Two problems with the way most gyms work. Most people training in them never figure out either.
Problem one: the programme isn't built around you.
What a good training plan is supposed to do:
Get harder as you get stronger…
Keep a record of what you lifted last week…
Adjust when you stall…
Have a reason behind every session!
What a generic programme actually does:
Repeats week after week with no changes…
Same structure for everyone in the room…
No record of your lifts from last week…
No adjustment for the three months you've been stuck on the same weight…
Designed for a general population, which means designed for nobody in particular!
You've been putting real effort into something that was never built to respond to you.
Problem two: there's no real coaching.
What actual coaching looks like:
Someone who knows what you lifted last session.
Someone watching you lift, and not just scrolling on their phone.
Someone giving you specific corrections before the fault becomes a habit.
What coaching looks like with fifteen people in a room:
A coach moving between stations, calling reps in the general direction of everyone (Anyone can do that!).
Nobody has time to watch your lift properly. Form can drift for months and go unnoticed.
Nobody's keeping track.
That's not coaching. That's supervision.
And a lot of people have been paying coaching prices for it for years.
How Dark Horse resolves both.
Your programme is a comprehensive plan, not just something the coach whipped up 5 minutes before the session started!
It's built around you, not the class.
It's reviewed at the end of each phase and built forward from your actual results.
The cap is five. Because that's the number at which a coach can genuinely watch you train, and provide high quality coaching.
What most gyms call "coaching" is actually supervision and cheerleading - "Come on guys! You can do it!"… 🤡
Two problems. Solved together. That's why we're different.
Individual programming isn't a feature at Dark Horse.
It's the whole reason our members make progress, and why other gyms just leave you spinning your wheels.
Your programme is a comprehensive and curated training plan…
Not a template. Not today's group workout. Specific training phases built around your starting numbers, your goals, and your history.
Our expert coaches actually sit down and write up your programme based on your specific needs. We don't just pull it out of our arse 5 mins before everyone arrives 😬
"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 5 per class. The number that makes our sessions work…
A coach can watch five people properly. After that, the quality of observation drops. The coach is managing the room rather than coaching you and providing feedback.
We're not just trying to pack the room like a tin of sardines. It's the physical limit at which individual coaching inside a class is still real. Past five, what's the point of a coach even being there?
"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 the same programme for everyone and call it group coaching. Most PTs write a template and adjust the name at the top.
Dark Horse does neither. Your programme is written from scratch, reviewed weekly. Then built forward based on what you actually did from phase to phase.
It's more time-consuming for us than the alternatives. That's the point.
If you're going to pay a premium price, you deserve a premium service!
The programming standard at most gyms is lower than you think. Here's what the difference actually looks like.
There's a reason so many people train for years and have very little to show for it. It isn't the effort.
The barrier to entry to become a fitness coach is almost nonexistent.
Most gym coaches in Ireland hold a Level 3 cert. A six-to-twelve-week course. A piece of paper to keep insurance companies happy.
Conor and Ronan both hold a BSc in Sports Science and Health. Four years on how the body actually adapts to training load over time.
We've got 20+ years of coaching experience between us. That's how we know why this industry is failing you.
Real progress doesn't happen in twelve weeks. The industry sells that timeline because it's easy to market.
The body adapts gradually, and those adaptations compound. But only when training is structured properly, applied consistently, and reviewed regularly.
When that happens, progress becomes almost predictable. You get stronger. You look different.
And something a lot of people don't expect: you start to genuinely enjoy your training more 💪, because for the first time, you can see where it's going.
That gap is why most gyms put thirty people through the same session and call it coaching.
Individual programme writing takes time for a coach, it requires effort, and someone who knows what they're building.
What new members tell us is they're surprised by the detail. The coach has a rationale for each decision.
They've had "coaches" before. But they've never experienced REAL coaching!
For reference: individual personal training in Dublin and Wicklow runs €50 to €80 per session.
Three sessions a week at the lower end of that is €600 a month. At Dark Horse, three sessions a week is €72.50.
The same quality of individual programming, at a fraction of the cost.
"Conor and Ronan both have degrees in sports science and will explain what you need to do and why for whatever your goal is."
"Their knowledge, attention to detail and professionalism will make you feel like you are in the right hands!"
The free trial session.
A free one hour coaching session at Dark Horse. No payment, no commitment. No hard selling.
- A programme 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.
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.
Who trains at Dark Horse.
Forty-plus members across the week. Most have been training for years before they arrived. Most came from somewhere else, a commercial gym, a CrossFit affiliate, a 1:1 PT, and arrived at Dark Horse for a specific reason. Here's a cross-section.
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 workouts, 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 back problems completely disappeared.
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.
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 workouts in without getting up at the crack of dawn. I had back surgery and my recovery time was cut in half. 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 have a slipped disc and had constant back pain and numbness in my legs and feet. I couldn't walk longer than 10 minutes. Within a few months of training, the pain went away and now I can go on my daily walks again.
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.
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. I've never felt better, 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, Adam and Ronan all 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 workout. 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.
Pricing. Plainly.
2 sessions / week
€60/wk
3 sessions / week
€72.50/wk
Most popular
4 sessions / week
€87.50/wk
Includes individual prescribed programming and coaching through every session. No joining fee. No hidden charges. First month minimum, then month-to-month. Cancel anytime.
A note on the price. Dark Horse is not the cheapest option in Bray. A commercial gym is €40–50 a month. That's a fair choice for a different purpose. If you've been paying €60–80 per session for individual PT and getting a template with your name on it, this is a different conversation. The reason the maths works is that the programming is individual and the coaching cost is shared across a class of five. You get a coach who watches 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."
A note on availability. No countdown, no "only 3 spots left."
Dark Horse caps classes at five people. That's real. It's the physical limit at which coaching inside a class is still actual coaching. Past five, the coach is managing the room rather than watching the lifts. We keep it at five.
New members slot in when there's space in a session that works for them. What we don't do: invented urgency. No flashing counters. No doors-close-tonight copy. The trial is open when you want it. The membership conversation happens after the trial, on your terms.
If the slot you want is full when you book, we'll tell you what is available and you pick from there.
"The gym maintains a limited set of people per time slot, so it's never too busy, allowing for personalised attention and a comfortable workout environment."
"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."
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 doesn't build momentum for any specific person. At Dark Horse the programme is yours and it adapts to your responses, not the class schedule. That's the difference.
"I'm not sure the timing works for me."
Sessions run Monday to Friday (7am, 8am, 9am, 12pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm) and Saturday (8am, 9am, 10am, 11am). If that schedule doesn't have a window that works for you, that's worth being honest with yourself about. The minimum commitment is two hours per week. You can fit that in.
"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.
Book your free trial session.
Fill in the form below. We'll call you to organise your slot.
The part we almost forgot to mention.
We've made the case for individual programming. The cap of five. The coaching that actually happens inside it. That's the work, and it's what gets you the results other gyms have been promising for years.
But there's a piece that doesn't show up on a pricing page. Most members don't notice it until they're a few months in.
You're going to know the people in the room.
The coaches. The other four faces in your session. The handful of regulars who roll through at the same time every week.
It's the part new members tell us they didn't expect. You sign up for the programming. You stay because over twelve months you've built genuine relationships with the coaches and the people you train alongside.
Think about it. Three sessions a week, fifty weeks a year. That's more hours than you'll spend with most of your friends.
When the coach knows your name, your history, what you lifted last Tuesday, and what you've got on this weekend... training stops being a thing you make yourself do. It becomes a thing you actually look forward to.
That's the piece that makes it sustainable.
The programming is what makes you stronger. The community is what keeps you walking through the door long enough for the programming to do its work.
"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."
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.
Individual programming. Small group. Reviewed weekly. One free hour of coaching to see what it actually feels like.
Book My Free Trial Session