has helped my horse riding so much. Conor and Ronan both have degrees in sports science and will explain what you need to do and why for whatever your goal is. Won 4 red ribbons and a blue ribbon in the months since I joined.
Rebecca S. Bray
Could not recommend the gym more. Joined looking to build back strength after 2 rough pregnancies and have had a professional, comprehensive experience with no pressure or upselling.
Jessica B. Bray
They design a programme to suit your goals and to ensure you get the most out of every session. I've been training for 6 months and I've made so much progress. If you're looking to get stronger and fitter in a relaxed and safe environment, Dark Horse is the place to be.
Gavin C. Bray
It's a very 1-on-1 type training with the coaches, as the max number per class is 5. If you have any injuries, this is the place to train as the programmes are tailored for you.
What it costs Pricing. Plainly. no joining fee, no hidden charges
2 sessions / week
€60/wk
3 sessions / week
€72.50/wk
Most popular
4 sessions / week
€87.50/wk
Includes individual prescribed programming, coaching through every session, your Intro to Strength Training Offer when you start, and 6 weeks of free 1:1 nutrition coaching, something we don't usually offer. First month minimum, then month-to-month. Cancel anytime.
Not a normal part of the service
6 weeks of free 1:1 nutrition coaching comes included, completely free, in the Intro to Strength Training Offer once you join. It's individual to you and runs outside your prescribed sessions, not something we'd throw in as standard.
A note on the price. Dark Horse is not the cheapest option in Bray. A commercial gym is typically €40 to €50 a month, and that is a fair choice for a different purpose. But if you have been paying €50 to €80 a session for individual PT and getting a template with your name on it, this is a different conversation.
The maths works because the programming is individual while the coaching cost is shared across a class of five. You get a coach watching your lift, on a programme written for you, at a fraction of the per-session rate.
"The type of training they provide is hard to find in Ireland."
"Best investment in myself I've ever made."
"Joined looking to build back strength after 2 rough pregnancies and have had a professional, comprehensive experience with no pressure or upselling."
Before you book Common questions.
"I'm not sure if I'm at the right level."
There's no level requirement. The programme starts from where you are. If you've been training for years, the block reflects that. If you haven't, it reflects that too. The trial is the cleanest way to find out.
"I've tried gyms before and they didn't stick."
A generic programme never builds momentum for any one person. Here the programme is yours and it adapts to your responses, not the class schedule. And if you have fallen off before, it usually is not willpower. It is that nothing was ever built to keep you coming back. Fix the programme, and the consistency tends to follow. That is what our Intro to Strength Training Offer is for: a first phase built to set you up to keep going.
"I'm not sure the timing works for me."
Sessions run Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings, and the minimum is two hours a week. Have a look at the timetable above; if one of those windows fits, that's usually all it takes.
"I have an injury or restriction."
Tell us on the booking call. The programme is written around it from block one. We don't do rehab. That's a physio's job. But we work alongside one if you have one.
"Do I need to commit straight away after the trial?"
No. The trial is one session. Membership is a separate decision. First month minimum if you join. After that, month-to-month, cancel anytime.
"Will the times actually work around my week?"
We've got a flexible and easy-to-use booking system on our website. There are 39 classes across six days, morning, midday and evening, so there's almost always a slot that fits. And if your week changes, you just move your session to another time.
Last step Book your free trial. we'll call you to organise your slot
Fill in the form below and we'll contact you about coming in for your free trial session.
"My husband and I have belonged to a lot of gyms over the years, and Dark Horse is hands down our favorite. What sets it apart is the coaching. Every workout feels purposeful. If you're on the fence about trying Dark Horse, give it a shot."
The trial is free. The membership is month-to-month. The only thing with a real cost is another six months training without a plan built around you.
The programming is what makes you stronger. The community is what keeps you walking through the door long enough for it to work.
The Intro to Strength Training Offer is the real way in: a programme written for you, accountability check-ins, and six weeks of free 1:1 nutrition coaching alongside it. It fits around your week and it's built to work long after the trial ends.
Book My Free Trial Session