By Amanda Howell
Tucked at the back of the historic Ford Building against the train tracks on SE 11th Ave., it’s easy to miss Rose City Rec Room (RCRR), a bright and airy gym space that offers small group classes incorporating progressive strength training, functional movement and technical barbell and kettlebell skills. RCRR has been inhabiting this unique location since 2021, but current owners Tay and Matt Nicholas took over in November 2024 when the gym was on the precipice of closure. A friend of Tay’s owned the gym previously, they said, but their friend was ready for a change.
Tay, who first started teaching group fitness classes in 2013 and has a degree in Community Health Education and Physical Activity and Exercise from Portland State University, decided to jump on the opportunity along with partner, Matt, who has a background in sound engineering and professional DJ’ing. The pair had been looking for a way to work together and blend their interests.
Since taking over in November 2024, they’ve created an intentional gym space that is designed to “meet people where they’re at,” Tay said. Tay’s approach to fitness is to focus on “fitness for real life” by prioritizing functional strength training. “At RCRR, we lift weights so we can lift our kids and our groceries, we train to support our favorite activities like climbing, paddle boarding and gardening and we challenge harmful diet culture trends by promoting self acceptance, movement freedom and weight neutrality.”
Based on their own lived experience as a queer and plus-size person, they know that the fitness industry can be problematic and exclusive and are aware that many people have not had good experiences in fitness spaces. RCRR is meant to provide people with a welcome, inclusive fitness environment where diversity is celebrated. In reflection of their values, the gym even boasts a “Little Liberation Library” where members can borrow and exchange reading material on a wide variety of topics. Tay has also recently gotten involved with Gym Space Equity, which aims to make fitness more inclusive and accessible.
In the last year and a half, Tay and Matt have been able to grow the gym quite a bit, increasing the number of class offerings and bringing in additional coaches. They currently offer Sweat, a 45-minute cardio/conditioning class combining circuit and timed-interval training, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Strength and Skill, a 50-minute class that features weights and other strength training, is offered on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. The gym offers a kettlebell specific class on Sundays, as well as the popular Club AM on Saturdays with Matt (DJ TRL) DJ’ing. In addition to the class offerings, members are also able to take advantage of open gym opportunities. All classes are capped at 12, but new people are welcome to join at any time. Classes are intentionally programmed and progressive to allow attendees to build strength over time.
As the gym has grown, Tay noted that they’ve been particularly delighted to see the way the gym has blossomed into a community. Members have become friends and one member even chose to host their 30th birthday at the space. Tay and Matt have also been intentionally growing their involvement in the community and want the gym to be a local resource. For the past six months, they’ve been collecting free fridge and pantry donations which they take to a donation location on SE Powell Blvd. every Saturday.
While owning a gym has required a good deal of work, Tay has also been surprised that it’s been easier than expected. They love that people enjoy working out and spending time in the secret garden-like space.
For those interested in checking it out, the gym offers one free trial class or a one-month unlimited trial for $90. RCRR is also available via Class Pass. A variety of membership levels are available online.
Rose City Rec Room
2505 SE 11th Ave., Suite 137
Monday-Friday, 6 am-6 pm, Saturday, 8-11 am, Sunday 9-11 am
rosecityrecroom.com
Rose City Rec Room co-owners Tay and Matt Nicholas pose in front of the entrance. Photo by Kyl Myers.
