Studio X on Queen Street sits in the heart of Palmerston North's CBD, but it doesn't feel like a typical gym. The studio is LED-lit rather than bright and clinical, there are no mirrors on the walls, and no session happens without a coach on the floor. The whole setup is built around one idea: helping everyday people get stronger, fitter and feel like themselves again through fully coached training. Training at Studio X follows structured strength blocks rather than random daily workouts, so members make deliberate progress over time. The timetable runs on four signature group classes — BUILD, SQUAD, TRIPLE X and POWER — supported by semi-private training for those who want smaller-group attention, plus open gym time slots for members who want to lift, stretch or rehab on their own. The Palmerston North studio is one of two Studio X locations, alongside Hamilton North. What began as a couple of families backing their community has grown into a mission the team states simply: help everyday legends get stronger, move better and feel unstoppable. Co-founder Coach Kev is one of the driving forces behind the Palmerston North studio — at 64 he's a two-time HYROX World Championship qualifier with previous world championship experience in triathlon and duathlon, and he's in the studio every day coaching and leading from the front. Just as central to Studio X is the community around the training. Members describe an atmosphere where egos are left at the door, where coaches cheer you on and know your name, and where team events, challenges and recovery sessions give people a reason to show up beyond the workout itself. Extras round things out: Tanita body composition scans, nutrition packages with a qualified nutritionist, and supplements stocked right in the studio with a member discount. Whether you're starting fresh or levelling up, new arrivals are invited to book a free studio tour or jump into a 7-day trial to see if it fits.
On Queen Street in the middle of Palmerston North's CBD, Studio X does group training differently. The studio is LED-lit rather than bright and clinical, there are no mirrors on the walls, and no session happens without a coach. In the studio's own words, the goal is simple: get stronger, fitter, and feel like yourself again — with fully coached sessions designed for everyday people.
Studio X started with a simple idea — create a space where everyday people could train, learn, push themselves, and actually feel like they belong. Not a place where you walk in and feel out of your depth, and not a place where you're left guessing what to do. What began as a couple of families backing their community has grown into two thriving locations: Hamilton North and Palmerston North. The mission hasn't changed — help everyday legends get stronger, move better, and feel unstoppable.
One of the driving forces behind the Palmerston North studio is co-founder Coach Kev. At 64, he's still getting stronger and fitter himself: a two-time HYROX World Championship qualifier with previous world championship experience in triathlon and duathlon. More than that, he's in the studio every day — coaching, supporting, and leading from the front. For anyone who has ever wondered whether it's too late to start, Kev is the studio's own answer.
Most gyms give you workouts. Studio X gives you a plan — and coaches you through it. Every session is fully coached, so you turn up and are shown exactly what to do, with no guesswork and no being left on your own. Training runs in structured strength blocks, so progress is deliberate: the aim is to actually get stronger, not just sweaty.
The timetable is built around four signature group classes — BUILD, SQUAD, TRIPLE X and POWER. Alongside them, semi-private training offers smaller-group coaching, and open gym time slots throughout the week let members come in to lift, sweat, stretch or rehab at their own pace.
The studio is upfront about who it's for. If you've ever walked into a gym with no idea what to do, started and stopped more times than you'd like to admit, or you're over random workouts and need real accountability, that's exactly who this is built for. As the team puts it: no mirrors, no egos, just a solid crew that has your back.
Ask members why they stay and the answer is rarely the equipment. Tia credits the darker, mirror-free gym with helping her build confidence with workouts and new movements, and praises a community full of support and encouragement. Talia, a mother of four, describes finding a community she calls her family — and in her first six months she dropped 23kg and has trained consistently ever since. Toni calls joining the best decision she's ever made and says she's the strongest and fittest she's ever been. Stephanie says Studio X transformed her relationship with exercise, and Nathaniel describes an atmosphere where egos are left at the door and replaced with supportive, friendly attitudes.
That sense of community extends well beyond the classes. The studio runs team events, challenges and recovery sessions — a place where people show up for support, accountability, and a crew that actually knows their name, whether they're just starting out or have trained for years.
Studio X also backs up the training with practical extras. Tanita body scans measure body composition — skeletal muscle mass, body fat percentage, biological age, visceral fat and more — delivering over 40 health metrics in under 30 seconds. Nutrition packages let you work one-on-one with a highly qualified nutritionist, with weekly check-ins, thousands of recipes and an easy-to-use app, or lean on a recipe library if you just need help with calorie counting and ideas. Supplements, from whey and plant-based protein to pre-workout, creatine and BCAA, are stocked right in the studio, with members getting 10% off.
Newcomers are encouraged to take it step by step. A free studio tour pairs you with a team member who'll show you through the space and answer your questions, with no obligation. From there, a 7-day trial lets you experience the classes and coaching first-hand. Studio X Palmerston North is at 56 Queen Street — you can call 0274 116 186 or email [email protected] to get started.